MONTREAL CALLING

The latest from Roots Centreville

Here at The Source, we always enjoy hearing from the staff in Roots stores. This week, we received this dispatch from our friends in the Quebec flagship store filling us in on some recent developments at Roots Centreville.
Store Manager Aran Pamplona writes: “Carrie-Ann Kloda is our new Assistant Manager. She's very excited about her new position, as we are to have her. We'd also like to congratulate Christina Ferreira on her promotion to Third Key. We wish both of them lots of success.
“Tourists love coming to Centreville and getting exclusive beaver gear to bring back home. With the arrival of the warm weather, this is tourist time par excellence. Montreal summers are jam packed with events and festivals. Last week, it was great to see all the tourists who came to Montreal for the Grand Prix and we're gearing up for those coming to town for the Jazz Fest and the Just For Laughs Festival. It's fun to see their enthusiasm.
“Our participation in Montreal’s Festival de Mode and Design last Friday was a big hit. Store managers from the region were all invited to see the fashion show and everyone loved getting a glimpse at the great new Roots fall collection. We want to thank Michael Budman and Anisha Pillay for their support and being here for the event. Extra special thanks to Michael for taking out all the managers for dinner after the Sensation Mode fashion show and giving one of his famous encouraging pep talks.
“Meanwhile, Sales Associate Nicole Woodward had an impressive sale this week when she sold three leather jackets to one customer! Thanks to Andrew McCurbin for the leather PK (Product Knowledge) seminar he presented to our region recently. It definitely proved helpful and inspirational.”

IN PRAISE OF THE TRUE NORTH, STRONG AND FREE

Roots and Canada in perfect unison on eve of nation’s birthday

This year, as part of the annual Roots tribute to Canada in connection with July1, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky came on board to show his true colours. In recent days, pictures of The Great One dressed in the 2006 Roots Canada Day collection have been appearing in posters and newspaper ads across the country.
His participation has contributed to considerable media interest in the collection. This week, various Roots Canada Day items were featured in newspapers with more coverage slated for tomorrow and Saturday in Canada Day-related articles in the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, and the National Post.
Roots and Canada are of course intrinsically linked. Canada is an inseparable part of Roots and its success. Canada is the home and inspiration for Roots. It’s where Roots started in 1973 and where it has become forever associated with the country itself as one of the quintessential Canadian brands. It’s where all Roots products are designed and many of them are made. It’s where Roots is most active in its many charitable initiatives and other community-support related efforts. Over the years, for all the tremendous acclaim Roots has garnered on the international stage, Canada is still where Roots is most Roots.
Speaking just ahead of Canada Day, Roots Co-Founders Michael Budman and Don Green said they are extremely proud of the Canadian heritage and identity of Roots. “Although we feature Canada all year round at Roots, we always enjoy adding an extra Canadian focus in celebration of Canada Day,” says Michael. “Doing a special Canada Day Collection is one of the ways we try to show our appreciation for this remarkable country that has always been so supportive of Roots. Our love for Canada and the way we try to showcase it in what we do obviously strikes a chord in many Canadians. We never forget that Canada is at the heart of Roots.”
Indeed, the company is not called Roots Canada for nothing.

MAKING IT PERSONAL

Actor Russell Crowe designs his own Roots

Many TV and film celebrities have long enjoyed wearing Roots products. Taking this a step further, Roots recently began working with Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe to produce personalized apparel designed by the New Zealand-born star.
As part of this project, David Jackson, Product Coordinator in the Business-to-Business Department, is involved in the sampling and production of two full zip hoody styles created by Crowe. More than 200 pieces of the two styles, to be made in Toronto, will be ready for delivery at the end of July.
Crowe is a big fan of Roots. When in Toronto, he often shops for himself and his family in Roots stores. In the past, Roots also supplied products for his movie Cinderella Man.

TEAM BARBADOS IN FIRST PLACE FOR STYLE

Caribbean nation continues winning collaboration with Roots

As part of its on-going partnership with the Barbados Olympic Association, Roots is creating the official team clothing for Barbados at the upcoming CAC (Central American and Caribbean) Games. Roots will be outfitting the entire 370-member delegation at the games, which are being held July 15-30 in Cartagena, Columbia.
Celso Afonseca, Product Coordinator in the Business-To-Business Department, was instrumental in executing the deal. He oversaw the production of the clothes, all of which were made in Canada. “For the opening ceremonies, the men will be wearing a blue chino pant and the women will be wearing a blue Capri pant,” says Celso. “In addition, we took the World Cup jacket and incorporated the design into the podium tracksuit that the Barbados athletes will be wearing. The rest of the clothing will include T-shirts, golf shirts, pants and baseball caps.”
Next year, Roots will be the official outfitter of the Barbadian team at the Pan Am Games in Brazil. The collaboration will continue in 2008 when Roots will provide the official uniforms for the Olympic team at the Summer Games in China. The Roots relationship with Barbados began in 2004 when Roots was the official outfitter of the island’s Olympic team at the Summer Games in Athens. Roots also clothed Barbados for this year’s Commonwealth Games held in March in Australia.

THE GREAT GIVEAWAY

T-shirts supplied to XM satellite radio

Last week, Roots provided more than 150 World Cup T-shirts to XM Satellite Radio to be used as giveaways by the XM staff. Made in black cotton, the T-shirts were created by David Young, Senior Designer, Special Projects and coordinated by David Jackson, Product Coordinator in the Business-to-Business Department. They carry the XM logo on the chest and the Roots beaver on the back.
XM is the official satellite radio broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup Football in Toronto. It has also partnered with Roots to sponsor gifts for the ongoing Roots United contest, a part of the Roots United football collection.

VETERAN ROCKERS PREFER ROOTS

Leather giveaways prove popular for concert tours of venerable rock bands

Such was the popularity of the initial supply of Roots leather merchandise for VIPs on the Eagles “Farewell Tour”, that the band placed another order for use as VIP giveaways during the next leg of concerts in the United Kingdom. The items include leather CD holders, business card holders, luggage tags and key chains. All the merchandise comes with the Eagles Farewell Tour symbol along with the Roots logo.
Meanwhile, in a similar move, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young has ordered several hundred leather notebook covers (with snap closures), made in the Roots factory, that will be used with notebooks or agendas as VIP giveaways during the band’s upcoming tour.
Both the Eagles and CSNY projects were coordinated by David Jackson of the Business-to-Business Department.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Our weekly spotlight on new positions at various stores

Here is a list of current job openings at Roots stores along with the appropriate contact person. For more information, please refer to the separate email notices sent out recently about each position:
Store Manager, Eglinton Outlet, Toronto (Platinum level store). E-mail your resume to the attention of Rosemary Eisenhut at reisenhut@roots.com Deadline: Saturday, July 8.
Store Manager, Colossus Outlet, Toronto (Platinum level store). E-mail your resume to the attention of Rosemary Eisenhut at reisenhut@roots.com Deadline: Friday, July 7.

GREEN TIP #11

The latest in our series of easy ways to help the environment

Don’t get taken to the cleaners: Most dry-cleaning solvents are highly toxic. Haven’t you noticed the weird smell and the scratchy feeling you get in your throat when you go to pick up clothes at the cleaners? There’s an unnerving list of chemicals used in the dry-cleaning process. Both perchloroethylene (perc) and petroleum-based solvents are toxic and should be avoided. These chemicals remain in your clothes long after you bring them home and put them next to your skin.
Greenpeace reports that more than one million people in the United States are at risk from unsafe levels of perc in their homes. In Canada, “environmentally friendly dry cleaning” is almost always false advertising. There are only eight dry-cleaning outlets in the entire country that actually fit the bill. Look for dry cleaners that use the GreenEarth dry-cleaning process, the only safe, non-toxic way to dry clean clothes. See http://www.ecocleaners.ca/ for more information.
Many items labeled “Dry Clean Only” can actually be washed by hand in cold water. If not, search out a cleaner in your area that uses GreenEarth technology. Many are starting to practice wet cleaning, using steam, heat and natural products to clean your clothes.
Don’t get taken to the cleaners. And if you must, find a GreenEarth dry cleaner or explore wet cleaning as an alternative.
(Source: Green Tips: How to Save Money and the Planet, published by Green Living Enterprises)

HEALTH TIP #8

The latest in our series of easy ways to stay healthy

Get a good night’s sleep: Adequate sleep is absolutely essential to feeling your best and having optimal health. It’s also an indicator of your health status. Check out http://www.mercola.com/ for helpful tips on how to get a good night’s sleep.

Provided by Jeff Hirst, a professional trainer, co-owner of Training Zone, and a former Olympic diver. Jeff is an acclaimed sports instructor (who was the captain of the University of Toronto swim team) and is highly knowledgeable about health and fitness.

GUESS WHO JUST DROPPED IN...

Taking attendance of special guests at Roots stores

Celebrities have long made a point of shopping at Roots. Here are the latest sightings of prominent figures from the world of entertainment who visited Roots stores recently:
Aspen (Colorado) - Actors Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith tried different clothes in the store.
Belleville (ON) - Musician Sean McCann of the band Great Big Sea visited the store.
Square One (Mississauga, ON) - Comedian Mike Bullard of the Mike Bullard Show visited the Roots store in the Square One Mall.

THE TOP 10

A guide to the sounds of Roots for the month of July

1. Sun Is Shining, by Bob Marley and The Wailers
2. Hips Don’t Lie, by Shakira Feat.Wyclef
3. Wonderful World, Beautiful People, by Jimmy Cliff
4. Crazy, by Gnarls Barkley
5. Where Are We Going, by Marvin Gaye
6. Spongii Reggae, by Black Uhuru
7. Smile Jamaica, by Bob Marley and The Wailers
8. Gypsy Woman, by Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions
9. Dancing In The Moonlight by Van Morrison
10. Wonderful World, by Sam Cooke

- Compiled by Davin Bujalski

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Recent letters from the world of Roots

LOVE MY SOURCE
I am writing just to say how much we love getting The Source at the store and reading it each week. It is full of useful information and also provides lots of motivation for us.
Each issue is a great conversation starter when communicating with customers. Even the listing of celebrities who have been at Roots lately is a good item to chat it up with both younger and mature consumers to get them intrigued more in Roots clothing and accessories.
The Source also keeps informed about the events, from film festivals to Toronto's current Pride Week, that Roots often takes part in. It is nice to see how much Roots gets involved in a variety of events. I believe this makes a difference to all Roots employees as a motivating factor.
Improving The Source would definitely be hard, seeing how it covers a wide selection of subjects and events. The one thing I’d like to see: more motivation for Roots staff, having other Roots people write in with tips on how they get their stores pumped up. Maybe have each store send a little blurb on what they do regarding this subject.
Keep up the great job. I really love all the material that The Source brings us every week.Don Chapman, Keyholder, Roots storeBrockville, Ontario

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

A guide to just-launched Roots products

CRANK IT UP
New Roots 3-in-1 radio ideal for all situations

A new, environmentally friendly, self-powered radio is now available in select Roots stores. The FR 300 Crank Radio is equipped with a hand-crank power generator that provides unlimited power for the AM/FM radio, eliminating the need for batteries or electricity.
Perfect for trekking, travel, power blackouts and emergencies, this multi-purpose device includes a built-in flashlight, a cell phone charger and a siren. It also features seven weather channels and TV-VHF channels 2-13. Additionally, the radio comes with the facility to attach an AC adaptor and earphones.
Coordinated by Rima Biback, Director, Roots Home and Licensing, and Jarar Kazmi, Director, Merchandise Purchasing and Flow, the radio is part of Roots licensed equipment. It comes in silver, red, black, orange, blue, green and yellow. Retail price: $60.

THE MOVEABLE FEAST
Perfect bag for taking lunch from one place to another

Available in stores since last month, the insulated Roots lunch bag is convenient for carrying your daily meal. Its reflective interiors keep food and drinks warm or cold depending on the requirement, and are easy to clean.
The high-density black nylon exterior is water- resistant and washable. The large bag easily handles lunch containers, fruits and drinks and the zippered front pocket securely stores utensils or other articles. Retail price: $20

SITTING PRETTY
Where all good cell phones and iPods come to rest

The Roots Digital Lounger is a perfect place to park a cell phone, Blackberry, MP3 player or iPod at the office or home. It is a miniature copy of the famous Roots Club Chair, which is a part of the popular Roots Home collection.
Available in stores, this lounger comes with a Roots logo embossed on it. Retail price: $15

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Our weekly spotlight on new positions at Roots

Here is a list of current job openings at Roots along with the appropriate contact person. For more information, please refer to the separate email notices sent out recently about each position:
Fashion Writer, Head Office, 1400 Castlefield Ave., Toronto ON. Email your resume to the attention of Laura Clark at hr@roots.com Deadline Monday July 3
Technician, Baby, Head Office, 1400 Castlefield Ave., Toronto ON. Email your resume to the attention of Laura Clark at hr@roots.com Deadline Monday July 3
Team Leader, Retail, Head Office, 1400 Castlefield Ave., Toronto ON. Email your resume to the attention of Laura Clark at hr@roots.com Deadline Monday July 3
Shipper, Head Office, 1400 Castlefield Ave., Toronto ON. Email your resume to the attention of Laura Clark at hr@roots.com Deadline Monday July 3.

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Recent letters from the world of Roots

ANDY WOWS THEM IN QUEBEC
In Issue 41 of The Source, you reported on Andy McCurbin and his road show that is bringing his passion for Roots leather goods and his expert knowledge on the subject to stores across the country.
I just want to mention how impressed I was by his recent seminar at Roots Centreville in Montreal. I loved it. It was the first time someone has been able to keep my attention at a conference. He has a rare talent. It would be great if Andy could work
in our store with our staff for a day. It would add to their motivation.
Kerry Kirby-Zbikowski
Co-Manager, Mont Tremblant store, Quebec

STAYING POWER IN ACTION
In recent issues of The Source, you’ve invited staff to write in to say how long they’ve been at Roots. I have been with the Roots store in Aspen since December 1995. I began as Assistant Manager and then became Manager in April 1997. So it’s now been more than 10 years and I have sincerely enjoyed my time with this exciting company.
Aspen being an international ski town, the most interesting aspect of my job has always been the people I’ve worked with from all over the world. I have loved taking care of Don and Michael’s "Aspen Roots" in this beautiful never-never land.
Peggy McCafferty
Store Manager, Aspen, Colorado

HEALTH TIP #7

The latest in our series of easy ways to stay healthy

Break the rules 10% of the time: Being “perfect” is stressful, not to mention impossible. The purpose of this health tips column is to give you ideas about how to enjoy life to the fullest. Letting go every so often and doing whatever you please is vital to keeping things in perspective. To quote Elson Haas, M.D., when it comes to health, being “good beats perfect every time”.

Provided by Jeff Hirst, a professional trainer, co-owner of Training Zone, and a former Olympic diver. Jeff is an acclaimed sports instructor (who was the captain of the University of Toronto swim team) and is highly knowledgeable about health and fitness.

GREEN TIP #10

The latest in our series of easy ways to help the environment

Your average Joe: Coffee, the international pick-me-up of choice, is actually a huge downer for the environment: next to cotton, coffee is the most heavily pesticide-sprayed crop in the world. If the ecological impact isn’t enough to give you pause, just give a thought to how much pesticide residue winds up in your own personal cup.
Furthermore, coffee plantations in the Americas are rapidly expanding, wiping out huge sections of rainforest. Kinda’ leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, doesn’t it?
For more info: Merchants of Green Coffee wrote the book on enviro-friendly coffee. They also sell organic green beans and home roasters (for the ultimate in fresh taste): http://www.merchantsofgreencofee.com/
(Source: Green Tips: How to Save Money and the Planet, published by Green Living Enterprises)

ECO-BAG A BIG HIT

A win-win situation for the environment and customers’ pocketbooks

The recently introduced Roots Eco-Bag has turned into a huge hit. Made from canvas and cotton, it was created as an environmental measure to encourage customers to reuse the bag for future shopping, thereby reducing the number of paper bags used and thrown out.
As a further inducement, customers who buy the Roots Eco-Bag receive 10% off regularly priced merchandise on future purchases. It’s obviously working. Due to the popularity of the bags, the Accessories Department has already had to order a replenishment to keep up with the demand.

MAKING IT COUNT

Roots shows its stuff in connection with Pride Week in Toronto

A new, topical display at several Roots stores in Toronto has been capturing the attention of passersby in recent days, directing many in past the front door. With the city packed with visitors for the annual Pride Week, which celebrates diverse sexual and gender identities and related culture, Roots stores have attracted many customers interested in the Roots Pride collection.
The display at Roots Central, Roots Bloor St. and Roots Queen Street has proven highly effective. James Wilford, Field Visual Merchant for Toronto Central, came up with the great idea of bringing mannequins dressed in the product out to the front of the store entrances, creating an instant buzz on the street, attracting customers inside.
Pride Week culminates on Sunday with a massive parade through downtown Toronto that is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people.

GUESS WHO JUST DROPPED IN...

Taking attendance of special guests at Roots stores

Celebrities have long made a point of shopping at Roots. Here are the latest sightings of prominent figures from the world of entertainment that visited Roots stores recently:
Mont Tremblant (Quebec) - Swedish actor Andreas Wilson and director Bjorne Larson visited the Roots store where Bjorne purchased a Heritage hoody in red and white, Argentina and England football jackets, and a Heritage wrap top for his wife. The pair was in town for the Mont Tremblant Film Festival promoting their film Kill Your Darlings.

Roots team takes part in Relay for Life out east

Hats off to Roots employees who give of their free time to get out and support worthy causes. In the latest example, the staff at the Wheeler Park outlet store in Moncton, New Brunswick recently took part in the Relay for Life fundraising event to benefit cancer research
“It was a very good experience for our team,” says Mauricio Santos, Store Manager. “Now we feel even more committed to participating in other initiatives like this.”
In addition to Mauricio, staff who took part in the event included (in alphabetical order), Sophie Lajoie, Samantha Morey, and Joyce Phillips. Also in attendance was Melissa Vienneau who came with her friends for support. Although unable to attend, Maria Brine and Sally Gaudet also gave their support to the rest of the team.
The Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life is an overnight, non-competitive event that honours and celebrates cancer survivors and has become the organization’s premier fundraising event. It involves teams of people who take turns walking, running or strolling around a track, as well as a survivors' victory lap.

CENTRAL BECOMES MORE COMPLETE

Facilitating the Roots shopping experience at the Eaton Centre

In an effort to make shopping for Roots customers at Toronto’s Eaton Centre easier,
the Roots Kids store on the second level will move upstairs to be integrated into the Roots Central location on the mall’s street level. As of next Wednesday (June 28), the Kids/Baby department will be on Central's third floor and will provide one-stop convenience for shoppers. The move is part of the recent renovations of the store that is one of the largest Roots retail locations in Canada.

WINNING IN WINDSOR

Roots crowned for its appearance at charity fashion event

For the second year in a row, Roots staff at the Windsor, Ontario store won an award for the best presentation at the Devonshire Mall’s “Look” Charity Fashion Show and Business Expo. The annual event, held in the Caboto Club in Windsor, helped retailers showcase their businesses while supporting the Maryvale Adolescent Centre, Citizen Advocacy; and the Child Abuse Prevention Council.
As part of the event, Store Manager, Christine Crowe-Campeau and staff set up a booth displaying Roots handbags, promotional posters and mannequins sporting Roots lifestyle apparel for men and women. They also participated in a fashion show, which was a part of the evening’s activities.
Gift bags with Roots-related items were given away at the Roots booth which also contributed a gift certificate prize for visitors.

FOR KIDS IN NEED

Roots gets behind event for the benefit of Right to Play

Roots will sponsor the inaugural Right to Play Semi-Final Ball in support of the international humanitarian organization Right to Play. Based in Toronto and started by long time friend of Roots Johann Koss, Right to Play is dedicated to helping underprivileged children around the world through sports-related initiatives. Roots is an ongoing supporter of the charity.
As part of this event, two soccer balls autographed by Brazilian superstar Ronaldo and the complete Juventus team of Italy will be displayed next week in the Roots flagship store on Toronto’s Bloor Street. Funds raised from the sale of these balls, which will be auctioned on the eBay website, will go to Right To Play.
Winners of the auction will be announced at the Semi-Final Ball to be held at the Brassaii restaurant in downtown Toronto. The Roots website will feature a link to the eBay auction web page. Additionally, XM radios and Roots United football apparel can be won as part of a contest in support of this initiative.

OUR WOMAN IN MAUI

Roots takes part in film festival in Hawaii

This week, for the third year in a row, Roots figured prominently at the Maui Film Festival in Hawaii. As a co-sponsor of the five-day event, Roots supplied T-shirts and hats for the staff, guests and volunteers. Roots products were also featured in the promotional trailers for the Festival shown in 350 movie screens across the United States.
More than 40 full-length films from 12 countries were presented at this year's festival that honoured artists who have made contributions both on and off screen. Wendy Goodman, the Los Angeles-based Roots salesperson, was at the Festival where she met senior executives from several film studios (including Sony and Universal) to discuss future merchandising projects involving Roots. It doesn’t hurt that Wendy recently became a member of the Festival’s Board of Directors.
Among those attending the festival were Paul Stanley from the rock band Kiss, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, and actors Richard Chamberlain, Sean William Scott, Patricia Clarkson, and Joan Allen.

GOING THE EXTRA DISTANCE

Andrew Ligama honoured for what he brings to the Yorkdale store every day

One of the major strengths of Roots, in addition to quality products, has always been the caliber of people working in the stores. Ultimately, they are the ones who have the greatest impact on customers and, by extension, on the bottom line. Their dedication, friendliness and the way they engage shoppers are indispensable to the success of Roots. Late this week, in tribute to the Roots retail team in general, and one member in particular, Andrew Ligama was selected as the MVP of the Month. He was chosen for his work at a Roots store in Toronto where he exemplifies the best attributes in our retail staff.
Andrew, 22, may be the youngest Roots staff member ever selected as an MVP but a rookie he’s not. Despite his tender age, he’s already amassed considerable experience on the frontlines of Roots since joining the company as a part-time cashier in 2000.
In his current position as Assistant Manager of the Roots store at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Andrew has a lot on his shoulders. He’s responsible for many key aspects of the store, which is one of the top locations in the Roots constellation. Working closely with Store Manager Nancy Nasralla, Andrew’s duties include opening and closing the store; completing weekly payroll; running the sales floor; following up with employees with their weekly productivity; helping with hiring and training new staff; and maintaining the visual aspects of the store.
Andrew’s progress at Roots is no surprise given his exemplary attitude to his job and his winning ways with customers and fellow staff members. “One of the things I like so much about my work is that it allows me to meet and work with amazing people,” says Andrew, who was born in Toronto to parents who immigrated from Italy. “The team we have at Yorkdale is amazing and I’m blessed that I work well with all of them. I have learned so much at Roots, including always trying to exceed at any task assigned to me and to go beyond what is expected. I’ve seen that hard work always pays off.”
Andrew is clearly committed to Roots, loves the product and derives great satisfaction from seeing his store succeed. Personable, engaging and unflappable, he thrives on contact with people in the store. “I strive to always offer great customer service,” says Andrew. “Over the past six years, I’ve been able to build relationships with many customers who come and visit me regularly.”
His work has caught the eye of many at Roots. “Andrew has always impressed me with his energy, devotion and his way with people,” says Roots Co-Founder Michael Budman. “To me, Andrew is a shining example of what makes those who work in our stores so special. It’s people like Andrew who make Roots such an inviting place to shop. In the end, it really comes down to our retail team.”