February 24 to March 2, 2025 | |
In this issue...
• Canadian retailers Bootlegger, Cleo and Ricki's are broke
• Poll shows Canadians willing to ditch American travel and booze... but not streaming services
• By the numbers X 10 + 1
• CBC Radio's Under the Influence: February 13: Turning hate comments into great marketing / February 20: Forbidden branding in advertising
• When your slogan sounds too close to a clearance sale promo for some, people make fun of you
• NOW AVAILABLE: The Hump Day Collection - Volume 1
• Buy them now! Acadian Recipes and More - Volumes 1, 2 & 3, and Forgotten Recipes - Volume 1
• The next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night will be held on Monday, February 24
• Before you go: 7 things you may have missed in the news
• Enjoy the outdoors this winter with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
... and trivia, quotes and more!
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Canadian retailers Bootlegger, Cleo and Ricki's are broke
The Canadian retail world has been rocked by the bankruptcies of three venerable clothing chains: Bootlegger, Cleo and Ricki's. The COVID-19 pandemic, a terrible ransomware attack and competition from ultra low-cost retailers are being blamed for their downfall.
Article excerpt: "Chief executive officer Shamsh Kassam's affidavit provides a detailed window into the array of problems which forced Comark into creditor protection: the ransomware attack, the lingering impact of COVID, conflict in the Middle East and the rise of so-called 'ultra-low-cost retailers.'
An Ontario Superior Court judge has given the green light in recent weeks to deals that will see Ricki's and Cleo sold to Canadian retail billionaire Doug Putman - owner of Toys R' Us and Northern Reflections - and Bootlegger likely going to Warehouse One clothing.
But Canada's retail clothing and accessories industry - which generated $3.6 billion in 2024 - still faces the same headwinds that left Comark $61 million in debt.
'The competitive retail and, in particular, retail apparel industry in Canada has undergone significant changes in the past decade,' writes Kassam, who is based in Vancouver.
'As a result of these changes, many Canadian retailers, including apparel retailers ... have filed for protection ... including Reitmans, Aldo, Aeropostale, American Apparel, Mexx, Forever XXI, Target Canada, Express, Sears Canada, Nordstrom Canada and Ted Baker Canada.'"
These three chains were not fly-by-night operations who just showed up in the retail space recently. In fact, according to the linked article below, Ricki's was founded way back in 1939, while Cleo's was founded in 1958 (under another name), and Bootlegger in 1971. I was very surprised to learn how long these had been around!
Read: Ransomware, disease and "ultra low-cost retailers": Why 3 iconic Canadian clothing stores went broke.
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Poll shows Canadians willing to ditch American travel and booze... but not streaming services
While many Canadians are leaving American products - such as groceries - on the shelves when they're out shopping, U.S. streaming services are being given a pass for now.
Article excerpt: "A new poll suggests many Canadians are willing to use their spending power to protest U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats and attacks on Canadian sovereignty - but not if it means they have to kick their Netflix and Disney+ addictions. A Leger survey that polled 1,590 Canadians between Feb. 7 and Feb. 10, 2025 suggests an overwhelming majority of Canadians - 81% - have significantly increased how many Canadian-made products they buy, or will do so soon. But only 28% of Canadians told the pollster they have or will be cancelling their subscriptions to U.S. streaming services, compared with 34% who say they will not be cancelling them."
With streaming services providing much-loved original content, I'm not sure Canadians will be dropping them any time soon, although that may certainly change. I've actually cancelled one that I rarely watch - and another one is on the chopping block. Netflix and Disney+, however, will be staying for the foreseeable future.
Read: Many Canadians willing to ditch U.S. travel and alcohol but not streaming services
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CBC Radio's Under the Influence: February 13: Turning hate comments into great marketing / February 20: Forbidden branding in advertising
The February 13th episode of CBC Radio's Under the Influence series with host Terry O'Reilly looked at how brands are turning hate into great marketing opportunities. Meanwhile, the February 20th episode explored forbidden branding, where certain sounds and references are not allowed in advertising.
• February 13, 2025 - Hug the Cactus: Advertising to Haters. Synopsis: "This week, we look at how some companies advertise to haters. Every advertiser gets negative comments on social media. Some brands shrink away, some take those negative comments and spin them into marketing gold. Supercuts took negative comments about cheap haircuts and created a hilarious advertising campaign. Spirit Airlines gave haters a place to vent – then offered them 8,000 free air miles. And drink maker Oatly actually dedicated a website to their haters." Click here to listen to the episode. Click here to read the episode's website post.
• February 20, 2025 - Forbidden Branding. Synopsis: "It's illegal to use certain sounds, for example. If an advertiser does use them, they are heavily fined. In some countries, there are rules around using national anthems in commercials. In other countries, there are no rules. And even Winnie the Pooh is forbidden in a one country because it apparently makes fun of their leader." Click here to listen to the episode.
Click here for the show's website and here for the show's podcast archive.
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When your slogan sounds too close to a clearance sale promo for some, people make fun of you
If you want the #1 job from hell in marketing, it's probably choosing slogans for tourism campaigns. I've seen so many over the years get trashed in the media that I feel sorry for anyone in the industry. Often, they're derided as being unsuitable for one reason or another, sometimes for things that are very picky and subjective. I think this may be one of those examples.
Article excerpt: "New Zealand’s new tourism campaign - with its slogan 'Everyone must go!' - has prompted ridicule from opposition politicians and some members of the public who compared it to a clearance sale advert.
The marketing campaign, which features posters of tourists awestruck by New Zealand’s rugged landscapes alongside the now infamous slogan, cost NZ$500,000 (US$286,000) and will target potential visitors from Australia, the country’s prime minister, Christopher Luxon, said on Sunday.
By targeting this market and attracting more tourists to New Zealand, Luxon hopes to boost economic growth in a country that slid into recession in the third quarter of 2024."
... "But almost immediately, opposition politicians criticized the slogan for sounding 'like we’re in a clearance bin at a sale' or like 'the need for toilets in some of our high-tourist spots.'"
I don't think "Everyone must go" is a terrible slogan, but if those who came up with it didn't have it on their radar that it could be criticized for the above-noted reasons, that was definitely an error. If anyone doesn't go to New Zealand because of this, I'd be surprised. In fact, the campaign is getting a ton of free publicity. That's not a bad thing.
Anyone I know who's been to New Zealand has absolutely loved it. I doubt that one slogan will hurt their tourism statistics much.
Read: "Everyone must go!": New Zealand’s latest tourism campaign sparks ridicule.
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NOW AVAILABLE: The Hump Day Collection - Volume 1
I'm thrilled to announce that The Hump Day Collection - Volume 1 is now available for purchase through Amazon in ebook or paperback (300+ pages) format. The book contains 75 updated and revised Hump Day stories that ran for many years in a local newspaper. I've been asked many times to put these in book format, so I'm hoping you'll like it! For ebook lovers, the book is part of the Kindle Unlimited subscription-based program from Amazon. To purchase today:
• Chapters (Dieppe NB location)
• Amazon Canada: amzn.to/4gckiQX
• Amazon USA: amzn.to/3CnKfiF
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Buy them now! Acadian Recipes and More - Volumes 1, 2 & 3, and Forgotten Recipes - Volume 1
My three volumes of Acadian recipe books (English and French) and Forgotten Recipes - Volume 1 are out now and make a great addition to your recipe book library or a gift for someone else! They are available on Amazon Canada, Amazon USA and in some local retail outlets in Southeastern New Brunswick:
• Chapters (Dieppe) (Volumes 1-3, Forgotten Recipes)
• Le P'tit Coin Acadien Poutine Râpée (Bouctouche) (Volumes 1-3)
• Jean Coutu Pharmacy (Champlain Street, Dieppe) (Volumes 1-3)
• Monument-Lefebvre (Memramcook) (Volumes 1-2)
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The next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night will be held on Monday, February 24
The next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club Trivia Night of the 2024-2025 season will be held at St. Louis Bar & Grill, 1405 Mountain Road, Moncton, on Monday, February 24, beginning at 6:30 p.m. $10 per person (cash only). (Facebook event listing: bit.ly/4hyC4yT)
Participants may play as teams or individuals. The winning team gets 50% of the door receipts as their prize.
It is strongly suggested that participants arrive by 5:15-5:30 p.m. for a seat. Trivia begins at 6:30 p.m. sharp and is usually over by 8 p.m. Everyone welcome!
Please note that restaurant reservations are NOT available for this event. First come, first served. Limited seating of approximately 50 guests.
Participants may bring an optional non-perishable food item (box of granola bars, Kraft Dinner, cereal, etc.) for distribution at Krista Richard's Community Sports Program events, of which the Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club is a sponsor. Any donations will be gratefully received and provided to Krista for distribution to her program participants (school-aged children from Moncton-area schools).
Since Rotary Trivia Nights began in 2016, the Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club has donated more than $20,000 to Atlantic Wellness, Karing Kitchen, Ray of Hope Kitchen, Salvus Clinic, The Humanity Project, BGC Moncton (Moncton Boys & Girls Club), Junior Achievement New Brunswick, Project Linus - Moncton Chapter, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement New Brunswick, Children's Wish Canada and Krista Richard's Community Sports Program, among others.
The Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club gratefully acknowledges the kind and generous sponsorship of our restaurant partner, St. Louis Bar & Grill.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a no telephone rule at these events. The answers cannot be researched except among discussion with your team members.
The remaining Trivia Night schedule for 2024-2025 is as follows:
• Monday, February 24, 2025
• Monday, March 24, 2025
• Monday, April 28, 2025
• Monday, May 26, 2025
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Trivia: Did you know?
The names of the princess and prince in Sleeping Beauty are Aurora and Phillip.
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Quotes of note
• 1. “I had reasoned this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other.”
- Harriet Tubman (1822-1913), American slavery abolitionist and social activist (see photo)
• 2. "Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence."
- Hal Borland
• 3. “A word once uttered can never be recalled.”
- Horace
• 4. "Even a faithful mistress can be bent by constant threats."
- Sextus Propertius
• 5. "Endure and persist; this pain will turn to good by and by."
- Ovid
• 6. “A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong.”
- Tecumseh
• 7. "To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."
- William Shakespeare
• 8. "Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?"
- George Carlin
• 9. "In real life, I assure you, there is no such thing as algebra."
- Fran Lebowitz
• 10. "People say, ‘But Betty, Facebook is a great way to connect with old friends.’ Well, at my age, if I want to connect with old friends, I need a Ouija board."
- Betty White
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Enjoy the outdoors this winter with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
In February, the group is walking in Centennial Park in Moncton. Meet-up is in the parking lot on St. George Boulevard. Walks at Centennial Park begin on Tuesday, February 4, and run until Thursday, February 27.
In March, the group moves to the Northwest Trail in Moncton. Meet-up is in the parking lot of YMCA Moncton North located at 70 Twin Oaks Drive. In April, the group will be walking in Rotary Park, Dieppe, with meet-up in the Rotary Lodge parking lot located at 505 Melanson Road.
The group meets for walks every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. New participants are always welcome! For more information, please contact Wayne Harrigan at 506-386-2187 or via email.
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About this newsletter
Brian Cormier's Weekly Update is distributed weekly from September to June. If you're reading this newsletter online and want to subscribe, please email me, fill out the subscription form on my website, or subscribe via the "Join Our Email List" button at the top of the newsletter (if you're viewing this in a browser.) This newsletter is not published in July and August and on holidays.
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