黑料社

MMR students explore retail innovation in Dubai

In March 2025, students in the Master of Management in Retailing (MMR) program at 黑料社 Desautels, took part in a week-long study trip to Dubai, to explore one of the world鈥檚 most dynamic retail hubs.

The itinerary included meetings with industry leaders from Dubai Economy and Tourism, Huda Beauty, Apparel Group, Kitopi, DAMAC, Carrefour, and Majid Al Futtaim Group. Students gained firsthand insights into retail innovation, digital strategy, localization, and customer experience.

Tariff-induced economic uncertainty is affecting Canadians鈥� purchasing decisions

Even as the venerable Hudson鈥檚 Bay Company liquidates its iconic department stores, some Canadian retailers are experiencing a renaissance. Quebec department store has been expanding, even as others struggle to stay in the black. But Trump鈥檚 tariffs are clouding the future for Canadian retailers.

Identifying tariffed products could be seen as attempt to mask increased margins

Since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, frequent tariff threats have disrupted the economy. It is difficult to keep track of which products will be tariffed, when they will be tariffed, and how much they will be tariffed by. But Provigo stores in Quebec are taking steps that will help shoppers understand the factors that affect the price of their groceries. They are developing signage that will mark tariffed items with a 鈥淭鈥� to explain price hikes.

Software helps combat online shopping fraud

Buying clothing, wearing it once or twice, and then returning it is not a new practice, but online shopping has amplified the issue. To stay competitive with e-commerce giants, retailers have had to simplify their return processes, making them more vulnerable to abuse.

Keeping Christmas lights on to add ambiance can help set a shopping district apart

Christmas lights that glow softly through long winter nights are part of what makes the holiday season so atmospheric鈥攂ut they can add to the ambiance any time of year. Some shopping districts are leaving their lights up for exactly that reason.

Montreal retailer Frank and Oak files for creditor protection for second time

In January 2025, the Montreal-based retailer Frank and Oak filed for creditor protection for the second time in recent years. A company statement said it was to protect employees, assets and operations from creditor claims while exploring options to restructure.

BSRM collaborates with Mamie Clafoutis to redefine bakery experience

In partnership with 黑料社鈥檚 Bensadoun School of Retail Management (BSRM) and Master of Management in Retailing (MMR) program, Quebec bakery Mamie Clafoutis transformed its St. Denis location into a cutting-edge bakery.

Healthy snacks make good business sense

A 2022 study by researchers at 黑料社 Desautels revealed that when shoppers were offered a promotion that gave them a choice between a healthy snack and a pastry with their coffee, sales of healthy snacks increased by more than 1000%.