Now in its 16th year, Retail Week is aimed at engaging and connecting Retail Management students at the Ted Rogers School of Management with members of the industry through networking events, competitions, workshops and panel discussions on trends in the world of retail. This year’s event, which took place November 4-8, 2024, focused on the theme of Retail Sustainability.
Retail Week 2024 featured a keynote presentation by Kristy O’Leary (Chief Strategist, Decade Impact) about shaping a sustainable future. The theme of sustainability was interpreted through a lens of diversity. Integrating sustainability with diversity offers a realistic approach to examining sustainability issues in Canada. Through O’Leary’s work with BIPOC entrepreneurs, she drives positive social, environmental and economic change in Canada.
The week also included panel discussions with industry leaders from different sectors, interactive Q&As and a case competition to create a sustainable strategy for the Lego Group.
Here is what some students had to say about their experience attending Retail Week:
Keynote Presentation, Kristy O’Leary: Retail Revolution – Shaping a Sustainable Future
By River Constantino
I found Kristy O’Leary’s keynote presentation engaging, insightful and thought-provoking. I learned that the world needs to improve its understanding of sustainability, and that there are ways individuals can help to support sustainability.
O’Leary’s discussion about consumerism’s history enlightened me about its effects on the environment and society. In particular, the rise of consumerism due to the societal need for profit during the great depression. On the other hand, she mentioned that consumer behaviours have shifted to support progress toward a more sustainable future.
In addition, O’Leary referenced the PWC 2024 Voice of the Consumer, stating that there is an increase in demand for sustainability, encouraging companies and consumers to be mindful of their consumption of materials, resources and products. She also mentioned how certifications such as B-corp, which align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, allow companies to prove their respect for consumer values concerning sustainability.
The presentation inspired me to develop sustainability goals for myself, so I started seeking ways to be impactful as an individual. I have begun encouraging the other executives in the TMU Archery Club to reduce our paper consumption and find alternatives. At the same time, I have become more aware of my purchasing habits, hoping to make better choices as a consumer. I am grateful for being able to attend this event, and I am excited to see more discussions about sustainability in retail in the future.
Panel Discussion and Networking – ‘Championing Sustainability for the Future: Canada’s Leading Dairy CPGs’
By Jacqueline Chow
The Lactalis Canada event was an insightful experience that showcased the intersection of sustainability, innovation and consumer demands in the dairy industry. Presented by Robin Montgomery (Campus Recruitment Specialist), Esha Charles (Corporate Strategy Intern), Riley Woo (Supply Chain Compliance Analyst) and Adnan Tambawala (ESG Manager), the session highlighted Lactalis Canada’s environmental initiatives, company culture, internship opportunities and overall operations. It was inspiring to see a leading dairy CPG company actively pursuing positive environmental impacts while maintaining high standards for product quality and consumer trust.
A particularly impactful takeaway was learning about Lactalis’ strategies for embedding sustainability into their supply chain. The discussion on balancing corporate goals with ecological responsibility provided a deeper understanding of how companies navigate such challenges. The interactive Q&A session stood out, as it allowed students to connect directly with the panelists, enriching the learning experience. It was also nice to see how Lactalis hires TMU students as interns and provides the opportunity to return full-time after graduation, such as Riley Woo who was a Supplier Relation Transportation Intern and is now a permanent Supply Chain Compliance Analyst.
This event reinforced the importance of sustainability as a core business priority for leading Canadian dairy CPG companies and demonstrated how organizations like Lactalis are driving meaningful change in the industry. It left me inspired to uphold and champion these values in my future career.
Case Competition – Sustainability in Retail: The Yellow Brick Road to Sustainability
By Isabel Fabia
I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Lego Retail Case Competition alongside my teammates Amna Rahman and Cameron Cassidy. My team and I presented a five-year sustainable strategy for the Lego Group to esteemed judges Myles Gooding (PwC), Laura Smith (Canadian Tire), Hardeep Kharaud (Loblaws) and Frank Zita (Kom Consulting), who deemed our presentation worthy of first place.
The experience deepened my understanding of sustainability in retail and provided me with valuable insights that I can apply in the classroom and even after graduation. Once all the teams had completed their presentations, we received useful feedback from the judges, which will be instrumental as we move forward in our careers in the retail industry. I would also like to extend a special thanks to program director Donna Smith who provided all the teams with feedback before the case competition as her expertise truly helped us improve our presentation. I am very grateful to have gained so much knowledge from this case competition and I am already looking forward to next year’s Retail Week!
Panel Discussion with Asha Wheeldon (Kula Foods) and Patrice Mousseau (Satya Organic)
By Adrian Morris
The panel with Asha Wheeldon and Patrice Mousseau was great. I learned a lot of new things from them and their journey. I respect both their missions and how they can overcome societal and business pressures. Their missions both encompass pushing a more sustainable effort with positivity toward BIPOC owners and healthy-focused products.
Their journey is motivational for a lot of people and should be talked about more. Both being B-Corps, proves that their mission and commitment is being implemented and will continue to do so by being BCorp certified. Their advice was helpful as well, and it inspires me to take a chance to try new ways to put myself out there and see what I can accomplish.
Published by
Debra Rughoo
Debra Rughoo is a Writing and Content Specialist at the Ted Rogers School of Management.
