Merchandising: The changing face of Canada

Census Data is available to us all. These statistics are a must read if you are directly responsible for the retail assortment mix (or an influencer). Census data is like a retail compass, shedding light on consumer demographic trends and the changing landscape. Read below for some staggering statistics that will influence your purchase decision.

Yet how many Merchants/ Category Managers utilize this FREE public data to their advantage? How can Census Data help a Merchant?

Merchants are responsible for sales and the gross profit via their assortment mix they list and planogram. Some argue, if one does not understand future trends in the market, one can not effectively select what products consumers will want. Studying Census data will give many clues if studied. See below some statistics and how they could shape your assortment mix.

2011 Canadian Stats affecting Retail Assortment/Services

– The rate of Canada’s population growth between 2006 and 2011, was the highest among the G8 –

– Married couples are in long-term decline

– Aging demographics: people>80 on the steady rise…

– The size of families has shrunk (in 1961 avg fam size was 3.9 people, now it is 2.9 – post baby boom)

– For the first time, Stats Canada found there are more people living alone in Canada then there are couples with Children (one-household persons make up 27.6% of all homes. Couples with children represent only 26.5%!)

– In 2011, the most typical family was a couple with no children! In fact 44.5%

– Empty nesters are not so empty! The 2011 census shows some 42.3% of young adults aged 20-29 are living at home. In 1981 it was 26.9%

Cut and paste: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/news/canada-census/ or Google 2011 Canada Census.

Tips/Advantages to Understanding Census Data

1. Work with your vendor community so they submit an assortment mirroring your target market’s trends

2. Add value to your organization and stand out of the crowd

3. Your assortment mix will be differentiated from the competition and mirror the consumer ‘wants/needs”

*********************

To learn more: read about Merchandising Course offered at University of Toronto. Next Semester Sept-Dec 2013 http://2learn.utoronto.ca/uoft/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=1711715

About David J. Bartolini, H.B.Sc, MBA

David Bartolini is an Entrepreneur (Consultant), Author and Part-time Professor at Humber College and Instructor at University of Toronto. He is Principal at BARTOLINI CONSULTING. Bartolini Consulting focuses on Retail Merchandising and Branding opportunities for Consumer Packaged Goods’ companies - both manufacturers/growers as well as Retailers (www.bartolinibrands.com). David Bartolini is a former executive with over 10 years' experience in retail. He has worked for two iconic Canadian retailers (Loblaw and Sears) and is recognized as a leader in driving innovation in both brand/product development and merchandising processes. David's passion for Retail & Food continues outside the corporate arena to academia. Since 2008 he has helped teach hundreds of students through a course: Fundamentals of Retail Merchandising and Brand Management at the University of Toronto and Humber College. He also currently teaches Personal Branding at Mohawk College in Hamilton. David is also author of Insecta, a trilogy written for all ages, mainly focusing on Young Adults. www.insecta.ca

View all posts by David J. Bartolini, H.B.Sc, MBA →

This entry was posted in Merchandising. Bookmark the permalink.