Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 19

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y R YA N F R A N C OZ

KRUH: KPMG recently conducted a global "Top of Mind" survey
of 540 CEOs and C-suite professionals. Amongst other things,
we discovered that the top two priorities for businesses today
are growth and expansion (42%) and technology (12%). It's obvious that companies want to grow. And in many ways technology can be one of the enablers of that growth. I want to discuss
with you the ways your organizations are leveraging technology to enhance your operations, grow your businesses and elevate the experience you're offering to your customers. But first
I want to frame things by getting your perspectives on the current economy.
Since 2008-09 many companies have been focused on
strengthening their balance sheets. It's been a challenging time
for most and concerns over the global economic climate continue today. In Canada we're seeing rising consumer debt levels, a potential housing bubble, the continued downturn of our
dollar relative to the American dollar and significantly lower oil
prices. How has the current state of the economy affected your
businesses and the confidence of your consumer?
PRUD'HOMME: We're a destination for people who are

looking to undertake major projects that require major
investments. Despite the economic downturn, we have
continued to experience growth in our business, as our
customers are continuing to invest in their living space.
Perhaps one recent dynamic impacting the marketplace
is the fact that Millennials require a house to be fully
renovated when they buy it. Because of this, the market
is moving forward for us in that the existing owners of
homes need to remodel them in order to put their home
on the market. Millennials want everything to be very
easy. We're focusing on ways to meet their specific needs.
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DINAN: While we've seen a little bit of a slow-

down in certain markets, we are still experiencing positive numbers. Overall we're currently
quite well-positioned within our sector. And
we're going through significant store expansion
with our various banners. The key to supporting
that growth is to remain focused on our customer needs and provide them with the value
they're looking for consistently throughout each
of our banners.

BEBIS: One of our key demographics is Mil-

lennials. They are very discerning and have a
sense of knowledge. They want to know what
they're buying. And when they buy bourbon or
whiskey or scotch, they've done their research.
They know where it's from and who made it.
They have money to spend. But they're going to
make sure that they spend it on a product that
offers them the greatest value.

ROSEN: We service individuals with household in-

comes above $100,000. Within that sector confidence
is usually the driver and they're the reactors in terms
of the economy. We finished last year with a record top
and bottom line. So far this year we're running about
nine per cent over last year. The worldwide trend is that
the better-end is going to grow two to four per cent. So
while many sectors within our industry have felt the
belt-tightening, the top-end, the luxury sector has not
been affected to the same degree.

STORE 2015 | CANADIAN RETAILER

| 19

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