Neo-cubism

The retail concept is delightfully simple, Japanese and profitable. more...

Corporate climb

When Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) dropped more than a quarter-million dollars to help turn a popular rock-climbing site into a provincial park, the obvious question was: why?
The iconic retailer will surely score some goodwill through the donation, but there are also some less karmic business reasons for this kind of generosity. This may well be a stellar example of just the kind of corporate community involvement more and more companies are struggling to do right. more...

Grande double-shot execs

Starbucks Corp. has had a bit of a roasting lately. Its stock price has nosedived from a high of $39.63 US in May 2006 to $17.89 US in March 2008, and in late January the java giant announced it was closing 100 stores in the U.S. and pulling the breakfast sandwiches it launched just a year ago.

But one guy who’s clearly been sipping the skinny lattes is Lululemon Athletica Inc. CEO Bob Meers. more...

Back in the game

Mason, a stocky 60-year-old, earned both fame and infamy in B.C. in the ’90s when Clearly Canadian Beverage Corp., the hometown alt-beverage champion he founded and led, took shareholders for a few gut-wrenching falls in the market. more...

Pitcher perfect

The most colourful object in the studio may well be Birstein herself. Hair done in multiple braids, a bright bindi decorating her forehead, the youthful 56-year-old is sporting leopard-print leggings under a sparkly black skirt, a one-shouldered, short-sleeved leopard-print blouse over a brown velvet top, and what look to be platform Birkenstock sandals with rhinestone-encrusted buckles. more...

Shades of Green

With public sentiment going environmental, retailers are wondering, where are the green consumers they’ve been hearing so much about – and what do they want? more...

How to create buzz

iPod, Starbucks, Adidas: names like these are the rallying cry of a whole generation of consumers. These brands have managed to capture not only the cash, but also the hearts and minds of young, hip trendsetters. more...

A tired eatery tarts up

Problem: Being seen as a geezer joint by young, hip restaurant goers. Solution: Don’t panic. Take subtle, strategic steps to fix the brand. more...

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David Lee-Fay provides insight on how to make the most of your marketing and sponsorship dollars. more...