Tuesday 25 March 2014

Lululemon trying to recover

                            Lululemon sets new direction, but will it pay off?
                          Written by Bertrand Marotte written on March 24th
               http://www.bnn.ca/News/2014/3/24/Lululemon-sets-new-direction-but-will-it-pay-off.aspx

       When the clothing line Lululemon came out with stylish, high quality sports clothing people really seemed to love their product. They quickly raised in sales and became very popular and very quickly. However recently Lululemon lost a lot of popularity and credibility when they came out with transparent yoga pants. The defense of the company was that people were not buying the right sizes for their body. Either way Lululemon lost many buyers because of this. They have trouble keeping up with Nike and Under Armor because they offer more variety at a better price. Although the article doesn't go into great detail about this new direction, they spoke about expanding into Europe and briefly discuss that they expect sales to be lower than expected.
     Companies and businesses often face a blonder at one point or another but it is how they try to improve and gain back their fans that show character within the market. I think it is great that Lululemon is trying to improve rather than call it quits.

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Tax season is near

                    Not all business people hate taxes - but just try to get them to admit it
                                         Publishes on March 16 By Don Pitt

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/taxes/not-all-business-people-hate-taxes-but-just-try-to-get-them-to-admit-it-1.2571020

     People tend to think that everyone hates taxes. According to this article on CBC that might not be true. Taxes helps strengthen the economy and most people, especially business owners do not mind paying them. An interview in the article includes a small business owner who speaks about enjoying paying taxes because it keeps Canada together.
   Of course not all people enjoy paying taxes however from what I have read, rather than people speaking up and talking about how they do not enjoy paying taxes people would rather just not talk about it. The reporter that interviewed people he found that some people refused to talk about any negative aspects of taxes. Perhaps people forget the healthcare and the services that are made possible by taxes. Maybe people are forgetting that Canada has one of the lowest taxes in the world.
  As a business student I see that the health of the economy is very important to everyone and effects everyone. I appreciate all of the services and benefits that come alone with it and I am glad business owners see this.

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Business Reflection

                               Apple's iPhone recycling program expands to Canada
                                                            CBC.CA
                                                      Author unknown
                                                 Posted March 10th 2014

         As we all know Apple products are very pricey. An iPhone 4 can be priced at over $500, making it unaffordable to many consumers. Up until recently Apple stores did not offer the recycle program in Canada. However people can now trade in their iPhone for store credits up to $275. When you trade in your phones, the store reps will then determine what credit they will give you depending on quality then the phone is sent elsewhere to be refurbished. In some cases the phone will already be in good enough shape to sell.
       It was not until recently that Canada had this option. Although Canada has had Apple stores for sometime now. Which can mean Apple is seeing us as a large group of consumers and we will get the same benefits as USA. And of course it is always nicer to save money on higher end products. Many people choose to buy games at stores that offer trade in store credit because its a win win and now Apple can enjoy the benefits as well.

Tuesday 18 February 2014

Roll up the rim is back!

Tim Hortons enhances Roll Up the Rim ahead of 5-year plan
February 17th 
www.cbc.ca
 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/tim-hortons-enhances-roll-up-the-rim-ahead-of-5-year-plan-1.2540106

    From what we learned in marketing it is important to set goals for a company as well as always improving marketing strategies. Our beloved Canadian  coffee shop Tim Hortons is doing very well for its self in regards to those key topics. This year Tims has gone up in sales by 1.7% and 3% in the USA. However people are expecting even more from the franchise.
   To mark the 50th anniversary, Tims decided to change up Roll Up the Rim by adding an online element to it. You can now play online as well which ups your chances of winning all of the generous prizes Tims are offering. Roll Up the Rim is an extremely successful marketing strategy that has done wonders for the company and surely will continue to grow and stick with there expansion plans. They have proven they can change with society by adding the online element.
   I'm glad to see a Canadian company do well, especially one I truly enjoy. Tims does a lot of wonderful sponsorships with the money they make so I hope more people buy into the Tims way of life and help out not only a Canadian company but what they stand for as well. 

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Today's real estate Canada 2nd business reflection

    As we know, real estate is a big factor in the health of the economy. This week  I have read an article called Rethinking the home ownership dream on the CBC website. The article was written by Alison Smith on February the 3rd.  lately I have an interest with the real estate in Canada so this article really spoke to me. However even if you are not interesting on the subject what I read is very informative and interesting. Young readers would be wise to read it.
 
  Right how real estate is very much over priced. People are spending half of their paychecks on mortgages and according to this article houses are prices 60% over what they should be. So they are unable to save money for big purchases and save for higher education which is truly the best investment for everyone.

   If the market cashes again due to inflated real estate markets businesses may not be able to survive as we have seen before. It is important to make sure that market is healthy, people are buying and selling at prices that allow them to be able to spend money other where.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rethinking-the-home-ownership-dream-1.2519201

Thursday 30 January 2014

UNB, Mount Allison strikes 'frustrating as the dickens' CBC news

Just as much as the "Fracking" involved us, the sticks occurring at our Universities also relates to us. Most of us are aware UNB was the first school to begin their strike, however Mount Allison also decided to pick up their signs and too begin to protest.
The online article I read was regarding the parents reaction and concerns. No one other than the teachers involved seem to think it is a good idea. Time is money, and education is even more money. It is unfair for professors to take the students money and not have classes. Regardless if your in first, second or final year of schooling it effects you. Students also seem to be unaware what the ramifications will ultimately be as far as catching up loss time.
It is also important to consider how major schools effect the city. Students bring in huge amount of business for a wide verity of shops. Malls and other stores are probably seeing a dip in sales due to financially worried students and students going back home to wait out the strikes.
The most anyone can do is hope that this will come to an end and hope faculty realizes there could have been a more beneficial and economical was they should have done this without harming the future of others.
Picture by Michele Brideau/Radio-Canada