NAFTA, retail innovation, brand resilience and entrepreneurial retailer leadership examined on Oct 12 at Retail West 2017

Retail West, Western Canada's largest retail conference, to explore the most pressing concerns and opportunities facing retailers in today's unpredictable commerce landscape.

TORONTO, Oct. 2, 2017 /CNW/ - Retail's current transition is creating unique new concerns for retailers in Canada. Retail West 2017, a one-day Vancouver conference organized by Retail Council of Canada has been developed to help retailers better navigate through this retail transformation.

Retail Council of Canada's President and CEO Diane J. Brisebois, will kick-off Retail West 2017 with a special address to retailers in Canada on the potential impact of the proposed import duties being lobbied for in the upcoming NAFTA negotiations.  "The stress retailers in Canada are experiencing now is nothing close to the magnitude of the challenge ahead if the $800 de minimis recommendation is passed," said Ms. Brisebois, adding "As an industry, it may very well be the biggest fight we've ever had to ensure retailers of all sizes can continue to thrive and effectively compete for Canadian consumers' business. It is therefore vital retailers are clearly informed of the potential devastating impact this change could have on their business so we can together take proper action, NOW."

The rest of the Retail West 2017 conference will be an entire day dedicated to examining and learning from retailers who are leading today and better understanding why they are doing exceptionally well. 

While there are some common themes - the critical importance of brand in today's digital world, understanding the ever-evolving wants and needs of the consumer, and staying competitive through constantly changing new and emerging technology - each presenter has been carefully selected because of both the novel and highly successful strategies his or her company has explored and applied in their business or retail practice.

Some of the companies and speakers presenting at Retail West 2017 include:

• Mountain Equipment Co-Op, David Labistour
• Google, Kritina Elkhazin
• Arc'Teryx, Jon Hoerauf
• Best Buy, Phil Arrata
• BuildDirect, Jim Hourigan
• Reckless Bike Stores, Paul Dragan
• Sage Natural Wellness, Kate Ross LeBlanc
• Spud.ca, Peter van Stolk
• Top Drawer Creative, Howard Chang
• Facebook, Vik Kambli
• HUBBA, Phil Chang
• PwC, Kate Furber
• JAK's Beer, Wine & Spirits, Tim Dumas
• Dig 360, David Ian Grey
• Retail Insider, Craig Patterson

To add further insight and perspective for conference participants, Retail West 2017 will also present just-released findings from leading retail research consultancies: 

• Deloitte - Future of Next Generation Retail 
• KPMG - Fifth Annual Global Consumers Study
• Leger360's - Future of the Department Store.

The full agenda can be seen at: http://retailwest.ca/content/agenda

Retail West 2017 will be held on October 12, 2017 in Vancouver at the Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel. 

The conference is open to both Retail Council of Canada Members and non-members.

For tickets please visit: http://retailwest.ca/content/register

About Retail Council of Canada

Retail is Canada's largest employer with 2.1 million Canadians working in our industry, which annually generates over $73 billion in wages and employee benefits.  Core retail sales (excluding vehicles and gasoline) were $353 billion in 2016.  Retail Council of Canada (RCC) members represent more than two thirds of core retail sales in the country. RCC is a not-for-profit industry-funded association and represents small, medium and large retail business in every community across the country. As the Voice of Retail™ in Canada, we proudly represent more than 45,000 storefronts in all retail formats, including department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent retailers and online merchants. www.RetailCouncil.org

SOURCE Retail Council of Canada