Remembering Target Canada One Year Later:
Lessons Learned, Long-Term Impacts, and Why it Failed
April 12 marked the one-year anniversary of the closing of Target stores in Canada. Although Target might have only lasted about 2 years in Canada (some stores as few as 6 months), because of the size and scale of the operation, it will continue to affect Canadian retail for the foreseeable future. In this essay, Retail Insider identifies some of the long-term impacts and lessons about the Target fiasco in the Far North.

1. Target actually had some better brands of merchandise in Canada than in the US.
2. Target got help screwing up some of its Canadian merchandising.
3. Target might not have lasted, but mall upgrades made to accommodate it have.
4. Target might not have lasted but upgrades to its competitors leave them in stronger positions long-term.
5. Target might not have lasted, but some of its empty storefronts will serve as long-term reminders of the failure.
6. Target needs to revisit its playbook for entering a market, especially if it tries again to enter international markets with bricks-and-mortar stores.
7. Although Target's policies are written to value human resources, its choices in Canada suggest that a bridge still exists between what's written on paper and what's practiced in the business.
8. Bankruptcy is ugly. It humbles even the great.
9. Target USA does seem to be recovering.
10. Target does not seem to have learned all of its lessons about international retailing. retail-insider.com

Loblaw Companies Ltd says its plan to build 50 new stores, renovate 150 more will create 20,000 jobs this year
Loblaw is planning to build dozens of new stores and renovate more than 100 others this year, creating thousands of retail and construction jobs. Loblaw says that overall, it will build about 50 new stores and renovate 150 existing ones, including projects that started in January. The stores will include both grocery stores of various banners as well as Shoppers Drug Mart locations. Loblaw is not yet releasing information on where the new stores will be located. Catherine Thomas, Loblaw's director of external communications, said in an email that this year's expansion will add about 5,000 new store employees while creating roughly 15,000 construction jobs. The company will invest $1 billion in the expansion, while Choice Properties REIT, a real estate investment trust, will contribute $300 million. financialpost.com

DavidsTea under scrutiny in U.S. over alleged use of 'on-call' shifts
Canadian beverage chain DavidsTea Inc. has come under scrutiny in several U.S. states for its alleged use of "on-call" shifts to control labour costs. Attorneys-general in New York and eight other jurisdictions have sent letters to 15 retailers, including Montreal-based DavidsTea, seeking information about their use of the scheduling practice that requires employees to call before their shift to find out if they are required to work. Letters were also sent to American Eagle, Aeropostale, Payless, Disney, Coach, PacSun, Forever 21, Vans, Justice Just for Girls, BCBG Maxazria, Tilly's, Zumiez, Uniglo and Carter's, many of which have operations in Canada. theglobeandmail.com

Retail Fast Facts: February 2016 
● Total monthly retail sales changed by 2.8 per cent over the comparable month last year. 
● Total sales excluding food, automotive and gasoline changed by 3.5 per cent over the comparable month last year. retailcouncil.org

Canadian consumer spending up 6.24% in the first quarter of 2016

Wolford Canadian Expansion to open fourth store

Canada's 100 stores - International Clothiers files bankruptcy

Study Reveals List of Canada's Most Trusted Retailers

Lowe's funds Rona acquisition