MySTORE and Shopify Team up to get Canadian Businesses Online

TORONTO, Sept. 11, 2013 /CNW/ - MySTORE, the Independent Division of Retail Council of Canada (RCC) today launched a new partnership with Shopify, the creators of a sophisticated user-friendly platform that allows all retailers, regardless of size, to easily build exciting on-line stores in an affordable and technologically friendly way.  RCC's membership of more than 45,000 store fronts across Canada will now have access to Shopify's selection of beautiful on-line store designs that are completely customizable and come with all the bells and whistles.

"We're thrilled to be working with Shopify," said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. "As part of MySTORE, RCC's independent retail division, we're excited to be providing smaller retailers access to the affordable yet robust tools they need to not only compete - but to create a big impact in the marketplace."

In today's omnichannel retail environment, retailers must offer the shopping of experience of their customer's choice - whether it be in store, on-line or mobile.  "Shopify provides a solution for retailers to meet the changing buying behaviours of their customers," says Brisebois.

"There has been a lot of discussion recently about how Canadian retailers are not nearly as advanced in today's digital economy as compared with their US counterparts. Which is why as of today, I am proud to announce that Shopify and Retail Council of Canada will be partnering to act as catalysts in taking the necessary steps to reverse this trend and push our homegrown businesses online to become more competitive. Our goal is to help every Canadian retailer create an incredible online business," said Harley Finkelstein, Chief Platform Officer, Shopify.

Some of the advantages for RCC members working with Shopify:

• Preferred and exclusive discounts on e-commerce packages;
• Access to the Shopify team of experts to provide support and guidance as they establish their online presence;
• A wide selection of professional and customizable templates to represent each unique business;
• A simple user interface; and,
• Tools to track and analyze business results.

In addition, MySTORE will join Shopify to host free training sessions held across Canada, where business owners can learn to create, launch and run their online stores all in a two hour window. The first of many to be held at the Shopify Ottawa offices on September 19^th

About MySTORE
MySTORE, the independent division of Retail Council of Canada supports a vibrant community of independent retailers of all formats across Canada. Our passion is retail, our strength is our members, partners and staff and our promise is to be the independent Voice of Retail in Canada. The MySTORE team is committed to advancing, promoting and protecting the interests of independent retailers in Canada through federal and provincial advocacy, valuable member benefits and services, training and development resources, and networking opportunities.

About Retail Council of Canada
Retail Council of Canada (RCC) has been the Voice of Retail in Canada since 1963. We speak for an industry that touches the daily lives of Canadians in every corner of the country - by providing jobs, career opportunities, and by investing in the communities we serve. RCC is a not-for-profit, industry-funded association representing more than 45,000 store fronts of all retail formats across Canada, including department, specialty, discount, and independent stores, and online merchants. RCC is a strong advocate for retailing in Canada and works with all levels of government and other stakeholders to support employment growth and career opportunities in retail, to promote and sustain retail investments in communities from coast-to-coast, and to enhance consumer choice and industry competitiveness. RCC also provides its members with a full range of services and programs including education and training, benchmarking and best practices, networking, advocacy, and industry information.

About Shopify
Shopify is a commerce platform that allows anyone to easily sell online, at their retail location, and everywhere in between. Shopify offers a professional online storefront, a payment solution to accept credit cards, and the Shopify POS application to power retail sales. Shopify currently powers over 60,000 retailers in 100 different countries, including: Tesla Motors, Gatorade, Forbes, Amnesty International, Encyclopedia Britannica, CrossFit, and many more. Shopify was founded in 2006 and has received $22 million in Series A and B funding from Bessemer Venture Partners, FirstMark Capital, Felicis Ventures, and Georgian Partners. http://www.shopify.com.

SOURCE: Retail Council of Canada

Sharon Armstrong
Senior Vice-President, Marketing & Communications
[email protected]
416-574-2552