Wishing You a Joyous Mid-Autumn Festival
Dear Team,
With Mid-Autumn Festival around the corner, I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a joyous celebration. This festival is about togetherness – a time to gather with family and loved ones, reflect, and appreciate the connections we share. I’m grateful to be surrounded by such a passionate team, united by our shared goals, and the care we show for each other and our customers.
One thing that always amazes me during this time of year is just how many mooncakes we sell. Did you know that we are the biggest seller of mooncakes across the entire country? Every year we sell 800,000 pieces over just a few weeks!
Our mooncake buyers really know how to pick the best assortment. With over 200 SKUs, ranging between $7 to $200, there is something for everyone.
This year, as part of our mission to pass on traditions between generations, our selection includes Disney and Minions character mooncakes to introduce this tradition to our younger customers (and those young at heart!) --
Of course, we still have our popular Maxim Lava Custard Mooncake which is a top seller year after year, and classics like the Peninsula Signature Mini Custard Mooncake --
My personal favourite for get-togethers are the mooncakes from our own T&T Bakery.
Our mooncakes aren't just popular with families, they're a hit with businesses too. This year, the Royal Bank of Canada ordered mooncakes from our online wholesale platform to gift to their clients. Each giftbox is specially prepared with a customized message and delivered directly to each clients' door. It's wonderful that we have become the go-to destination for mooncakes, with even the largest bank in Canada entrusting us with their bulk orders. In fact, our online wholesales orders have more than doubled from last year – something I'm incredibly proud of.
Although mooncakes are a tradition, sometimes people find them too sweet, too heavy, or too expensive. What’s unique about our selection is that we cater to all preferences.
The Wing Wah Low Sugar White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake is perfect for those who prefer less sweetness --
The T&T Bakery Mung Bean Pastry is an alternative for those who find mooncakes too heavy --
And the Full Moon White Lotus Paste with Double Egg Yolk Mooncake is a great choice for those on a budget, at just under $20 --
As a new season rolls in, it also brings forward new beginnings. With three new stores to open this year in Canada, and one in the US, it’s time to tackle the rest of the year with renewed focus. I hope you all enjoy the festival, the mooncakes, and some quality time with your loved ones.
Cheers,
Tina Lee
CEO
One minute of work, 60 seconds of joy
Kris Ma - (Waterloo store) Meat Department
It's great to have T&T in Waterloo! Master Lan at the Waterloo store excels in both front-of-house and kitchen duties, skillfully preparing chicken, duck, fish and lamb, and selling a wide range of products. He has brought the warmth of home cooking to T&T.
This is Master Lan's second year at the Meat Department in the Waterloo store. Though it hasn't been long, his impact on the department and the store has been significant. He frequently says "Come often! We have the freshest meat!" He also promotes products from other departments, helping to build the store's reputation. He values ‘mutual assistance and cooperation', understanding that a team win is a true win.
Master Lan has over 30 years experience as a chef, demonstrating exceptional skill and professionalism as a Meat Cutter. His finely sliced beef and chicken are often praised on social media. His quality customer service not only inspires his colleagues, but also creates a warm, homely atmosphere for customers, attracting many repeat customers to the Waterloo store.
To quote Master Lan, "Welcome back to T&T, welcome home!"
Be daring and innovate! Adding value to catering services
Sonny Cheung - (ER Support Centre) Central Kitchen Department
Has anyone organized a large gathering that required catering? Usually, the first thought is to place an order at a restaurant and then rush over to pick it up.
As the host, there is so much to prepare for the gathering itself, having to pick up food on top of all that is a huge inconvenience. And for restaurants, taking orders without immediate payment can be risky. News reports have shown cases where customers place large orders and fail to pick it up and pay, resulting in substantial losses.
In mid-2020, the Digital team began planning how to offer catering services to customers. By the end of that year, the department launched an online ordering and delivery platform, providing customers with a convenient one-stop shop for affordable, high quality Asian-style food and beverages.
By February, we had received 164 catering orders totaling $120,000. During the two weeks of the Spring Festival alone, we generated $20,000 in sales. Going forward, we plan to boost growth in our catering business through effective marketing and streamlined processes.
Misinterpreted brotherhood, and misguided sisterhood
Asset Protection
Food sampling events have always been popular at our supermarket. After the pandemic, the company reintroduced them in the store. Since then, we've encountered some amusing and frustrating rule violations.
For example, some promoters treat samples as full meals, taking entire portions. Others treat the kitchen as a buffet, going there every morning to grab some of the items to 'sample', or take pastries from the cart, and pick up ingredients from the counter. This unauthorized behaviour is no longer sampling, but outright theft, and often involves excessive consumption.
To protect food safety and the health of our colleagues, sampling must be done by authorized personnel who have received food safety training. These unauthorized sampling behaviour raises integrity and food safety issues. Despite the temptation of delicious food, we must prioritize customers' health and food safety by strictly adhering to sampling regulations to avoid any potential issues. This reflects the company's core value: "Food safety is my responsibility."
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