Ainsley Moir

Alimentation Couche-Tard is strategically expanding its footprint, making significant moves by bidding for 7-Eleven stores and acquiring GetGo Café + Market. This aggressive expansion underscores Couche-Tard's commitment to growing its presence in the convenience store and café market. 🌎🏪 Couche-Tard's acquisitions are not just about increasing the number of stores; they're about enhancing the retail experience and offering more services and products to a broader customer base. As they deploy their substantial war chest, it will be interesting to see how this reshapes the competitive landscape of the convenience retail sector. #RetailStrategy #BusinessExpansion #CoucheTard #ConvenienceStore #FoodTrends https://lnkd.in/gQ8zsw7P

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Build Something That Stands Tall Through Time When the CN Tower was built, it was more than just a radio tower. It was a statement. A beacon of innovation that transformed a practical necessity into a symbol of Toronto’s identity. What if we built our companies and brands with the same vision? Not just to solve today’s problems like ‘give me MORE PROTEIN’ … but to become timeless icons. To take what’s functional and turn it into something that is timeless. To inspire pride and identity. All of the world class brands do this. Just like the CN Tower wasn’t merely a structure but a revitalization for a city, our businesses can be more than products or services—they can redefine what it means to stand tall through time. So my question going into the weekend for all of us is … How will you build your legacy? #cultureFIRSTleadership 🎥 … running & exploring Toronto this morning. 👇🏼

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The CarbonOne team is doing innovating things in the #carbondata space for #FMCG and #CPG brands. This webinar will be worth your time!

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#Pitching is such an important skill to develop in #entrepreneurship. #sbfto #toronto #startup #smallbusiness #entrepreneur #smallbiz #Torontoentrepreneurs

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I think it is fair to say that our industry still has a lot of work to do to help consumers realize that better quality almost always represents better value. Especially in cannabis. And, I would add that at least some insight into our customers' needs and wants is at least as important as product knowledge, as we strive to help them along the path to --dare I say it-- cannabis enlightenment. ;-)

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I had a ton of fun digging into marketing, social media, and brand positioning. Finding your 'why' is more important than every in today's noisy landscape! #marketing #foodbusiness #cpg #cpg #foodbranding #marketing

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While the Canadian halal food industry has evolved over the years, so has globalization. We are more similar today than 30 years ago no matter what part of the world we come from -- we value the same things. Halal food is more than select items that hold a certification logo. In broad terms, halal is a way of life for Muslims. Convenience, snacking, confectionary, HMR -- Creative grocers can leverage these insights into their aisles and continue to meet the evolving needs of Muslim shoppers in a way that resonates with them. https://lnkd.in/gwFnZ2Wu

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Cannabis Data Nerds, who are the best sources for the most robust sales data available for Ontario? I'd love to see... The Retail standings, Which stores sell the most overall and what's in their baskets. The Brand standings, Which brands are the best overall sellers. The SKU standings, Which individual products are leading in each category. Who are your best sources for data?! 🙏 #cannabis #data

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The online grocery market share in Canada is roughly 10.1%, well below are counterparts in the US at 17%. This past month the online US grocery sector hit record sales of $10.5B dollars - 27.9% increase over last year.

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It's been disappointing to see the lack of conversations around the viral Simu Liu clip floating around. This has been one of the first times, that discourse around cultural appropriation in CPG has been brought to the spotlight. The truth is, it's not my job, or Simu Liu's job to tell people where the line is on cultural appropriation in CPG. I don't have to tell you why a non-native person starting a boba tea, or agua fresca, or tepache, can be offensive to cultural groups- your customers (and the internet) will do that for you. I can tell you, however, that over the past several years starting Bawi Agua Fresca I have had conversations with so many entrepreneurs of color, and customers, who feel exactly like Simu Liu does. It's incredibly annoying to see a cultural CPG product, then after 2 minutes of research coming to find that there is not a *single* person from the product's cultural origin on the team, or cap table. How would we feel if Sanzo's Asian inspired sparkling waters were made by a white guy? How would their customer base feel if that knowledge became public, in a mass-market setting? This is legitimately what just happened to the Bobba tea company on Dragon's Den. No one knew, until they found out and the people reacted. To add insult to injury, it's often significantly more difficult for entrepreneurs of color to get their products off the ground. They're entering a landscape where their cultural categories feel to be, quite literally, colonized. Conversations like this are only as helpful as the discourse you, as an individual, will allow. I am not the arbiter or cultural appropriation, and as a first-generation Mexican immigrant and beverage entrepreneur, I'll *still* let the market decide how they feel about future cultural innovations. I don't have to call you out. Snaxshot doesn't have to call you out (but she probably will!) Cultural sensitivity around cultural appropriation is at an all time high, regardless of how you feel about it. Whether you want to frame this in terms of morality, crisis management, or strategic planning, is a moot point. If you do something cultural insensitive, at scale, you will be held accountable. And spoiler alert, most every CPG entrepreneur wants to do things at scale. Executives, industry professionals, entrepreneurs- please keep your finger on the pulse. You become "out-of-touch" when you refuse to discuss ever-evolving cultural norms. I'm sure my children and grandchildren will educate me one day, and I hope I'm not stubborn enough to hear them out. https://lnkd.in/g5wHax2P

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We began with a bold promise: To dream big and think global. Our vision was never just about Canada; We wanted to build a brand that resonates across North America. And beyond North America, we aim to be a global name one day. In just 2.5 years, We've gone from zero presence in the USA to being sold in over 4,200 stores. Today, 70% of our business (sales) and 75% of our investors are in the USA. Already a top 3 brand (velocities per week) in North America for our category. Why share this? First, a heartfelt thank you to the USA. We appreciate the opportunity to grow our business here. And shoutout to our fantastic retail partners and investors, thank you for your unwavering support. And thank you for taking a chance on us. To my fellow Canadians: Dare to take risks. Do business in the USA. It’s challenging, but it’s worth every effort. As Canadians, we need to be bolder, embrace risks, and dream bigger. Our mission is to put Canada on the map for chocolate worldwide. And we ain't gonna stop till it happens. Just under 3 years ago, someone once told me: “Mid-Day Squares won’t make it in the USA, it’s too tough and it will drain your resources.” To that, I say: “We hustled, innovated, and our mission is moving forward brick by brick.” Cheers to all the dreamers—keep dreaming and keep executing. Thank you to Daily Hive for giving us a voice and sharing our story last week. Link to full article here: https://lnkd.in/dJvu_4M5 #media #cpg #retail #sales #usa #canada #entrepreneurship

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Activating Canada’s On Premise: Key insights you don’t want to miss 🚀 The recent CGA by NIQ webinar revealed key trends for success in Canada’s bars and restaurants: 🍻 The On Premise remains vital for brand discovery, with 64% of Gen Z consumers saying they’re likely to buy a drink to have at home if they’ve enjoyed it whilst out. 🍽️ Food-led visits are up, but consumers are drinking less, prioritising quality over quantity. 🍸 Bartender engagement plays a major role in influencing purchase decisions. With the right strategies, brands can tap into evolving consumer behaviours. Watch the full webinar to learn more > https://lnkd.in/gc4J5WwS #CanadaBars #OnPremiseTrends #GenZConsumers #BartenderInfluence #ConsumerBehaviours #WebinarInsights

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Trew Knowledge has transformed Maple Leaf Foods Inc’s digital strategy by consolidating 7+ brands into one cohesive #WordPress Multisite. The results? 80% quicker launches while maintaining distinct brand identities. Swipe to uncover the details. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gp_pTHDF #BrandManagement #Strategy #CMS

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The Battle of the Flyers - How the founder of Quebec's Glouton app helps grocery shoppers find great deals It’s always interesting to see how unique regional habits can shape an entire industry. Here’s a compelling insight—Quebeckers are more likely to do their grocery shopping on Thursdays and Fridays compared to other Canadians, according to data from Nielsen. Why is this significant? It shows a distinct consumer pattern that businesses can leverage. And speaking of leveraging, here's how technology is transforming the way Quebeckers shop. Glouton, founded by Jean-François Gagné Bérubé, has not only revolutionized the shopping experience but also provided invaluable insights with its application. Before heading out, many are turning to "Le combat des circulaires" on the Glouton app. This feature offers a robust analysis of weekly specials, available for free in the "Circulaires" section, helping consumers spot the best grocery deals and even find recipes to maximize their savings. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/eh5r2rv9 From an initial project born out of pandemic-induced boredom to a thriving platform, Glouton marries Jean-François’s passion for food with AI, providing a tailored shopping guide that prioritizes quality and cost-effectiveness. Glouton uses AI to analyze deals, ensuring that consumers get the best value for seasonal products, especially local ones. Jean-François Gagné Bérubé also appears weekly on TV on LCN and TVA and writes a weekly column in the Journal de Montreal.

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💡 Stay Ahead with Our Forthcoming 2024 🍁 Canadian Budtender Report🍁 🔍 Last year's study uncovered: 📌 Influence ➤ Budtenders drive 30% of all cannabis sales. 📌 Preferences ➤Terpene profiles and price guide budtenders' purchases. 📌 Recommendations ➤ Discover which brands are favored by budtenders and why. Download the 2023 Report for in-depth data that will refine your brand strategy: 📥 https://hubs.la/Q02BX1vz0 Contact us to discover the keys to success in the Canadian cannabis industry: 👉 https://hubs.la/Q02BXd_r0 #CannabisIndustry #CannabisCommunity #CannabisCanada #Budtender #Report #CannabisSales #CannabisBrands #MarketTrends #BrightfieldGroup

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Did you know that Field Agent Canada is partnered with UNFI Canada to support brands of all sizes. We help brands with ratings and reviews, retail audits, new innovation boosters, and much much more. I will be attending this event on June 11th and would LOVE to meet with you there. DM now to connect. Field Agent Canada UNFI Canada #retailaudits #ratingsandreviews #CPG #onshelfavailability

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Did you know that Field Agent Canada is partnered with UNFI Canada to support brands of all sizes. We support brands with product ratings and reviews, retail audits, new innovation boosters and so much more. I will be attending this exciting event on June 11th. Attending??? I would love to meet up. DM me now to connect. Field Agent Canada UNFI Canada #retailaudits #insights #ratingsandreviews #data #onshelfavailability

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