Media releases

• International Partnership of Business Schools adds Brock as its only Canadian partner

  Wednesday, March 27, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 27 March 2019 – R00055

  The International Partnership of Business Schools (IPBS) has added Brock University’s Goodman School of Business as the only Canadian partner in its network.

  The consortium of 13 globally-oriented, leading business schools in Europe, North and Latin America all grant double degrees, which require study in two countries and promote language and cultural fluency along with business aptitude.

  “This partnership will literally open up a world of opportunity for our students and faculty,” said Goodman Dean Andrew Gaudes. “It means we are now part of a group that holds the same values of including international experience as well as incorporating work placement in a student’s business education.”

  The papers were signed March 15 at the IPBS annual meeting, hosted by Universidad de las Américas Puebla in Mexico. The partnership provides Goodman students and faculty access to opportunities in Brazil, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

  IPBS President Robert Robinson said that Brock’s introduction as Canada’s partner school strengthens the presence of the network in North America.

  “Brock brings to the consortium a freshness, vigour and dynamism that will serve to enhance our reputation and quality. We look forward to fostering a deep and lasting strategic alliance in the coming years,” he said.

  Goodman currently offers double-degree options with three of network’s partners, providing students the opportunity to earn degrees from both Goodman and the partner institution while gaining co-op experience in both Canada and abroad.

  As a result of this partnership, Goodman is near finalizing additional double-degree opportunities with new network partners, giving more students the opportunity to benefit from gaining a global business education.

  Other partners in the consortium are: Dublin City University, Elon University, Fundação Getulio Vargas, Lancaster University, Neoma Business School, North Carolina State University, Northeastern University, Reutlingen University, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) and the University of San Diego.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Expert advisory: Brock prof expects massive sales for Ontario cannabis retailers

  Wednesday, March 27, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 27 March 2019 – R00054

  Ontario’s cannabis retailer lottery could mean hitting the jackpot for the 25 companies set to open legal dispensaries starting Monday, April 1.

  Michael Armstrong, Associate Professor in Brock University’s Goodman School of Business, says he thinks legal retail stores in this province could each average more than $1.25 million a month in sales.

  The big question is what that translates to when major expenses such as buying the produce from the provincial wholesaler is factored in.

  “They should do pretty well,” says Armstrong, who recently wrote an opinion column about the issue for The Conversation Canada. “The Quebec stores average nearly $900,000 a month in sales and they charge lower-than-average prices.”

  Of the first 25 stores cleared to open starting next week, one is in the north end of St. Catharines and one is in Niagara Falls.

  Armstrong points out that cannabis consumers overwhelmingly seem to prefer in-store shopping over buying online. In the last quarter, brick and mortar stores accounted for 80 per cent of legal cannabis sales in Quebec, 94 per cent in Nova Scotia and 95 per cent in New Brunswick.

  “Because of this, provinces such as Alberta, Manitoba and the Atlantic provinces with more stores per capita tend to have more legal sales per capita, and have taken more market share from the black market,” says Armstrong.

  Only about 13 per cent of cannabis sold in Ontario last quarter was legal. The Canadian average is 15 per cent while Alberta and Nova Scotia lead the country at 29 per cent.

  “Product shortages, especially of dry cannabis, remain the biggest drag on legal sales nationwide,” says Armstrong.

  He says Ontario’s decision to go with a private retail sales model versus an LCBO-style public model will mean a widely varying customer experience from store to store.

  “Every store will have a different management style and décor. The Yorkdale one, for example, could be high end. The St. Catharines store will likely be your neighbourhood pot shop.

  “From a business perspective, I think it’s a good thing,” says Armstrong. “We don’t really know what the best retail approach is yet for selling cannabis so the private sector will try different things. They will likely all succeed, but in different ways.”

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases