To help in its evolution from an office supplies company to an end-to-end provider of business solutions, Grand & Toy is transforming five Toronto locations into “Business Centres,” continuing a national program launched last year.
Grand & Toy embarked on its brand repositioning four years ago, and most recently opened three Business Centres in Vancouver.
The redesigned locations offer small businesses resources such as interior design counsel, human resources management, as well as print and design centres for business cards, flyers and catalogues.
Each location includes access to advisors who can consult with small business owners on how Grand & Toy can help improve business performance.
Kevin Edwards, vice-president of marketing for Grand & Toy, said the decision to launch these centres is based on extensive research that showed small business’ needs were not being served in “a manner in which they would prefer.”
According to Grand & Toy, the small to mid-sized business segment makes up 98% of all business in Canada.
While Grand & Toy currently has 30 stores in Canada, Edwards said the chain is hoping to double its number of locations, including an expansion into the Maritimes.
Early next year the retail chain will support the new centres with a mass advertising campaign from Extreme Group, its agency of record for small business strategy.