Healthy snacks make good business sense
A 2022 study by researchers at 捆绑SM社区 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%.
Meet the winning teams of our Retail Gen AI Hackathon
Congratulations to our winning teams of the Bensadoun School鈥檚 2nd annual Retail Gen AI Hackathon.
We had 38 student teams register representing diverse faculties across 捆绑SM社区. Over two days, 10 finalist teams hacked creative Gen AI solutions for our title sponsor ALDO Group.
AI Is Good for Us: A Microsoft-sponsored white paper
AI has become an omnipresent topic of discussion in our daily lives, both professionally and personally. While much has been written on the challenges, risks, and pitfalls of AI (and the strong need to regulate its development and deployment carefully), it's also important to highlight its numerous benefits and positive impacts on society and the economy.
Luxury Royalmount Mall opens amid excitement and concerns
Montreal鈥檚 long-awaited luxury shopping mall Royalmount officially opened on September 5. The project, which spans 800,000 square feet, and features stores like Gucci, Versace, and Louis Vuitton, aims to attract diverse shoppers from all walks of life with an 鈥渋nclusive luxury鈥� concept. While excitement is high, concerns exist over traffic and accessibility.
Retail Gen AI Hackathon is one part of ALDO Group鈥檚 artificial intelligence efforts
Generative artificial intelligence promises to transform the way business is done, but in most industries, it鈥檚 still unclear exactly how it will be used. Footwear retailer ALDO is working with Montreal鈥檚 cluster of AI talent to explore how to leverage this emerging technology. In October 2023, ALDO staged its first Retail Gen AI Hackathon in partnership with the Bensadoun School of Retail Management and Amazon Web Services.
Pricing models for fitness memberships often hide hidden fees
Gym memberships come with varying price tags and fee structures that can be confusing. Often, a membership contract can come with unanticipated charges. In addition to monthly fees, some charge for signing up, cancellation costs, and annual dues, which is why it is important to do research before signing up, according to Bensadoun School of Retail Management Executive Director Charles de Brabant.
Even in challenging times for department stores, Quebec-based Simons is expanding
The rise of e-commerce decimated the business of department store chains, with names like Nordstrom pulling out of Canada altogether. But, department store chain Simons recently announced it is opening two new stores in Toronto. The Quebec City-headquartered retailer has slimmed-down offerings, with no in-store furniture sales or fragrance counters and lots of private label clothing brands.
Participate in the Fall 2023 edition of the Retail Gen AI Hackathon
October 5-13, 2023Want to work collaboratively in a fun yet competitive environment to develop innovative generative AI solutions for the ALDO Group鈥檚 Data & Analytics Corporate Team?
Bensadoun School receives $5M in provincial funding for retail innovation
The Quebec Ministry of Economy and Innovation has awarded the Bensadoun School of Retail Management with $5 million in funding over the next four years. According to Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon, a significant portion of the funds will support the Bensadoun School鈥檚 retail innovation lab. Unveiled earlier this year, the live laboratory store is designed to provide insights that will help accelerate Quebec retailers along the path of digital transformation.
捆绑SM社区 and Alimentation Couche-Tard launch unique laboratory store to propel retail industry and customers into the future
Partnering with Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., the new retail innovation lab at 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 Bensadoun School of Retail Management will enable ground-breaking research and test innovations, including frictionless technologies
