Best Moneris Podcasts (2025)

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Black Friday 2025 by the Numbers with Sean McCormick, Moneris Data Services 22:53

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5d ago22:53

22:53

The Voice of Retail welcomes back Sean McCormick, Vice President, Business Development, Moneris Data Services, for a fast-moving, data-rich breakdown of the most closely watched retail moment of the year: Black Friday 2025. As the executive helping steer Moneris’s industry-leading data capabilities, McCormick offers a uniquely authoritative look at…

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Helius Originals 33:37

9d ago33:37

33:37

In the season 9 finale of ‘Yes, We Are Open’ Al visits Bilqees Grant, Co-Founder and CEO of Helius Originals. She tells her story of starting her unique business, which specializes in sustainable smoke barware, including equipment to smoke food and drinks using wood sourced from Ontario. Bilqees shares the challenges of manufacturing, marketing, an…

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Maximizing Your Restaurant’s Profitability: Insights from David Hopkins 31:40

11d ago31:40

31:40

Chapter 1: Maximizing Your Restaurant’s Profitability: Insights from David Hopkins Canada's restaurant industry is grappling with rising food and labor costs, shifting consumer habits, and economic uncertainties. David Hopkins, President of The Fifteen Group, discusses how restaurants can maximize profits and create new concepts. Hopkins emphasizes…

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Inside A Merchandising Revolution with Liza Amlani, Chief Merchant & Principal at Retail Strategy Group 30:34

12d ago30:34

30:34

In the latest episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Liza Amlani, Chief Merchant and Principal of Retail Strategy Group, who returns to the podcast to share timely insights from her new book, "The Material Life: Process Innovation for Retailers and Brands" Recognized globally as a retail thought leader, Amlani brings he…

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Selwyn Crittendon, CEO & CSO, IKEA Canada: Retail Reinvention for a Changing Nation 33:20

19d ago33:20

33:20

In this engaging and wide-ranging episode of The Voice of Retail, Michael reconnects with Selwyn Crittendon, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer for IKEA Canada, nearly two years after his arrival in the Canadian market. Selwyn reflects on his remarkable journey through IKEA over the past 23 years—from his early days in the Washington, D.C. store …

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The Sweetest Thing 29:38

23d ago29:38

29:38

This week, Al is in Oakville, Ontario visiting Erin Nocent, owner of The Sweetest Thing bakery. Erin transitioned from baking cakes and cupcakes from home in 2009 to opening her own brick and mortar business in 2018. She talks about overcoming her struggles with work-life balance and rising ingredient prices on her way to building a family legacy w…

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Inside Canada’s First AI-Powered Holiday Season with Eric Morris, Managing Director of Retail at Google Canada 36:05

26d ago36:05

36:05

In this highly anticipated annual episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back Eric Morris, Managing Director of Retail at Google Canada, to unpack Google’s 2025 Holiday Retail Insights Report—a tradition that has become a favourite among Canadian retailers. Eric brings more than two decades of experience helping brands levera…

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Lynx Music 31:10

30d ago31:10

31:10

This week, Al is back in Toronto visiting Ryan Altschuler, co-owner of Lynx Music. Ryan shares his story of building and running an innovative music and recording studio in Toronto and the significant challenges he faced. How did Ryan do it? Listen now to find out. You can learn more about Lynx Music at LynxMusic.ca. Subscribe now! If you're the ow…

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Retail in Transition: PwC Canada’s Elisa Swern on Consumer Confidence and Holiday Trends 2025 27:25

1M ago27:25

27:25

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Elisa Swern, National Consumer Markets Leader at PwC Canada, to unpack the insights behind PwC’s newly released 2025 Canadian Holiday Outlook—a comprehensive view into how consumers plan to shop, save, and celebrate amid an uncertain economy. Elisa shares her journey from f…

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Diefenbunker 35:01

1M ago35:01

35:01

In this episode, Al goes deep underground to visit the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum. He speaks with Monique Goffinet, Executive Director, and Jordan Vetter, Marketing and Communications Manager about the history of the bunker, its role during the Cold War, and its transition from a military site to a museum. Listen to this historic and fa…

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Martha McKimm of Hopson Grace & Shelley Simpson of Mud Australia on Craft, Curation and the Future of Retail Experience 35:23

1M ago35:23

35:23

Recorded live in person at Hopson Grace in Toronto, this inspiring episode of The Voice of Retail features host Michael LeBlanc sitting down with two leaders who are shaping the intersection of craftsmanship, culture, and commerce: Martha McKimm, Co-Founder of Hopson Grace, and Shelley Simpson, Founder of Mud Australia. Together, they unpack the ar…

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October Baseball’s Economic Impact On Spending Across Canada 16:19

1M ago16:19

16:19

October Baseball’s Economic Impact On Spending Across Canada Al is joined by Sports Expert and VP of Business Development at Moneris Data Services Sean McCormick to discuss the excitement of October baseball as the Toronto Blue Jays enter the postseason, examining the impact on local and national spending. Sean shares insights on how playoff rusns …

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The Record Centre 27:22

1M ago27:22

27:22

This week, Al visits John Thompson, owner of The Record Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. John traded the grueling heat of a paper mill for the warm crackle of vinyl. In 2011, John bought The Record Centre from a friend—starting with just six bins of records in the back of a video store. He has turned it into a thriving destination that's part record stor…

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Inside EY’s Latest Future Consumer Index Report: Malin Andrée and Jon Copestake on AI, Sustainability and Store Reinvention 32:01

2M ago32:01

32:01

In this insightful episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Malin Andrée, EY Global, EMEIA and Nordics Retail Leader, and Jon Copestake, EY Global Consumer Senior Analyst, to unpack the latest findings from EY’s Future Consumer Index—a global study tracking the shifting habits and expectations of 20,000 consumers across…

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Mad Radish 29:23

2M ago29:23

29:23

Al visits Adam Tomczyk, Co-Founder and CEO of Mad Radish to talk about the origins and growth of the company since its inception in 2017. Adam shares his personal journey of relocating from New York to Ottawa and reflects on the challenges and triumphs along the way, overcoming obstacles such as inflation and supply chain issues. Mad Radish remains…

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Global Design Visionary Jean-Pierre Lacroix, President of SLD, on His New Book "Think Blink: Creating Deep, Lasting Emotional Brand Connections in the Blink of an Eye 29:16

2M ago29:16

29:16

In this compelling new episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, President of SLD (Shikatani Lacroix Design)—a global design visionary whose work has shaped retail and brand experiences for more than three decades. Lacroix joins the podcast to share insights from his groundbreaking new book, Think Blin…

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My Afromania Inc. 27:19

2M ago27:19

27:19

In this episode, Al visits Chika Oguh, founder of My Afromania Inc., a fashion business in Ottawa that brings the vibrancy of African prints to Western styles. Chika recounts how her love for fashion inspired her to create a marketplace supporting artisans from both Africa and Canada. She candidly discusses the financial and emotional challenges of…

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Marketing at the Speed of Disruption: Rob Garf VP Industry Strategy at Cordial on Data, Trust, and the Digital Experience in an AI-Driven Retail World 34:17

2M ago34:17

34:17

In this must-listen episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back Rob Garf, now VP and Head of Industry Strategy at Cordial, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing, consumer engagement, and the future of retail personalization. A longtime retail strategist and thought leader, Garf brings decades of experi…

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Champlain Table Tennis Club 34:00

2M ago34:00

34:00

In the season 9 premiere of Yes, We Are Open, Al visits Paulo Chira, Owner of Champlain Table Tennis Club in Ottawa, Ontario. Originally founded in 1989, the club developed numerous national and international players but closed in 2015 due to a lack of support. Paulo, who started playing table tennis at six in Peru and moved to Canada for better tr…

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Chris Parsons, VP Partner Growth & Marketing at Hale and Author of Retail Rewired: How Modern Retail Leaders Drive Growth and Reinvention on The Four Pillars of Retail Leadership 33:01

2M ago33:01

33:01

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Chris Parsons, VP Partner Growth & Marketing at Hale Performance Marketing and author of the new book Retail Rewired: How Modern Retail Leaders Drive Growth and Reinvention, for a compelling conversation about the future of retail leadership, customer experience, and loyalt…

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Season 9 Trailer 0:58

2M ago0:58

0:58

Season 9 of the award-winning 'Yes, We Are Open' podcast starts October 6th, 2025! In this season, Al visits Ottawa, Ontario. Here is a little teaser for the upcoming season. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts or visit YesWeAreOpenPodcast.com! Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell …

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Retail’s Sustainability Roadmap with Michael Zabaneh, Vice-President, Sustainability, Retail Council of Canada 32:02

2M ago32:02

32:02

In this episode of The Voice of Retail Podcast, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Michael Zabaneh, Vice President, Sustainability at the Retail Council of Canada, for an in-depth discussion on the future of sustainability in Canadian retail. With over 15 years of experience spanning global recycling ventures, luxury brands, and corporate advocacy…

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Leadership Lessons and Luxury Retail Insights with Sebastian Picardo, President & CEO of Holt Renfrew 35:02

3M ago35:02

35:02

In this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc sits down in person with Sebastian Picardo, President & CEO of Holt Renfrew, to explore the evolution of luxury retail in Canada and the global forces shaping the industry. Sebastian begins by sharing his personal journey from Buenos Aires to London, where he launched his luxury c…

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The Gift of Store Traffic with Mark Ryski, Founder & CEO, HeadCount 27:26

3M ago27:26

27:26

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, Michael LeBlanc sits down with Mark Ryski, Founder & CEO of HeadCount and three-time retail author, to explore why store traffic remains one of the most underutilized and misunderstood metrics in modern retail. With over two decades of experience pioneering traffic and conversion analytics, Mark shares insigh…

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Rediscovering Canada: Insights on Domestic Tourism 14:58

3M ago14:58

14:58

Discover how Canadians are embracing domestic tourism more than ever before! In this insightful episode, Al sits down with Sean McCormick, VP of Business Development at Moneris Data Services, to discuss his findings. Learn about the reasons behind the increased focus on local travel, how the exchange rate and political factors are influencing trave…

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Preparing for AI Agents and Consumer Shifts with Fawad Baig, Fawad Baig, Retail Industry Leader for Canada, Accenture 29:00

3M ago29:00

29:00

In this dynamic episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Fawad Baig, Retail Industry Lead, Accenture Canada, to unpack Accenture’s latest global consumer report: Me, My Brand, and AI. With insights drawn from over 18,000 respondents worldwide, including Canadians, this research sheds light on how uncertainty and generative AI a…

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David Ian Gray, Retail Strategist Breaks Down Angus Reid Research on the Mainstreaming of Second-Hand Shopping in Canada 33:23

3M ago33:23

33:23

In this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back retail strategist, educator, and thought leader David Ian Gray, Principal of DIG360 Consulting Ltd. and retail faculty at Capilano University’s School of Business. Together, they explore the latest Angus Reid survey on Canadian shopping habits and the rapidly evolvin…

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Carson’s Garden & Market: How Carson Arthur Turned a Media Brand into a Retail Destination (Encore) 27:17

4M ago27:17

27:17

On this encore episode Michael LeBlanc welcomes Carson Arthur, media personality and independent retailer, and the founder of Carson’s Garden & Market in Prince Edward County. Carson’s career journey is anything but traditional—moving from launching brands at Procter & Gamble, to building a television career as a design and gardening expert, and no…

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Navigating Canada’s Economic Crossroads with Douglas Porter 12:51

4M ago12:51

12:51

Canada’s economy has had a wild ride this year—but is it as bad as it seems? In our latest episode, BMO Chief Economist Douglas Porter returns to break down the numbers behind the headlines. From inflation and interest rates to the surprising strength of domestic tourism, Porter shares insights that every small business owner should hear. 💡 Why has…

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Cameron Conn, CEO of Champlain Apparel, on Winning with Retail Partnerships: RCC Retail West Sneak Peek 29:21

4M ago29:21

29:21

In this captivating episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Cameron Conn, CEO of Champlain Apparel, to explore an extraordinary career journey that spans Las Vegas casinos, tech startups, and Canada’s emerging entry-level luxury menswear scene. Raised in a third-generation casino family, Cameron’s early career in hospita…

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Retail Ready: Liza Amlani’s Essential Guide to Merchandising, Markdown Strategy & Wholesale Growth (Encore) 35:08

4M ago35:08

35:08

Retail success isn't just about having a fantastic product—it's about understanding the business of selling. On this special encore episode of The Voice of Retail, I welcome Liza Amlani, renowned retail strategist and co-author of The Whole Sale: Profitable Wholesale Strategies for Brands. Liza shares insider insights from her 20+ years in buying, …

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Retail Strategist Carl Boutet and his latest book "Blind Spot: Navigating the Unseen Effects of Technology on Commerce" (Encore) 39:45

4M ago39:45

39:45

On this Encore episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc speaks with retail strategist, professor, and author Carl Boutet about his journey in academia and his latest book, Blind Spot: Navigating the Unforeseen Effects of Technology on Commerce. Carl discusses his evolving role in retail education, including his work at McGill University…

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Chris Jones, Cannabis Xpress CEO, on Disruption, Differentiation & the Future of Cannabis Retail 30:42

5M ago30:42

30:42

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I’m thrilled to welcome back Chris Jones, Founder and CEO of Cannabis Xpress, for his third appearance on the show. Chris offers an insider’s view of the fast-changing cannabis retail landscape in Canada. Since we last spoke, Cannabis Xpress has grown to 21 stores—14 in Ontario and 7 in New Brunswick—becoming…

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Beyond Satisfaction: Unlocking What Drives Consumers in 2025 with Simone Lumsden, SVP, Triangle Customer Loyalty and Triangle Retail Media at Canadian Tire, and Sandra Duff, Founder of AnotherStory Consulting ... 25:15

5M ago25:15

25:15

In this special live episode of The Voice of Retail, recorded at RCC STORE 2025, I sit down with two retail thought leaders: Simone Lumsden, Senior Vice-President, Triangle Customer Loyalty and Triangle Retail Media, Canadian Tire Corporation, and Sandra Duff, Founder and Principal at Another Story Consulting. Together, we explore what it takes to …

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Talent, Strategy, and Story Telling: James B. Smith, CEO of Rare Placement, on Finding—and Becoming—the Right Retail Leader 30:55

5M ago30:55

30:55

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I’m joined by James B. Smith, Founder and CEO of Rare Placement, for a wide-ranging conversation on modern leadership, executive search, and the future of talent in the retail industry. James brings an exceptional career journey to the mic, beginning in advertising with agencies like Grey and Ogilvy, moving i…

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How Are Canadian Small Businesses Tackling Succession Planning Challenges? 30:29

5M ago30:29

30:29

With the average age of business owners at 58 and many lacking succession plans, Canadian small businesses are facing climbing rates of closure. Al is joined by Dr. Sarah Burrows, Assistant Professor at Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business, to discuss the growing concern of succession planning in Canadian small businesses. Dr. Burrows disc…

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Live from SMU in Dallas, Texas, Steve Dennis & Leaders Leap, Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption (Encore Episode) 39:45

5M ago39:45

39:45

In this special encore episode of The Voice of Retail, recorded live at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, host Michael LeBlanc is joined by longtime Remarkable Retail #podcast collaborator and retail thought leader Steve Dennis to celebrate the launch of Steve’s latest book, Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Compa…

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Jim Okamura, Partner at McMillan Doolittle on what is now, new and the future of local and global retail commerce live from the CommerceNext Growth Show 28:57

6M ago28:57

28:57

In this must-listen episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc is joined by seasoned retail strategist Jim Okamura, Partner at McMillan Doolittle and Co-Founder of the Global E-commerce Leaders Forum (GELF). Recorded live at the CommerceNext show in New York City, the two Canadians delve deeply into the current and future state of retail,…

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Sharon Gai, AI Strategist, on Personalization, Blind Boxes & Retail 2.0 29:49

6M ago29:49

29:49

In this powerhouse episode of The Voice of Retail, I sit down with Sharon Gai, an international keynote speaker, AI expert, former Alibaba executive, and recent keynote speaker on the stage at the Retail Council of Canada's STORE2025, for an illuminating conversation on the future of retail in the age of artificial intelligence. Joining from São Pa…

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The Business of Golf In Canada: Is It An Economic Indicator? 28:01

6M ago28:01

28:01

This month, Al is joined by Jeff Calderwood, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), to discuss the economic impact of golf in Canada and how the industry reflects this year’s tourism trends. Jeff also delves into how golf courses are adapting to changes in travel due to tariffs and the various programs and services offered by t…

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Vancouver's Innovative Retail Crime Fighting Solution, Project Barcode, with Sgt. Craig Reynolds & Arezo Zarrabian, Vancouver Police Department (Encore) 42:40

6M ago42:40

42:40

In this encore episode of The Voice of Retail from January 2025, I’m joined by Sergeant Craig Reynolds and Arezo Zarrabian, Senior Crime Analyst at the Vancouver Police Department, for an exclusive look inside Project Barcode—a pioneering effort to combat organized retail crime in Vancouver. Sparked by a staggering 260% increase in retail theft inv…

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Peter Hlynsky, CEO of MEC: The Epic Journey Home - How Canada's Iconic Outdoor Retailer Reclaimed Its Heritage and Charts New Trails 31:39

6M ago31:39

31:39

In this exclusive interview, I chat with Peter Hlynsky, CEO of MEC (Mountain Equipment Company), one of Canada's most iconic outdoor retailers. Peter shares his remarkable journey from CFO to CEO over five years at MEC, detailing his passion for the outdoors that initially drew him to the company rather than retail specifically. MEC's origin story …

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The Parlour 34:13

6M ago34:13

34:13

In the season 8 finale of ‘Yes, We Are Open’, Al is back in Ontario, visiting Brenda and Rick Coletta, owners of The Fry’s The Limit and The Parlour. After retiring from her corporate career, Brenda gave entrepreneurship a try. She bought a food truck, called it The Fry’s The Limit, and sold poutine. Then Rick joined her and they bought a second tr…

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Human Pride: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market with bestselling author and veteran front-line retail executive Ron Thurston 34:21

6M ago34:21

34:21

In this energizing and thought-provoking episode, I welcome back Ron Thurston, bestselling author, veteran retail executive, and passionate advocate for the frontline retail workforce. With the launch of his second book, Human Pride: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market, Ron brings a refreshing, people-centric perspective to lead…

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Jenn Harper, Retail Council Canada's 2025 Independent Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year on Taking Cheekbone Beauty from Startup Dream to Indigenous Beauty Revolution 28:21

7M ago28:21

28:21

In this episode, Jenn Harper, founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics and 2025 recipient of Retail Council Canada's Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year award, joins me on the mic. Our inspiring conversation explores Jenn's remarkable journey from food industry sales to building a nationally recognized Indigenous beauty brand now availab…

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Tumblers Pizza 31:42

7M ago31:42

31:42

Al visits Jim Baiton, the founder and owner of Tumblers Pizza in Regina, Saskatchewan. Jim shares his journey from making pizza boxes at 14 to building a pizza empire that sells Regina-style pizza in over 140 locations across Saskatchewan. Hear the story behind the unique name, the secret formula for their incredible sauce, and the challenges faced…

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RCC STORE2025 Keynote Speaker Karl Haller, Consumer Center of Competency (CoC) Leader from IBM on The AI-Powered Retail Enterprise 22:01

7M ago22:01

22:01

In this exclusive episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc interviews Karl Haller, Partner at IBM Consulting and leader of their retail and consumer products center of competency, ahead of his highly anticipated keynote presentation at Retail Council of Canada's STORE2025 conference on June 3rd. With nearly 30 years of retail ex…

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Bushwakker Brewpub 30:37

7M ago30:37

30:37

In this episode of YWAO, Al sits down with Grant Frew, Bar and Marketing Manager at Bushwakker Brewpub in Regina, Saskatchewan. Grant recounts Bushwakker’s unique German beer-inspired roots, and how it evolved to become a staple in Regina's brewing culture. Listen to stories and insights spanning over three decades at the brewery, detailing their o…

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Beyond the Tariff Headlines: STORE2025 Opening Keynote Ira Kalish, Chief Global Economist for Deloitte Prepares Canadian Retailers for Economic Change 23:31

7M ago23:31

23:31

In this timely episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back frequent guest and audience favorite Ira Kalish, Chief Global and US Economist for Deloitte, who is set to deliver the opening keynote address at Retail Council of Canada's STORE2025 conference on June 3rd. This conversation offers listeners a valuable preview of the …

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Chief Economist Douglas Porter Discusses Canadian Economy: Trade War, Inflation, and Economic Outlook 23:08

7M ago23:08

23:08

Al welcomes Douglas Porter, Chief Economist at the Bank of Montreal, to the podcast to discuss Canada’s current economic landscape. They delve into topics such as Canada's economic performance in the first quarter of 2025 and the effects of trade wars with the U.S. on Canadian businesses and consumers. Porter shares valuable advice for small busine…