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After almost 20 years with Leduc-Wetaskiwin Cinemas – including the past six as owner/operator – Shadia Moussa says that regulatory changes, coupled with the current economy, have forced her to make tough choices in order to cut costs.

“My team is extremely valuable to me and my business doesn’t run without them,” she says. But over the­ past few months the owner of Leduc and Wetaskiwin movie theatres has had to tighten her belt as delivery costs and wages have increased, reducing her staff from 54 to 42 employees.

In the theatre industry, where the movie studios get the bulk of profits from ticket receipts, Moussa’s main business is concessions “where we must provide fantastic service,” she says. And in the current economic climate she can only raise prices so much to try and make up the shortfall.

Being understaffed means making tough choices when hiring as well. “I’m having to hire older staff who need less training,” she says. “Which means I can’t bring in young, entry level staff who benefit from mentoring and an opportunity to gain life experience.”