Nimblest retailers will trump hard times

Marianne Hassan has one rule when it comes to surviving the recession: when the going gets tough, the tough deliver personally.

Despite declining sales since November, the owner of Ottawa's high-end lingerie boutique, BraChic, hasn't taken the bad news lying down.

Determined not just to maintain but increase her clientele, Hassan says she's had to become creative in running her business.

As many other small retailers in Canada, she's reduced staff hours. But more important...

Posted in Economy on 01/19/2009 - 0 Comments

Slowdown means opportunity for some industries

Several financial sectors will show positive growth over the next couple of years even as the insurance, auto and mortgage industries become increasingly sluggish, analysts say.

Addressing future prospects for MBA graduates and current business management, experts say that despite the global downturn and a 21 per cent slump in overseas outsourcing and call centres, jobs in such areas as financial information technology will grow over the next 18 months.

Posted in Economy on 01/19/2009 - 0 Comments