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HEADLINES

Consumer spending expectations for Easter
March 31, 2009 - Consumers in the U.S. are expected to spend 17 percent less on flowers in all retail outlets this Easter, with the average dropping from $9.11 last year to $7.55 in 2009, according to the National Retail Federation.


Let competition regulate debit and credit card providers: Visa Canada head
March 31, 2009 - Regulatory intervention in the credit and debit card industry "could be harmful to Canadians," the head of Visa Canada says, as the leading provider of credit cards prepares to expand into debit cards.

Retail Council applauds Ontario's tax harmonization
March 27, 2009 - Retail Council of Canada (RCC) applauds the Ontario Government for taking the bold step in today's budget announcement to harmonize the provincial sales tax (PST) with the federal Goods and Services tax (GST).

Consumer confidence shows March uptick
March 27, 2009 - Canadians are starting to feel a little better about the economic future although consumer confidence remains low, according to a survey by the Conference Board of Canada.

Flowers still smell sweet to customers
March 26, 2009 - Two florists talk with a local newspaper about recent sales and why people are still buying flowers in a bad economy. The Agassiz Observer reports. | READ MORE


Canada Blooms again in 2009
March 26, 2009 - Spring came early in Toronto last week, both outdoors and inside at Canada Blooms, Canada’s largest flower and garden festival.

Plants effective in decreasing tiredness
March 26, 2009 - New research findings from TNO Quality of Life provide more insight into the positive effects of having plants in the workplace.

Ontario to forge ahead with sales tax reform
March 25, 2009 - The Ontario government will announce in today's budget that it will sign a tentative accord with Ottawa to harmonize the province's 8 per cent provincial sales tax with the 5 per cent federal goods and services tax, sources familiar with the document said. The Globe and Mail reports. | READ MORE

Survival steps for retailers in today's economic environment
March 24, 2009, Toronto - In order to help retail companies manage through the downturn, retail advisory firm Karabus Management, a subsidiary of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) Canada, today announced critical next steps retailers should take in order to meet the demands of this challenging economic environment.

Parliamentary hearings to probe VISA/MasterCard gouging
March 24, 2009, Ottawa - The "Stop Sticking It To Us" Coalition, representing over 200,000 Canadian businesses, small, mid and large, is gathering in Ottawa this week to combat overcharging by VISA and MasterCard.

Credit Card Crunch The credit card industry is undergoing a major upheaval, as Visa and MasterCard get ready to enter the debit market. This section will highlight the latest news on the issue: Credit, debit industry has one month to adopt code April 16, 2010 - Retailers' groups are applauding the new code of conduct for credit-and debit-card companies being introduced in Canada | READ MORE Group commends government's steps with credit card industry March 5, 2010 - The Payments Accountability Council is encouraged by steps taken to ensure credit card company practices kept in-check. | READ MORE Ottawa puts credit card industry on notice March 5, 2010 - Ottawa is proposing legislation that would give the federal finance minister the authority to regulate the credit and debit card industry. | READ MORE Interac to remain non-profit: Regulator Feb. 13, 2010 - The federal competition watchdog says that it could not support Interac's bid to become a for-profit company. | READ MORE Paying cash may benefit consumers Feb. 5, 2010 - Retailers should be allowed to surcharge consumers based on the type of payment used, a study finds. | READ MORE Small biz groups react Monday, Jan. 18 marked the last day for banks, credit card companies, consumer groups, retailers and others to make their submissions for the government on the proposed credit card and debit code. | READ MORE Audit of 'excessive' bank profits Dec. 15, 2009 – Service and credit card fees too high, advocacy group says. CBCNews.ca reports. | READ MORE CFIB Dec. 15, 2009 – The Canadian Federation of Independent Busiess is another organization lobbying to change the payment card industry. | READ MORE Retail Council of Canada Dec. 15, 2009 – The Retail Council has put together a credit and debit watchdog page with letters of response from Visa Canada and TD Merchant Services. | READ MORE