Retail crime accounts for $3.6 billion in losses in Canada.   A report from the Retail Council of Canada says 87 per cent of retailers were the victim of some form of retail crime in 2007, with the average loss over $12,000 per year.  (Source news1130.com)

Nordstrom and Kohl's are looking into opening stores in Canada as well, though neither have announce plans.  "Many chains see Canada as untapped territory, having nearly run out of promising locations in the United States to open new stores," said retail consultant Wendy Evans.  "Many of them have reached or are about to reach saturation in the U.S.," said Evans, whose firm, Evans and Co, advises companies on cross-border expansion.  Lowe's has even said "Canada is going well," Lowe's Chief Executive Robert Niblock told Reuters last month. "We have got many more stores in the pipeline," to add to their 28 stores already there.  (Source reuters.com)

Target announces that Canada's #2 grocer Sobey's will supply the U.S. chain with frozen, dairy, and packaged foods.  (Source theglobeandmail.com)

Almost two-thirds of Canadians wish they had more information about food safety and how to protect themselves from foods that pose a health risk, suggests a study commissioned by the federal government.  And 30 per cent of respondents think there’s a higher risk of consuming contaminated foods today compared to two years ago.  The Retail Council of Canada has truly taken a leadership role in the safety arena and has developed a number of programs designed to help retailers.  Any U.S. retailer seeking information or assistance should contact them.  (Source canadiangrocer.com)