Canadian Retailer - Store 2013 - 83

Paul Simmonds is the owner of Robert Simmonds, a high-end clothing and footwear store in
Fredericton, NB.
What the top issue for independents in your region?
We face numerous issues such as inconsistency
of traffic, rising operating costs and erosion of
margins. We live in a small region to draw clientele and qualiﬁed employees from. We do, however, have a great training program to give our
team the skills to become professionals.

Diane Petryna is owner of Take A Hike, an outdoor lifestyle store in Thunder Bay, ON.
What the top issue for independents in your region?
I know how many balls independent store
owners have to juggle. It can be exhausting.
With changing technology, increased competition and rising consumer and employee expectations, it's increasingly difficult to stay on
top of everything.

How can independents become more competitive?
Ask your vendors for better terms, ask shippers
for better rates, ask customers what they are
looking for. Use associations like RCC for what
they offer. Use social media and have an online
presence with such partners as Shopify.

How can independents become more competitive?
Independents need to recognize that it all starts
with you—the business owner. Do whatever it
takes to get yourself into your “A” game. For
me that meant moving my store and working
with an experienced retail business coach. It’s
proved to be a winning combination.

Sandra Avery is owner of A Special Touch, a specialty gifts store in St. John’s, NL.

Bob Ianson is co-owner of Heirloom Linens, based in
B.C., known as “Canada’s online linen store.”

What the top issue for independents in your region?
I ﬁnd it difficult to get staff. Also, in the last
six months, whoever I talk to, whether it’s in
the States, Alberta, or Nova Scotia, people just
aren’t shopping the same. Even the reps are saying, “I’ve never seen the wall this slow.”

What the top issue for independents in your region?
In my region, we are undergoing a major facelift to retail in general, with new mall construction and major renovations for existing centres.
These facelifts will be positive in the end but create real challenges as we go through the process.

How can independents become more competitive?
To be more competitive, you have to think like
the big franchises, the big businesses. Yes, we
can’t be one of them, but we have to think big.
Paying attention to detail, as well. Your displays
have to tell a story.

How can independents become more competitive?
I often said that I would love to have my store
right beside a major competitor, to allow me
to more readily monitor their assortment and
pricing and better react as required. Independents can move quickly to change their strategy
or capitalize on their competition’s weaknesses.

Jennifer Grimm is owner of LUX Beauty Boutique, “Edmonton’s original apothecary.”
What the top issue for independents in your region?
Alberta, because of the attractiveness of our
economy, is attracting new chains. Already, independents have to stand out in the crowd, and
that’s a challenge, and now you have this buzz
about international chains coming in. That
makes it even more difficult for independents.
How can independents become more competitive?
Retail is all about experience. As an independent you can’t compete on price. Ask, “What’s my
customer experience? Does the interior stand
out? Are my sales people actually selling or am
my running a vending machine?”

Betsy Thomas is President of Bummis and Boutique Bummis in Montreal, a business specializing in cloth diapers.
What the top issue for independents in your region?
In Montreal, we have an overall loss of vitality
on shopping streets and in the city core—parking problems, construction everywhere, traffic,
and so on. We are losing our demographic to
the suburbs and mall shopping.
How can independents become more competitive?
Become an expert in at least one thing and ﬂaunt
it. Also, create a community in your store. Make
people feel that they are part of something happening in your store that is cutting edge.

For more information about MySTORE, including further detail about the products, programs and services that the division can offer independent retailers, visit www.retailcouncil.org/mystore, or contact
RCC’s membership services by email at customerservice@retailcouncil.org or call (888) 373-8245.

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Canadian Retailer - Store 2013

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