The End of Double-Cupping

Posted by & filed under Marketing & Strategy, Student life.

Description: Last week in this blog there was a story on Apple’s move to reduce waste by no longer shipping a charger block with its new iPhone 12 models. This week Tim Horton’s picked up on the theme by announcing it would no longer double-cup your hot beverage. Don’t panic though; the coffee chain will… Read more »

Rapid tests

Posted by & filed under Marketing & Strategy, Student life.

Description: Air Canada has ordered 25,000 Covid-19 test kits that may be able to detect the virus in about five minutes. With the airline industry being battered as the virus dissuades passengers from flying, the test kits may offer a way to convince potential customers to take to the sky once again. A quick test… Read more »

Who Wants a New iPhone?

Posted by & filed under Marketing & Strategy.

Description: Tech writers are claiming that Apple is close to a release of a new iPhone model. Samsung had just announced a new mobile device prior to the current social distancing phenomenon, perhaps giving the Galaxy a leg up on the iPhone. One big question is, when we get to the other side of the… Read more »

No Merger?

Posted by & filed under Financial Reporting and Analysis, Marketing & Strategy.

Description: Canada’s Competition Bureau is warning against the proposed acquisition of Air Transat by Air Canada. The Bureau is concerned that the combination of the two carriers would make things worse for travelers by raising prices and reducing service. The two airlines have over 80 routes with overlap. Date:  March 27, 2020 Source:  thestar.com Link:… Read more »

Bezos to the Rescue

Posted by & filed under Marketing & Strategy.

Description: This week Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest man, said he would commit $10 billion of his wealth to a new foundation set up to fight climate change. Amazon has faced criticism for contributing to the climate problem through its many home deliveries and its vast server farms. The new foundation will start issuing grants… Read more »

What’s Killing the Mall?

Posted by & filed under Marketing & Strategy.

Description: You don’t have to look too far in most cities and towns to see a boarded up shopping mall or other retail establishment. But while the traditional theory puts the blame on online shopping, a closer look at the data reveals three other forces have a bigger share of the blame. Big box retailers,… Read more »

A Return to Basics

Posted by & filed under Marketing & Strategy.

Description: Have you ever spent too much time in a Tim Hortons drive thru, wondering why things take so long? It appears you may not be alone. Tim Hortons is looking at going back to basics of coffee and doughnuts, after many attempts at expanding its menu offerings. The plans also include improving the drive… Read more »

Direction Change at BlackRock

Posted by & filed under Marketing & Strategy, Sustainable Development.

Description: BlackRock, the largest manager of financial assets in the world, is making an about face on climate change. In a letter to CEOs, BlackRock signaled that the economy is “on the edge of a fundamental reshaping of finance” due to the threat of climate change. BlackRock is looking at dispensing with coal-related investments and… Read more »

Things Looking Up at Lululemon

Posted by & filed under Marketing & Strategy.

Description: Things are looking up at popular Canadian “athleisure” vendor Lululemon. The Vancouver based retailer recorded net income of over $125 million in the third quarter, up about $30 million from the same period last year. The company is expanding its repertoire of products, moving into the self-care line of shampoo and body lotions. In… Read more »

Black Friday: Some Go For Sales; Others Protest

Posted by & filed under Marketing & Strategy, Sustainable Development.

Description: Imported directly from the United States: that appears to be one way to describe the increasing popularity of retail sales in Canada on the day after the American Thanksgiving. This Black Friday trend is replacing Boxing Day as the landmark retail event for Canadian consumers. Meanwhile, other citizens in a number of cities worldwide… Read more »