After the roller-coaster of 2023, how will we deliver in the face of the challenges and opportunities of 2024?

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What a roller coaster of the year for most retail organizations! Each year seems to bring its own set of victories and challenges, and 2023 was chock-full of both.

Looking ahead to 2024, the economic and geopolitical challenges on the horizon are profound. Economic headwinds persist thanks to uneven inflation and still-elevated interest rates. The prevailing sentiment amongst leaders can be best described as "guarded positivity," anticipating a slowdown and another couple of bumpy quarters, hopefully followed by a rebound in the back half of the year. This sentiment leaves retailers hard at work looking for ways to identify new opportunities, redesigning physical stores to support shoppers’ desire for experiences alongside efficiency, planning their future workforce needs, and investing in AI and tech projects that deliver personalization and optimization.

For us at JRoss, adapting to changing market conditions has required resilience, adaptability, and a reliance on the relationships that are at the core of our business and continued success.

Like you, we strived to achieve our personal and collective goals. We recognize that years from now, the financial results of the 4th quarter of 2023 will fade into the background, but what will endure is the impact we've had on people's lives, and the opportunities we've provided in their careers, businesses, and families. People are at the heart of our business, and we take pride in the fact that our team continues to be inspired by the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of the leaders in our sectors. These contributors curate assortments, craft brand stories, and elevate the in-store customer and employee experiences on the front lines.

Industry Knowledge and Relationships Matter

We are a team of industry professionals who have collectively built strong networks and place a high degree of value on these relationships. We've successfully assisted both national and global brands to expand their presence in Canada. Together, we've worked tirelessly to help thousands of individuals find meaningful employment and to support outstanding companies hire exceptional leaders.

We want to take a moment to highlight our team’s dedication and passion for what they do:

Michelle Doucette – Vancouver  (see Michelle’s full profile here)

Superpower – Her deep industry and market knowledge and ability to instill trust.

What Motivates Her Every Day – “Our job is so much about having personal connections and networking, taking the time to connect genuinely.”

Hot Jobs …

• Marketing & Social Media Specialist – Apparel (Vancouver)

• Art Director – Apparel (Vancouver)

Pamela Loupelle - Calgary (see Pamela’s full profile here)

Superpower – Her default mode is optimism, and she is so darn likable.

Best Advice For Job Seekers – “Today doesn’t define tomorrow. Don’t give up hope or get discouraged. Get on LinkedIn, and practice interviewing on social platforms”

Hot Jobs …

• Store Manager – Social Enterprise (Grande Prairie)

• Store Manager – Liquor (Bonnyville)

Miriam Ronan - Toronto (see Miriam’s full profile here)

Superpower – She raises the bar and makes everyone around her sharper leaders.

What Motivates Her Every Day – “Witnessing our clients' delight when finding the right candidate and enthusiastically welcoming new talent into their organizations.”

Hot Jobs …

• Ecommerce Operations Manager – Luxury Apparel (Toronto)

• National Retail Manager – Specialty (Toronto)

Liz Crompton - Toronto (see Liz’ full profile here)

Superpower – She is fiercely determined, rigorously analytical, and totally focused on making the right match.

Key To Positive Hiring Outcomes – “If you identify a standout candidate, express your interest promptly, as other companies may also recognize their potential.”

Hot Jobs …

• Category Manager – Sporting Goods (Burlington)

• Finance Controller – Wholesaler (GTA North)

Christina Athans – Montreal (see Christina’s full profile here)

Superpower – Her genuine and insatiable curiosity about the world, people, and ideas.

What Motivates Her Every Day – “The variety - working with different companies, cultures, and product categories from luxury to mass merchandise to even automotive parts and services.”

Hot Jobs…

• Buyer – Footwear (Montreal)

• Sales Representative – Apparel (Winnipeg)

If you’d like to see how our team can help you find exceptional and adaptable retail leaders, just let us know – we’d be happy to chat.

What really sets us apart is our deep understanding of the industry we serve, our relationships and network, and our ability to align talent to your needs. We’re excited about your 2024 hiring plans and look forward to becoming a true partner and catalyst to growth. Reach out for an introductory call to learn how we can partner with you.

All the best for a successful 2024!

SEE HOW WE CAN HELP 

Please call Lee Arthur-Burke at 416.410.5316 x 1 or call Michelle Hutchinson at 514.523.0505 x 5 or send us an email

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