Fast growing eyecare and eyewear provider, Specsavers has announced a partnership with the Municipal Retirees Organization Ontario, the largest organization supporting OMERS pensioners. Beginning this week, MROO members can visit one of the over 50 Specsavers locations in Ontario to save when it comes to maintaining their eye health. “We’re delighted to partner with MROO and bring our passion for making quality eyecare and eyewear affordable and accessible to all their members,” said Bill Moir, Managing Director of Specsavers Canada. “This partnership marks a great milestone in our mission to help change the lives of Canadians through better sight.” Specsavers is an optometrist-owned and -led business that entered the Canadian market in late 2021. Since then, it has opened over 100 independently owned optometrist practices across the country. (Specsavers Canada – www.specsavers.ca)………….
Harvey’s is celebrating its 65th anniversary with the launch of the Harvey’s Burger Hunt. Starting this week, the burger brand will hide 1,650 free burger cards near Harvey’s locations and iconic landmarks across the country, including four VIP Cards that will give the lucky winners free ‘Harvey’s for a year’. On April 1st, the chain is also kicking off a $1.65 Original Burger offer, available through the Harvey’s app for a limited time to celebrate ‘the burger that started it all’. Also on April 1st, Harvey’s will release limited-edition, retro inspired merchandise and made-to-order t-shirts where Canadians can have their own name printed between the brand’s iconic bun logo. Five dollars from each item sold will go to Tree Canada, in support of their collective goal of planting 250,000 trees by 2026. Harvey’s was founded in 1959 by Montrealer Richard Mauran, whose vision for a made-to-order, charcoal-broiled hamburger, topped the way you like it, was a novel idea among Canadian quick-service restaurants. Harvey’s is part of Recipe Unlimited Corp. (Harvey’s – www.harveys.ca)………
At Morguard Corp., Angela Sahi, CPA, has been appointed as its President and COO, effective immediately. In this new role, Ms Sahi will oversee the company’s operations and drive strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing Morguard’s market position and delivering value to its stakeholders. She most recently held the position of Executive Vice President, Residential, Office and Industrial and has extensive real estate, mergers and acquisitions, governance, and risk experience in both Canada and the US, achieved through her time with Morguard and previously with a large public accounting firm. (Morguard Corp – www.morguard.com)……..
The Retail Council of Canada has announced that Michael Medline, President, CEO of Empire Company Ltd. and Sobeys Inc., as the recipient of the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix Trailblazer Award. The Canadian Grand Prix Trailblazer Award recognizes individuals or families who have demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to the Canadian retail and grocery industries, spearheaded historic, transformational change in their sectors, and exhibited both passion and courage in their leadership. The Trailblazer Award will be presented at Retail Council of Canada’s Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Gala on May 29, 2024, at the Toronto Congress Centre. Joining Medline at the Gala is Dino Bianco, CEO of Kruger Products Inc., who is receiving the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award from Retail Council of Canada & Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada. The Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Gala will close the second day of Canada’s biggest retail conference, STORE 2024 that is held on May 28 and 29th. (Retail Council of Canada – www.retailcouncil.org)……..
Earlier in the week, Toronto-based Canada Goose announced a redesign of its global corporate workforce, as part of its ongoing Transformation Program, representing a reduction of approximately 17 percent of corporate roles. “Today, we are realigning our teams to ensure that corporate resources are fit for purpose to fuel our next phase of growth across geographies, categories, and channels,” said Dani Reiss, Chairman, CEO. “We are focused on achieving efficiency and margin expansion, while investing in key initiatives – brand, design and best-in-class operations – that will powerfully position our iconic performance luxury brand to deliver long-term growth.” Carrie Baker, President, Brand & Commercial, will expand her role to oversee Design in addition to her existing responsibilities. She will continue to partner closely with Reiss on continued creative, product and brand evolution. Beth Clymer, President of Finance, Strategy, and Administration will add Operations to her responsibilities. John Moran, former COO, departed Canada Goose on March 19, 2024. Ms Clymer is a skilled operator and will partner closely with our strong team of operations leaders, as well as with Reiss. Daniel Binder, Chief Transformation Officer, will now oversee Global Stores in addition to his current role, which includes Sales Planning & Operations at Canada Goose. He has decades of experience in luxury retail, having leadership roles at DFS, a division of LVMH, among other leading luxury retailers and brings strong retail operating skills to this critical growth priority for Canada Goose. (Canada Goose – www.canadagoose.com)…….
This week, McDonald’s USA and Krispy Kreme announced an expanded national partnership in which customers will begin spotting Krispy Kreme doughnuts in their local McDonald’s restaurants later this year as part of a phased market rollout across the country. Nationwide availability at participating restaurants is expected by the end of 2026. Three of Krispy Kreme’s most popular doughnuts will be delivered fresh to McDonald’s restaurants every day. They’ll be available individually, or in boxes of six, starting at breakfast and lasting throughout the day, while supplies last. This follows a successful test at 160 McDonald’s restaurants in the Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky areas where consumer demand exceeded expectations. These pilot restaurants will continue to serve Krispy Kreme doughnuts during the nationwide rollout. (McDonald’s USA LLC – www.mcdonalds.com) & (Krispy Kreme – www.krispykreme.com)…………
For those of you with retail properties in the North Carolina and Indiana markets, you’ll want to talk to Academy Sports + Outdoors, the Katy, Texas-based full line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer. Academy has just announced plans to open 15 to 17 new stores in its fiscal year 2024. The first store opened in Knightdale in North Carolina last week and in mid-April, a second location opens in Greenwood in Indiana. Academy Sports + Outdoors presently operates over 280 stores across the U.S. Academy stores are in the 70,000 square foot range. (Academy Sports + Outdoors – www.academy.com)…………..
Have a great Easter weekend……..