BRING OUT THE BIRTHDAY CAKE

A letter from the Editor on the occasion of The Source’s first anniversary

Dear Readers,

This week marks exactly one year since the launch of The Source. The first issue was a far cry from what The Source is today. It was a page-and-ahalf of text with no photos, no illustrations, no colour. In a word, austere.

Since then, The Source has evolved considerably, both in content and presentation. But its basic raison d'être remains unchanged - to keep people informed about what's happening at Roots.

When I first told people of my plans for The Source, several were skeptical, asking incredulously, "What are you going to write about every week?" Regular readers now know that has never been a problem. Most weeks we don’t have enough time or space to include everything there is to write about. Such is the dynamic world of Roots and the activities of everyone who works here, starting with Co-Founders Michael Budman and Don Green. Roots may be a business but it's much more than that. It's also a community and The Source tries to be, in its own limited way, the equivalent of a community newspaper.

During the first year, we published 50 issues, 300 pages, and more than 1,000 articles and other items along with scores of photos and illustrations. All of them have shared one common denominator. They all have been about Roots in some way, whether it's a spotlight on a new product, a profile of an exemplary employee, a new charity initiative or celebrity sightings at Roots stores. It all adds up to what it is written on the front page beneath the logo of The Source: "A Week in the World of Roots."

The response from readers has been gratifying. Most work at Roots in Canada and the United States. But a growing number receive The Source as part of our Friends of Roots mailing list or read it on-line on our website or in the lobby of our head office. Increasingly, people are writing letters to The Source. Over the past year, we've published 65 letters to the editor in our 'Special Delivery' section.

As we begin our second year of publishing, I want to say how much I appreciate the positive feedback we've received for this project. In particular, I want to thank Michael and Don for their constant encouragement and support since Issue One. I also want to thank my Editorial Assistant Paulomi Patel for her hard work and dedication since she began working on The Source in May.

We never lose sight that The Source is for and about Roots and the people who make it such a remarkable place. The story of Roots - present, past and future - is a great one. Every week, The Source tries to capture some of the pulse and passion of Roots in the pages of each new issue. We hope you enjoy reading the stories from the world of Roots as much as we enjoy writing them and publishing them in The Source.

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions with the aim of making The Source even better.

Robert Sarner, Editor

IN AID OF THE AIDS FIGHT

Roots is the official outfitter and a sponsor of benchmark AIDS conference

Final preparations are now almost complete for this weekend's opening of the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto where Roots will be highly visible. As reported previously in The Source (Issue 47), Roots is the official outfitter and a sponsor of this major event, considered the most important gathering of AIDS specialists in the world.

At the initiative of Roots Co-Founder Don Green in support of the bi-annual gathering, Roots is subsidizing the costs of the merchandise supplied to organizers. Roots is providing T-shirts for volunteers, souvenir T-shirts, caps and yoga mats for the conference. In addition, Roots is also producing slogan tees for the youth wing of the AIDS gathering. All T-shirts will also come with a special 15% off Roots discount card redeemable at the Roots flagship store on Bloor Street, Roots Central in the Eaton Centre and the Roots store on Queen Street. A portion of proceeds of the sales to delegates will help pay for staging the conference.

The August 13-18 meeting is expected to draw more than 25,000 participants from around the world including scientists, health care providers, educators, policy makers, AIDS service organizations, community leaders and people living with HIV/AIDS.

TORONTO NEW YORK CONNECTION GETS EVEN STRONGER

NBC asks Roots to make a collection for its hit TV show The Office

Unknown to most Roots customers in Canada, and even to some company employees, Roots has a highly successful, on-going relationship with NBC Television in New York. Initiated in the early 1990s with the Roots/Saturday Night Live collection, the collaboration has grown over the years and, just this month, became even stronger when NBC signed a deal with Roots for a special line of merchandise for the hit series The Office.

Starring Steve Carell (from The 40-Year Old Virgin) and based on the original British series of the same name, NBC's American version of The Office is just about to launch its second season after capturing high ratings in its first year and.

In addition to the products made for NBC, Roots also has a strong retail presence at the NBC Experience Store in New York's famous Rockefeller Center where Roots has its own branded section. NBC carries a number of co-branded collections produced by Roots (and mostly made in Canada) including the US Olympic Team line; a New York City-themed collection, a Saturday Night Live collection, and now a line for The Office, many of them also available on their website www.nbcuniversalstore.com. Currently, Roots is in the process of developing a new youth product line for NBC.

"We're grateful for the on-going support and commitment from Judith Dutch, [Vice President Retail Operations and Consumer Marketing, NBC Universal] for her excellent work in continuing and growing our relationship," says Melinda McDonald, Wholesale and Business Development. "We look forward to collaborating with Judith and NBC Universal on other projects in the future."

Also key to the success of the relationship with NBC is the work of the Wholesale Department at Roots, particularly Account Representative Patricia MacInnis and Mary Jane Saliba, Senior Product Coordinator.

As part of its relationship with NBC, Roots has held a number of press conferences at NBC's headquarters in New York including the official launch of Roots Team USA Olympic collections in 2004 and 2006. NBC is also a sponsor of the US Olympic Team.

In 2004, NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment joined forces, becoming NBC Universal. Today, it's one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience.

NOTHING LIKE A GREAT BOOK

Roots and Indigo come together to promote reading and other good things

Later this month, Roots and Indigo Bookstores will team up for a major cross-promotional Canada-wide campaign. Set to begin on August 21, the month-long “Smarten Up” initiative will encourage reading and promote Canadian literature. It will also help officially launch the Roots Canadian on-line store and on-line Campfire Community section.

As part of this promotion, Roots customers will receive a complimentary $10 Indigo Bookstores gift card when they purchase items worth $75 or more (before tax) at any Roots store. The gift card can be redeemed at any Indigo, Chapters or Coles store in Canada.

The campaign runs in conjunction with the soon-to-launch Roots Back to School sweat promotion and a special initiative involving Noah Richler’s new book featuring Canadian writers entitled This Is My Country, What’s Yours? The aim of these actions is in part to further literacy, something that Roots has long promoted.

In addition, shoppers can also log on to roots.com to enter an on-line contest where they can visit the upcoming Campfire Community section and win prizes that include a trip on Via Rail, a Roots shopping spree and Canada-related books from Indigo.

In a parallel campaign, customers at Indigo, Chapters and Coles bookstores will receive 15% off Roots discount cards redeemable at Roots stores, outlets and online at roots.com.

ALL IN A NIGHT'S WORK

Roots visual guys do a number on major store in Toronto

This week, the Roots Visual Team, comprised of Peter Paquette, Senior Visual Merchant and James Wilford, Field Visual Merchant, gave the Roots store in Toronto’s Yorkdale Mall a great new look with an overnight makeover.

Both Peter and James, with the help of Store Manager Nancy Nasralla and her team, refurbished the leather department with new floor fixtures. The rest of the store was also revamped with some fresh paint and reorganizing the layout.

The quick flip began on Wednesday evening at 8 o’clock and was completed the next morning by 6 a.m. The store staff arrived at 8 a.m. and at 10 o’clock were welcoming customers who marveled at the store’s new appearance.

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 and fashion who visited Roots stores recently:

Toronto (100 Bloor Street) – Canadian-born J.D. Fortune, lead singer of the popular rock band INXS, shopped at the Roots flagship store.

Aspen (Colorado) – Fashion designer Ralph Lauren was at the Roots store in the ski town.

LIKE A HURRICANE

When not on the sales floor, Debbie Barnes is pounding the skins for her band

Roots employees are an impressive bunch of highly talented, multi-tasking individuals. Take Debbie Barnes for example. When she is not selling at the Roots Robson Kids store in Vancouver, this full- time Store Manager plays drums in the pop punk band Hurricane Kitty.

Founded in 2002, the three-member, all-girls group is now recording its first album. The band recently took centre stage at a benefit show held to raise funds for the Terminal City Roller Girls, a Vancouver Roller Derby League making waves on the West Coast.

Debbie, who is celebrating her ninth anniversary at Roots next week, has been part of the Robson Kids store since 2001. Prior to this she worked as the Manager of the store in Vancouver’s Pacific Centre.

DRESSED APPROPRIATELY

Canadian singer Edwin wears Roots to help launch new album

In its latest initiative in support of Canadian performers, Roots has outfitted and donated apparel to alternative rock singer Edwin for his recent photo shoot. The images will figure prominently in the ad campaign for his soon-to-be-released album Better Days.

The ads, featuring the Roots logo alongside Edwin wearing Roots apparel, will appear in various magazines such as Chart, Faze, Teen, Movie Entertainment, Famous, Scene and Access.

The Toronto-based Edwin launched his solo career in 1997 after being the lead vocalist in the popular band I Mother Earth. His new album will come out in October.

THE SUMMER OF BAGS

Roots leather goods in great demand

One of the big stories in Roots stores over the summer has been the success of earth-toned leather bags. In fact, the demand for camo, naturals, greens and flats was such that in many places it far outweighed the supply.

The collection features hands-free designs in natural leathers that are great for traveling and can easily be paired with a larger handbag. The flat bags are extremely functional with pockets for cell phones, Blackberrys, iPods and other items. Due to the success of the bags, the Roots leather factory in Toronto has been inundated with orders from customers wanting to purchase their own body-hugging bag.

“We’ve evolved from the Emily Bag into something even bigger,” says Jennifer Taylor Weeks, Merchandise Planning Manager for Leather.

Certain designs have been particularly hot: the Village Pack, the small and large Venetian Bag and the Molly Bag

“They’re functional, they look great, and you can dress them up or dress them down,” says Michael Budman, Roots Co-Founder, who along with his wife Diane Bald and Denyse Green, wife of Co-Founder Don Green, work closely on the design of Roots bags with Karl Kowaleski, resident leather maven.

Not only has the practicality of the bags been a huge factor in their success, but also their design, craftsmanship and exceptional Italian vegetable tanned leather.

“This collection is all about the leather,” says Karl who directs the leather program at the Roots factory. “These leathers are from the finest tanneries in the world which also have the strictest environmental standards.”

Jennifer says customers should keep an eye out for the next Roots bags in new leathers like the black Tribe leather coming soon to Roots stores. – Sarah Foster

LOOKING GOOD

Dressed in Roots, beauty contestant awarded 'Most Photogenic' prize

You never know what Roots will get in volved in next when it comes to helping people. Recently, a young lady in London, Ontario contacted her local Roots store with a request to Manager Phil Papadopoulos for assistance. A few weeks earlier, Simin Bagheri had won the title of Miss London 2006 and was one of 30 finalists competing for the title of Miss World Canada and wanted to know if Roots would sponsor her apparel.

With the approval of Field Business Manager Sanjiv Khanna, Phil, along with Assistant Store Manager Melanie Cole, outfitted Simin from head to toe in Roots Yoga and other products for the athletic portions of the event held in Toronto. Although she did not win the crown, Simin did receive the Miss World Canada Photogenic Award.

"I am grateful for your generous sponsorship which aided me in preparation and participation in the Miss World competition," Simin wrote to Roots a few days after the event. "I would not have been able to succeed with your help."

In the lead-up to the event, Simin raised several thousand dollars for charity. Born in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Simin, 21, moved to Canada in 1993. She currently lives in London and attends the University of Western Ontario.

KEEPING UP WITH ROSEMARY

The latest installment in her coast-to-coast retail marathon

When we last checked in with Rosemary Eisenhut, Director of Retail, and her plan to personally visit all 125 Roots stores in Canada this year, she had just returned from a trip to stores in Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. That was back in late June and she still had 17 more locations to hit before she’d be able to say she'd seen them all.

Today, true to form, Rosemary is on the road heading to Windsor, Ontario to visit the Roots stores just across the border from Detroit. With her irrepressible energy, Rosemary racks up more miles than a politician on the campaign trail. She completes itineraries that would reduce most travelers to mush.

It's only a week ago that she returned from yet another daunting trip. This one was to Western Canada during which she visited 18 stores including four she’d never seen before. For those of you envious of people who travel for their work, the following account may take away some of the allure of business travel.

On Friday, July 28, Rosemary began her journey with an evening flight from Toronto arriving in Victoria at midnight local time, (3 a.m. on her body clock). Early the next morning, Rosemary met up with Pauline Landriault, Director of Visual Planning and Store Development, and together they visited one of two Roots stores in Victoria, meeting with Senior Manager Lea Weir. From there, they headed across town to the Mayfair Mall store and spoke with Manager Bob Heyes.

Then, they went straight to the West Coast Air Terminal to take a water plane to Vancouver where they were met by Lyn Frankel, Roots Corporate Sponsorship and Sales Manager in Western Canada. Lyn drove Rosemary and Pauline downtown to the Robson Street store where they met up with Store Manager Mark Farr and his team along with Roots Co-Founder Michael Budman. Next, they toured the nearby Roots Kids store on Robson, meeting with Manager Debbie Barnes and her team. Barely catching their breath, they walked over to the Pacific Centre to visit the Roots store there and met with Manager Aimee Guido. The day ended with dinner at The Lift on the Wharf with Pauline and Lyn.

The next morning, Rosemary and Pauline were on the road early en route to Whistler with Lyn at the wheel. There they met with Store Manager J.M. Ogden.

From there it was back to Vancouver to meet up with Michael to check out possible new locations for Roots stores. Then, they checked out the stores at Park Royal and Grandview where they met with Manager Daniela Bosa. Next stop was Metrotown store before returning to Robson to meet up with Roots Home Design Creative Director Diane Bald to talk about store design ahead of going to the Lift for drinks with Diane, Michael and their daughter Alex.

The next day began with a rendezvous with Michael and Diane at the Pacific Centre, followed by a pit-stop at the Richmond Mall store and then off to the airport to fly to Kamloops. After visiting the Kamloops store and meeting with manager Darlene Thorne, Rosemary and Pauline drove to Kelowna (in a Mustang GT convertible), looking like a 2006 Roots version of Thelma and Louise).

On Tuesday morning, they met with Kelowna store manager Lindsay Kern and her team and then headed to Vancouver Airport. (Pauline flew back to Toronto) Rosemary flew to Edmonton where she was met by Regional Manager, Western Canada, Samara Snyder who took her to the Kingsway Mall store just in time for the re-opening in the new location. Rosemary met with Manager Sheila Brisson and her team along with James Wilford, Field Visual Merchant, Toronto, and Colin MacDonald, Field Visual Merchant, Western Canada, who were working their visual magic. Then it was off to check into the hotel.

Up early on Wednesday, Rosemary met with Field Business Manager Ross Shafer and then preceded to the new West Edmonton Mall store for most of the day before returning to Kingsway. [The week before, Pauline had been there to direct the merchandising ahead of the store’s July 29 opening]. Thursday, Rosemary had a breakfast meeting with Ross and then visited West Edmonton, Mayfield Outlet and South Park Outlet with Samara, Ross, and Colin before leaving for the airport in the afternoon.

Rosemary touched down in Toronto at 2 o’clock Friday morning. By 9 a.m., she was back in the Head Office, as exuberant and fired-up as ever.

With only 13 stores left that she’s not yet seen, Rosemary is clearly on track to make good on her vow made in January.

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:

All Positions, new ‘Roots 73’ store, Fanshaw, London, ON. Email your resume to the attention of Rosemary Eisenhut at reisenhut@roots.com Deadline: Saturday, August 19.

Assistant Store Manager, Colossus Outlet, Woodbridge, ON (Platinum level store). Email your resume to the attention of Rosemary Eisenhut at reisenhut@roots.com Deadline: Saturday, August 12.

Full Time Keyholder, Colossus Outlet, Woodbridge, ON (Platinum level store). Email your resume to the attention of Rosemary Eisenhut at reisenhut@roots.com Deadline: Saturday, August 12.

Full Time Keyholders & Full Time/Part Time Associates, new Brossard Outlet, QC. Email your resume to the attention of Rosemary Eisenhut at reisenhut@roots.com Deadline: Monday, August 21.

Jr. Field Visual Merchant, 4 positions in Ontario, 2 positions in Western Canada. Email your resume to hr@roots.com quoting File# IP922-Aug/06. Deadline: Thursday, August 17.

Yoga Instructor, for Roots Yoga Studio at new Roots Natural store opening later this month in mid-town Toronto. Email your resume to the attention of Laura Clark at hr@roots.com Deadline: Wednesday, August 30.

Editorial Intern, for The Source at the Head Office in Toronto. Full or part-time, unpaid internship working on the Roots weekly newsletter. Ideal for someone interested in communication, journalism and publishing. Good writing skills required. Email your resume to Robert Sarner at rsarner@roots.com

GREEN TIP # 17

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

All dried up: What’s better -- paper towels or electric dryers? There's no contest, and it’s not what you probably think. Did you know electric dryers are twice as energy-efficient as paper towels, even towels made from recycled paper? Although the production of the electricity that powers electric dryers generates greenhouse gases, the production of paper towels is twice as energy-intensive and creates more greenhouse gases overall.

Also, the manufacture of paper towels emits pollutants, including chlorine, and many paper towels are made from virgin wood rather than recycled material. Your small choice can make a big difference. For more good environmental information, visit www.zerofootprint.net

- Provided by Zerofootprint, an innovative Toronto-based organization that helps companies and organizations reduce their environmental impact. See www.zerofootprint.net

HEALTH TIP # 14

The latest in our series of easy ways to stay healthy

If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it. These days, foods are often prepared with additives and other chemicals that didn’t exist 50 or even 10 years ago. We evolved by eating real, whole food.

This has not changed. We haven’t suddenly acquired the capacity to be healthy by consuming all these non-nutrient chemicals just because they are in the food we buy. When it comes to food, “go real or go home!”

- 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. He can be reached at trainingzone@hotmail.com

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Recent letters from the world of Roots

FOR THE KIDS
On behalf of the Sick Kids Foundation, I would like to thank Roots for the kind donation, which helped make our Banana Bash a great success.

Through the support of friends like Roots and the events you support, our skilled professionals are able to focus their creativity and innovation on meeting the immediate needs of the children who come to us everyday. Because your giving is so generous, they are able to undertake important research that will yield results in years to come.

Research is integral to our mission to improve the health of children. And thanks to donors like you, our physicians and scientists are able to continue to concentrate on the development of new knowledge.

Thank you for helping us address some of the most difficult health questions facing today’s children. Thank you for helping us to enrich the services and treatments we provide to those children.

Eva Avramis
Development Coordinator, Community Involvement
Sick Kids Foundation, Toronto
---

STOP GLOBAL WARMING
On behalf of The Century Foundation, I would like to thank Roots for donating the Stop Global Warming bracelets to our recent intern policy forum, Drop It Like It’s Hot: The Politics of Global Warming that took place in New York. Thank you for providing materials for our guests to take home to remind them of our discussion and the importance of global warming as a pressing issue.

Our event was very successful, with a thought-provoking conversation and more than 60 interns in attendance. TCF’s series of lunchtime panel discussions strive to inform interns about current political issues, and this was well done at our event, thanks to your help. Once again, The Century Foundation is appreciative of your generosity.

Sarah Welch
The Century Foundation, Office of Public Affairs
New York, New York

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

PANTS FOR ALL


Fresh styles in denim hit Roots stores coast-to-coast

A range of denims have recently hit stores as part of the early fall jeans line for men and women.

For Women
Designed by Julie Power, Designer, Women’s wear, the denims for women come in different washed and unwashed styles. Made from 98% cotton and 2% spandex, good-quality stretch denim fabric, the pants come in different styles spanning the new style trends of the fall season. Featured below are the styles that hit stores recently:

APHRODITE JEAN - This triple dark women’s denim (meaning extra dark colour, no wash) features a slim fit. It includes narrow cut legs, and is often referred to as the Roots ‘skinny fit jean’. The style comes with a low rise and is sold in select Roots stores across Canada. Retail Price: $88

VENUS JEAN - This slim fit women’s jeans style is made from stretch denim and comes with a straight leg. It features a medium low rise and a subtle
wash giving it a distressed look. These details make this style a great alternative to the super skinny Aphrodite jean. Available in select stores in Canada, the Athena Jean is sold at retail price: $88

ATHENA JEAN - These medium dark rinse women’s jeans pants come with a subtle wash, a boot cut flare and a relaxed easy fit suiting all body types. It features a medium rise and is made from stretch denim. Sold in select stores a across Canada, the Athena Jean is available for: $88

For Men
The new clean cut and stylish Roots Echo Jeans, set to hit stores next week, are designed to add classic style to the fashion denim line for men in stores now. Created by Menswear Designer Rita Shulman, the pants are made from 100% cotton denim fabric. The design includes classic straight cut leg and clean back pockets with no ornamentation. The jeans also come with a large classic leather patch on the back and are currently available in a medium-dark-coloured wash. More choices in washes are expected in the upcoming fall months. The Echo Lake Jeans will be available in all Roots stores in Canada and select stores in the US. Made in sizes 28-38, they are sold at $88

THE HOT LIST

A fast look at what's flying off the shelves at Roots

Based on the latest sales figures from all Roots stores in Canada and the United States, here are the 20 top-selling products:

1. Men's Elk Island Polo
2. Women's Printed Thermal Kanga T-shirt
3. Men's Logan Mélange Ringer
4. Women's Classic Fleece Kanga Hoody* (Buy it now: USA)
   
5. Women's Natural Graphic Tee
6. Women's Classic Fleece Zip Hoody
7. Girls Beaver Short Sleeve T-shirt
8. Boys Crocs
9. Girls Crocs
10. Boys Mason T-shirt
11. Baby's Warm Up
12. Baby's Yaz Colour Block T-shirt
13. Baby's Phys Ed Hoody
14. Roots Bottled Water 355 ml
15. Beaver Canvas Tote
16. Steffy BB Cap
17. Havaiana Flip Flops
18. Crocs Beach Clogs
19. Village Pack Tribe Leather Bag* (Buy it now: USA | Canada)
20. Village Pack Prince Leather Bag* (Buy it now: USA | Canada)

*Indicates items available on www.roots.com USA and/or Canada