Earlier this term, Nordstrom announced on Financial Post that it would be expanding into Canada in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Calgary. Nordstrom is set to open at our Pacific Center Downtown in the spring of 2016. Personally, I’m stoked. I no longer have to wait 2 hours and drive another 2 hours to Seattle to consume my post midterm rewards.

Just as Walmart must watch out for Target Canada, Holt Renfrew and The Bay should start considering strengthening marketing tactics before the upscale retailer crosses Canadian borders. While they are all upscale retailers for, they may want to look over their pricing strategies. According to The Star with John Torella, a senior partner with the J.C. Williams Group, Nordstrom “will be competitive within their segment. They won’t bring U.S. prices. They’ve all learned that lesson from J. Crew.”

Torella also notes that Nordstrom’s “key differentiation will be customer service” and its e-commerce business.  It will be interesting to see how The Bay and Holt Renfrew will increase value for their target market to maintain their sales. It’s time to increase benefits for loyal customers of Holt Renfrew and The Bay for the high prices they pay.

This is just lovely.

Tu Thanh Ha from The Globe and Mail reveals that the Ontario Medial Association “says junk food should be treated the same way as tobacco, slapped with higher taxes and packaged with graphic warning labels.”  Personally, I find this very motivating for people trying to stick to a healthy diet. If I walked into a store with strong craving for pizza and I was trying to get back into shape, a decaying liver on the packaging would most definitely assist me in rethinking my choices. However, I do agree with FCPC vice-president, Phyllis Tanaka, when she states that “a tax on food and beverages …  will hurt lower- and middle-income Ontarians the most.” I think the black liver is more than enough to divert customers from excessive consumption of fatty foods.

Imagine if this was on your chip bag

Imagine if your original Lays bag showed a picture of a dying, obese person with the words “this could happen to you, with the help of Lays.” (Somewhat like the picture to the right) What message would that send to you as a consumer? Talk about post purchase dissonance! The image that is associated with junk food if this law were to be enforced would be downright negative. However, it would be interesting to see the effects of the consumer decision process and junk food sales with this type of advertising.