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Why are B.C. malls open, but bars and gyms closed? New variant and history of transmission, say health officials – CHEK

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B.C.’s new COVID-19 restrictions mean businesses like The Duke Saloon are once again closing their doors, just a few months after being allowed to re-open.

New public health orders mean nightclubs and bars in B.C. must close from Dec. 23 until Jan. 18 as the Omicron variant breaks daily case records in the province.

“It feels like a pretty big step backward,” said the bar’s general manager Quincy Leachman. “I do feel like we’re kind of the favourite punching bag.”

Leachman said The Duke Saloon has tried to follow restrictions to prevent transmission of the coronavirus.

“We’re providing a safe space for our patrons to be in. I’m afraid [the new restrictions] will just drive people to have more indoor gatherings.”

But Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer said the virus has changed, so the rules must also.

“We know that [bars and nightclubs] are settings where people socialize, which right now, are risky settings especially for the demographic we’re talking about where we’re seeing widespread transmission,” said Henry on Tuesday.

READ MORE: B.C. limits six people per table at restaurants, closes gyms as more COVID-19 restrictions roll out

Until Jan. 18, indoor gatherings are also restricted to one additional household or 1o people. Organized indoor events of any kind like wedding receptions or celebrations of life are cancelled.

And gyms across the province, like Third Space Movement in Victoria, are being forced to close.

“It’s very frustrating seeing how malls are still open and there are no regulations on that, whereas we’re following such strict rules already and doing such a good job keeping people safe here,” said Tianna Andrews, with Third Space Movement.

But health officials say with the Omicron variant, gyms are no longer safe.

“We know as well that these, unfortunately, have been places where transmission events have happened and have spread out to people in the community,” said Henry on Tuesday.

READ MORE: BC Liberals call for supports for businesses impacted by restrictions

And beyond the initial frustration of closing their doors, across industries businesses are tackling layoffs, and employees are heading into the holidays unsure if they’ will be able to pay their bills.

“It’s leaving us wondering what kind of support like if we’re going to get wage subsidy, or if people are going to be able to get paid over the holidays,” said Andrews.

“We’re already bleeding at half capacity,” said Leachman. “And all of a sudden there’s nothing. So it’s a huge hit financially for us.”

The provincial government said Tuesday, help is coming.

“Yes we do think some businesses will need some help and yes those will be coming in the few days,” said Adrian Dix, B.C.’s health minister.

Earlier today, the federal government announced a temporary expansion of eligibility for two COVID-19 benefit programs to aid those affected by measures imposed in response to the spread of the Omicron variant.

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Roots sees room for expansion in activewear, reports $5.2M Q2 loss and sales drop

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TORONTO – Roots Corp. may have built its brand on all things comfy and cosy, but its CEO says activewear is now “really becoming a core part” of the brand.

The category, which at Roots spans leggings, tracksuits, sports bras and bike shorts, has seen such sustained double-digit growth that Meghan Roach plans to make it a key part of the business’ future.

“It’s an area … you will see us continue to expand upon,” she told analysts on a Friday call.

The Toronto-based retailer’s push into activewear has taken shape over many years and included several turns as the official designer and supplier of Team Canada’s Olympic uniform.

But consumers have had plenty of choice when it comes to workout gear and other apparel suited to their sporting needs. On top of the slew of athletic brands like Nike and Adidas, shoppers have also gravitated toward Lululemon Athletica Inc., Alo and Vuori, ramping up competition in the activewear category.

Roach feels Roots’ toehold in the category stems from the fit, feel and following its merchandise has cultivated.

“Our product really resonates with (shoppers) because you can wear it through multiple different use cases and occasions,” she said.

“We’ve been seeing customers come back again and again for some of these core products in our activewear collection.”

Her remarks came the same day as Roots revealed it lost $5.2 million in its latest quarter compared with a loss of $5.3 million in the same quarter last year.

The company said the second-quarter loss amounted to 13 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended Aug. 3, the same as a year earlier.

In presenting the results, Roach reminded analysts that the first half of the year is usually “seasonally small,” representing just 30 per cent of the company’s annual sales.

Sales for the second quarter totalled $47.7 million, down from $49.4 million in the same quarter last year.

The move lower came as direct-to-consumer sales amounted to $36.4 million, down from $37.1 million a year earlier, as comparable sales edged down 0.2 per cent.

The numbers reflect the fact that Roots continued to grapple with inventory challenges in the company’s Cooper fleece line that first cropped up in its previous quarter.

Roots recently began to use artificial intelligence to assist with daily inventory replenishments and said more tools helping with allocation will go live in the next quarter.

Beyond that time period, the company intends to keep exploring AI and renovate more of its stores.

It will also re-evaluate its design ranks.

Roots announced Friday that chief product officer Karuna Scheinfeld has stepped down.

Rather than fill the role, the company plans to hire senior level design talent with international experience in the outdoor and activewear sectors who will take on tasks previously done by the chief product officer.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:ROOT)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Talks on today over HandyDART strike affecting vulnerable people in Metro Vancouver

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VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, are set to resume today as a strike that has stopped most services drags into a second week.

No timeline has been set for the length of the negotiations, but Joe McCann, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they are willing to stay there as long as it takes, even if talks drag on all night.

About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people unable to navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last Tuesday, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.

Hundreds of drivers rallied outside TransLink’s head office earlier this week, calling for the transportation provider to intervene in the dispute with Transdev, which was contracted to oversee HandyDART service.

Transdev said earlier this week that it will provide a reply to the union’s latest proposal on Thursday.

A statement from the company said it “strongly believes” that their employees deserve fair wages, and that a fair contract “must balance the needs of their employees, clients and taxpayers.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Transat AT reports $39.9M Q3 loss compared with $57.3M profit a year earlier

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MONTREAL – Travel company Transat AT Inc. reported a loss in its latest quarter compared with a profit a year earlier as its revenue edged lower.

The parent company of Air Transat says it lost $39.9 million or $1.03 per diluted share in its quarter ended July 31.

The result compared with a profit of $57.3 million or $1.49 per diluted share a year earlier.

Revenue in what was the company’s third quarter totalled $736.2 million, down from $746.3 million in the same quarter last year.

On an adjusted basis, Transat says it lost $1.10 per share in its latest quarter compared with an adjusted profit of $1.10 per share a year earlier.

Transat chief executive Annick Guérard says demand for leisure travel remains healthy, as evidenced by higher traffic, but consumers are increasingly price conscious given the current economic uncertainty.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:TRZ)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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