Canadian Retailer - Store 2013 - 24

STORE 2013 AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

CANADIAN RETAIL HALL-OF-FAME

FORMER RCC STALWART HONOURED WITH HALL-OF-FAME INDUCTION

Assocation’s first president and CEO
recognized for retail legacy
BY SEAN C. TARRY
HALF A CENTURY after helping build the foundation of what

of tax revenues. Work that McKichan and his
we know today as Retail Council of Canada (RCC), the asso- colleagues did in the early years can also be
ciation’s first President and CEO, Alisdair McKichan, was rec- credited with the strengthening of employognized for his contribution to the Canadian retail industry ment standards and the development of prowith an induction into the Canadian Retail Hall-of-Fame.
fessional education for retail management.
A native of Scotland, Alasdair immigrated to Canada in 1957
“In all these situations,” McKichan states,
and practised law in Winnipeg, Manitoba before moving to To- “events have demonstrated that RCC was on
ronto. He joined RCC in 1963 as president and CEO and served the right side of history.”
in that capacity from 1963 to 1971. He then left the association
In addition to his industry work, McKichan
for a short while before returning to the post that he vacated in also contributed significantly to a wide var1975, where he remained until his retirement in late 1994.
iety of charitable, cultural and health organ“It is fitting that on its 50th anniversary, RCC recognizes izations, like The Canadian Centre for PhilAlasdair's contribution to the industry and his immeasur- anthropy, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the
able role in elevating retail's status as a key contributor to job Canadian Association for Community Living,
growth and economic development,” noted Diane J. Brisebois, which all benefited from his commitment.
President & CEO of Retail Council of Canada.
Alisdair’s leadership skills, ability to under- “The foundations that were laid at the
stand the needs and challenges of Canadian reassociation so many years ago are
tailers and his vision and forward thinking are
lauded by those who have had the pleasure of testament to the collective efforts of
working with and for him. But, just as is the case Canadian retailers and a number of very
with any great leader McKichan is quick to point special individuals who helped shape
to the contributions of his former colleagues when
the association and provide a voice for
reminiscing about past RCC accomplishments.
“I’m extremely proud of the things that I Canadian retailers across the country.”
achieved when I was President of Retail Coun— ALASDAIR MCKICHAN
cil of Canada,” says McKichan. “And, it’s a real
Former president and CEO, Retail Council of Canada
honour and gives me great personal satisfaction
to have been honoured and recognized by Retail Council of
Though his list of accomplishments and
Canada and the entire retail industry. However, I can’t take contributions to the industry and communthe credit. The foundations that were laid at the association so ity are impressive and worth every bit of the
many years ago are testament to the collective efforts of Can- recognition that McKichan’s received, it’s the
adian retailers and a number of very special individuals who personal one-on-one interaction and dialogue
helped shape the association and provide a voice for Canadian that he enjoyed with retail members that made
retailers across the country.”
his time at the association most rewarding.
Despite his modesty, however, McKichan, a member of the
“I’ll always remember the opportunities to
Order of Canada in 1998, spearheaded the development of get to know members,” he says. “Each new day
standards for retailers, and played a major role in enhancing presented new challenges and fresh opportunthe professionalism of business association executives. During ities to get closer to our members and to underthe course of his career, various levels of government sought stand their operations, needs and concerns at
his advice on a broad range of issues, such as the Canada-U.S. a deeper level. The chance to work so closely
GATT and NAFTA Agreements. He was also instrumental in with such great leaders within the industry, to
the development of RCC’s Board and many of its committees collaborate on solutions and to work toward a
over the years, and played an important role in the develop- stronger and healthier industry will remain one
ment of reforms that brought a better balance to the sources of my fondest memories of my career.”

24 |

canadian retailer | store 2013 | www.retailcouncil.org/cdnretailer
http://www.retailcouncil.org/cdnretailer
Canadian Retailer - Store 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Retailer - Store 2013
