Article content

Mayor Valérie Plante announced a blue-ribbon panel to chart the future for retailing in the city on Tuesday.

Major roadwork projects, high taxation and the increasing popularity of online shopping are among the challenges facing bricks-and-mortar stores, Plante said as she announced that Guy Cormier, the president and CEO of Desjardins Group, will head the 17-member committee.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Expert panel to propose solutions for Montreal's shopping arteries Back to video

“Retailing is a crucial industry for Montreal with sales of $40 billion annually, while Montreal is Canada’s second-largest commercial hub,” the mayor said at a press conference at Complexe Desjardins.

Plante acknowledged that major roadwork projects like the renovation of Ste-Catherine St. W. pose huge challenges, adding that rather than adding to retailers’ difficulties, “we want to be part of the solution.”

The committee, which will produce a commercial-development plan for the city by June, will also develop a strategy for helping merchants adjust to the digital transformation and for keeping shopping streets vibrant and bustling.