Archive/Subscribe | Printer-Friendly | Send to a Friend | www.wrla.org | YardStick WRLA Weekly ToolBox: March 1, 2012
What's Going On

Here are dates for the upcoming Retail Business Management Training Sessions in Edmonton, AB

Don't Delay - Register Today!

March 6 & 7
MANAGEMENT SKILLSTWO DAY COURSE
This course introduces the concept and practices of management skills in the making of the "Professional Manager." This includes time management, organization, communication, problem solving, teamwork and goal setting. Group case studies and discussions will be incorporated in this component.

March 8 & 9
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - CANCELLED
An introduction to human resource management on the functions and responsibility of managing human resources in a building supply operation. You will gain an understanding of how to maximize employee potential and legislative compliance as it relates to employee development.

March 12, 13 & 14
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT - TWO & ½ DAY COURSE
This introductory course in financial accounting reviews the accounting cycle. Topics include how to read financial statements, budgeting, financial ratios, bank negotiating, credit and collection methods and computer technology. Case studies will be used to demonstrate concepts and provide practice in basic financial analysis.

March 15 & 16
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT - TWO DAY COURSE
This module offers a foundation of inventory management with emphasis on the financial impact in maintaining inventory control. Content includes the understanding of GMROI, accuracy, product care, shrinkage and future technology. Case studies will be used to illustrate concepts and provide hands-on experience.

March 19 & 20 
PURCHASING - TWO DAY COURSE
Purchasing is an important part of our industry. Learn the core principles and develop the best practice that ties the four pillars of purchasing together. Delve into transportation and logistics principles including warehouse, storage and handling costs. You will also cover operating procedures such as shrink control, cycle counts and management reports. Group work and class interaction enhance this new program. 

March 21 & 22  
STRATEGIC RETAIL MARKETING - TWO DAY COURSE 
Master the essentials of marketing in the building supply industry. This course also defines pricing strategies and helps you develop a media plan. This component will teach you how to evaluate a competitive analysis including the proper product mix, promotions and merchandising. You will also receive guidance and practical "how to's" from a proven expert, and networking opportunities with your building supply colleagues. 

CLICK HERE to register online NOW!


All courses will be held at the Delta Edmonton South, Edmonton, AB
Member Fee: $500 EACH course (Rebate applications available)
Please call Susan for more information 1(800) 661-0253 or email slabossiere@wrla.org

 
Are you doing everything possible to ensure your customers are having a pleasant shopping experience at your store?   

Statistics show that only 1 out of every 10 customers will voice an opinion.  Remember, good news travels fast, bad news travels faster.

The WRLA has partnered with one of the leading appraisal firms in Canada to conduct the Mystery Shop program.  They use professional shoppers who know what to look for and what to ask.  They will conduct an honest and fair evaluation of your business.

CLICK HERE to view a sample report

CLICK HERE to download the Registration Form

For more information call Susan at 204-953-1690 or 800-661-0253 ext 0
or email slabossiere@wrla.org



$99 + GST per mystery shop  - 2 times per year – spring & fall
or 4 times per year – once a quarter

You don’t pay until you receive your report!
 

Do you have a special event, anniversary, expansion, or new location that you would like highlighted? Have you incorporated new technology into your day-to-day business (Social Media, etc.) that you would like to share? 

 
If so, this would be your opportunity to:

• Market your business
• Market your suppliers
• Market your buying group
• Build staff morale
• Share your business experience with the industry
• See your name and photo in print

Contact: Caren Kelly
Email:
ckelly@wrla.org
Or 204.953.1693 or 800.661.0253 ext 3

 
Industry News
RONA said Thursday it will close 10 big-box stores by the end of this year as the Quebec-based home improvement and gardening retailer tries to stop mounting losses and appeal to more consumers. "We will redeploy the sales volume of 10 big-box stores to 25 stores," CEO Don Dutton said after Rona posted a fourth-quarter loss of more than $151 million, one of its biggest ever. "We expect by the end of 2012 that the 10 big-box stores will be fully redeployed into new locations," Dutton told analysts during a conference call.

The announcement by Rona left it unclear how many net jobs might be affected by the closures, since it also plans to start opening 25 smaller stores focusing on more personalized customer service that are a short drive away. But Rona said few job losses are expected because employees at the big-box stores slated to close will be offered positions at the 25 new stores, with the bulk of jobs providing full-time work. "We're taking steps to relocate our people as much as possible and then we'll provide assistance to the others who cannot take the opportunity," Rona spokeswoman Michelle Laberge said. "We think by the end of next year that our head count will be roughly the same at 30,000 employees," Laberge said in an interview.

Two smaller stores will open in a market where there's one big-box store that will close, Laberge said. There are about 190 employees at a Rona big-box store with about 60 per cent of these employees working part-time, she said.

The rollout of the 25 smaller stores includes retrofitting 13 big-box stores and making them smaller, Dutton said during the call. "On average, this store will be 35,000 square feet. It will provide a more personalized service for customers and a higher return on investment for us," Dutton said.

Dutton said the smaller-store concept has been tested in locations such as Georgetown, Ont., and Granby, Que.

The new stores are expected to add $40 million in EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) by 2014. Rona's big-box stores are often cavernous and suited to contractors buying supplies and to do-it-yourself renovators and may not appeal to those with a more hands-off approach, including women.

Competitor Home Depot has revamped stores to appeal to more to women, often the key deciders in the look of renovation projects. Meanwhile, Rona will also introduce a new website this spring it believes will be more appealing to consumers. "Our research indicates that proximity continues to be the most important factor considered by consumers when they're selecting a store to shop at," Dutton said. "We want consumers to be from one click to 10 minutes away from a Rona store."

Retail analyst Ed Strapagiel said stores are closed when they're not making money and Rona is adjusting its operations to the environment it's facing, noting there's a market for smaller stores.

"As the population gets older there are more people around who would rather hire somebody to do it as opposed to doing it themselves," said Strapagiel, executive vice-president of Kubasprimedia in Toronto.
In its financial results, Rona said its fourth-quarter loss compared with a profit of about $20 million a year earlier.

Rona said its quarterly sales rose 2.6 per cent to $1.17 billion, though same-store sales dropped as the company dealt with poor weather, tough competition from other retailers and a slowing economy.

-- The Canadian Press
 

Lowes Canada has recently announced plans to implement a Product Content Management (PCM) initiative for Canada. For a number of years now, Lowe’s US has been leveraging PCM to enable the receipt and maintenance of complete and accurate Master Product Data from their vendor community. The application houses both Core Product Data as well as Extended Marketing Data including product information and images.

Core Product Data is synchronized with vendors through the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN). Commport Communications in Aurora, Ontario, owns and operates the largest and oldest GDSN-Certified Data Pool in Canada – CGS Datapool Services. They have extensive experience with the Lowe’s US PCM effort and are working closely with Lowe’s Canada with the expansion of their program here at home.

If you are a Lowe’s Canada vendor and are currently investigating certified data pool providers, CGS would welcome the opportunity to be a part of your due diligence process. To contact CGS call 1-800-565-2666 Option 1, email sales@commport.com or visit www.cgsdatapoolservices.com for more information on their GDSN-Certified solutions.

 

Brad Dixon has been appointed General Manager of Chalifour Canada (Vancouver). Brad brings 30 years of experience within the hardware, lumber and building materials industry, and has worked in a variety of roles at IRLY Distributors for nearly 20 years.

Chalifour Canada Ltd. is a 100% Canadian-owned hardware, lumber and building material distribution company serving independent home improvement entrepreneurs in every province and territory. From five warehouses and offices in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, Chalifour Canada offers full transportation and logistics services, cutting-edge product ordering and inventory management technologies, plus a dedicated national sales team providing in-store retail support.
 
Saskatchewan is leading other provinces in construction employment growth, and though it has attracted more new workers than most provinces, industry leaders say meeting labour needs over the next decade remains a challenge.

"We have to continue to attract a large, skilled workforce in Saskatchewan to meet market demand, and keeping them may be a challenge," says Michael Fougere, President, Saskatchewan Construction Association. "We have been successful at drawing in workers from other sectors and provinces, but we will have to continue efforts to recruit and maintain skilled workers through apprenticeship, industry training and immigration."

Fougere is responding to a just-released forecast of construction labour supply and demand published by the Construction Sector Council (CSC). The report says that since 2001, the construction workforce has expanded by almost 70 percent. Demand is projected to continue to grow over the next few years. "Our challenge going forward is that the same skilled trades are in demand at the same time for other resource projects across Canada."

Construction Looking Forward, An Assessment of Construction Labour Markets from 2012 to 2020 for Saskatchewan says the strongest growth is due to the big mining and utility projects, but employment in all sectors will continue to increase. "Unlike most other provinces, new housing construction and renovation work will likely continue at a steady pace until 2020," says Alan Thomarat, President, Canadian Home Builders Association of Saskatchewan. "There are concerns about the potential demand for skilled workers due to retirements and competition for labour from other provinces. The entire construction industry is taking a proactive approach to recruitment, retention, training and development."

Since 2001, Saskatchewan's labour force has increased from around 23,000 workers to an estimated 37,500 in 2011. Work on known major projects is expected to peak in 2013 and the workforce will decline to average 35,000 workers across the outlook period, well above historic levels.

"This is a new level of activity for our province. We have to ensure that we have the skilled workforce now and for the future," says Terry Parker, Business Manager, Saskatchewan Provincial Building & Construction Trades Council, noting that as activity peaks, industry must focus on the potential loss of skilled workers expected to retire over the next decade. The CSC estimates that 6,600 workers may retire; 18 percent of the current workforce.

Each year, the CSC releases nine-year labour forecasts following consultations with industry leaders, including owners, contractors and labour groups, as well as governments and educational institutions.
The national and regional reports will be available online at www.csc-ca.org in February/March. Forecast data is also available at www.constructionforecasts.ca. They allow for instant access to residential and non-residential construction investment data, as well as details on the supply and demand for more than 30 skilled trades over the next nine years - all broken down by province and region.

The Construction Sector Council is a national industry-led organization committed to the development of a highly skilled workforce that will support the future needs of Canada's construction industry. It is funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program.
 
Calendar of Events

March 22 - 23, 2012

Epicor - LBM Customer Training Conference
Denver, CO
www.epicor.com

March 30-31, 2012
TIM-BR MART National Buying Show
Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, ON
www.timbrmartshow.ca

April 14 - 16, 2012
TruServ Canada Spring Market
Winnipeg Convention Center, Winnipeg, MB
www.truserv.ca

April 16 - 19, 2012
Manual Estimating
Saskatoon, SK

April 20. 2012
Yard Foreman
Saskatoon, SK

April 22 - 24, 2012
Home Hardware Show
St. Jacobs, ON

August 16-18, 2012
Orgill Spring Market
Las Vegas, NV

Tuesday, August 21, 2012
WRLA Terry Yates Memorial Golf Tournament
Steinbach, MB

Thursday, September 06, 2012
Calgary Classic Golf Tournament
Sundre Golf Course, Sundre, AB

Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Kenossee Golf Tournament
Kenossee SK.

CLICK HERE To view our full events calendar
 
Member Updates
NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER

BH Woodturning Ltd. (Associate Head Office)
810 Derwent Way
Annacis Business Park
Delta, BC    V3M 5R1
Phone: 604-540-6232
Phone Toll Free: 866-862-62323
Fax: 604-640-6101
Main Contact: Bruce Hargrave
ghargrave@bhwoodturning.com
www.bhwoodturning.com
(Manufacturer) (Wholesaler) (Distributor) stair parts, rail, spindles, newels, stair cases, metal spindles, floor mouldings, exterior stair rail, spindles and posts including post caps, all stair related products.

 
Alliance Designer Products
Westman Steel Industries
Seljax Int'l Inc.
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