September 1, 2006

1Issue 54 - September 1, 2006 The Source

A week in the world of Roots Issue 54 – September 1, 2006

Leather stitcher Elizabeth Mawyin,who this week celebrated her 31st anniversary

working at the Roots factory, is one of the peoplebehind the incredible success of ‘The Flats’

BEHIND THE SUCCESSRoots factory in Toronto delivers the goods as ‘The Flats’ become

the biggest hit in the company’s history of leather bagsRoots factory in Toronto delivers the goods as ‘The Flats’ become

the biggest hit in the company’s history of leather bags

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The Source wants to hear from you.Please send your letters to RobertSarner at [email protected]. Lettersmay be edited for length and clarity.

SPECIAL DELIVERYSPECIAL DELIVERYSPECIAL DELIVERYSPECIAL DELIVERYSPECIAL DELIVERYA selection of recent letters from the world of Roots

I N S I D EI N S I D EI N S I D EI N S I D EI N S I D EI S S U E 54I S S U E 54I S S U E 54I S S U E 54I S S U E 54

PublishersMichael Budman, Don Green

EditorRobert Sarner

Editorial AssistantPaulomi Patel

The Source is published every week byRoots Canada Ltd. We welcome lettersfrom readers for publication. Pleaseaddress all correspondence to TheSource, Letters to the Editor, RootsCanada, 1400 Castlefield Ave., Toronto,Ontario, M6B 4CR or by email [email protected] Letters may be editedfor length and clarity.

Each issue of The Source is alsoavailable, in an abridged version, on theRoots website at www.roots.com

DepartmentsFRESH INK

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

GUESS WHO JUST DROPPED IN

SPREADING THE WORD

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

MOMENTS THAT MATTER

GREEN TIPS

HEALTH TIPS

STAYING POWER

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LOOKING GOODJust received Issue 52 of TheSource with the cover story onthe new concept Roots store inToronto that opened recently onYonge Street. Based on what Isaw in The Source, I can’t waitto visit it myself. The store looksamazing with such a beautifulpresentation of the products. I must admit I’m very jealous.I can only hope that when theplanned renovation of our storetakes place in the coming yearthat we will look half as good asRoots Rosedale and that will bespectacular.Erick HillerStore Manager, Belleville, ON

THANKS FOR HELPINGOn behalf of the organizers ofthe recent XVI InternationalAIDS Conference in Toronto, wewant to express our sincere ap-preciation to Roots for its tre-mendous support of the event.

The wealth of positive com-ments we received indicate theConference was a great successand its impact will be felt for along time to come. The GlobalVillage (including the YouthPavilion), the Engagement Toursand the Lounge for People Liv-ing with HIV received glowingreviews. They provided an ex-cellent platform to showcase theability of community to worktogether and build solidarityamong community organiza-tions. Further examples includethe well-attended Cultural Ac-tivities Program, Viral Culture,

the community dinners at The519, and the AIDS 2006 Interna-tional AIDS Vigil at Yonge-Dundas Square.

Praise has also been receivedfrom the international commu-nity of clinicians, researchers,health professionals and otherhealth workers, activists andpolitical leaders, for the numberof highly interactive sessionsthat allowed for the free andfrank exchange of ideas and les-sons learned. We saw renewedoptimism around new classes ofdrugs and prevention technolo-gies.

We could not have achievedour goals without the help of ourmany donors, especially the gen-erous support of Roots. Togetherwe can all share immense prideat having achieved a successfulmeeting, one whose impact willmake a difference to our work.On behalf of the AIDS 2006Toronto Local Host and our col-leagues at the InternationalAIDS Society, please accept ourheartfelt gratitude for the sup-port of Roots for this Confer-ence in the global fight againstAIDS.Darryl Perry, Ron RosenesAIDS 2006 Toronto

ALL IN THE ROOTS FAMILYI just returned from a vacationthat unfortunately was cut short.In early July, I traveled to Leba-non and was scheduled to flyback to Canada on July 30. Aweek after I arrived, the warbetween Hezbollah and Israel

broke out. During the fighting,the Beirut airport was bombedand shut down along with mostland routes out of the country.

As a result, me, my family,and thousands of others weretrapped in Lebanon with no wayof escaping the horrific war. Atthe same time, staff at the Rootsstore where I work in Windsor(Ontario) were calling my par-ents to make sure I was okay.

My manager, ChristineCrowe, would call my parentsevery day for the latest on whereI was and how I was doing. Shewould then post the update onthe back-room bulletin board tokeep the rest of the store in-formed. Christine also offeredmy family whatever help she orRoots could offer.

When I finally arrived backto Canada in early August andheard how Roots had reacted, Ifelt honoured and proud to be aRoots employee. I was thou-sands of miles away and Rootsdid not think of me as just an-other employee but as a familymember who they cared for andwere worried about. This is afeeling not every part-time salesassociate in other businesses hasthe chance to feel. At Rootsyou’re not another worker, youare family and family alwayscomes first.Serein MakkawiWindsor, ON

MEETING THE DEMANDAn inside look at the makingof the Flat bag phenomenon

THE PEOPLE BEHINDROOTSElizabeth Mawyin celebratesher 31st anniversary at theleather factory

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINSA guide to Toronto FilmFestival events Roots isparticipating in

DOING THE RIGHT THINGThe latest example of Rootspeople helping others

NO MYSTERY BEHINDTOP MARKSRoots store in Nova Scotiascores high in “mystery shop-ping” program

BAD GUYS BEWAREWest Coast store gains morecrime awareness knowledge

GREAT MOMENTSIN RETAILSpotlighting the top-perform-ing stores in August

HITTING THE RIGHT NOTERoots seals Banff Bag deal


MEETING THE DEMANDTo keep up with the sales of The Flats - the biggest hit in the history of Roots

leather bags - the factory in Toronto is showing its real colours

By now, the success of theRoots Flats collection isno secret. Indeed, we

already reported on it severalweeks back in The Source (seeIssue 51). What is new is thatthe popularity of the bags con-tinues to soar, reaching newheights.

Each week, thou-sands of VillagePacks, Village Bags,Small and LargeVenetian Bags, andVenetian VillageBags are flying offthe shelves at Rootsstores with theleather factory inToronto having to work at fullcapacity to meet the demand.The Flats have now becomethe biggest hit in the history ofRoots leather bags, surpassingeven the success of last year’s

Emily Bag.“With every trend there is a

counter-trend,” says JenniferTaylor Weeks, MerchandisePlanning Manager for Leather.“Flat bags are the counter-trendto the extra-large, bulky over-sized handbag trend. Flat bags

evolved from the needand desire of manywomen for hands-freeaccessibility while outshopping or runningerrands. Many womensport large work orgym totes during theday and on the week-ends step out with asleek flat bag such as

the Village Pack, not only forstyle but for comfort and ease,too.”

Flat bags earned their namebecause they are literally flat.

Continued on next page

Venetian Bag

Henry and Karl Kowalewski are justly famous for playing a seminalrole in the Roots leather program (including running the factory)since the company began in 1973.

The Roots state-of-the-art leather factory on Toronto’sCaledonia Road is an intrinsic part of the Roots identity.

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THE PEOPLE

It takes skilled craftsmenlike Elizabeth Mawyin tomake Roots bags so good

The woman on the front cover of this issue of The Source

was photographed at the Rootsleather factory in Toronto whilemaking the Village Pack.Elizabeth Mawyin reflects thequality of people who make

Roots genuine leather goods. She is a gifted leather worker whohas further developed her skills since she joined Roots shortlyafter moving to Canada from South America.

This week, she celebrated her 31st anniversary working atthe Roots factory. When she began in 1975 and Roots wasbarely two years old, her first job was to make the negative heelshoes that first established Roots. Thanks to people likeElizabeth who has kept up with the evolution of Roots leatherproducts, the factory is such a productive force. Over the years,Elizabeth has made shoes, bags and jackets. Today, she’s partof the team making only Flat bags due to the incredible demand.

“I enjoy working at Roots,” says Elizabeth, 55, who grew upin Ecuador. “I’ve learned so much since I’ve been here. It’salways interesting to see the development and success of newRoots products.”

Within the construction, thereare no gussets (meaning thefront panel and back panelsare sewn directly togetherwithout any leather sewn inbetween). All styles are alsodesigned to be worn slungover the body; no hands areneeded to carry these styles;and they all lay flat against thebody.

The design is the result of acollaborative effort involvingresident leatherexpert KarlKowalewski,Roots Co-FounderMichael Budman,his wife DianeBald, and Denyse Green, wifeof Co-Founder Don Green.Each brings something differ-ent to the table. Together theyare a formidable team.

Like with all successfulproducts, there’s a lot morethan meets the eye when yousee a Flat bag. Many factorshave contributed to their suc-cess. Fine design is vital, yetnot enough. Something maylook great but if it’s not madewell, forget it. In creating newproducts, Roots has alwaysunderstood that, and it’s mostevident with the Flats.

Many people are amazedwhen they learn that in 2006,when so much is made off-

shore, leather bags of suchquality and reasonable priceare still being made in Toronto.The handmade craftsmanshipfor which Roots has long beenknown is essential to the Flats’success. Details matter atRoots and it shows -- in thehigh quality thread used fortopstitching, the thread colour,the hardware size and colour,and the lining, to say nothingof the texture and tone ofleathers used. These are all

aspects that makethe quality ofRoots bags.

The success ofthe Flats is the cul-mination of a proc-

ess that began many monthsbefore. Last spring, KarlKowalewski traveled to Italyto source and select the bestleathers to be used for theFlats. He then designed anddeveloped a paper pattern forthe first prototype of the bagsbefore making a few samplesand testing them at the retaillevel. Based on feedback andinput from customers and staff,Karl and his team made thenecessary changes and correc-tions.

After that, it was time totool up with cutting dies forproduction. Next, Karl and hisbrother, Henry Kowalewski,who is equally essential to the

production of Roots leathergoods, trained the group in thefactory that they selected tomake the Flats.

Once production isunderway, Karl and Henryhave to constantly monitorwhat’s being produced to en-sure the necessary quality andto make any needed improve-

ments during production.Lastly, as they always do, Karland Henry inspect the finishedproduct before packing andshipping it to the nearby Distri-bution Centre for delivery tostores.

“The flats have becomesuch a hit because they arepractical and easy to wear,”says Karl. “The zip pocketsand flat compartments allowyou to store the new high-techdevices. The shoulder strapsare wide, comfortable and al-low for hands-free movement.Given that the Flats work sowell for women, I see no rea-son why there can’t be a flatbag for men.”

Leather has pride of placeat Roots. The two are insepara-ble. Leather is part of the souland DNA of Roots. Originalleather goods have been at theheart of the company since itsinception in 1973 when Rootsbegan by making negative heelshoes.

Leather is what first putRoots on the map. Today, 33years later, judging by the phe-nomenal success of the Flats,it’s still an important part ofwhat makes Roots…Roots.

The details matter: Ensuring quality and great style while stitching a Flat Bag.

Village Pack

Continued from previous page

BEHIND ROOTS

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The latest in our series on Roots people helping others

Next weekend, while To-ronto will be abuzz withcountless movie screen-

ings, show biz parties andother special events connectedto the 31st Toronto Interna-tional Film Festival, severalthousand people will be in-volved in something different:The Weekend to End BreastCancer.

Among those taking to thestreets as part of this initiativewill be Deeva Green, daughterof Roots Co-Founder DonGreen. Starting on Fridayevening (Sept. 8), participants

will walk 60 kilometers acrossthe city before the event endson Sunday. Net proceeds willsupport breast cancer research,treatment, and related services.

“One of the main reasons Idecided to do the walk thisyear is because the mother of aclose friend of mine passedaway this spring from breastcancer, leaving her three chil-dren and husband,” saysDeeva, 17. “It really hit homewhy we must do everythingpossible to find a cure for thisdisease that affects so manywomen.”

Deeva, who also lost hergrandmother to breast cancer,agreed to raise at least $2,000but she has set her personalgoal at $3,000. To that end, shehas sent out letters and email toscores of people soliciting do-nations for the cause. So far,she’s been quite touched by thesupport she’s received and iscontinuing her fundraising ef-forts up until she begins thewalk.

“I think this walk is a fan-tastic way to bring togetherboth women and men fromacross the province in a chal-lenge that will be both physi-cally and mentally rewarding,”says Deeva, who has been do-ing a lot of walking and hikingduring the summer to train forthe walk.

According to the NationalCancer Institute of Canada,approximately 20,500 Cana-dian women will be diagnosedwith breast cancer this year,and about 5,500 will die fromthe disease.• Those wishing to make a donationto Deeva’s efforts should go to herpersonal fundraising page at:<http://www.endcancer.ca/site/TR?px=1283116&pg=personal&fr_id=1120>

DOING THE RIGHT THING

Not only are Roots bagscurrently a huge hit atthe stores (see cover

story), but they are provingincreasingly popular in the en-tertainment industry. Thisweek, following the customorders for Roots bags in recentmonths for the tours of U2;The Rolling Stones; The Ea-gles; Crosby, Stills, Nash and

Roots seals Banff Bag deal with rock band Steely DanHITTING THE RIGHT NOTE

its core members WalterBecker and Donald Fagen.

Roots shipped 45 BanffBags to St. Louis, Missouri,the final stop on the band’stour. The bags will be used asgifts for band members and thecrew. Coordinated by CelsoAfonseca of the Business-to-Business Department, theleather bags were made in theRoots leather factory in To-ronto and come with the SteelyDan symbol and the Rootslogo.

• Current until Sept. 21- On-going ad campaign using‘outdoor transit’ featuring the‘Roots Anatomy of a GreatSweat’ theme. In Toronto, theads will appear on the subway,on streetcars, buses and busshelters. In Montreal, Calgary,Edmonton and Vancouver, theads will be featured on busshelters.• Thurs., Aug. 31 - Now(Toronto) magazine. Full-pagecolour ad featuring RootsVenetian Bag, also mentioningRoots as a sponsor of theToronto International FilmFestival and highlighting newRoots Rosedale store.• Sat., Sept. 2 - Globe and Mail.Half-page horizontal ad in Stylesection featuring RootsVenetian Village Bag (red) invegetable-tanned leather.• Sat., Sept. 2 - National Post.Full-page colour ad on backcover of Toronto sectionfeaturing Roots Venetian VillageBag (red) in vegetable-tannedleather.• Thurs., Sept. 7 - Hellomagazine. Full-page colour adfeaturing Roots Venetian VillageBag (red) in vegetable-tannedleather.• Thurs., Sept. 7 - Eye Weekly(Toronto). Full-page colour adon back cover featuring currentRoots products.• Thurs., Sept. 7 - Now(Toronto) magazine. Full-pagecolour ad featuring currentRoots products.• Sat., Sept. 9 - National Post.Full-page colour ad on backcover of Toronto supplement forcurrent Roots products.

Young, Roots provided leatherbags to Steely Dan and theirorganization.

The order was timed tomark the end of the band’shighly successful concert tourthat began two months ago.Formed in the early 1970s,Steely Dan is known for itsdistinctive blend of jazz, rock,R& B and pop, produced by

Guide to new ads appearingthis week and next

SPREADINGTHE WORD

Donald Fagen Walter Becker of Steely Don

Deeva Green during an Arctic expedition this summer.


CCCCCelebrities have long made a point of shopping at Roots. Here are the latest sightingsof prominent figures from the world of entertainment and sports who visited Roots

stores recently:

THE HOT LIST

1. Men’s Elk Island Polo2. Women’s Printed Thermal Kanga T-shirt3. Men’s Cooper Zip Polo4. Men’s Basic Cooper Pant5. Women’s Stadium Fleece Hoody6. Women’s Natural Graphic Tee7. Women’s Classic Fleece Kanga Hoody8. Women’s Stadium Sweatpant9. Baby’s Warm Up Hoody10. Baby’s Yaz Colour Block T-shirt11. Baby’s Smoothie12. Roots Bottled Water 355 ml13. GA Backpack14. Roots Eco-Bag15. Havaiana Flip Flops16. GA Kids Backpack17. Crocs Beach Clogs18. Village Pack Tribe Leather Bag19. Village Bag Prince Leather Bag20. Large Venetian Prince Leather Bag

Based on the latest sales figures from allRoots stores in Canada and the US, hereare the 20 top-selling products:

A fast look at what’s flying off theshelves at Roots stores

This month, many Roots employeesmarked major anniversaries of their

time at the company. By ‘major’, we meanbenchmark achievements as in 5, 10, 15,20, 25, and 30 years spent at Roots. Weinvite anyone celebrating such an anniver-sary at Roots to send the relevant informa-tion to The Source.

Congratulations to the following em-ployees in the Leather Factory and theDistribution Centre for their huge contri-bution and enduring loyalty to Roots:(Listed according to seniority at Roots)

Virginia Ferreira, Stitcher, LeatherFactory, 10 years

Kevin Smith, Floater, Leather Factory,5 years

Omadai Tahal, Picker Packer, Distri-bution Centre, 5 years

Aifen Yan, Administration, Distribu-tion Centre, 5 years

Saluting those who go the distanceSTAYING POWER

THE NUMBERS

Taking attendance of special guests at Roots storesGUESS WHO JUST DROPPED IN…

· Toronto (100 Bloor Street) – Dan Aykroyd, Canadiancomedian and actor, and a good friend of Roots, visitedthe store. Among others in the store this week were Ameri-can actor James Marsden, who is in town for the shootingof Hairspray and John Oates of the musical duo Hall andOates who performed at the Hummingbird Centre.· Robson (Vancouver, BC) – David Duchovny, GoldenGlobe Award-winning American television and filmactor most famous for playing the character of FBIagent Fox Mulder on The X-Files TV series, shopped atthe Roots store.

Dan Aykroyd, James Marsden and John Oates (above); David Duchovny (below)

With less than a weekto go before thisyear’s Toronto Inter-

national Film Festival opens,Roots is readying its partici-pation in the 10-day film ex-travaganza, including at thefollowing events:

• Sept. 9: Aspart of itsannual tradi-tion, Roots ishelping or-ganize thestar-studdedSaturday af-

ternoon lunchfor entertainment columnistGeorge Christy at the FourSeasons Hotel, a staple of thefestival for the past 20 years.Roots will provide 100 Vil-lage Pack leather bags forguests at the event.• Sept. 9: Hello! magazinewill be having an officiallaunch party for its new

weekly Canadian edition.As the official supplier,Roots will provide 100large Venetian Bags asgifts for the VIP guestsincluding Hollywoodstars. Custom-made at theRoots leather factory, thebags are specially de-signed in red, the officialcolour of Hello! andcome with embossedlogos of the magazine

and Roots.• Sept. 10:The CanadianFilm Centrewill be havinga BBQ fornearly 1,000festivalguests, hostedbycelebratedfilm director

Norman Jewison. Rootswill donate a Banff Bag

to be used as a raffle dur-ing the event and provide700 key fobs for gift bagsfor spe-cialguests.• Sept.7 - 16:Rootswillsupplysome300 leather key fobs to begiven to festival guests atthe Queer Lounge, hostedby the alternative Torontonewspaper Eye Weekly.

Roots to be highly present at Toronto Film FestivalTHE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

George Christy

0In the development of thejust-launched Roots fra-grance Roots Spirit Man, notone animal was used in thetesting of the product. Inkeeping with Roots core values which include respectingnature, the environment andwildlife, the specialists pre-

paring the ingredients of Roots Spirit Manand researching its safety and aroma didnot utilize any animals in their tests.

Norman Jewison


Roots stores have long been knownfor their excellent customer serviceand inviting store environments.

Recently, this reputation has been furtherenhanced as several locations have re-ceived official recognition in independentprograms that grade retail businesses. The latest to win approval from a third-party source is the Roots store inDartmouth, Nova Scotia which just cap-tured top scores in the Mic Mac Mall“mystery-shopping” program. As part ofthis initiative, mystery shoppers visit vari-ous stores incognito to assess their stand-ards and provide independent evaluationsof customer service and store appearance. Earlier in the summer, as part of theirresearch, an undercover shopper cameinto the store and was attended to by As-sistant Manager Sabrina Hoskins whohad no idea that this was no ordinary cus-tomer. Sabrina’s top-notch manner andprofessionalism obviously made a strongimpression.

It earned the Roots store an 85-plusscore from the mystery shopper who com-mented: “Sabrina was very pleasant, wellgroomed and polite. She was walkingaround the store constantly, tidying upmerchandise, watching for customers toenter, and giving me eye contact now andagain to see if I needed her assistance. Shewas assertive but not pushy, courteous andfriendly.”

Sabrina, who joined the Roots team atthe Mic Mac Mall a year ago, says, “Thiswould not have been possible without theteam effort of the entire store staff and thegreat training that I received at Roots. Ilove working here and Roots is a greatcompany to work for.”

The mystery shopper also describedher shopping experience as very good,adding, “The store was extremely clean,not a thing out of place, uncluttered andorganized, very tastefully done.” There’s no mystery behind how Rootsstores earn such praise.

Congratulations are in order to the following people onthe occasion of…

• Joel Cottingham, Keyholder, Robson Kids, Vancouver,BC, married his fiancée Amy.• Tina Fraser, Keyholder, Fredericton, NB, will be mar-ried to fiancé Jordan Tretheweynext week.• Lindsay Russell, Store Man-ager, St. Catherines, ON, re-cently gave birth to a baby girl

named Clover Elizabeth Russell.- Please send us details of similar good news and we’ll be happy topublish it in The Source (email: [email protected])

MOMENTS THAT MATTERBig developments in the life of Roots staff (in alphabetical order)

New appointments and promotionsat Roots (in alphabetical order)

ON THE MOVE

• Sarah Cacilhas, pro-moted to Keyholder,Robson Kids, Vancouver,• Terry Crosby, promotedto Assistant Store Manager,Station Mall, Sault Ste.Marie, ON

• Jayne Panttila, promoted to Keyholder,Station Mall, Sault Ste. Marie, ON• Lauren Price, appointed Assistant StoreManager, Square One, Mississauga, ON

Join the team at our impressivenew Roots store in theWest Edmonton Mall

The Roots West Edmonton Mall locationis looking for great Full-Time SalesAssociates, 3rd Keys and AssistantManagers to work at this store for aminimum of two weeks starting next

week. This could lead to biggeropportunities such as a 1-year contract.

If you are interested, please contactRosemary Eisenhut @ 416-856-8621 or

Samara Snyder @ 780-710-0367without delay!

Flight, accommodations and foodallowance will be included. Details will

be communicated directly.Come spread your wings with Roots

Store in Nova Scotia comes up big in test of retail businessesNO MYSTERY BEHIND TOP MARKS

Linday Harding, Sabrina Hoskins, Elizabeth Whitman and Holly Nelson

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

FRESH INKA selection of recent media coverageToronto Star, Aug. 31. Roots turtlenecksweater dress featured in Fashion Sec-tion spread on knit sweater dresses.Life & Style magazine, Aug. In article onmodel Christie Brinkley, she is photo-graphed wearing several Roots “StopGlobal Warming” bracelets.The Westender, Aug. 31. Vancouver’sweekly fashion/lifestyle paper featuredthe Roots men’s Milano Bag prominentlyin its most recent issue. See below.


GREEN TIP #20The latest in our seriesof easy ways to help theenvironment

To bag ornot to bag:Next timeyou gogroceryshopping,think twicebefore

getting your purchases bagged.Did you know it takes one 15-to 20-year-old tree to makeenough paper for only 700grocery bags? Bring cloth bagswhen you shop (such as theRoots Eco-Bag), and if youforget, put your purchases in asfew bags as possible.

Paper or plastic? Plasticbags are more convenient thanpaper but they’re notbiodegradable. Plastic bagsoften wind up in the ocean andkill marine animals that gettangled up in them or swallowthem. Paper bags arebiodegradable but are oftenmade from virgin paperbecause, manufacturers say,heavy loads require the longfibers in virgin pulp. Provided by Zerofootprint, aninnovative Toronto-based organizationthat helps companies and organizationsreduce their environmental impact.See www.zerofootprint. net.

HEALTH TIP #17The latest in our seriesof easy ways to help youstay healthy

Fail to plan andyou plan to fail:Becauseexercising andeating right areimportant but not

urgent, they can easily take aback seat to issues that areseemingly more urgent(important or not). Properplanning allows us to spendmore time doing what makesus happy and healthy, whileeliminating much of the timethat we might spend doingthings which ultimately don’tprovide us fulfillment. Provided by Jeff Hirst, a professionaltrainer, co-owner of Training Zone, and aformer Olympic diver. Jeff is an acclaimedsports instructor (who was the captain ofthe University of Toronto swim team) andis highly knowledgeable about health andfitness. He can be reached attrainingzone @hotmail.com

In an effort to keep involvedin the community and bet-ter understand loss preven-

tion issues faced by merchantsin the city of Richmond, Brit-ish Columbia, two members ofthe local Roots store recentlyattended a community crimeawareness seminar at the localRCMP detachment. Store manager BarryRooke and full-time Key-holder Sean Wiens took partin the half-day seminar alongwith officials from the RCMP,the Security Manager forRichmond Centre mall, thehead of Loss Prevention (LP)at the Gap, and LP representa-tives from several local mer-chants including Sears, TheBay, Home Depot, and BestBuy. There was no shortage ofissues for the specialists toaddress — identity theft;credit card fraud; preventativemeasures to stop shop theft;personal safety; and increasedcommunication between mallsecurity and stores.

West Coast store attends crime awareness seminarBAD GUYS BEWARE!

“The seminar was highlyinformative,” says Barry, whohas been working at Rootsstores in BC since 1999. “Itwas also a great opportunity tobuild on our relationship withour mall security and learnfrom the best in the industry.

Other related seminars areplanned for the future.” Such crime-prevention is-sues are an inescapable part ofrunning a major retail businesstoday, and it obviously helpsfor store employees to be asinformed as possible.

“I encourage participationin these kinds of seminars,”says Julie McCahon, Directorof LP at Roots. “They’re usu-ally held through a local com-munity policing centre or mallsecurity office. I have attendedseveral such seminars myselfand have always come backwith something new to helpprevent losses. It’s important tostress that we always need tobe safe and act in accordancewith both the law and Rootspolicies and procedures.” Julie adds that if any retailstaff attend such seminars andhave questions on how the in-formation relates to Roots, theyare encouraged to contact theLP Department at the HeadOffice.

Barry Rooke, (left), and SeanWiens outisde the Roots store inRichmond, BC.

The monthly sales figures are now in andthis time it’s the Chateau Frontenac storein Quebec City that won the title of the

‘Store of the Month’ for company stores, com-

ing in at 234 percent over its sales budget. Forits part, the Vaughan Mills outlet in Torontocaptured top honours for the ‘Roots 73’ loca-tions, finishing the month 120 percent overbudget.

Congratulations to Store Managers NathalieGiroux of the Chateau Frontenac store andGlenys Hepplestone of the Vaughan Mills out-let, along with their respective teams, for theirimpressive performances.

Spotlighting the top-performing stores in AugustGREAT MOMENTS IN RETAIL

Store Manager Nathalie Giroux, (left), withKeyholder Fanny Tremblay.

Store Manager Glenys Hepplestone, (centre), withKeyholder Marla Dolowitz, (left), and SalesAssociate Leanna Rizzi, (right).


A guide to just-launched Roots productsNEW & NOTEWORTHY

With cooling temperatures in late summer and the arrival of autumn just aroundthe corner, Senior Designer Jules Power has created three stylish women’s

products for the new fall season. Arriving in stores by this week’s end, the threefresh outerwear items are complementary to every back-to-school wardrobe.

This season, it’s all about the Ivy. The late 1950s preppy look, whichis said to have originated on Ivy League college campuses, has

come back with a new Roots flavour. Featured alongsideother Ivy-inspired items in the new fall collection

for women such as the Stretch Rugby Polo,Halftime Rugby Hoody, and the Sidney FTBlazer, Roots is adding this cardigan, madefrom 100% soft lambswool.

This coat features genuine leather trimwith toggle closures, and is available inwalnut, grey heather, and port.

Additional features include two bigpatch pockets in the front, and the newRoots Academy inside label and hangtag.

Available in Roots stores, in sizesXS-XL. Retail price: $88

HERITAGE TOGGLE CARDIGANTrendy Ivy League fashion helps bring up the cool factor

Canadianais an-

otherRootstheme thisseason.

Madefrom a softcotton andwoolblendyarn, thislong andslimCanadiana-stylesweatercoat iswarm,cozy and cute.

Available in vintage white andblack, it features an intricate cabledesign on the body and sleeve.

The coat also features colourfulwoven trim attributes on the hoodand back, a handicraft reflection ofdesigns Aboriginals used to make.

HURON SWEATER COATKeeping warm with Canadian flair

CHINOOK QUILTED VESTFor ladies with distinctive style

You vest it! Roots has combined comfort andstyle yet again in this warm, lightweight

quilted vest made of nylon and polyester filling.Featuring cool corduroy trimming, felt

appliqué and print graphic on the back, theunique styling of this vest makes it great forearly fall layering.

Available in warm honey with walnut trim,and walnut with tofino trim, additional featuresinclude patch pockets on the front, and customRoots snap closure.

Available in select Roots stores, in sizes XS-XL. Retail price: $108

These details make it both a stylishfit, and ideal to wear as a coat in mildfall weather.

Additional features include genu-ine wood buttons, and a wood beaverhang tag.

Available in Roots stores, in sizesXS-XL. Retail price: $128


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September 1, 2006