Shopping malls gear up for Black Friday
- It's taking off in Canada after only 3 years - America's Impact
One key difference between Black Friday in Canada versus the U.S. is that Americans get the day off. "In the U.S., Black Friday really heralds the start of the holiday shopping and it's taken a few years to really catch on in Canada," said Connor. "But we're beginning to see that Black Friday is really the unofficial start in Canada as well."

In a survey of its own shoppers, Yorkdale Shopping Centre found that 90% of respondents intend to shop on Black Friday, up from 80% last year and 53% from 2013. In addition, 93% of those surveyed said they're more likely to shop in Canada than in the U.S. because of the exchange rate.

It's an incredible rise for a shopping event that didn't exist in Canada just four years ago, and was created to stem the tide of cross-border shoppers. "[The growth] really does mean that Black Friday is a big, meaningful shopping event for consumers in Canada," said Flannagan.  marketingmag.ca

Walmart Canada admits photo centre customers' data hacked
- May affect 750,000 Canadians
Walmart Canada has told customers who used its photo centre from June 2014 to July 2015 that their credit card data and other personal information has been compromised. Last July, the retailer took down the photo centre website and mobile applications operated by PNI Digital Media, based in Vancouver and owned by Staples Inc. It also notified those who used the photo centre during the period of a possible data breach. In new emails dated Nov. 4, Walmart said its investigation showed an unauthorized party used "malware" - or malicious software - on some of PNI's servers supporting its retail clients, including some servers that hosted the Canadian photo centre site. thestar.com

Starbucks Canada targets youth unemployment
with program to hire at-risk young people
Starbucks Canada is expanding a program to address "a crisis" in youth unemployment by committing to hire 10 per cent of its work force from among the country's disadvantaged young people. The Opportunity Youth program was launched as a pilot in Toronto in April. Starbucks will expand the program, starting in Montreal and Vancouver, and eventually reaching across Canada, employing 3,500 people between the ages of 16 and 24, who are not working, in school or in a training program. financialpost.com

RCMP to recognize 20 people for bravery in 2014 Ottawa terror attack

Reported phone thefts in Toronto fell 40% in 2014

Sears Canada's downsizing deepens as it sells more real estate, including $100M distribution centre

Canada Post braces for record holiday volume - e-Commerce deliveries up 18%

Retail Fast Facts: October 2015 
Highlights:
● Total monthly retail sales changed by 1.4 per cent over the comparable month last year. 
● Total sales excluding food, automotive and gasoline changed by 2.2 per cent over the comparable month last year. Read more

 

Calgary, AB, CN: Police charge 2 Seniors in connection with alleged Steal-to-Order ring; $56,000 of items recovered
A retailer who spotted some of their merchandise being sold at a local flea market tipped off police, who have laid charges against two people in connection with the stolen goods. Police responded to the initial complaint by visiting the flea market, which was being held at the Hillhurst Community Association hall on Oct. 25, and spotted a vendor selling clothing and toiletries that appeared to be new and possibly stolen. Information gathered by investigators led them to a property where they executed a search warrant on the residence and a van at the address on Oct. 28. Officers found stolen clothing, toiletry items and camping equipment worth an estimated $56,000 during their search. Police believe the items had been stolen from local retailers for the purpose of illegally reselling them. Sonia Kereluk, 75 and William Henry Fisher, 69, both of Calgary have been charged with possession of stolen property for the purpose of trafficking and trafficking in stolen property. calgaryherald.com

Calgary, AB, CN: Six month investigation ends with 4 arrested in Organized Credit Card Fraud scheme
The Calgary Police Economic Crimes Unit has laid charges against four people accused of using stolen credit card data to commit identify fraud. Acting on reports of numerous frauds to obtain merchandise, pre-paid credit cards, and vehicles from rental companies, police initiated an in-depth investigation which has since resulted in the arrests of four people. On October 22, police at the Calgary International Airport were alerted to a group of three people who were attempting to rent a vehicle with a fraudulent credit card. When the individuals were caught and searched, police found forged credit cards, government-issued ID, and altered cards. Last week police were led to a home in Midnapore where they found counterfeiting equipment, more credit cards, some meth, a handgun and a stolen vehicle. There was also a significant amount of stolen property and $1,063 in cash found. ctvnews.ca

Toronto: Woman arrested for fraudulent high-end handbag sales,
posed as a Holt Renfrew employee online
Toronto police have arrested a woman for the fraudulent sale of high-fashion items in a scheme targeted at Toronto's Vietnamese community. The woman allegedly posed as an employee of luxury retailer Holt Renfrew in an online fashion market forum where she befriended victims and offered help to get them discounts of up to 40 per cent on high-end shoes and handbags. Police say the woman had interested buyers transfer the money for the items online or meet her to deliver the money in person. When the victims handed her the cash, the accused reportedly left without returning. A 21-year old woman has been charged with fraud over $5,000, four counts of fraud under $5000 and fraud affecting the public market. She was scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning. cbc.ca

Windsor, ON: Macs Convenience robbed at knifepoint