LCBO employees will walk off job Friday, union says

LCBO employees will walk off job Friday, union says

Thousands of Ontario liquor store employees will walk off the job Friday after contract negotiations between the LCBO and its workers broke down, the workers’ union says. Representatives of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) blamed Premier Doug Ford’s government for the breakdown at a news conference Thursday evening, just hours before the midnight strike deadline … Read more

High-tech London, Ont.-area farm delivers fresh produce all year. Could it be an answer to high grocery costs?

High-tech London, Ont.-area farm delivers fresh produce all year. Could it be an answer to high grocery costs?

Western University researchers are developing a new kind of farm that uses machine-learning algorithms and data analytics to create optimum conditions for growing food anywhere and in any season — producing bigger and better yields while using as little energy and water as possible. The venture comes at a pivotal time in agriculture, with climate change escalating the likelihood of drought and floods capable of decimating harvests, causing consumers to … Read more

High-tech London, Ont.-area farm delivers fresh produce all year. Could it be an answer to high grocery costs?

High-tech London, Ont.-area farm delivers fresh produce all year. Could it be an answer to high grocery costs?

Western University researchers are developing a new kind of farm that uses machine-learning algorithms and data analytics to create optimum conditions for growing food anywhere and in any season — producing bigger and better yields while using as little energy and water as possible. The venture comes at a pivotal time in agriculture, with climate change escalating the likelihood of drought and floods capable of decimating harvests, causing consumers to … Read more

Discount retailer Giant Tiger says customer data was compromised in third-party breach

Discount retailer Giant Tiger says customer data was compromised in third-party breach

Discount retailer Giant Tiger says contact information for some of its customers was compromised in an “incident” linked to a third-party vendor it uses. Alison Scarlett, a spokesperson for the Ottawa-based discount retailer, said it would not name the vendor on Monday but said Giant Tiger uses the company to manage its customer communications and engagement. Giant … Read more

Canadian economy not in recession, but 2023 was one of its weakest recent years

Canadian economy not in recession, but 2023 was one of its weakest recent years

The Canadian economy continues to beat recession fears, posting modest growth in the fourth quarter even as high interest rates weighed on consumers and businesses. Statistics Canada reported Thursday that real gross domestic product increased by an annualized rate of one per cent, beating economists’ expectations and the Bank of Canada’s forecast for the final … Read more

Ontario electronics retailer Factory Direct to liquidate stores

Ontario electronics retailer Factory Direct to liquidate stores

Toronto Court documents show the discount electronics and home goods retailer wanted to close its 14 stores in the province because it has found the business is “no longer viable.” Discount retailer says business is ‘no longer viable’ The Canadian Press · Posted: Feb 16, 2024 11:43 AM EST | Last Updated: 5 hours ago … Read more

Mastermind Toys customers warned to use gift cards by Dec. 24 as company is set to change hands

Mastermind Toys customers warned to use gift cards by Dec. 24 as company is set to change hands

Mastermind Toys shoppers have less than a week to redeem store gift cards.  The Canadian toy retailer announced earlier this month that it had signed an asset purchase agreement with Unity Acquisitions Inc.  Mastermind filed for creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCCA) on Nov 24. Customers are now being told their gift cards will not be honoured … Read more

Deal to lower Visa, Mastercard processing fees will come up short for many retailers, critics say

Deal to lower Visa, Mastercard processing fees will come up short for many retailers, critics say

The federal government says it has hammered out the final details with Visa and Mastercard to lower credit card transaction fees for merchants, but small business advocates say the deal doesn’t go nearly far enough. The deal concerns what is called an interchange fee, also known as a “swipe fee,” which sets aside a percentage … Read more