Tag Archives: Toronto

Hotel category- lil stats, big importance

Rarely do I see a business article use data with such clarity & insight

https://www.thestar.com/business/2018/07/17/less-room-at-the-inn-for-toronto-conventions-report.html

This surprisingly well written business article (esp for Canadian publication)  supports oft-ignored lessons about Market Assessment; your boss will want to know  1. category size; 2. category growth,; 3. factors influencing growth and also 4.  competitive SWOT’s. The data/ considerations should look out a few years.

Given the need for a ‘future focus”, many ppl may assume the Conventions/ Tourism Biz should be consumed about airbnb data. Not so fast. Despite the popular media’s focus on casual shared accommodation, the reality is that Bed & Breakfasts & airbnb-type accommodations don’t influence a location most meeting managers would select for a convention; what DOES influence it is a city’s perceived safety, transport & services infrastructure, entertainment options, meeting halls/ convention centres – and the capacity & service level of legitimate inns & hotels. And Toronto isn’t faring well on that front.

There are some extremely relevant figures here – on prices & capacity/ market. The Convention Biz is big- with big ripples to all aspects of a city’s economy. The data seems to indicate Toronto has an uphill climb to continue to be a ‘world class’ convention site. This Biz Category invites a market share fight as would any big category; I hope Mayor Tory takes time from ‘detail management’ to review this Big Picture opportunity – and to strategize/ invest accordingly.

In his favour? Mayor Tory’s business background, and his common sense actions to ease road traffic congestion on major routes.

Discouraging signs? A still-woeful regional transit ‘system’; a myopic decision to spend billions of taxpayer $ to BYPASS a borough with a subway; a brutal lack of accountability on transit car supply; road construction contracts that still seem to still be poorly written, unenforced, or both (youre hereby invited to play: “Let’s see if any work is done in the closed lanes of Hwy427 today!”)

SL

Is Uniqlo unique enough to make it?

Japanese giant clothing retailer Uniqlo is arriving in Toronto’s Eaton Center.

https://www.thestar.com/business/2016/09/29/uniqlo-opens-its-first-canadian-store.html

It’ll be intriguing to see how they go about carving out a slot for themselves. Whether their USP resonates with enough customers, is yet to be verified. In the GTA, imo

  • Fast Fashion is owned by Zara and H&M.
  • Classic style by Michael Kors, The Bay.
  • Elite designer style by Nordstrom, Saks, Holts.
  • Discounted ‘badge’ apparel by hr2, the Rack,  Marshalls, Winners.
  • Men’s quality affordables? Moores, TipTop (they sell Calvin Klein!).

Uniqlo is destined to be a provider of durable, well constructed ‘new classics’ in multiple colour shades; in the GTA market, they may be in a similar space as Joe Fresh or perhaps Le Chateau. A step above Reitmans or TipTop or Moores. And what about Simons? Arriving (in Mississauga this past March) this savvy Quebec-based banner has a proven ability to offer quality in-style pieces, and decades of success servicing our (more style-conscious) brethren in so-French Canada.

Watch this market battle closely! I don’t expect Uniqlo to mess up inventory selection and logistics the way dearly departed Target did, yet, even with superb execution, Uniqlo’s success is not a foregone conclusion.

They need Marketing impact; watch for them to select homegrown Canuck celebs & to generously bulk up next year’s TIFF swag-bags. What if they were to play a role as primary investor bringing back the defunct World (formerly MasterCard) Fashion Week, to Toronto? THAT would certainly buy them some goodwill and be an attention-getting move for a style-conscious audience.

SL