Last Thursday, Amazon Canada officially opened its new warehouse and distribution centre in Brampton, Ontario. To celebrate the new facility, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stopped by for a tour.
Trudeau notes that the brand-new, high-tech facility will create more than 700 full-time jobs. The centre, which currently employs 350 people, will use cutting-edge robotic technology with traditional worker support to offer quick, high-quality support, he says.
This new initiative by Amazon is evidence to Trudeau that large multinational companies see Canada as a good place do business.
The grand opening follows Amazon’s announcement that Prime customers in Toronto and Vancouver are eligible for same-day deliveries as part of their premium plan. The offer is good for eligible orders over $25. Amazon says that eligible purchases placed in the morning through Amazon.ca would be delivered by 9 p.m. the same day in areas with Vancouver and Toronto postal codes.
However, while the new facility does indicate willingness for big box corporations to invest on Canadian soil, it has different implications for national and local retailers. With this new premium service available, small Canadian retailers may find themselves struggling to hold onto consumers.
To help keep your services from falling to the wayside, perhaps consider the implementation of various offers and deals for customers coming into your store. Treat your current clients well and use promotions to attract prospective buyers, and you’ll come out on top.
