Wholesale Trade, May 2013, published July 18
Wholesalers sold $50.3 billion worth of goods and services in May, up 2.3% from April and 0.8% higher than in May 2012. Excluding the automotive sector, wholesale sales were up 1.1% from May 2012. In terms of volume, wholesale sales were up 2.4% in May from April. Annualized wholesale sales grew in seven provinces. Prince Edward Island (+11.1%) led the way, followed by Saskatchewan (+8.3%) and British Columbia (+3.7%). The losses occurred in New Brunswick (-4.5%) followed by Quebec (-1.4%) and Nova Scotia (-0.9%). Ontario experienced a year-over-year gain of 0.9%. Wholesalers’...
Read MoreTIM-BR MART Group Evaluates Future Direction
July 24, 2013 (Calgary, AB) – Effective immediately, President and CEO Tim Urquhart, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Barb Hopper, are on leave of absence. The leave was requested by TIM-BR MART Group’s Board of Directors to allow the Board the opportunity to evaluate the company’s direction. In their absence, there will be no change to TIM-BR MART’s day-to-day operations. TIM-BR MART Group’s senior leadership team is overseeing operations. On an interim basis, Michael Westrum, board chair, will provide strategic direction and have operational involvement as...
Read MoreIMPORTANT: Bill 160 passed under Occupational Health & Safety Act
Attention LBMAO Members Ontario Legislature passed Bill 160 under the Occupational Health & Safety Act. All employees must take mandatory health & safety orientation training effective August 1, 2013 in addition to existing mandatory health & safety compliance training. The LBMAO offers online training to meet that requirement. The following courses are available and are mandatory for all employees: Ontario MOL Worker Orientation (NEW – Bill 160) WHMIS Lift Truck (Operators Only) Violence & Harassment in the Workplace (Bill 168) Fall Protection (If required)...
Read MoreTIMBER MART Sponsors Justin Hines’ Vehicle of Change Tour
July 11, 2013 (Calgary, AB) – Justin Hines, a prominent singer and songwriter, is on a North American tour playing charity concerts. In each town on the tour, Justin will partner with a different charity, participating in a local event. Justin will provide the entertainment at no cost and 100% of the funds raised at each show will go to the local charity. TIMBER MART is a key sponsor of Justin’s tour. A large number of tour events are planned in communities throughout Canada where there are TIMBER MART locations. The new TIMBER MART logo will be displayed prominently on Justin’s RV as it...
Read MoreBob Rae, Anthony Stokan to Headline Hardlines Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Michael McLarney, 416-489-3396 TORONTO, July 9, 2013 — Retail Guru Anthony Stokan is the latest retail expert to join the Hardlines Conference, October 23 and 24, 2013. Joining Stokan this year is a range of speakers that reflects the varied range of challenges facing retailers and vendors alike in today’s tough business environment. The incredible range of speakers comes from both within and outside the retail home improvement industry. James Ryan, Vice-President, Home and Hardlines at Sears Canada, will offer a perspective on retail from the...
Read MoreBuilding Permits, May 2013, published July 8
Municipalities issued $7.3 billion worth of building permits in May, up 4.5% from April and 3.4% higher than in May 2012. Fine provinces reported a growth in permits over a year ago led by Ontario (+20.6%), Manitoba (+16.2%), and Quebec (+10.0%). Double-digit annualized decreases over April 2012 occurred in four provinces. Saskatchewan suffered the largest loss (-29.6%) followed by New Brunswick (-25.7%) and Prince Edward Island (-25.3%). Builders took out residential building permits worth $4.6 billion in May, up 4.2% from April and 7.6% higher than in May 2012. Five provinces...
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