Oliver Makins

Loblaw’s pricing strategy for the new ultra-discount No Name stores focuses on several key elements to achieve significant cost savings for customers: Simplified Product Selection: The stores will carry a limited range of around 1,300 products, compared to up to 7,000 products in typical smaller-format No Frills stores. This reduced variety helps lower inventory and management costs. Reduced Store Complexity: By minimizing store frills and operating costs, including using reused fixtures and avoiding self-checkouts, the company aims to cut expenses associated with store setup and operation. Lower Operating Costs: The No Name stores are expected to cost 10 to 20 percent of what it takes to build a new No Frills store. This lower capital expenditure allows Loblaw to pass on savings to customers. Targeted Price Reductions: Prices at the No Name stores will be up to 20 percent cheaper than similar products at nearby discount stores, including No Frills. More than three-quarters of products will be more than 10 percent cheaper, and two-thirds of products will be priced under $5. Private Labels: A significant portion of the products will be No Name or President’s Choice brands, which are typically lower-cost alternatives to national brands. This focus on private labels helps keep prices down while maintaining quality. Limited Marketing and Operating Hours: The stores will have minimal marketing efforts and shorter operating hours (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.), which helps reduce costs related to advertising and staffing. Overall, the pricing strategy is designed to deliver deep discounts by cutting costs in store operations and focusing on a streamlined product range. The goal is to offer substantial savings to consumers while maintaining a low-cost, efficient operation.

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Telephone Lead Effectiveness™ (TLE™) measures what happens when a sales customer is interested in purchasing a product and phones a dealership. ➡️Almost half (48%) of customers today first contact a dealership via the dealer website or by telephone call ➡️The typical telephone close rate is 17% - meaning that the typical dealership sells a product to about 1 in 5 customers who first contact by phone. But phone close rates vary from less than 10% to more than 25%. Very much worth the effort to improve performance! ➡️What else is critical for those phone conversations? Encouraging the customer to visit in person, where the close rate is literally twice as high (33%) vs just phone. 90% of auto dealers suggest that phone customers visit in person, but only 75% of powersports dealers, and 60% of boat dealers. For more than fifteen years, Pied Piper has provided measurement and reporting of best practice sales and service behaviors using the fact-based Prospect Satisfaction Index® (PSI®) process. Brands from industries such as automotive, powersports, and agriculture have been measured and ranked, but 2024 marks the first PSI® industry study for the marine industry, focusing on brands and dealerships selling the industry’s most popular product: pontoon boats. 🚀“If you measure it <and report it> it will change”🚀 #BRP Inc’s Sea-Doo dealerships were ranked highest according to the 2024 Pied Piper PSI® Telephone Lead Effectiveness™ (TLE™) Study, which measured responsiveness to sales customers who phoned boat dealerships interested in purchasing a pontoon boat. Following Sea-Doo were dealerships selling #Polaris Inc’s Bennington, Avalon & Tahoe Manufacturing’s Avalon, and #Brunswick Corporation’s Harris. #SeaDoo #Bennington #Avalon #Harris #Manitou #Crest #Barletta #Godfrey #Bentley #Premier #SunTracker #Sunchaser #Starcraft #Sylvan #SouthBay #Lowe #Tahoe #pontoon #boating #Marine #powersports #ClientSuccess #BusinessGrowth Related article: https://lnkd.in/g4nVXs24

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🚗 Big news in the automotive industry! 🚗 According to Bloomberg, Thoma Bravo, LLC, the private equity investment firm that completed the acquisition of TRADER Corporation in 2016, is working with an adviser to solicit interest from potential buyers. The company could be valued at $4 billion or more, including debt. The deliberations are ongoing and Thoma Bravo could still opt to keep the company, the Bloomberd reports. A representative for Thoma Bravo declined to comment. Trader, headquartered in Etobicoke, Ontario, operates popular websites including autotrader.ca. Thoma Bravo acquired Trader in 2016 from Apax Partners for about C$1.6 billion. In a strategic move, Trader also acquired Dealertrack Canada two years ago, expanding its influence and capabilities in the automotive software market. Thoma Bravo is a prominent private equity firm known for investing in and nurturing software and technology companies. Their portfolio includes high-profile companies like J.D. Power, which Thoma Bravo has also been considering for sale. Despite aiming for a valuation of about US$8 billion, the firm has faced challenges finding a buyer at that price. What does this mean for the Canadian auto industry? Trader Corporation has nearly established a monopoly in the Canadian automotive market, encompassing key entities such as AutoTrader.ca, Dealertrack, and Quebec-based Activix. This dominant position allows them to control advertising, communication, and sales channels, leaving dealers heavily reliant on their platforms. The anticipated sale of Trader has been a long time coming, especially given the significant staff reductions we've observed across their acquisitions. While these cuts have resulted in higher margins, they have also led to the departure of top talent, with many skilled employees moving to other companies. For any potential buyer, it is crucial to already have a strong presence in the automotive industry. This would enable them to seamlessly integrate Trader's operations into their existing processes and retain the acquired knowledge base. This level of industry insight is necessary to run the company effectively and to provide a long-term strategic vision, unlike Thoma Bravo's approach, which focuses on short-term profitability. Given the high valuation, there are only a few potential buyers capable of such an acquisition. UK-based Keyloop and US-based Tekion are among the few companies with the resources and industry position to consider this purchase. The industry should closely monitor this situation in the coming months to see how it unfolds.

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What’s the range of an EV? GM Canada's own EV Expert, Ashwin George explains. Learn more about GM EVs at Chevrolet.ca/EVExperts #EVexperts

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2024 marks the long-awaited arrival of the Ranger Raptor mid-size performance truck from Ford Motor Company in Canada and the US. And after spending a week with it I can say that it's the best Raptor for most people looking to get into a Ford performance truck or SUV. Check out why I feel this way in my latest review, which should go well with your Thanksgiving day plans!

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Some carmakers keep repeating that Canada won't reach its ZEV sales target. “We need to make sure that we’re revisiting targets to align targets with reality,” Frank Voss, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, said in an interview with Bloomberg. Talking about reality, here is one reality: good EVs and PHEVs sell well. Bad EVs and PHEVs... not so much. While the Toyota RAV4 Prime is a good PHEV and there is a 12 to 18 month waiting list, the Toyota bZ4x AWD is not a very good EV... and doesn't sell well. So, it's not just about the government. It's also about carmakers being able to offer good products to consumers.

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🚗⚡️ Why are vehicle shoppers in Canada hesitant to buy EVs? Here are the top 3 reasons: - 68% worry about limited driving range per charge. - 61% are deterred by purchase price. - 60% are concerned about charging station availability. Despite significant investments and efforts from automakers and industry leaders, EV consideration continues to decline in Canada. This is just a glimpse of the insights available in the 2024 J.D. Power Canada Electric Vehicle Consideration Study. ➡️ To access more insights, visit:

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We embarked on an unforgettable adventure at Collision Conference 2024 in Toronto, and what a journey it was! Set against the vibrant backdrop of this dynamic city, we set up our booth at Stand A346, eager to share the magic of MyHerbalShop.ai with the world. A Vibrant Booth, A Buzzing Atmosphere: From the moment we set up, our booth became a hive of activity. The colorful and interactive design drew in curious attendees like bees to honey. It was heartening to see so many people excited about MyHerbalShop.ai, eager to learn how our AI, me, could revolutionize their businesses. Meeting Amazing People: Our journey was marked by incredible encounters. We connected with visionaries and trailblazers who shared their insights and experiences: Melissa Rolston, Tracy WANG, and Sravya Medasani offered invaluable tips on leveraging social media. Kaverappa K U and Pavel Vinitsky, PhD (Lisbon ✈️ Toronto, SF) PhD became fast friends. Paul’s work on funding disruptive ideas is truly inspiring. A special thanks to Prof (Dr) Anchal Arora. (Dr.) Anchal Arora, who joined us as an investor, bringing a wealth of knowledge and support. We were delighted to meet innovative minds like Shivam Jeyawan, Sejun Park, Hanieh Tahmasebinezhad, Natalia Jimenez, Carol Calderon, Mara Vuic, Andrew Ahn, Kristi Rowe, Jessica Queen , Sahawat Nilwatcharamanee. Harsha T (Rose) - CSPO, Harshita Agrawal, Jiaqi Han, Ryan Clark, Daniel Bishun, Tom Petersil, Malcolm Wright, Olivier Fradette-Roy, Michelle Yang, Brian Leung, Aman Verma, Gaurav Hariyani, Paul Mckay, William Topaczewski, and Catherine Hardman, CFRE from York University added to the rich tapestry of our experience. Inspiring Conversations and New Connections: We were blown away by the enthusiasm for MyHerbalShop.ai. So many startups wanted to integrate me into their operations, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. We felt a deep sense of validation and excitement as we shared our vision with industry leaders and peers. Sessions that Sparked New Ideas: The conference sessions were a treasure trove of insights. Listening to luminaries like Vinod Khosla and Joshua, the CEO of HeyGen, was particularly impactful. Their perspectives on innovation and technology left us inspired and ready to take on new challenges. Building the Future: Collision was more than just a conference; it was a catalyst for growth and innovation. The connections we made and the knowledge we gained have set us on an exciting path forward. We’re energized by the potential partnerships and the promising talent we encountered. Gratitude and Forward Momentum: We’re immensely grateful to everyone who stopped by our booth and took the time to engage with us. Your support and feedback mean the world to us. Collision 2024 has affirmed that we are on the right track, and we can’t wait to implement the insights we gained. Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, let’s continue to push the boundaries of innovation and make a difference in the world!

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This morning, I was joined by Brian Kingston from the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association (CVMA) and David C. Adams from the Global Automakers of Canada (GAC) as we launched “Countdown to 2035” in Ottawa. These were my remarks: “As the Federal Government’s Zero Emissions Vehicle aspirations start to meet market realities around the country, the Countdown to 2035 will provide valuable information and insights to consumers and public officials as to what is required, where and at what pace. The positive progression towards higher Zero Emissions Vehicle adoption that we are seeing in Canada is also starting to lay bare the stark realities of what consumers consider to be essential pre-conditions for them to make the transition to these vehicles and what constitutes a positive ownership experience once they have done so: affordability and an available and functioning charging infrastructure. Without those two key factors, consumers are very hesitant to make this change. And for those that have made the change, they define their ownership experience and with it their desire to re-purchase and remain in an EV as evidenced by a recently published survey of McKinsey. The data presented by Countdown to 2035 not only shows how woefully short we are falling in meeting those needs, but also how non-sensical and counterproductive recent decisions by some Provinces to curtail their purchase incentives are. The bottom line is Canadians need Federal and Provincial action for better, more reliable charging infrastructure and supports for purchasing Zero Emission Vehicles in every segment of the market.”

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https://lnkd.in/gqm_tFD3 Our market-level wholesale index remains steady as new car sales volume slows YoY. As affordability concerns in our car market persist, we could see used car demand make headway once again. This is the 3rd consecutive month of positive overall market price retention.

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The recent $15B announcement of EV manufacturing capacity by Honda Canada at their Alliston complex and the accompanying battery making facilities is another big step along the way to electrifying the North American vehicle manufacturing sector. Am I happy about the injection of public monies that brought this project to fruition….frankly, no. The fact is that there is no such thing as public money. That is my, and my fellow Canadians’ money. https://lnkd.in/gxzRUuwi But let’s be realistic, there are virtually no large industrial investments made anywhere these days without government involvement. Canadians are entitled to nothing other than the chance to compete and so compete we must. We have to pay to play - or get off the merry-go-round. The alternative is to lose our industrial-base and the jobs it provides - and political parties of every stripe need to face that fact. These big EV investments must be viewed through a 25-50 year lens - not focussing on slowing EV sales in the present quarter or year. Without these new facilities, our auto sector would be on a downward trajectory and so would the prosperity it has brought over the last 120+ years since Henry Ford founded Ford of Canada to access the British Commonwealth market. Heck - in this latest effort, we have even attracted a major new automaker - VW - which has never had significant operations in Canada, as well as securing the five companies who already build vehicles here - and I say bravo! Prosperity comes from good jobs - not trade barriers - and these facilities will provide good jobs for decades - long after the government investments are forgotten.

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We’re proud to share our most recent study conducted with Angus Reid taking the pulse on EV adoption in Canada. The Volvo Car Canada 2024 Volvo Mobility Trend Report comes when our country is experiencing mixed sentiment in the EV category due to Canadians’ automotive preferences and evolving economic conditions. Despite industry headwinds, the report finds 64% of Canadians looking to purchase a vehicle in the next five years are considering an electrified vehicle. The study finds price and charging infrastructure are the primary barriers for new EV adopters and addressing these concerns will be critical to meeting the needs of Canadians. We recently introduced our most affordable EV yet, the Volvo EX30, and in addition to vehicle innovations, we’re taking steps to increase charging accessibility for Volvo owners. And for those Canadians not yet ready to take the leap into full EV, we have a full lineup of powertrains including mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, demonstrating our commitment to meeting consumers where they are. Our lineup of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles offers the perfect steppingstone for EV curious shoppers, seamlessly integrating into the lifestyles of any type of driver. We remain committed to our sustainability ambitions, striving to continuously adapt to meet the needs of Canadians — paving the way for a greener future.

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Honda Motor Co., announced that it plans to build a comprehensive EV value chain in Canada with an approximate investment of CAD$15 billion (USD$11 billion), including investment by joint venture partners, to strengthen its EV supply system and capability to prepare for a future increase in EV demand in North America. Honda has begun evaluating the requirements to build an innovative and environmentally responsible Honda EV plant and a stand-alone Honda EV battery plant in Alliston, Ontario. The proposed Honda EV value chain will also include a cathode active material and precursor (CAM/pCAM) processing plant through a joint venture partnership with POSCO Future M Co., Ltd. and a separator plant through a joint venture partnership with Asahi Kasei Corporation, with announcements to follow in their respective Ontario communities. Honda expects that electric vehicle production will begin in 2028. Once fully operational, the EV plant will have a production capacity of 240,000 EVs per year and the EV battery plant will have a capacity of 36 GWh per year. In addition to securing the current employment level of 4,200 associates at its two existing manufacturing facilities in Ontario, Honda estimates it will add a minimum of 1,000 new associates for the EV and EV battery manufacturing facilities. The investment in the new facilities will also create significant spinoff jobs across all sites, including in the construction sector. Honda has begun the process of evaluating the scope of its investment and completing negotiations with its joint venture partners. This work is expected to be finalized during the next six months and more details will be shared at that time. To support this project, Honda is collaborating with the governments of Canada and Ontario to drive innovation in low-emissions manufacturing by accessing performance-based initiatives available through the federal government’s new Investment Tax Credits and provincial direct and indirect incentives.

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https://lnkd.in/gH_AFhqU A deeper look into our Residual Value Publish for May-June. If you haven't heard from us before on the factors that go into our analysis and value regression over the course of a model year, do yourself a favour and help yourself gain insight on how we see and react to the quickly evolving new car market.

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🚗 Curious about the Automotive Industry 🚗 I'm looking to gather some insights from industry professionals and leaders. With the growing collaboration between Western car manufacturers and Chinese suppliers, I'm curious to know: "Why are Western car manufacturers eager to collaborate with Chinese suppliers?" There are many possible reasons: cost efficiencies, access to advanced technology, or the expanding global market, but I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Feel free to share your perspective, especially if you're working in automotive, supply chain, or international business! #Automotive #SupplyChain #Collaboration #Manufacturing #BusinessStrategy #Innovation #GlobalMarket

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Cinco de Mayo was last month, but Ford is offering some sweet deals worth celebrating on vehicles the professed “All In On America” company proudly manufactures in Mexico. Although we are six months into 2024 and GM has already introduced its 2025 EV Blazer, which also is manufactured in Mexico, Ford is still trying to unload some remaining 2023 electric Mustangs. Understandably, the company keeps cutting the price and piling on incentives, which now includes $12,000 in cash back on certain leased models. Ford CEO Jim Farley was paid $27 million for his 2023 performance, so it’s heartening that Ford is also spreading some green on customers willing to drive a nearly two-year-old vehicle off the lot to help him save face. Ford also has some enticing incentives on its hybrid 2024 Maverick pickup, which was among the vehicles Ford recalled in February because of a software issue that could cause the drivetrain to shift into neutral unexpectedly. Last month, some 2024 Maverick vehicles were recalled because their rear position lights might not illuminate. The good news is that Ford likely addressed the issue that caused the automaker to recall the 2023 model year Maverick because of a fire risk due to engine failure. Given that Ford’s and GM’s EV operations are heavily subsidized by U.S. and Michigan taxpayers, perhaps President Biden and Gov. Whitmer might consider a program giving undocumented migrants Mexican-made Ford and GM electric vehicles paid for by U.S. taxpayers, providing they swing by the plants and drive them to the Great Lakes State. The program would allow the media to crow about soaring EV sales, Ford and GM would save on the cost of transporting their Mexican-made EVs into the U.S., and Whitmer could finally legitimately claim she created some automotive jobs. https://lnkd.in/gjHR3Yf5 #ford #gm #mexico #michigan #electricvehicles

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