In the words of the Belgian band Telex, "We are all getting old"

Magnifier, Shoppers Drug Mart, Vancouver, BC

There are plenty of choices of antihistamines, and getting the right one is key. So be prepared to read the fine print.

And for those of us with failing eyesight who can't be bothered to dig our glasses out of our bags, this magnifier is a handy tool. I found it attached to the shelf at a Shoppers Drug Mart store in downtown Vancouver.

Of course using a larger typeface might also be a good idea, but that would require larger packages which would mean fewer products per shelf, so that is a non-starter.

I wonder how many other measures we'll see to attempt to cater to the declining faculties of the baby boomers?

Popular colours from organizations that have nothing to do with each other

Postcard from "Ride to Conquer Cancer"

Flyer from Mr. Lube

I received both of these in the mail last week. What do they have in common? Nothing except both organizations seem to have adopted the blue and yellow colours of the Swedish flag.

Nothing against the Swedish flag, I just thought it was a bit odd to find both of these in my mailbox on the same day. Perhaps Mr. Lube should support The Ride to Conquer Cancer?

Why mess around with the format of your firm's name?

Sign on the side of the Urban Outfitters location, Park Royal Shopping Centre, West Vancouver, BC

Sign on the side of the Urban Outfitters location, Park Royal Shopping Centre, West Vancouver, BC (Detail)

If your firm's name is Urban Outfitters, and you are putting a sign on the side of your store, then why mess around with the typography?

Urban
Outfit
Ters

It is not as if there isn't enough space to put the name on two lines. Splitting the name onto three lines just looks like a confusing mess.

Attract the kids and the adults will follow

Advertisement for Lougheed Town Centre, Main and Commercial SkyTrain station, Vancouver, BC

Advertisement for Lougheed Town Centre, Main and Commercial SkyTrain station, Vancouver, BC (Detail)

A trip to see Santa at the mall is a mainstay of a North American Christmas. Now the practice is evolving from a free visit with Santa to a free photo of your child's visit with Santa.

It will interesting if all of the malls get into a "price war" and all feel that they have to offer a free photo in order get more visitors to the mall.

Since when was Dollarama a "coveted brand"?

Dollarama store location, Park Royal Shopping Centre, West Vancouver, BC

Dollarama store location (Detail), Park Royal Shopping Centre, West Vancouver, BC

According to the Park Royal Shopping Centre website, "Our curated mix of over 280 shops, restaurants and services offers the most coveted brands in the city.  And our shopping environment is second to none.  We invite you to step into our beautiful world." (Source: http://www.shopparkroyal.com/about)

Since when is a dollar store one of the "most coveted brands in the city"?

Park Royal is now the second largest shopping centre in British Columbia, and has some of the best upper end retailers around. So why a dollar store? I know that this has become an important niche for any mall, and as Dollarama is one of the best dollar store chains in Canada, and certainly the largest, it is not surprising that a location is going into this mall.

A sixties icon returns, but who knows or cares

Kiehl's Peter Max window display, The Hudson's Bay Company, Vancouver, BC

Kiehl's Peter Max shopping bag, The Hudson's Bay Company, Vancouver, BC

Peter Max was an icon of the late 1960s and early 1970s psychedelic art movement. For Christmas 2015 Kiehl's, the New York-based cosmetic firm, is using Peter Max's designs on its shopping bags and packaging.

I spoke to the Kiehl's sales person and she mentioned that most customers have no idea who Peter Max is. So why is the firm using his designs?

Peter Max's designs are striking and distinctive, but if no one know who he is, then why not pick a current artist that will resonate more with the target market? I'm confused.

A rare case of action from the top

Simons logo

(Source: http://css.simonscdn.ca/simons/css/images/logo_print.png?version=1593)

How many of us get emails and telephone calls from the CEO of the shops we visit?

Yesterday, I spent 17 minutes on the telephone with Peter Simons, the CEO of La Maison Simons. My recent comments have not gone unnoticed and we spoke about the experiences that I had and the challenges that Simons has had transfering its business model to new markets.

I heard all of the right things and I hope that my observations will help the store to focus on delivering the high quality customer service that Simons is traditionally  known for. I promised to keep coming back to the store and, time permitting, when he is in town next we'll talk in person.

In this highly competitive market, great Canadian retailers deserve all of the support that we can give them. I look forward to seeing Simons achieve the potential I know it has.

Simons and Nordstrom, take 2

Simons logo
(Source: http://css.simonscdn.ca/simons/css/images/logo_print.png?version=1593)

Nordstrom logo 
(Source: http://www.logodekho.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Nordstrom-Logo.jpg)

Yesterday I paid a return to trip to both Simons and Nordstrom.

For Simons I have bad news and good news.

The bad news is that service was not much better. I was only greeted once by the staff. Some of the very same staff that ignored me on my first visit ignored me again this time.

However, there is some good news for Simons, the level of service at Nordstrom has declined since the store opened.

While the two stores do have some similarities, Nordstrom is certainly more upscale in both the brands it carries and the prices charged. (The $3500 Shinola bicycle is not something that we'd ever find at Simons.) The comparison between the two stores is not 100% fair, but it is something that some consumers will do.

I hope that Simons succeeds. The product selection is quite good and the prices are very attractive. But if the quality of customer service does not improve pretty quickly customers will be voting with their wallets.

But which box is which?

Safety deposit sign, First Credit Union

Safety deposit boxes, First Credit Union

My local credit union has safety deposit boxes available. They even have examples out on display to help me make my decision.

The problem is that the sign lists three sizes, and there are two sample on display. So, are these two boxes a small and a medium, a small and a large, or a medium and a large.

And is the cost figure to buy the box, or an annual rent?

Yes, I know this is another example of me being too pedantic for my own good.

Inconsistency that drives consumers crazy

Listing for Wolverine Courtland boot, showme.ca
(Source: http://www.shoeme.ca/products/wolverine-1000-mile-mens-courtland-black-w00279?s=recomatic 20151114)

Details on Wolverine Courtland boot, showme.ca 
(Source: http://www.shoeme.ca/products/wolverine-1000-mile-mens-courtland-black-w00279?s=recomatic 20151114)

I'm looking for some new boots for winter. While rather expensive, these boots look well made. I'm almost always a size 8, so that is what I'll order. (Afterall the fit "Fits true to size".)

But, wait a minute what do I see in the "Description"?

Description  of Wolverine Courtland boot, showme.ca 
(Source: http://www.shoeme.ca/products/wolverine-1000-mile-mens-courtland-black-w00279?s=recomatic 20151114)

The "Fit Tip" is that "This style runs large. We recommend ordering a half size down from what you normally wear".

So, which is it? "Fits true to size" or "This style fits large". It can't be both and this sort of inconsistency makes me question the wisdom of ordering anything from this website.

Four signs, but not much business

Signs for Big Box Outlet, Grandview Highway, Vancouver, BC

Truck with prop box in the back, Big Box Outlet, Grandview Highway, Vancouver, BC

It is a frequent observation that location is critical for retailers. This retailer, Big Box Outlet, is hidden at the back of a parking lot behind a motorcycle dealership.

And so, in an effort to generate more business, there are now four signs visible to passing pedestrians and motorists.

Are four signs better than one, or two, or three? It doesn't seem so. I rarely see anyone in the store, and the signs are just an eyesore.

But I do like the BIG BOX in the back of the truck. A horribly lame pun, but eye catching.

This has to be one of the weirdest food products I've ever encountered.

"Tasteful" Corn on the Cob, Dollarama, Vancouver, BC (Package front)

"Tasteful" Corn on the Cob, Dollarama, Vancouver, BC (Package back)

Who doesn't love corn on the cob? A delicious tasty treat in late summer. Every province has it own prefered source for corn. In Alberta it is Taber, in British Columbia it is Chilliwack.

So why is Dollarama importing corn from Thailand? And then packaging it and selling it like this? Weird is putting it mildly.

There has to be a better way

Sign outside the western entrance to the parking lot, Real Canadian Superstore, Grandview Highway, Vancouver, BC

The metal rack supporting the sign outside the western entrance to the parking lot, Real Canadian Superstore, Grandview Highway, Vancouver, BC

This sign has been at the western entrance to the parking lot at the Real Canadian Superstore on Grandview Highway for a few weeks. Nothing wrong with having a sign, it makes perfect sense. But this sign is awkwardly attached to a rack from one of Superstore's plant suppliers, DeVry Greenhouses Ltd..

What a haphazard job. Couldn't the management come up with a better way of supporting the sign? I expect much better from a polished retailer like Loblaw.

An idea that Canada could borrow

The Purple Heart is US military decoration awarded to those injured or killed while serving with the branches of US military. As a result  the colour purple is associated with US military veterans who have been wounded while serving their country. 

A movement has emerged in the United States to provide designated parking spaces for wounded veterans.

US Military veterans standing by a purple parking spot in Ohio
(Source: http://wkbn.com/2015/11/02/purple-parking-spots-in-warren-honor-wounded-veterans/)

US Military veterans standing by the sign explaining the purple parking spot in Ohio 
(Source: http://wkbn.com/2015/11/02/purple-parking-spots-in-warren-honor-wounded-veterans/)

Sign explaining the purple parking spot in Ohio 
(Source: http://wkbn.com/2015/11/02/purple-parking-spots-in-warren-honor-wounded-veterans/)

Seems like a very reasonable and humane thing to do.

What on earth were they thinking?

Photo at Simon's Park Royal, West Vancouver
(Source: Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156130577675526&set=o.253043118101485&type=3)

Really, "Happy Remembrance Day!" I know this day is not as big a deal in Quebec, but it is a statutory holiday in British Columbia. In my small town of 3,500 we will get between 1/3 and 1/2 of the total population out to the ceremony.

One of the big issues in International Marketing is adapting to the local culture, but this just goes to show that adaption is also an important issue when entering any new market, even in your own country.

Note: I did not take this photo, see source above, and Simon's has since taken the signs down.

Why businesses love gift cards and gift certificates

$25 gift certificate from Saltaire Restaurant & Terrace, West Vancouver, BC

Six or seven years ago I went to this restaurant with a friend. I ordered a chicken burger and the bun was mouldy. I complained and got a gift certificate in the mail. It went into a drawer and was never used. I discovered the gift certificate today and wondered if the restaurant was still in business.

In 2011, the restaurant closed and my gift certificate is now worthless. (Well, it has been worthless for four years.)

Businesses love gift certificates and gift cards because so much of the value is never redeemed. Between 2008 and 2013, US consumers left over $44 billion in unredeemed value on gift cards with 40% of consumers not spending the total value on the card.

Yes, the accountants have to carry the unredeemed value of the cards on the books as a liability, but it is still cash on hand for the business until redemption happens.

(Source: http://www.giftcardgranny.com/statistics/)

Lined up and sold out

Lineup outside the H&M store, Pacific Centre, Vancouver BC (Photo taken November 5, 2015)

Staff in the H&M store getting ready for the onslaught, Pacific Centre, Vancouver BC (Photo taken November 5, 2015)

Balmain X H&M beaded dress (Photo from H&M.com)

Last year it was Alexander Wang, this year it is Balmain. Every year H&M teams up with a designer to produce a clothing collection that offers the designer's look, at more street-friendly prices.

And just like last year, customers were lined up on the street the night before for a chance to buy the clothing. Given the amount of this clothing that immediately ends up on eBay, I suspect that many of the people in line were purchasing to resell, rather than to wear.

But H&M gets lots of free press coverage and some customers get the clothes they lust after.

The sign is finally up, but the size is way down

Indigo Spirit store, Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

The sign is up on the store that will be replacing the Aldo on Granville and Robson Streets in Vancouver.

In June 2015, a 52,000 square foot Chapters store closed at Howe and Robson in Vancouver. It is being replaced by a 5,000 square foot "Indigo Spirit" location. While the store will sell some books, there will also be a large selection of other goods.

Shrinking by 90% is never a good sign for a business, and most people I talk to give the whole Indigo chain two to three years. We'll just have to wait and see.

Movember is back

Display window at Simons, Park Royal Shopping Centre, West Vancouver, BC

One of my grandfathers had prostate cancer, so I'm well aware of the disease and what I need to do to keep an eye on it.

But for those who don't, Movember is upon us again and all men are advised to get themselves checked out. Depending on your age and other risk factors this can be either a physical exam, or a blood test.

But regardless of how you get checked out, make the effort.

It it good to see so many retailers getting on board with Movember and raising awareness. (Yesterday I saw these mannequins in the front window of Simons in Park Royal.)

Rarely have I been so disappointed by a store

Simons, Park Royal Shopping Centre, West Vancouver, BC

On November 2nd, I made my first trip to Simons at Park Royal Shopping Centre in West Vancouver.

I now ask myself why I bothered. I spent about 15 minutes in the store and was greeted with utter indifference. Or perhaps I should say that I was not greeted at all. I had staff working filling shelves right next door to where I was browsing and none of them even acknowledged my presence. Not so much as a hello.

I was looking at some men's shirts that were on sale and I wondered what the fibre content was. (I suspected a polyester/cotton blend.) The sign by the shirts provided no information about the fibre content so I had to disassemble a folded shirt to determine that the shirts were 65% polyester and 35% cotton. Two female members of staff were talking together and standing about 6 feet from me. They paid no attention to me at all.

The merchandise seems great and the pricing on the private label goods is very attractive. The displays are eye catching and the store design is very appealing.

But the service was horrible. There will be inevitable comparisons with Nordstrom, and Simons does not look good. Both are large fashion retailers that offer "better" goods in at attractive environment. But the difference in the quality of service is staggering.

I will try to contact Simons directly and see what response I get.

November 6th update - I got no response to my email inquiry and so I posted this to the Simons Facebook page.

When will this brand disappear?

Future Shop sign at Best Buy location, Granville Street, Vancouver, BC
(Photo taken November 2, 2015)

It is now over seven months since Best Buy announced that it was killing the Future Shop brand across Canada. And yet, like a zombie, the Future Shop brand lives on across Canada.

When will Best Buy make the investment, change the signs, and kill of the Future Shop brand for good?

Can't you wait for a couple of weeks?

"Holiday" display window, Hudson's Bay Company store,m Vancouver, BC (October 29, 2015)

Since at least 2010, a few groups have been waging a campaign to get retailers to give Remembrance Day some respect. November 11 commemorates the end of World War One. In cities and towns across Canada people turnout at their local cenotaph to pay their respects to those who served Canada over the past century. (Where I live about half of the town's population comes out to the ceremony.)

But trying to get retailers to hold off on putting up their Holiday (Christmas) displays until after November 11 seems to be a daunting task.

The last WWI veterans are long since gone, and the number of remaining WWII veterans is shrinking every day. For those that remain, and all of the veterans that served since WWII, a little respect might not go unrecognized.

Who reads newspapers?

Newspaper at a resident's door

Newspaper at a resident's door

Newspaper at a resident's door

Newspaper at the front door

I visited by 88-year old mother-in-law recently in her "age in place" facility. In the morning, as I walked down the corridor, I noted that almost every apartment had a newspaper at the front door.

Newspapers in the lobby

The management also provides at least seven newspapers for residents. (The Globe and Mail was already in use.)

When I speak to my college students about newspapers I often get a blank stare. It seems that those under 25 rarely read newspapers, and the newspapers they read are often the free 24 and Metro, and alternative newspapers such as Vancouver's Georgia Straight and Toronto's Now.

But for broadsheets, such as The Globe and Mail, The National Post, and The Vancouver Sun, survival seems to depend on the readers over 50. And as the readership greys and dies, the future of newspapers gets bleaker and bleaker.