Sears Canada CEO reviews turnaround at annual meeting

Toronto -- Sears Canada chief Calvin McDonald told attendees of the retailer’s annual meeting in Toronto on Tuesday that the focus will be on its strongest categories to more quickly effect a turnaround.



Hard goods such as appliances and tools will be a major focus in the company’s three-year turnaround plan, said McDonald. Sears Canada is majority-owned by Sears Holdings Corp.



According to McDonald, four stores are currently being renovated to reflect the new focus on hard goods. As well, he said Sears would open four pilot stores under the Corbeil appliance banner in the Toronto area.



“We view this as an effective way to maintain our strength in major appliances,” he said.



A training initiative, also reviewed in the annual meeting, will see some 20,000 staff members re-trained with the new focus in mind.