CIGBA/DCI Digital Newsletter Volume 7 Issue 3 |
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HERE'S TO A HOT SUMMER & STRONG SIZZLING BUSINESS! |
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CIGBA Board of Directors, representing our Membership coast to coast.
PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEW
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS OF JUNE 2023!
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Top Row: Chairman Gordon Dean* (Mike DEAN Local GROCER), Vice-Chairman Craig Cavin* (Island Independent Buying Group Ltd./Country Grocer), Treasurer Mike Sharpe* (Sharpe's Food Market)
Middle Row: Past-Chair Nigel Oliver* (Vince's Markets), Director Rocco Commisso (Commisso's Fresh Foods), Director Rick Rabba (Rabba Fine Foods)
Bottom Row: Director Adam Powell (Atlantic Grocery Distributors/Powell's Supermarkets), Director Gabriele Torchetti (Lady York Foods), Director Tarik Zeid (Food Fare)
*Executive Board member/ DCI Board Director
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MESSAGE FROM BARRY LANTEIGNE, DCI PRESIDENT |
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The Board of Directors and myself would like to thank our CIGBA/DCI Members, Supplier Partners, and Industry Partners for your ongoing and continued support. With half of the year already in the books, things are shaping up to be a great year.
CIGBA/DCI hosted its Annual Business Summit and Charity Golf Classic back-to-back this year! The feedback that has been received from those that participated has been very positive! Members and partners that participated in both events, were extremely happy with the format, the increase in meeting spaces, and the face-to-face interactions that were provided via the DBX’s meetings in the morning/afternoon. The shortened afternoon presentations were also on point with important industry updates which provided a few topics relevant to our members and partners. Also, let’s not forget about the fun and exciting evening with the gala dinner and Star Awards ceremony, which recognized all of the great work that our members and partners are doing in our industry! On the second day, the Charity Golf Tournament commenced and was fantastic! CIGBA/DCI and CFIG raised and donated $7000 to the Downie Wenjack Fund once again this year! Each year we strive to make each event better than the previous year and we are excited for what we will put forward in 2024 with all the feedback that we have received from our members and partners. Please visit our events website, where all our photos from this year’s event have been updated. https://cigba.ca/
Looking ahead for the remainder of the year we will be connecting with Members to continue yearly business reviews, which include reviewing new member opportunities as I conduct in store visits. Also planned is meeting with new and existing Partners to discuss Partner Of The Month opportunities, and Cooperative Trade Agreement reviews. Any Partners interested in discussing contests and promotions, please connect with me to review and discuss potential opportunities.
As always, I am here to support our members and supplier partners please reach out to me as required and I will be more than happy to help you in any way possible! I can be reached at 905-681-3933 or barry@distributioncanada.ca
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NEW MEMBERSHIPS AND SUPPLIER PARTNERS |
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Members & Partners, if you know of a store that could benefit from being a part of our group, please don't hesitate to reach out to the CIGBA/DCI office! |
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We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members:
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There are always new opportunities for our Members to explore business! Here are some of our newest Supplier Partners to join our organization. All information is posted on the online DCI Member Portal. Please contact us if you require access to the portal, or need to re-send your password. |
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We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Partners:
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Labels, Blanks, Printed, Scale, Custom |
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Adams Premium Snack Foods/Western Survivor Beef Jerky |
Original, Teriyaki, Hot, Honey Garlic, Cracked Peppercorn, and Chipotle Beef Jerky |
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Market Review, Media Reviews, Cell Phone Tracking, Shopper Data Analytics, Customer and Employee Surveys, 360 Store Transformation Programs |
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Refrigeration Controls, turnkey refrigeration projects, food safety and energy savings |
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Honey in several varieties and formats, from 250g Branded Jars to 300kg barrels and Private Label Options! |
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E-Commerce Platform Solution-(Online Ordering/Delivery/Pick Up/Shipping) for independent grocers, regional/local grocery chains, and other Food and Beverage Retailers |
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Frozen Fruits and Vegetables |
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Premium Quality Vinyl Sticker Assortments - leaves 'no guck', waterproof and dishwasher safe! We also offer custom design Magnets, Decals, labels, patches and more! |
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RETAILERS, STAY CONNECTED WITH DCI! |
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Retailers, are you missing out on our messages? We are often sending out aggressive pricing promotions, power buys, new product announcements and informational resources dedicated to the success of your business.
Please take the time to review:
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that our emails are going to the correct person at your company
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that our emails aren't getting sorted into your Junk/Spam folder. If that is the case, be sure to whitelist our domain (@distributioncanada.ca) to ensure you are receiving all of our information
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that someone from your company is registered to order products on OrderEase (the DCI Power Buy ordering software)
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that someone from your company is registered and has access and login to the Member's Portal
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that you send in your reports when asked to allocate proper rebates with certain vendors
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that you check your mailboxes every month on the 1st for the Partner of the Month deals and promotions. Make this routine and know that you only have until the 15th to order products with aggressive deals.
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How DCI Communicates: Email Campaigns |
Breaking news, industry announcements, new agreements, Partners of the Month, and other opportunity buys are always sent out through email. This allows us to target our communication by location, type of store, and relevancy as well as give us detailed reporting on who is opening the announcements, which links they have clicked on and where to allocate our efforts for outreach if members haven't opened up these communications.
By ignoring emails or allowing them to go to your spam/junk folders, you could be missing incredible buying opportunities, programs, or helpful industry tips to better the success of your company.
Please email Matthew Brown to see which members of your company currently receive our communications (we segment by multiple lists, so be sure touch base with Matthew if you aren't aware as to who is receiving which communications).
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How DCI Communicates: Social Media |
Only have a couple of minutes? Check out the DCI Social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Major public announcements are always posted on our social media and you can often find other industry bits of information shared on our pages.
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How DCI Communicates: DCI Member Portal |
By logging into the portal, you will get access to your company's rebate reports. As well, any important announcements regarding changes in agreements will also be posted internally on the portal.
What else does the portal provide?
- new supplier partner agreements
- new programs and promotions
- revised supplier partner agreements and rebate scales
- your member reports
- the DCI by-laws
- the CIGBA by-laws
- summary of volume rebates
- AGM information
Once you've checked the portal for information and still don't see what you are looking for, please email or call the DCI office with your inquiry.
Please note: the DCI Member Portal is for Retailers only.
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CIGBA/DCI BUSINESS SUMMIT PHOTOS AVAILABLE! |
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Thank you to all of the Members, Partners, Media, and Industry Guests who made this our most successful Business Summit in DCI history!
Based on survey feedback, you rated this year's Summit 4.7/5.0! Thank you for making our Summit an industry leading networking event!
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CIGBA/DCI 2023 STAR AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED! |
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We would like to congratulate the 2023 CIGBA/DCI Star Award Winners! |
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RENATO GUERINI - SOBEYS WHOLESALE |
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JOE VIRGONA (POSTHUMOUS) - FIESTA FARMS |
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ABM CONNECTOR SERIES: FOOD |
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DCI Members & Partners,
The DCI Network has been invited to participate in the following event series. These series may help independents explore new avenues with their business:
ABM Connector Series Food
Tuesday, August 29, 2023 (12 - 4 PM EST)
These events bring together decision-makers that are in food production and the grocery retail business.
The event is highly valuable for:
- Indigenous and non-Indigenous food producers who want to grow, get on more grocery shelves and find partners to increase capacity and reach;
- suppliers from custom food manufacturers, to branding, marketing, labeling, software, hardware etc.
- companies that want to procure food from Indigenous and non-Indigenous producers;
- Indigenous communities that are, or want to be, in the food production, distribution or grocery retail business; and
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DCI Members who want to make connections in the Indigenous business space and explore the untapped potential of a food sector that is fresh, innovative and resonates well with customers looking to purchase ethical and local products with a compelling origin story. (Members & Partners of DCI attend for free!)
You are NOT required to attend all of the events. Pick what is of value to maximize your time.
Each event features ten twenty-minute appointments. You do not have to fill all 10 slots. You are able to block times when you are not available and only accept or select appointments that are of interest to you.
To learn more, or to get started: connect with Katrin Harry, Managing Partner at ABM, first.
Cell: 604-483-6421
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CIGBA/DCI & CFIG Donates To Downie Wenjack Fund |
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"Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada."
We are proud to have been able to donate $7,000 to the charity!
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PARTNERS OF THE MONTH PROGRAM WITH DCI |
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WHAT MEMBERS NEED TO KNOW:
Check your inbox every 1st of the month to see the new Partners highlighted for the month. They can be Partners with Power Buys and deals or Service Partners who want to highlight all that they have to offer. If you can't find the email, you can always login to the Member Portal and access the deals under "What's New". Click here to access the Member Portal.
WHAT PARTNERS NEED TO KNOW:
Looking to get in the mailbox of the Independents? Let DCI help you with any seasonal programs, new item or product launches, and quick sells. Our "Partners of the Month" program highlights up to 5-10 different Supplier Partners each month, and provides DCI members with monthly deals and incentives (if applicable), or a highlight of your services, if you're a service provider. This program is great for an increase in exposure (as a Partner) and to capitalize on great product deals or new service opportunities (as a Member). For more details and eligibility, please contact the DCI office.
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FROM OUR SUPPLIER PARTNERS |
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ESKA WATER: RE(CYCLE) OF LIFE |
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Everything you need to know about collecting rainwater for your garden
Imagine if you could spend the summer happily watering your garden or washing your car as often as you like without having to deal with a guilty conscience. Sounds amazing, right? Well, installing a rainwater collecting system could very well be the ideal solution!
Equipping your gutters with an eco-friendly solution — like a rain barrel — is a great way to irrigate your lawn and garden while helping the environment. Read on to discover all the benefits and, more importantly, how to get started.
Is collecting rainwater safe or even legal?
Is it safe? Yes, if done properly. While the water collected is not meant for ingestion, it can be used for other purposes, such as watering your garden, cleaning your home, or even flushing your toilet.
There’s a lot of talk about the legal aspects. Some countries allow it, some don’t. In Canada, the practice isn’t clearly regulated. Certain provinces such as Ontario have laws regulating it, but that’s not the case in Quebec.
So, is it as simple as placing a barrel under your downspout? Not quite. Certain guidelines should be followed in order to collect rainwater safely and responsibly — especially if you intend to use it for a vegetable garden!
What are the benefits of collecting rainwater?
Setting up a rain barrel at home is worthwhile for a number of reasons. The most obvious is sustainable development. Quebec receives an average of 800 to 900 millimetres of rain per year. By installing a rainwater collection system, the average home can collect about 80,000 litres of water per year. That’s the equivalent of about 64 hot tubs.
Instead of ending up in your city’s sewer system, this water can be used in a number of ways, thus avoiding the waste of drinking water! This also helps relieve your neighbourhood’s storm water management system by reducing runoff caused by rainstorms or floods. Likewise, collecting rainwater can help limit water accumulation on your property.
This water supply can then be used to save your garden if your area experiences drought or heat waves. This way you’ll be able to keep your yard alive if city authorities ask residents to reduce water consumption.
Finally, many experienced gardeners say that rainwater is best to water a garden because, unlike tap water, it hasn’t been treated with chemicals. It’s also a good source of soft water and contains higher levels of plant nutrients.
Collecting rainwater: what type of system should I choose?
There are so many to choose from! There is something for everyone, from rudimentary homemade systems to underground water tanks equipped with an electric pump.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to use a DIY rain barrel:
- Make sure your container is permanently watertight (this one’s obvious).
- Install a filter over the collection point to keep mosquitoes and debris out.
- Choose a container with a lid to limit contamination and keep bugs and other critters out.
- Choose a dark container. This will limit the development of algae, which need sunlight to grow.
- Place your barrel on level ground, near your gutter’s downspout.
- Place your barrel on an elevated surface or at least higher than the surface on which the water will be used — gravity is your friend. And remember, a full barrel is heavy, so make sure the surface is sturdy.
- Add a spigot or hose connection to the bottom of your rain barrel.
- Finally, consider how much water you’ll need. You may need to use more than one barrel.
For a turnkey option, visit your local hardware store. They usually carry several practical, economical, and aesthetically pleasing systems.
If your goal is to make the most of your collected rainwater — by using it in your toilet bowl, for example — you’ll need a more sophisticated system. In Canada’s northern climate, it’s often best to bury these tanks underground to prevent the water from freezing and damaging inside plumbing. These systems are often equipped with an electric pump and can even be connected to underground garden irrigation systems. This can be an interesting option for isolated homes that rely on an artesian well with limited resources. Some solutions are even made in Quebec!
How to reuse rainwater?
In Canada, there are several permitted uses for rainwater, with the most common exception being ingestion. Here are some suggestions:
- Car wash
- Cleaning your house’s exterior
- Watering your garden, lawn, and flower beds
- Connecting your barrel to an irrigation system
- Filling pools and spas
- Washing asphalt driveways
- Flushing your toilet
- Washing clothes
- Feeding a faucet not intended for consumption (such as those on outdoor sinks)
There are so many good reasons for collecting this valuable resource, and it’s probably easier than you think. Get started now!
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SUPPLIER PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: |
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See below for some opportunities for you to consider for your businesses.
Retailers, you can view their CTAs & volume incentives/special pricing by clicking on their logos and signing into the Members Portal!
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Cavendish Farms
Products: French fries
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Citrus Man Premium Cleaning Solutions
Products: Citrus Man All-purpose Cleaner & Degreaser
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DCMS Media
Products: Virtual Tours, Store Surveys, 3D Modelling, Heat Mapping, & Customer Foot Traffic Analysis.
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Paris Site Furnishings
Products: Outdoor Site Furnishings, Benches, Picnic Tables, Bike Racks, Bollards, Waste and Recycle Bins, Planters etc.
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Summerhill Market Gets Into Fashion! |
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"The Toronto-based grocer has launched a new line of store-branded apparel, including a 100% cotton, limited-edition crewneck sweatshirt and short-sleeve t-shirt made and designed in Toronto. The t-shirt is designed with artwork from Ailsa Craigen, a Toronto-based architect and illustrator, and features an illustration from the original Summerhill Market circa 1954 on the back. The apparel is made by Roopa Knitting Mills in Brampton, Ont."
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Spotlight on Galleria Supermarket |
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“To say it’s been a busy time for Joseph Kim would be an understatement. Just over a year ago – amid a pandemic, no less – he became CEO of Galleria Supermarket as well as its wholesale arm, Korea Food Trading (KFT). Kim, who joined the company in 2005, took over from longtime CEO Jeffrey Min who retired.
Canadian Grocer recently caught up with Kim to talk about growth, building loyalty in tough times and what’s ahead for the specialty grocer."
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Sunripe Expands With New Location! |
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After 18 years on 744 Adelaide Street in London, Ont., local grocer Sunripe Freshmarket has opened their doors to its relocated, new, 18,300 square foot store located at 1800 Adelaide Street. Store features include a sushi station and brand new equipment, such as a smoker in its kitchen, popcorn station, guacamole/salsa station, and an expansion of offerings! CIGBA/DCI would like to congratulate the Sunripe Freshmarket team on their new location! |
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Brant Food Centre Suffers Fire
The independently-owned grocery store made the announcement on social media.
“At this time, we will be closed indefinitely, until we understand the scope of damage and our next steps,” the store said in its post. “We will keep you posted as best as possible on social media and our websites.
“Patience is appreciated at this time. We hope to see you all soon.”
Located at 94 Grey St., the popular grocery store was ravaged by fire early Saturday morning. Firefighters were sent to the scene at about 6 a.m. and remained there throughout Saturday and into Sunday.
The CIGBA/DCI team wishes nothing but prosperity and success to the Brant Food Centre team and staff as they recover and undergo renovations.
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What the grocery report recommends to improve competition |
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If you would like to submit news from your company (Retailers & Supplier Partners) or would like to feature an ad (Supplier Partners) please email matthew@distributioncanada.ca
Click below to stay connected with CIGBA/DCI!
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On behalf of the CIGBA/DCI Management Team, Happy Summer to you and your company! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us!
Barry Lanteigne - President:
Michele Vermeltfoort - Administration & Accounting:
Matthew Brown - Events, Communications & Technologies:
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