THE BEST OF 2006

In life, things happen. At Roots, good things happen all the time. And we don’t mean simply the selling of great products every day of the year.

To be sure, Roots is a business but it’s also much more than that. It’s a community of people who come together every day to work and contribute to a culture and heritage that first began in 1973. Each Roots employee, in his or her own way, helps make things happen that make Roots such a special place, full of innovation and achievement on many levels.

With 2006 about to morph into 2007, we wanted to take stock of the past 12 months at Roots. Due to space limitations, we’re simply presenting some highlights (in chronological order). Of course, it’s impossible to really capture a year in the life of Roots in just a few pages. For a more comprehensive account of 2006, you can always consult past issues of The Source.

As much as 2006 has proven positive for Roots, initial signs for 2007 point to another exciting year for Roots. Stay tuned to The Source as the story unfolds over the next 12 months.

GETTING THE POINT ACROSS

Someone’s obviously taking notice of the communication and public relations work of Roots. In January, Co-Founders Michael Budman and Don Green received the 2006 Award of Excellence for Communication and PR from the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS). Awarded primarily for actions taken over the previous year, it is the greatest honour a business leader can receive from the professional association of communicators in Canada.

Michael and Don received the award at a special luncheon at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel in the presence of 300 people from the fields of business, media, entertainment, sports and fashion.

The CPRS Award was established in 1991 to demonstrate that a successful CEO or top business executive must be an excellent communicator in addition to having other abilities. Past winners include some of Canada’s top business people, such as Charles Baillie, Chair, TD Bank Financial Group; Dominic D’Ale-ssandro, President and CEO, Manulife Finan-cial; Piers Handling, CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival; Bobbie Gaunt, President and CEO, Ford Motor Company of Canada; and Allan Stark, President and CEO, American Express Canada; John Cassaday, President, CTV.

WINNING GOLD AT THE OLYMPICS

For two weeks in February, the eyes of the world were on Torino, Italy as the XX Winter Olympics took place. Roots was centre stage, thanks to its work as the official outfitter of Team USA. At the opening ceremonies, watched on TV by an estimated two billion people, Roots received huge recognition and widespread media attention for the distinct look of the large US delegation as it entered the stadium. Each athlete wore a beautiful white leather jacket and the Roots beret (in red, white or blue).

NBC’s Today Show announced live from Torino that the Roots Team USA beret was voted the trendiest, must-have Olympic item at the Winter Games. Standing outside in downtown Torino, host Katie Couric modeled the beret as she told viewers that Roots won the Today Show’s online poll by a landslide, taking 58% of the votes. As she spoke on camera, dozens of smiling spectators behind her were also wearing the beret.

Adding to the success of Roots in Torino, Speedskater Apolo Ohno, the US athlete that Roots sponsored, became one of the main stars of the US Team after winning three medals (including a Gold). He made several media appearances dressed in Roots.

In addition to being sold at Roots stores in the US, the Olympic collection was also available for the first time at some 1,400 Target stores throughout the country.

IN BOOKS WE TRUST

The printed word has always had pride of place at Roots - in its advertising, and in-store customer communication and its support of literacy. This year, Roots also helped launch two books, both of which were also sold in stores.

In January, the flagship store on Toronto’s Bloor Street hosted an evening in honour of Xiaolan Zhao and the publishing of her book Reflections of the Moon on Water: Healing Women’s Bodies and Minds. Among the several hundred people in attendance were writers Margaret Atwood, and Michael Ondaatje and book publishers Ann Collins of Random House and Louise Dennys of Knopf Canada.

In September, the new Roots Rosedale store in Toronto was the venue for the launch of Noah Richler’s book This Is My Country, What’s Yours? The store was packed with guests, including a strong representation of Canada’s literary scene. The event was part of the Smarten Up campaign that Roots launched in conjunction with Indigo Books to promote literacy.

THE GREAT ONE JOINS TEAM ROOTS

Last winter, it was announced that hockey legend Wayne Gretzky would be working with Roots on various projects over the next four years. In this role, The Great One is serving as an official ambassador for Roots and is involved in designing clothes and various items for the company.
In late February, the first official Roots Wayne Gretzky line of jackets, sweatshirts, T-shirts and other pieces arrived in stores. A percentage of the proceeds of the sales went to the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, which provides less fortunate youth with the opportunity to experience the sport of hockey.
In June, Wayne Gretzky, his father and son, appeared together wearing Roots apparel for Father’s Day in large posters in Roots stores, in colour ads in newspapers across Canada - and, lest we forget, on the cover of The Source.
Shortly after, as part of the Roots tribute to Canada for the July 1 holiday, Wayne showed his true colours. The Great One dressed in the Roots 2006 Canada Day collection and app-eared in posters and newspaper ads celebrating Canada and Roots.

MOTOWN EVENT IN DETROIT SUPPORTS CHARITY

Roots has always been known to throw a good party, especially when it’s for a good cause. In February, leading personalities from the world of entertainment, sports, business, fashion and media took part in the Roots Motown Super Soul Revue in Detroit in support of the ‘Music Rising’ charity.

Motown superstars Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Contours and The Velvelettes topped the bill at the city’s historic landmark The Roostertail, the preeminent venue for Motown acts in the 1960s. Organized by Roots and D.O.C. Optics, the Revue was timed to take place on the eve of the Super Bowl being played the next day across town.

Hosted by Roots Co-founders Michael Budman and Don Green and D.O.C. President Richard Golden, the crowd of 500 included Robbie Robertson (Member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame); producer Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel); and Paul Allen, owner of the Seattle Seahawks (who played the next day in the Super Bowl).

In addition to supporting Music Rising, which is helping flood-ravaged New Orleans, Michael and Don and their longtime Detroit friend Richard Golden planned the evening in honour of the city and music of their youth as part of Super Bowl Weekend in Detroit.

A TOUCH OF CLASS

In reviewing the highlights of 2006 in Roots apparel for women, one of the great pieces was unquestionably the Denyse Jacket. It first appeared in stores in February and almost immediately started flying off the racks. Originally available only in a short version in black and kalamata, they later were also produced in a longer version in other colours (white, chili pepper and electric blue) due to popular demand.

Made from highly breathable 100% cotton French Terry fabric, the jackets blend functionality with fashion featuring details like zippered side pockets, a stylish funnel neck collar and an asymmetrical front zipper. With a flattering fit, these jackets are a great alternative to the traditional sweatshirt. They were designed by Roots Yoga Director Denyse Green with Senior Women’s Designer Jules Power.

SUPPORTING RETHINK

In early May, as part of its on-going support for different causes, Roots helped kick off the annual Rethink Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) campaign with a special gala at the flag-ship store in Toronto.

Fashion Television’s Jeanne Beker, the MC for the evening, paid tribute to Roots, which has supported the Rethink campaign for the past several years. More than 600 people attended the Spanish-themed event that also featured performances by Flamenco dancers and female vocalists Jodi King and Linda McLean.

The evening also launched the FTBC collection of T-shirts, tank tops and hats sold exclusively at Roots stores across Canada. Proceeds from the sale of the collection go to Rethink for research into finding a cure for breast cancer.

MAKING THE SCENE AT THE GRAMMYS

It’s easy to understand why so many people have the impression that Roots seems to pop up everywhere. In February, in yet another example, Roots made its debut at the Grammy Awards, capturing the fancy of prominent figures from the entertainment world.

As part of the 48th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Roots apparel, hats and leather bags were available in the Talent Gift Lounge where stars congregated during the three days leading up to the actual Award Ceremony. Items from the Roots Team USA Olympic collection proved especially popular with the stars.

Celebrity performers and presenters, including Grammy-winner Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey, Elvis Costello, James Taylor, Herbie Hancock, John Legend, Billie Joe Armstrong (of Green Day), Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Will.i.am, Dr. John, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Mary J. Blige, stopped by the Roots stand, many posing for photographers as they wore their new Roots.

CAMPING OUT IN STYLE

The summer is a special season in everyone’s life but it’s also the time when youth in North America fortunate enough to go to camp get to escape from the city, connect with the beauty of nature and have fun in the wilderness. The Co-Founders of Roots have always said their time at Camp Tamakwa in Ontario’s Algonquin Park had a major influence on them as they were growing up. As such, camp has been an integral part of Roots culture and this year the Roots Camp collection was one of the biggest hits of 2006.

Launched in late April, the collection was made up of sweatshirts, zip hoodies, sweat pants and shorts, T-shirts, button-up shirts, cargo shorts, and a ribbed tank top. The entire collection featured the distinct camp green colour and the signature Roots Camp logos, making the pieces easily identifiable.

In May, in a tribute to Roots Camp, one of Canada’s most influential fashion chroniclers, the Globe and Mail’s Saturday Style section, featured four colour photos of items from the collection in an article entitled “Goodbye Lululemon, Hello Baggy Pants which said: “…The new Roots Camp line is right on the money, especially with its old-school forest green. It’s schlump chic…”

IT'S IN THE BAG

The Roots Eco-Bag may not have received the same attention nor generated the same sales figures as Roots leather bags in 2006 but it was a hot item nonetheless.

Introduced in May, the eco-friendly re-usable shopping bag was a big hit with customers, especially those looking to lessen their environmental footprint. It proved so popular that the initial supply sold out and thousands more had to be ordered.

Made of 100% washable, undyed cotton canvas, the bag has a reinforced bottom to ensure durability. It was created in an effort to reduce the use of paper bags. It didn’t exactly hurt its appeal that there was a special offer whereby customers who bought the Eco-Bag received 10% off on future purchases of regularly priced merchandise.

AND THE WINNER IS...

For the second straight year, Roots was a sponsor of the Green Toronto Environmental Awards which celebrate leading companies, organizations and individuals who contribute to making the city a better place to live from an environmental perspective.

In early May, Toronto Mayor David Miller hosted a special VIP reception and ceremony at City Hall where awards were presented to the winners who also received $5,000 each to donate to the environmental organization of their choice.

Roots, which underwrote the prize in the Green Design category, was one of the original sponsors of the Green Awards when they were first launched in 2005. Don Green took part in the event, presenting the Green Design Award to the Toronto Botanical Garden.

UNITED IN VICTORY

In early June, the Roots United collection arrived in stores just ahead of the opening kick off of the World Cup soccer tournament. Made up of soccer jackets, jerseys and T-shirts, the collection was created in honour of countries playing in the FIFA World Cup, which takes place every four years. As the largest, most anticipated, most widely viewed international sport event, the World Cup and the Roots United line proved a potent combination in Canada’s multicultural cities.

The collection featured 16 teams/countries participating in the tournament, all of which had huge numbers of fervent supporters in Canada. As a result, Roots United proved a run-away success, with many models/countries selling out.

The eye-catching ad campaign for Roots United featured Haydain Neale from the Toronto-based band Jacksoul and Marissa Roberto, a Saskatoon-born dance artist of Italian descent.

RESULTS ANYTHING BUT FLAT

Of the many great successes at Roots in 2006, one stands out as the most phenomenal, and also probably the most gratifying. Made in the Roots factory in Toronto, the Roots Flats collection has far surpassed sales projections. Launched in July, the popularity of these leather bags shows no signs of subsiding. To meet the demand, the factory has had to add staff and is working at full capacity.

Each week, customers are buying literally thousands of Village Packs, Village Bags, Small and Large Venetian Bags, and Venetian Village Bags. The Flats are the biggest hit in the history of Roots leather bags, going way beyond even the success of last year’s Emily Bag.

Flat bags are the counter-trend to extra-large, bulky oversized handbags. They evolved from the need and desire of many women for hands-free accessibility while out shopping or running errands. Many women sport large work or gym totes during the day and on the weekends like a sleek flat bag such as the Village Pack, not only for style but for comfort and ease, too.

The Flats, which earned their name because they are literally flat, are extremely functional with pockets for cell phones, Blackberrys, iPods and other items.

The design is the result of a collaborative effort involving resident leather expert Karl Kowalewski, Diane Bald, Denyse Green, Susie Shiffman and overseen by Michael Budman.

The success of the Flats is the source of great satisfaction. Leather has a special place at Roots. It’s part of the soul of Roots. Original leather goods have been at the heart of the company since its inception in 1973 when Roots began by making shoes.

Today, 33 years later, judging by the formidable success of the Flats, it’s still an important part of what makes Roots…Roots.

SOUNDS LIKE ROOTS

Good vibrations reigned at Roots in 2006 for all kinds of reasons. One of them was the release in July of the CD The Roots of Reggae, part of the “Roots of…” music series of recordings launched in late 2005 with The Roots of Motown.

Produced by Michael Budman, in conjunction with Universal Music, The Roots of Reggae was inspired by his great affinity for Jamaica, the birthplace of reggae and one of the inspirations behind the creation of Roots in 1973.

The 18-track CD showcased the biggest names in reggae including Bob Marley and the Wailers, Toots and the Maytals, Third World, Peter Tosh, and Gregory Isaacs. Many of the greatest reggae anthems of all time are on this CD, such as Sun is Shining; Wonderful World, Beautiful People; The Harder They Come; You Can Get It If You Really Want and Many Rivers To Cross. The liner notes were written by Grammy Award-winning ethnomusicologist Rob Bowman.

The success of The Roots of Reggae mirrored the sales of The Roots of Motown. Next up in the series will be The Roots of Soul, in February 2007.

‘ROOTS 73’ SPREADS ACROSS CANADA

Things have never been better on the Roots outlet front. Due to the incredible success of the existing locations in Canada, five new ‘Roots 73’ outlet stores opened for business in 2006. The first of the ’06 generation was inaugurated in Thunder Bay, Ontario in July, followed in September by Brossard, Quebec where the Roots outlet is part of the new Quartier Dix30, set to be the province’s largest shopping centre when it’s fully built.

A few weeks later, Kanata (in the west end of Ottawa) became home to an impressive new 5,000 sq. ft. ‘Roots 73’ store. In November, Calgary and London, Ontario were added to the ‘Roots 73’ roster.

In addition, locations in Sarnia, ON and Halifax, NS were converted from company stores to ‘Roots 73’ outlets earlier in the year. Currently, there are 25 ‘Roots 73’ outlet stores across Canada.

BRINGING STYLE TO THE OFFICE

Unknown to most Roots customers and many staff, 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 in August became even stronger when NBC signed a deal with Roots for a special line of merchandise for the hit series The Office. Based on the original British series of the same name, NBC’s version of The Office is now in its second season.

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 made mostly 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.

NOTHING LIKE A GREAT SWEAT

For nearly a quarter century, Roots has been a leader in the field of fleece. As Product Development Coordinator Syd Beder put it so aptly in the summer: “Fleece is to Roots like denim is to Levis.” But Roots knows better than to rest on its laurels and this year focused on taking its sweats to a new level of quality.

To that end, the design teams for both men and women created the most advanced collection ever. On the style side, they re-examined the making of sweats and observed customer preferences. In the process, they’ve created a softer-feeling product and introduced value-added features to the fall styles never before seen at Roots.

With each detail given close scrutiny, it was the most well thought-out collection and offered customers more depth and greater selection (including new fashion colours) than in previous years. Emphasizing the back-to-school style, the fall sweats came with some characteristic collegiate branding with campus-inspired appliqués and print details giving the collection an athletic feel.

The innovations and the ad campaign supporting the collection came at a time when sweats in general are enjoying a renaissance of sorts.

AIDING THE AIDS FIGHT

In keeping with its time-honoured involvement in community-related projects and social causes, Roots supported a major international AIDS conference in Toronto in August. As the official outfitter and sponsor of the XVI International AIDS Conference, Roots subsidized the cost of merchandise provided to the organizers of the massive event.

The five-day gathering attracted some 25,000 participants from around the world including scientists, doctors, educators and policy makers, community leaders and people living with HIV/AIDS.

In supporting the conference, Roots supplied specially designed T-shirts for volunteer staff and for the AIDS 2006 Youth Program in addition to creating conference souvenir T-shirts and souvenir caps for sale at various locations in Toronto to raise funds for AIDS-related work. Roots also donated yoga mats for use by delegates at yoga classes and returned a percentage of sales of T-shirts sold in Roots stores to the Toronto organizing committee.

WEST MEETS EAST

In a reflection of its increasing global presence, Roots launched the first phase of a major expansion of its presence in Asia. In November, Don Green and Michael Budman traveled to Hong Kong to take part in the official inauguration of two new stores.

Working in partnership with the Hong Kong-based Li & Fung Trading Ltd, Roots is also preparing to open stores in China and other countries in Southeast Asia. The plans call for dozens of new stores in the next two to three years.

During their trip, Michael and Don also went to Taiwan to participate in the re-launch of the flagship store in Taipei. Roots already has 20 stores in Taiwan, operated by Li & Fung.

A NEW CONCEPT STORE OPENS

In August, true to its heritage, Roots added a creative new dimension to its extensive retail presence when it opened Toronto’s first environmentally friendly store which combines fashion, home design and yogawear. Located just up the street from where Roots began in 1973, ‘Roots Rosedale’ opened on the 33rd anniversary of the inauguration of the first store.

Designed by architect Diane Bald, Founder and Creative Director of Roots Home Design, who worked closely with Pauline Landriault, Director of Visual Planning and Store Development, Roots Rosedale is filled with products for the eco-conscious, active consumer from organic cotton apparel to vegetable tanned leather goods and linens made from bamboo fibers.

The new store takes the core values of Roots - personal well-being, a healthy lifestyle, aesthetics and respect for the environment and the community - and translates them into a lively, engaging and socially responsible retail space.

In addition to the products on sale, Roots Rosedale was built in a way that’s easy on the environment due to all the eco-friendly building materials used in its construction.

ROOTS YOGA REACHES NEW HEIGHTS

In September, Roots Rosedale in Toronto added an important component with the opening of the Roots Yoga Studio situated upstairs on the third floor.

Conceived and managed by Denyse Green, a seasoned teacher, the studio offers instruction in six main types of yoga for yogis of all levels. Each week, there are 25 classes taught by 11 teachers, all of whom are experienced and certified from various renowned yoga schools. The spacious setting is beautifully designed with lots of natural light and excellent facilities.

In addition to being the Director of the Roots Yoga Studio, Denyse directs the highly popular Roots Yoga line of apparel that she created in 2001.

IN FOCUS AT THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Ever since being an original sponsor of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) when it began in 1976, Roots has been one of its most passionate supporters. This year, Roots took on a more leading role through its involvement in several TIFF-related initiatives in addition to creating official TIFF merchandise.

For 10 days in September, the Roots flagship store on Bloor Street was a central focal point and meeting spot for festivalgoers. Coordinated by Roots PR Director Raymond Perkins, one section of the store’s second floor was converted into a set/studio for AOL Moviefone’s Unscripted online interview show, another part was used for CTV’s eTalk entertainment program, a lounge was created to host visiting actors, directors, producers and journalists, while the walls of the store were used to exhibit 85 large celebrity portraits by Toronto-based photographer George Pimentel.

In addition, Roots helped organize and sponsor the star-studded lunch for Hollywood columnist George Christy at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Roots was also present at two TIFF-related events. For the official launch party of the Canadian edition of Hello! magazine, Roots provided 100 large Venitian Bags as gifts for VIP guests that included several Hollywood stars. The next day, the Canadian Film Centre had a BBQ for nearly 1,000 festival guests, hosted by film director Norman Jewison. Roots donated a large Banff Bag for the raffle and provided 700 leather key fobs for gift bags for special guests.

RISING TO THE OCCASION - MVPs OF THE MONTH

You can call them members of the Roots A-team, our all-star squad. Over the past year, the 10 men and women seen here were selected as Roots MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the Month.

Collectively, they span various departments of the company and live in different parts of North America. All are highly devoted, talented and hard-working individuals who merit special recognition. All reflect the winning attitude that makes Roots what it is. All were the focus of a separate full-length article sent to all employees, displayed at the Head Office and featured on the Roots website for everyone to see.

Here are the Roots MVPs for 2006 (listed in the order in which they were selected during the year): Maria Chee (Sourcing Manager in the Women’s Clothing and Accessories Department, Head Office, Toronto); Steve Cummings (Store Manager, Park City, Utah); David Young (Senior Designer, Special Projects, Head Office, Toronto); Jarar Kazmi, (Director of Purchasing and Flow, Head Office, Toronto); Lea Weir (Store Manager, Victoria, BC); Andrew Ligama (Assistant Store Manager, Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto); Anna DiNella (Retail Accounting Supervisor, Head Office, Toronto); Julie O’Neill (Merchandise Manager in the Women’s Department Head Office, Toronto); Aran Pamplona (Store Manager Centreville, Montreal); Ziggy Pisch (Head of Transportation Department, Distribution Centre, Toronto).

WEBSITE UNDERGOES MAJOR REVAMP

In November, the Roots website unveiled an impressive new look. The homepage featured a beautiful winter image of the Roots lodge in Algonquin Park under two feet of snow. The next page on the site’s Canadian section showed another pastoral photo for the season along with an eco-friendly tip, in keeping with the Roots longtime commitment to the environment.

Coordinated by James Connell, Director, E-Commerce, Digital Marketing and New Media, the redesign process began last spring with the development of the Roots Canadian online store. Prior to this, roots.com sold products only in the US while Canadian customers were channeled to sears.ca with which Roots had a special agreement to sell products in Canada.

The overhaul of the Roots website is a work in progress that will be completed during the winter. As part of the redesign, many new features are being added such as a revamped section for the Business-to-Business Department, and a special ‘Get Connected’ section where customers can locate Roots stores with up-to-date details and pictures of the store. Customers can also sign-up to receive store-specific emails for updates on new styles as soon as they hit their neighbouring Roots locations. There will also be links to the separate websites for Roots Home (for home products) and Roots Yoga (yoga apparel, accessories and details on classes at the Roots Yoga Studio).

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION... ROOTS

Hollywood just can’t seem to get enough Roots. Over the past year, producers ordered custom designed products from Roots for no less than 12 different movies. In most cases, the items, ranging from leather goods to apparel, were used as gifts for cast, crew and the media.
The clients included most of the major Hollywood studios such as Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, and Sony/Columbia Pictures. The movies for which the products were made include The Devil Wears Prada, Snakes on a Plane, Spiderman 3, and Mimzy.

In addition, Roots made custom designed products for various made-for-TV movies and other productions for HBO, NBC Universal and Warner Brothers. Special credit goes to Los Angeles-based Sales Representative Wendy Goodman and Mary Jane Saliba, Senior Product Coordinator in the Business-to-Business Department at the Head Office in Toronto, who oversaw the execution of these often time-sensitive orders.

GIFT GIVING MADE EASY

For the first time in several years, Roots produced a full-fledged gift catalogue for the end-of-year holiday period. Published in November and distributed in stores, as an insert to newspapers and delivered by Canada Post to select home addresses, the 44-page guide was well received. It featured a wealth of ideas for gifts for even the hardest to please on anyone’s gift giving list.

Designed by David Chang of Visual Communication, the easy to use catalogue showcased a select-ion of the best of Roots apparel, accessories and leather goods for the season. It was printed on recycled paper and a separate edition was published in French for distribution in Quebec. An online version was created for convenient viewing and for use on roots.com.

ON TOUR WITH ROOTS

Throughout the year, no sooner did the Business-to-Business Department complete one order for a concert tour of a major name in the music world than another would follow. And when we say major, we’re not exaggerating.

In 2006, Roots produced specially designed goods for the tours of Madonna; U2; The Rolling Stones; The Eagles; The Who; Steely Dan; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; Barbra Streisand; Roger Waters, and the Dixie Chicks.

In most cases, each order consisted of hundreds of units. Products, all of which were made at the Roots leather goods factory in Toronto, ranged from leather CD holders, to luggage tags and large notebook Banff Bags. The performers used them as gifts for band members, their road crew and as VIP giveaways. David Jackson, Product Coordinator in the B2B Department, played a key role in translating the above orders into reality, often with little advance notice.

DOING THE RIGHT THING

Roots employees are an impressive bunch. When not at work, many of them are busy serving their communities. Throughout 2006, The Source regularly published articles about the various initiatives of Roots staff determined to help with a good cause. Across the country, you’ll find Roots employees raising funds to fight deadly diseases, taking action to protect the environment, organizing food-drives, or initiating campaigns in support of the under-privileged.

Currently, during the holiday season, almost every Roots store is involved in a charitable action to mark the holiday season. It’s not an easy task. Roots staff involved in their communities deserve a lot of credit and that’s why this issue of The Source is dedicated to them. Fortunately, Roots staff are usually not alone in their charitable actions. Invariably, their co-workers join their initiative or make donations, and whenever possible, Roots offers its support. It’s called the Roots spirit.

As Anne Theriault, who works in a store in Halifax said after her team members joined her in a local AIDS walk: “I was not walking alone, I was walking for something that Roots also cared for deeply. And there is no better support that a person could ask for than having the company you work for stand behind something you care about strongly.”