CHHMA - EYE ON OUR INDUSTRY
Volume 17, Issue 12, March 22, 2017

Inside This Issue:

• Don’t Miss Out On a Value-Packed Day of Education at the CHHMA Spring Conference & AGM - April 11th!
• Join Your Fellow Canadian Members and Retail Customers at Maple Leaf Night in Las Vegas on May 9th
• Registration for the CHHMA Ontario Golf Tournament & Spa Day (May 30) to Open Later this Week
• Register for the CHHMA Quebec Golf Classic - May 25th
• See How Your Company Can Increase Profitability at the ”Quantifying Value” Seminar on April 20th
• Jacques Gatien & Stew Valcour to be Inducted into Hall of Fame at CHHMA Spring Conference Luncheon
• Sears Holdings Warns It Has ’Substantial’ Doubts about Future
• Hudson’s Bay Exposes Saks Customer Info Online
• Nearly Half of Online Purchases in Canada Made at Foreign Retail Sites
• Canadian Retail Sales Jump More than Expected in January
• Toronto House Prices May Jump 25% this Year
• Latest U.S. Economic News


Association News

Don’t Miss Out On a Value-Packed Day of Education at the CHHMA Spring Conference & AGM -  April 11th!

The 48th CHHMA Annual General Meeting & Spring Conference will take place on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at the International Centre (Conference Facility) in Mississauga, ON.
This year’s theme is “Managing through turbulent times. What do we do now?”

And given the recent political & economic uncertainty, ever-changing retail/consumer shopping environment and financially challenging business climate, you and your company, more than ever, need the information and tools to help you achieve success.

This year’s conference speakers and topics were chosen with that in mind and the value-packed day plans to give you some of the answers you need to manage through these bumpy times.

Understanding Foreign Exchange Markets / Techniques of Hedging with Case Studies
Representatives from the Associated Foreign Exchange (AFEX) will provide a 20 minute overview on ‘How to Become Currency Neutral in Foreign Markets’ for the full audience which will cover off the benefits of implementing Foreign Exchange (FX) risk management solutions, general processes and tools that corporations use to manage foreign exchange (FX) and gaps that they often see from those plans, and some important suggestions on how best to manage FX exposure. Our speakers will then offer a one hour breakout session in more detail on Currency Risk and Techniques for Hedging, including case studies. See how you can effectively manage your foreign exchange exposure and help to stabilize profit margins.

The Resilient Team - Building Resilience at Work
We live in a fast paced and instant society, where we do more with less, and where teams are often flooded with information on a daily basis, and change is frequent. The current economic downturn has created challenges and change, and in some cases, uncertainty. Resilience is a critical skill for leaders, teams and businesses to bounce forward during change, demanding times and following adversity. Resilient teams are more efficient, solution focused, embrace values and get through tough times with less impact on the team and results. During Charmaine Hammond’s breakout session you will learn the 5 steps to resilience, how to build a resilient life (at home and at work), say “no” without guilt, and manage the challenges associated with change.   Read More >>


Join Your Fellow Canadian Members and Retail Customers at Maple Leaf Night in Las Vegas on May 9th

Maple Leaf Night is taking place this year on the evening of Tuesday, May 9th, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., at the Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. This popular social event is open to CHHMA members and their retail customers in  town for the National Hardware Show (May 9-11).

There are still sponsorship opportunities available at a cost of $775 CDN which entitles your company to corporate identification on all tickets, letterheads and event signage. It also entitles your company to one complimentary ticket for the host who will participate in the receiving line and two additional complimentary sponsor tickets.

Additional sponsor tickets can also be purchased for a reduced price of $129 CDN.

Regular individual tickets are $189 CDN or $225 CDN at the door.

Retailers/customers are invited to attend complimentary on behalf of the sponsors.

To sign up as a sponsor online, click here.  For a sponsorship PDF form, click here.

For regular registration, click here.


Registration for the CHHMA Ontario Golf Tournament & Spa Day (May 30) to Open Later this Week

CHHMA and COPA will be holding a joint golf tournament on Tuesday, May 30th, 2017 at the three-time Canadian Open Championship Course, Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ontario.

Golfers have the option of playing individual score on the south course or scramble format on the north course.

Registration & lunch will start at 11:30 a.m. with a 1:00 p.m. tee off.  Dinner will commence at 7:00 p.m.

Golfer Passports will be available at the registration table for $20 (no tax), all proceeds will go to support each Association’s Scholarship Fund. The passport will include:

• Entry into several draws
• Participation in all competition holes
• 3 golf balls
• Angus Glen Golf Club hat
• $25 gift certificate to the pro-shop
• Men’s or ladies’ Nike Victory Polo shirt (retail value $65)

The $20 can be paid in cash, cheque or credit card and a receipt will be issued for each passport purchased.

Non-Golfers Activities

In addition, non-golfers can spend their leisure time at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa, 8500 Warden Avenue, Markham, Ontario. Spa appointments will be booked throughout the day. Once you have registered and chosen your package, Nicole Gamble will contact you to arrange your specific time.  

If you would like to add lunch and/or other services to your package you can discuss this with Nicole Gamble when she contacts you.

Your spa package includes: one spa package, complimentary parking and refreshments, use of the Eucalyptus steam room and access to the fitness centre pool and Jacuzzi. NOTE: The fitness centre will be accessible from 10:00 a.m.

Head-to-Toe Package
Signature Pedicure (1 hour 15 minutes)
Signature Manicure (45 minutes)
Hair Wash & Style (45 minutes)

Rejuvenation Package
Therapeutic Massage (30 minutes)
Signature Pedicure (1 hour 15 minutes)
Signature Manicure (45 minutes)

Sponsorships

Various sponsorships will be available, including a hole sponsorship for $200 (plus HST)! Upgrade to a competition hole by supplying a prize with a minimum value of $100 (proceeds from the hole sponsorships will go to support each Association’s Scholarship Fund). Other sponsorship opportunities will be available and listed on the registration.

Registration for this event will open later in the week so check your email for communiques on how to register or visit the CHHMA website at Upcoming Events for the links.


Register Now for the CHHMA Quebec Golf Classic - May 25th

This year’s CHHMA Classique de golf / Golf Classic is once again being held at the top quality Club de golf Le Fontainebleau in Blainville, Quebec on Thursday, May 25th.

Registration and brunch will start at 9:00 a.m., with an 11:00 a.m. shotgun start. After golf, there will be dinner with wine followed by prize presentations.

In order to maintain the most reasonable cost possible, the tournament depends on company sponsors, so please consider sponsoring a hole while registering.

For all the details and to register, click here: French Registration      English Registration

This golf day is always an industry highlight with great turn-out from the customer and vendor sides so mark your calendar and hope we see you there!


See How Your Company Can Increase Profitability at the ”Quantifying Value” Seminar on April 20th

In today’s competitive marketplace, everyone is concerned about their bottom line. And while companies are focused on closing deals and reaping the financial benefits, one aspect that is often overlooked is measuring and understanding value. But it can make all the difference in the success of your dealings.

On April 20, the CHHMA and COPA are hosting an informative session about the power of value which you not want to miss!

Participants will find out how to get paid for value created. The financial benefits of value creation and pricing are well-known, so why is it that so many companies don’t achieve the results they want after they have done the work to create something of value? Procurement can be a main contributor to bringing value and profit to an organization.

Attendees will learn that the recognized best method on the buy or sell side is to measure, and acquire, or price, market and sell based on value created and realized. The evolution from Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to Total Profit Added™ looks more holistically at cost savings and profit improvement.  

Companies with a value-based sales strategy are 35% more profitable than those with a weak execution on value. At the same time, companies that buy based on best value are 36% more profitable. By focusing on the right things, both parties can be more profitable. It is not a zero-sum game.

Join us on April 20 to learn about the updated strategies, techniques, methodologies, to sell or buy based on Total Profit Added and realize the sustainable benefits of the right sales and procurement strategy.  Read More >>


Industry News

Jacques Gatien & Stew Valcour to be Inducted into Hall of Fame at CHHMA Spring Conference Luncheon

In this, the 33rd year, the CHHMA is honoured to serve as the custodian of the Hardware & Housewares Industry Hall of Fame and is pleased to announce that two deserving industry veterans - M. Jacques Gatien, founder of Atlantic Promotions, and Mr. Stew Valcour of Kent Building Supplies will be inducted on April 11, 2017 at an industry luncheon sponsored by the CHHMA.

The Hardware & Housewares Hall of Fame was established in 1984 to recognize the achievements of our industry’s leaders and pioneers. Since that time 63 industry icons, inventors, business founders and builders from the retail and manufacturing sectors have received the honour.

The luncheon will be held in conjunction with the annual CHHMA member Spring Conference and is included in the conference package. Tickets for the Hall of Fame Lunch will also be available for purchase individually. Please contact Pam Winter at 416-282-0022 ext. 21 or pwinter@chhma.ca for more information.   Read More >>


Sears Holdings Warns It Has ’Substantial’ Doubts about Future

Sears Holdings Corp, once the largest U.S. retailer, warned on Tuesday about its ability to continue as a going concern after years of losses and declining sales.

“Our historical operating results indicate substantial doubt exists related to the company’s ability to continue as a going concern,” Sears said in its annual report for the fiscal year ended Jan. 28.

The company said an inability to generate additional liquidity might limit its access to new merchandise or its ability to procure services. Continued operating losses also could restrict access to new funds under its domestic credit agreement, according to the filing.   Read More >>     


Hudson’s Bay Exposes Saks Customer Info Online

The Hudson’s Bay Company, owner of luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue, exposed the personal information of tens of thousands of customers through the company’s websites.

The company posted information including e-mail addresses and phone numbers for customers at Saks as well as identification codes for products that customers signed up for on wait-lists. The private data were taken down after Hudson’s Bay was contacted by BuzzFeed News, which first reported the exposure.  Read More >>     


Economic News

Nearly Half of Online Purchases in Canada Made at Foreign Retail Sites

Even though Canada’s biggest online retailers are growing faster than their U.S. counterparts, competition is at an all-time high given that close to half of Canadian consumers’ online purchases are made at foreign retail sites, according to a new report.

The report from E-Tail Canada also found that 62% of Canadian retailers surveyed saw the value of their online orders rise between 2015 and 2016, and 71% saw their conversion rate grow — the number of initial customer clicks that result in an actual purchase, as opposed to browsing.

That’s positive news for retailers given that Canadians are expected to spend $39 billion a year online by 2019, accounting for about 9.5% of all retail purchases, according to estimates from Forrester Research.  Read More >>


Canadian Retail Sales Jump More than Expected in January

Signs of strength in the Canadian economy continued to gather momentum as retail sales for January came in better than expected. Statistics Canada reported on Tuesday that retail sales climbed 2.2% to $46.0 billion in January after declining in December.  Economists had expected a gain of 1.1%, according to Thomson Reuters.

It was the largest gain in nearly seven years as spending rose across most sectors, led by an increase in purchases of cars.

“It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s a superheated Q1 economy for Canada,” wrote CIBC economist Avery Shenfeld.

The economist said this latest data, which is bullish for the Canadian dollar and bearish for bonds, will make if difficult for the Bank of Canada to stick to “its dovish spin.”  Read More >>


Toronto House Prices May Jump 25% this Year

Toronto’s housing market is likely to stay strong for the rest of the year, with home prices jumping as much as 25%, amid hints that speculators are fuelling demand and posing a potential risk to the economy, TD Economics chief economist Beata Caranci said.

A “strong Toronto home-price forecast is not a vote of confidence in market fundamentals,” Caranci wrote Monday in a note to clients. “It’s getting harder to ignore warning signs that market demand pressures are increasingly reflecting speculative forces.”  Read More >>     


Latest U.S. Economic News

U.S. retail sales recorded their smallest gain in six months in February amid delays in tax refunds, but the biggest rise in the annual inflation rate in nearly five years pointed to rising price pressures that could support further interest rate hikes.

The U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates last Wednesday for the second time in three months, a move spurred by steady economic growth, strong job gains and confidence that inflation is rising to the central bank’s target.  Read More >>                      
 
  

 Upcoming CHHMA Events 

CHHMA Spring Conference & AGM
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
International Centre (Conference Facility), Mississauga, Ontario

CHHMA & COPA “Quantifying Value” Seminar
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Centre for Health & Safety Innovation (CHSI), Mississauga, Ontario

CHHMA Maple Leaf Night
Held in Conjunction with the National Hardware Show
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
The Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

CHHMA Quebec Golf Classic
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Club de golf Le Fontainebleau, Blainville, Quebec

CHHMA/COPA Ontario Golf Tournament
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Angus Glen Golf Club, Markham, Ontario

CHHMA Industry Calendar

To register for all events visit our website at www.chhma.ca or call Pam Winter at (416) 282-0022 ext.21.

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"Eye On Our Industry" is published by the CHHMA as an information resource for our members. Member input regarding content and format is welcomed. Please contact Michael Jorgenson by email: mjorgenson@chhma.ca, or call at (416) 282-0022, ext. 34. CHHMA is located at 1335 Morningside Ave., Suite 101, Scarborough, ON, M1B 5M4 www.chhma.ca

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