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
Customers is #1, Be the Best We can Be
Jenny Zhang - (Coquitlam store) Store Admin
From my first day as a product promoter, I was both excited and nervous. I enjoyed interacting with customers through introducing sample products, and boosting sales. But I was also anxious about this new challenge. Starting from scratch, I continuously gained experience and grew.
This experience deepened my knowledge of food and cooking, highlighting the importance of carefully introducing sample products. During group-buying promotions, my interactions with customers boosted sales and helped me gain some regular customers.
To promote products more efficiently, I tried different approaches, like offering food samples while walking around, and introducing products to customers in the checkout line, all of which has helped improve my work efficiency. This Mother's Day, after my careful explanation, a customer from the US purchased the butterfly orchid and even gifted me one, making me feel appreciated.
Of course, I also encounter picky or impolite customers, which, while challenging, push me to continually learn and improve. I see each challenge as an opportunity to enhance my skills and service, helping me provide a better experience for customers.
The peak of cooperation and innovation
Cindy Chen - (Store Support Centre) Central Kitchen Department
This year, the Kitchen Department held its first Peking Duck competition, an innovative and challenging event. The success of this event was all due to the combined efforts of all departments. Special thanks to the DF and LY Store Managers, their Kitchen Department Heads and our colleagues at the Store Support Centres for their full support.
The atmosphere was tense before the competition began. The Department Heads stood by the competitors, cheering them on, showcasing strong team spirit. During the competition, it became more intense as each competitor gave their best. Every perfect slice and meticulous plating drew applause. The champion from British Columbia impressed with 52 slices, while Alberta's champion completed the task in just 3 minutes and 40 seconds.
Each staff member and competitor fulfilled their duties, demonstrating “Be the Best we can be” value. The competition process and rules were carefully planned, while the venue, tools and materials were thoroughly checked, ensuring the competition proceeded smoothly from start to finish.
This competition not only showcased the Kitchen Department's professional skills to the outside world, but also demonstrated the spirit of teamwork and cooperation. The organization process reflected the company's culture of 'Help one another', inspiring us to achieve even greater success together in future challenges.
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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