Retail Pulse Check: May 20, 2020

Webinar Recording is now available for On Demand Viewing! Click here to register and watch the unedited discussion between Craig Patterson and Stephen O’Keefe.

This week on Retail Pulse Check Webinar, industry experts Craig Patterson and Stephen O’Keefe discuss the many pressing issues involved in the gradual reopening of the Canadian retail market. 

Questions submitted by industry professionals centred around topics such as retaining retail staff in the wake of the pandemic, how to effectively implement safety guidelines, the regulatory differences from province to province, the role artificial intelligence could play in our newfound shopping experiences, and the future of in-store protocol as we all begin to adapt to the new post-COVID norm.

Other topics covered included the conversation surrounding insufficient government assistance, the impact of COVID on the imported food market, insights into department store shopping today, and the importance of eliminating ambiguity when imposing safety regulations.

Speaker Details:

Craig Patterson, Founder, Editor-In-Chief @Retail Insider

Craig Patterson is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Canada’s most-read online retail industry news publication, Retail Insider. He is also a Director at the University of Alberta School of Retailing, as well as a research consultant at Retail Council of Canada. Craig has studied the Canadian retail landscape for over 25 years, and has also been involved with strategy pertaining to urban revitalization in several cities, as well as retail and shopping centre-related design. He is an industry consultant who also gives retail tours and and is a public speaker. He is a graduate of the University of Alberta and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and Bachelor of Laws degree.

Stephen O'Keefe, Founder @Bottom Line Matters

Stephen O'Keefe is a 30 year veteran of the retail industry having worked with major brands such as Sears, Hudson's Bay, and Walmart where he was Vice President of Loss Prevention and Risk Management. He founded Bottom Line Matters as a source for retailers of all sizes to draw upon his experience and expertise and deal with what matters - maximizing their bottom line. Stephen clients have included major retailers, BIAs, vendors as well as the Industry Association itself. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with the retail loss prevention community, sharing best practice to combat shrinkage and advocating for legislative changes to support retail business.