American and European businesses are transforming Canada's retail landscape

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

photo: Jacques Nantel

by SUSAN MANN

Jacques Nantel, professor of marketing at the University of Montréal, says Canada is the new frontier for American and European retailers. And this changing food retail landscape marked by new players from the United States and Europe, consolidation within the Canadian industry and a diversification of the stores’ product mix, means farmers will have to “adapt to more and more types of retailers.”

Farmers “will have to think up ways to penetrate other market distribution channels,” he told delegates attending Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s annual meeting last week.

For American retailers, the new frontier is Canada and Mexico. More American retailers are slated to come into Canada and “that means that you will have to deal with more and more players,” he says.

Farmers will also have to consider new strategies focused on marketing. There’s also a need for really strong brands. Major retailers will be looking for “strong brands,” he notes. BF