Description: Loblaw, Canada’s largest grocery chain is all set to acquire Canada’s largest pharmacy chain, Shoppers Drug Mart for $11.9 billion. This is the second major deal in this sector in recent months: lately, Sobeys acquired Safeway for $5.8 billion. Source: Dealbook Date: July 15 2013 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/07/15/loblaw-to-buy-shoppers-drug-mart-in-canada/ Questions for Discussion: What are some of… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Strategy
Shakeup at Microsoft
Description: Microsoft is restructuring its organization in the wake of increased competition from Google and Apple. Analyst Frank Gillett of Forrester Research points out that not too long back, 95% of end user technology devices were from Microsoft, today that number is only 30%. Source: The National Date: July 11 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2396418626/ Questions… Read more »
Amazon Canada Taps Toy Market
Description: Amazon Canada, which entered Canada in 2002, is set to enter the toy market in a big way. It plans to offer the ‘largest section of toys’ in the country: this will include more than 300,000 toys for kids. Source: Financial Post Date: June 27 2013 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/06/27/amazon-canada-taps-toy-market-with-largest-section-of-toys-in-country/ Questions for Discussion: Do you foresee… Read more »
Sobeys parent company Empire to buy Safeway for $5.8 billion
Description: Soon Sobeys will become the second largest food grocery chain in Canada behind Loblaw further increasing the competitive landscape in the grocery retail sector in Canada. Sparked by the arrival of Target in Canada, the grocery retail sector has recently seen several major changes. Source: Financial Post Date: June 12 2013 Text link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/06/12/sobeys-parent-empire-snaps-up-safeway-canada-for-5-8-billion/… Read more »
Barrick Gold Corp’s continuing problems with their Chile project
Description: Chile files serious violations against Toronto-based Barrick Gold Corporation (world’s largest gold miner) dealing a blow to their Pascua-Lama mine project. The Pascua-Lama mine is believed to house nearly 18 million ounces of gold reserves. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: May 24 2013 Text link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/chile-freezes-barricks-pascua-lama-orders-urgent-measures/article12129034/ Questions for Discussion: What are some of… Read more »
Yahoo buys blogging network Tumblr for $1.1 billion
Description: Yahoo announced that it is acquiring Tumblr—a blogging network site—in a $1.1 billion deal. The deal amount seems too large to be recovered through advertisement revenues. Source: CBC Date: May 21 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2386687850/ Questions for Discussion: Will Yahoo be able to recover the $1.1 billion it is spending to acquire Tumblr? Is… Read more »
Canadian Tire’s innovative ‘digital retail lab’
Description: After acquiring Forzani Group’s stable of sports brands, led by Sport Chek, Canadian Tire, Canada’s largest sports retailer, is digitally revamping its stores. Sport Chek’s store in upscale Toronto has digital kiosks and interactive screens where you can customize your shoes. Source: Yahoo Finance Canada Date: May 17 2013 Text link: http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/canadian-tire-rolls-focus-innovation-180000867.html Questions for Discussion: Is… Read more »
Canadian cellphone bills likely to rise further
Description: Canadian cellphone users are already paying a high rate, but with Telus likely to acquire Mobilicity, the cellphone bills are likely to increase further. The consolidation of the Canadian cellphone market will mean that the large cellphone players have fewer incentives to reduce prices. Source: CBC Date: May 16 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2385683002/ Questions… Read more »
Loblaw on Bangladesh
Description: Following the tragic collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh, Loblaw decided to compensate the families of the victims and to continue their operations in the country. They also stressed that they will increasingly audit the working conditions at their outsourced factories. Source: CBC Date: May 02 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2382985825/?page=2 Questions for Discussion:… Read more »
PC sales plunge
Description: Sales of personal computers experienced the biggest decline since 1994. There is high uncertainty over the future of personal computers. Source: CBC Date: April 11 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2375459219/ Questions for Discussion: Have PCs reached the decline stage of their product life cycle? Can you suggest any modifications or innovations that can revive the… Read more »
