March 23 2007 by Roots Canada

Mercedes Leggett showcases new Roots spring collection

SEASON OF PLENTY

A window into the world of Roots

Issue 69 - March 23, 2007

Issue 69 March 23, 2007

Canadian actress Mercedes Leggett photographed by Mike Rosenthal this week in Los Angeles

The Source 1

I N S I D E I S S U E 69 ENDORSING THE GREEN CAUSE Roots supports seminar by noted environmental activist LEAVE IT TO PATTY Special deals and do’s attract customers to stores on festive weekend

MARK OF ROOTS Despite a hectic, brief schedule in Toronto, US star comes to Roots WOMEN’S PANTS TAKE-OFF A must-buy for the warmer months, cropped bottoms become the latest Roots success BATTLE OF THE BRANDS # 2 Facts and features favour Roots when measured against Abercrombie and Fitch HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES Store Manager’s rock band reaches new heights in Winnipeg FLOWERS AND ROOTS Stores get involved in supporting Daffodil Days AND THE WINNER IS… The Magazine declares Roots superior to American Eagle

Departments FRESH INK OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS MOMENTS THAT MATTER GREEN TIPS HEALTH TIPS STAYING POWER

Publishers MICHAEL BUDMAN, DON GREEN Editor ROBERT SARNER Editorial Assistant PAULOMI PATEL Intern NICK KANEVSKY

The Source is published every two weeks by Roots Canada Ltd. We welcome letters from readers for publication. Please address all correspondence to The Source , Letters to the Editor, Roots Canada, 1400 Castlefield Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M6B 4C4 or by email to rsarner@roots.com Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Each issue of The Source is also available, in an abridged version, on the Roots website at www.roots.com

The Source

PHOTO BY DYLAN ANDERSON

A BUSY MONTH Five stores open in either new or entirely renovated premises

SPECIAL DELIVERY A selection of recent letters from the world of Roots GOING THE DISTANCE I recently purchased quite a number of bags from your store at Bayview Village in Toronto. My purchases consisted of the large Cafe Bag in all the colours, plus more. The lady who helped me was just superb. Her name was Linda Kirshenblat. She not only assisted me in selecting the purses in the store but also tracked down all the different coloured bags that I wanted. She took the time to follow up and kept me informed. Her level of care and service was unbelievable. She really is commendable. Carole Anthony Toronto, ON WELL DONE, DONNA I am writing this letter to commend an employee at the Roots store at the Georgian Mall in Barrie, Ontario. Her name is Donna Craig. Recently, I was there to purchase several items for a private function involving 300 guests. Upon entering your store, Donna greeted me immediately with professionalism and a positive attitude. She was able to fulfill my request for my event in a timely manner. Since then, Donna has stayed

in touch with me to inform me of up-coming specials and promotional items I may be interested in for my business. Knowing my busy schedule, she’s able to provide me with an added service of setting items aside for my viewing at a convenient time. Her follow-up is outstanding. Donna is an excellent employee who provides exceptional customer service. I’m hoping she will be somehow recognized for her valuable work. Stephanie Beattie President, Center for Disaster Recovery, Barrie, ON HOW IT’S DONE I just had a call from a customer named Donald Growing. He wanted to give me feedback as he had a great experience in our store in Kitchener, Ontario. He was served by Angela Staweki and Munmun Das. Mr. Growing was looking for the Cooper Half Zip sweatshirt in an extra large. It was sold out in our store so the girls called several locations to try to find one for him with no luck. They took his phone number and did a product search through Head Office. The customer called to tell me he was so impressed with the outstanding service he received

from both associates that he had to let me know it, as good work often goes unnoticed. Even though the item he was looking for was sold out (at all stores across Canada), he felt the two staff members went out of their way to assist him with what he called “outstanding customer service”. Mun told him she would call him as soon as the product was available in stock again. He told me he would be sure to come back in and buy two when they were back in stock. Way to go girls! Kassandra Lesniowska, Store Manager, Kitchener, ON The Source wants to hear from you. Please send your letters to Robert Sarner at rsarner@roots.com. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

DEPT. OF CLARIFICATION In Issue 68 of The Source, in the article entitled “Going The Healthy Way”, the name of the Store Manager of the Roots Champlain Place store in Moncton, New Brunswick should have been listed as Rhonda MacLeod.

EXTRA! EXTRA! In keeping with our fortnightly publishing schedule, the next issue of The Source will appear on Friday, April 6. Issue 69 - March 23, 2007

A MERCEDES WITH ROOTS

PHOTOS: MIKE ROSENTHAL

Young Canadian actress the focus of Los Angeles photo shoot to help kick off new campaign for Spring/Summer collection

he look of course is important. But it’s not enough. To represent Roots, to be the new Roots woman in the soon-to-launch spring and summer ad campaign, it takes a lot more than a pretty face. The person must be someone who exudes the Roots spirit and reflects the values of the company. Mercedes Leggett is much more than a pretty face. An excellent athlete and a former fitness instructor, she is a gifted young Canadian actress who now lives in Los Angeles. She was born in Toronto to Scottish and Filipino parents. She is extremely serious about her acting career, both in film and on stage, and based on her work so far, she’s going places. Mercedes became involved with Roots through Mark Canton, a movie producer responsible for 300, the current box office hit in which Mercedes appears. He introduced her to Roots Co-Founder Michael Budman during a visit to Los Angeles who sensed she was well suited for the upcoming spring/summer campaign. This week in California, Mercedes was the focus of attention during a marathon photo session. With Mike Rosenthal behind the camera and Diane Bald art directing the shoot, the photos were taken at Issue 69 - March 23, 2007

a private home in Bel Air, a residential community 20 km west of downtown Los Angeles. Mike was well suited for the assignment. He has extensive experience photographing actors, having worked with celebrities such as Robin Williams, Halle

Berry, Ewan McGregor and Paris Hilton for different projects. “This was my first time working with Mercedes, and she was an absolute pleasure,” says Mike, whose corporate clients include Lexus, HD Buttercup, Mandalay Group Las Vegas, and 20th Century Fox. “She was very easygoing, and fun to work with.” During the 10-hour session, Mercedes showcased a wide variety of the new collection of women’s wear ranging from Roots Camp to Roots Yoga and a number of new fashion pieces arriving in stores in the coming weeks. The fashion items are broken into two main themes – bohemian, beach, lightweight clothing good for traveling and clothes with an eco-friendly focus. Mercedes is also photographed with an array of new Roots leather bags for women. This was the first major fashion shoot for Mercedes since she was a teenage model in Canada. Having grown up in Toronto, Mercedes has long been a big fan of Roots. “Working with Roots on this project was awesome,” says Mercedes, 24. “I love where I’m from and working with such an incredible Canadian brand as Roots could not have been better. For me, Continued on next page The Source 3

Continued from previous page

it was the perfect match.” Mercedes moved to LA two years ago to pursue her acting career. She has already appeared in several films and is currently rehearsing for a play opening next month at the Complex Theater in LA. Considering how many outfits she had to wear during the shoot and the number of different sites at the residence where the pictures were taken, it could have been a long, arduous day for Mercedes. “It could have been much more difficult,” says Mercedes. “But it was made easier by the fact that the clothes were so comfortable and all the people involved were so nice to me. It was actually a fun day. There was a great energy, good music and Michael and Diane were so supportive. It was much different from when you spend a day on a film set.” The results from the shoot will figure prominently in a

The Source

series of newspaper and magazine ads and in-store posters that will start appearing in the coming weeks. “My approach for this shoot was to make the shots natural and real, while giving them a little magic,” says Mike. “In general, the style and approach of each shoot are

determined by the desired end product. Some are slick and glossy, others are raw and gritty.” Mike recently met Michael Budman during a visit to Toronto. He had come to shoot an episode of Canada’s Top Model and through a mutual friend was introduced to Roots. He sat down with Michael and they discussed the prospect of working together on the shoot. Michael says Mercedes corresponds well to the new Roots woman. “Ever since the first time I met Mercedes, she’s impressed me,” says Michael. “She’s highly talented, serious about her work, and a great athlete and comes from a multicultural background. We respect that she’s very concerned about the environment. She has a great presence on screen and in person

Mercedes Leggett at the recent premier of 300 in Los Angeles

and we enjoyed featuring her in this new campaign.” In describing Mercedes, Michael said she makes him think of the Jimmy Cliff song Roots Woman. “She is a natural beauty inside and out,” says Michael. “Which makes her perfect for Roots.” – R.S.

Issue 69 - March 23, 2007

ENDORSING THE GREEN CAUSE Roots supports seminar by noted environmental activist

Severn Cullis-Suzuki

n a recent initiative to spread eco-awareness, Roots donated items for an International Women’s Day event focusing on the impact of climatic changes and ways to

improve the situation. Organized by the Brescia University College in London, Ontario, the event included lectures that were part of the university’s ‘Sophia Series’ presenting distinguished female speakers who shared knowledge on varied topics. Earlier this month, the coordinator of the series, Kim Young Milani, was shopping at the Roots Masonville store in London when she noticed Store Manager Robin Wilkins wearing the Roots Stop Global Warming T-shirt. While there, Kim also discovered other organic products in the store. As a representative of the university, she told the store staff about the upcoming series of lectures, which included an

environmental seminar by Severn Cullis-Suzuki, daughter of prominent environmentalist David Suzuki. Severn, who has long championed the green cause, has also spearheaded many eco-conscious, nature-related campaigns in the past and hosts the kids TV show Suzuki’s Nature Quest aired on Discovery Kids. Keeping with the green values of Roots, Robin and her team received approval from the Head Office in Toronto to contribute Roots products and accessories as giveaways at the seminar. Roots also supplied its ‘Think More’ postcards that feature simple eco-friendly tips to conserve energy and water.

LEAVE IT TO ST. PATTY Special deals and do’s attract customers to stores on festive weekend and the Celtic heritage of Canada through music and dance. Both stores also held art workshops where kids could create their personalized St. Patrick’s Day crafts. In addition, Roots Bloor gave away Shamrockade (limeade) and green apples to customers on Saturday. Special ‘green tables’ were set up for the occasion and Roots company stores all over

oots stores donned green and courted little green Leprechauns as they got into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations last weekend. In Toronto, the Roots Bloor Street store and Roots Central in the Eaton Centre showcased performances by the Greenfire Celtic Dance Theatre. Featuring exciting choreography and beautiful traditional Irish costumes, the troupe celebrated time-honoured Irish customs, Issue 69 - March 23, 2007

Canada gave 20% off on all green items including Roots leather bags. Although it’s not an official Canadian holiday, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year with much fun, merriment and shopping sprees all over Canada, especially in Toronto. This year, according to the National Retail Federation, consumers in Canada spent an estimated $3.7 billion on St. Patty’s Day.

MARK OF ROOTS Despite his brief, hectic schedule in Toronto, US star comes to Roots

ast Friday, during his visit to Toronto to promote his upcoming movie Shooter, Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg dropped into the Roots flagship store on Bloor Street. At the store, he received Roots items including the Elgin track jacket, T-shirts, and a black Venetian Village Bag. Members of his entourage also shopped at the store. From Roots, Mark headed downtown to MuchMusic’s headquarters dressed in the custom-made Roots leather jacket created in 2005 for the hit film Four Brothers. At MM, he chatted with VJs Matte Babel and Leah Miller, and fans about Shooter at the street-level studio during a live interview on MuchOnDemand. Opening today in Canada, Shooter is an action thriller directed by Antoine Fuqua. Fresh off an Oscar nomination for The Departed, Mark who is a long-time friend of Roots - has also starred in Invincible, Boogie Nights and The Italian Job, and is executive producer of the hit HBO series Entourage. The Source 5

WOMEN’S PANTS TAKE-OFF

ON THE MOVE

A must-buy for the warmer months, new cropped bottoms become the latest Roots success

ast month, a preliminary shipment of Roots Original Cropped Pants hit stores. The quantity was limited as it was more of a test to see how they would be received by customers. To the special delight of the Women’s Wear Department, the pants have proven a huge success based on the response of consumers of all ages. Perfect for the next several months which make up the spring-summer season, the Cropped Pants are a shorter version (in-seam length: 24”) of one of the traditional top selling ladies items — the Roots Original Jogging Pants. They are made from cotton-polyester sueded fleece

• Emily Chan, proCreated by Women’s Wear blend and come with an addimoted to Designers Julie Power and tional vintage garment wash Keyholder, Joanne Joseph, and coordiand silicon finish that gives Kanata, ON. them an irresistibly soft, worn- nated by Merchandise Manager • Heather Julie O’Neill, the pants feature in feel. MacDonald, a flocked Roots Heritage beaver promoted to print on the hip. Store Manager, Limeridge, Over the coming months, Hamilton, ON they will come in a variety of colours such as white, salt and • Kathy Nault, resumes as Store Manager, South Keys, pepper, camo green, loganOttawa, ON. berry, zest and sunrise in • Susan van Dalen, appointed March; hillsdale blue, vintage white and wildcat red in April; Store Manager, Kanata, ON, and salt and pepper, black, vin- (after managing the South tage white, retro red, coral sun- Keys and Kanata stores in the set and seaport blue at the end Ottawa area). of May. Although the pants will be SPREADING THE WORD available in all stores, the col- Guide to new ads appearing our selection will vary from top this week and next to mid-level stores. • Thurs., Mar. 22 - Orfus Road (Toronto), Bayers Lake (Halifax) Sizes available: XS-XL; and Grandview (Vancouver) Retail price: $52.95

HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES Store Manager’s rock band reaches new heights in Winnipeg shot their first music video, was nominated as one of Winnipeg’s top 10 bands, and is set to release their first-ever 12-song album. Their first video, Now I Know, is now available on the band’s website www.thruthe floor.com and on YouTube, and is played in bars in Western Canada. Paul, along with his team members, creates music in his basement studio, Rockwood Records, which originally was entered by a hatch door on the floor, hence the band’s name Thru The Floor. In addition to Paul, who plays lead guitar and helps on vocals, the high-energy hard rock/punk aul Rogers, Manager of music group includes Cam Thompson, (bass guitar, vocals); the ‘Roots 73’ store in Winnipeg, is a great pro- Dale Thompson, (lead vocals, ponent of persistence. This year, guitar); and Pud, (drummer). They play regularly in Winhis determination is paying dividends with his musical pursuits. nipeg venues and their music is In 2003, he became a founding included on a ‘Top 10’ CD compiled by local radio station member of Thru The Floor, a local band. Recently, the group Power 97.

P 6

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New appointments and promotions at Roots

“I enjoy music and have played the guitar since I was very young,” says Paul, who is also a qualified guitar and theory teacher. He joined Roots in 2004 and makes it a point to wear Roots during all his performances including in his music video. The team in his store are hardcore fans. “Thru The Floor is a great band to see live because they know how to keep their audience entertained with their mix of covers and their own originals,” says Assistant Manager Lindsay Harris. Her colleague, Keyholder Maggie Joleun, is equally enthusiastic about the band. “It’s incredible watching these guys play because you can tell how much they just love music,” says Maggie. For more details on Thru The Floor and to see their new music video, go to www.myspace.com/thruthefloor.

outlets are having Blowout Sales; ads have been placed in community newspapers to promote the event. • Sat., Mar.24 - National Post (Toronto section): Full-page ad featuring current Roots products. • Sat., Mar. 24 – Globe & Mail (Style section): Half-page ad featuring current Roots products. • Thurs., Mar. 29 – Now Magazine (Toronto): Full-page ad featuring current Roots products. • Sat., Mar. 31 - Globe and Mail (Style section): Half-page ad featuring current Roots products. • Sat., Mar. 31 - National Post (Toronto section): Full-page ad featuring current Roots products.

STAYING POWER Saluting those who go the distance

his month, many Roots em ployees marked major anniversaries of their time at the company. By ‘major’, we mean benchmark achievements as in 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years spent at Roots. We invite anyone celebrating such an anniversary at Roots to send the relevant information to The Source. Congratulations to the following employees for their huge contribution and enduring loyalty to Roots: (listed alphabetically) • Joan Fernandes, Picker Packer, Distribution Centre, 5 years • Sau Nho Nguyen, Stitcher, Leather Factory, Toronto, 5 years Issue 69 - March 23, 2007

FRESH INK

BATTTLE OF THE BRANDS #2 Facts and features favour Roots when measured against A & F

oots sweats have evolved since their introduction nearly 25 years ago. The design team has studied details, observed customer preferences and re-examined the entire process of making of traditional sweats. The result: well-thought out, classic styled products with value-added features. To prove the point, we brought men’s sweatpants from Abercrombie and Fitch to compare them with their latest counterparts at Roots. Based of the facts listed below, though we don’t pretend the test is scientific, the Canadian brand triumphs over its American competitor, delivering better quality at a lower price.

Abercrombie & Fitch sweatpant

Roots Heritage sweatpant with pockets

Origin: made in China Price: approx. $70 Design features: • Made of 85% cotton, 15% polyester weathered fleece fabric of 310g/m2 weight • Youthful Abercrombie logo (applique or print) on the left leg • Exposed drawstrings on the waistband • Side-seam construction • Open bottom hem with raw edge detail. • Low rise fit • Only available in fall/winter season in the season’s winter colours. Not stocked during the rest of the year

Origin: made in China Price: $58.95 Design features: • Made of 80% cotton 20% polyester heavy preshrunk tuff fleece 360g/m2 solids (black, nautical navy); 55% polyester 45% cotton salt and pepper heritage fleece 360 g/m2 • Roots heritage logo on left leg appeals to all ages • Side pockets • Hidden draw-strings for clean look • No side-seam for a comfortable fit • Gusset construction at crotch gives better mobility • Cinched elastic hem for retro look • Stocked year round in: salt and pepper, black and nautical navy

AND THE WINNER IS… The Magazine declares Roots superior to American Eagle

he new issue of The Magazine, a youthoriented quarterly, features a comparison between Roots and American Eagle Outfitters to determine which brand comes out on top when both are evaluated in five categories. The two-page spread, entitled Combat Corner, examines the two companies in terms of their respective history, prodIssue 69 - March 23, 2007

ucts, logos and retail prices. Ultimately, Roots proves triumphant defeating AE 3 –2 in the test. It concludes: “AE is stuck in the little leagues but Roots goes for gold!” It adds: “The American-based AE has hot, affordable fashions but with Roots, you get what you pay for: comfy clothing and true Canadian quality.” Based in Toronto, The Magazine is published by the Community Programs Group. It is mailed to subscribers and is also

available at checkout counters at major grocery chains across Canada. For additional information visit www.themagazine.ca

A selection of coverage of Roots in the media Here are some recent sightings of Roots in the pages of newspapers and magazines: • Fashion magazine, April issue: Spotlight on the Roots silver Emily Bag and Roots yellow Village Nap Sac featured in the “Fashion Shops” section. • Wedding Bells magazine, April: Mentions Roots as one of the cool niche shopping sites in downtown Banff featured in the “Banff and Jasper Travel” section. • Chatelaine magazine, April: Spotlight on the Roots Village Nap Sac in yellow leather featured in “The Looks of Spring” fashion section. • Telegraph Journal, March 21. Article mentions the opening of a new ‘Roots 73’ store this week at the East Point Centre in Saint John. • The National Post, March 20. Feature article entitled “Retailer Returns to its Roots” profiles the company and new innovations in products and retail stores. • www.perezhilton.com, March 20. Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton credits Roots for the jacket he’s wearing in the “Her Reputation Precedes Her” story. • Metro (Ottawa/Toronto/Vancouver), March 20. Article mentions Roots has raised more than $100,000 through the sale of Stop Global Warming bracelets with net proceeds going to the Stop Global Warming Fund. • The Toronto Star, March 17. Spotlight on the Roots Café bag in plato green zerum leather included in a St. Patrick’s Day special feature in “Shopping” section. • National Post, March 17. Fashion shot of women’s faux-fur white vest appeared in Nathalie Atkinson’s “A to Z” recap of Fashion Week. • Metro Calgary, March 8. Article entitled, “Can’t pick a décor style? Check your closet”, mentions denims and casual wear like Roots clothing means you probably prefer a casual, comfortable and relaxed feel in the home. • Loulou magazine, Feb.: Spotlight on Roots cotton and spandex leggings and Roots wool, nylon and cashmere sweater. Also, mentions the Roots Yoga fashions, as well as the Roots bags and mats featured in “Shopping Safari” section. • Canadian Living, Feb.: Spotlight on Roots Yoga featured in “The New Casual Wear” section. • Where Toronto, Feb.: Cream and striped organic merino wool throw featured in the “Warm Front” section. • Here’s How! magazine, Feb.: Spotlight on Roots MP3 player cases in the “High-tech gadgets for cold-weather sports” section. - Compiled by Carmela Ledo

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A STAR IN THE MAKING? Roots employee to represent Canada at 2007 World Performance Championship

“Time of Your Life” by Green Day. Both his performance and appearance made a strong impression. “The judges said that they really liked my look, meaning hairstyle, facial features, and wardrobe,” says Scott, who wore Roots apparel from head-to-toe for his audition. Scott will compete in 14 categories at the competition where he will meet Hollywood agents and producers, hoping to be signed to a recording, modeling or acting contract. “I thought it was absolutely out of this world that they said my strong point is my acting,” says Scott, who once competed in the Calgary

cott Steele, a keyholder at the Roots Beacon Hill store in Calgary, is one step closer to achieving his dream of becoming a Hollywood star. He’s been selected as a member of Team Canada for the World Championship of Performing Arts, taking place this summer in Hollywood California. A fulltime Roots employee since last November, Scott auditioned for the international competition in his hometown of Calgary. He had to read a script, present a monologue and demonstrate his dance skills. The talented 18-year-old even sang his acapella rendition of “Dancing Shoes” by Gavin Degraw and

Junior Idol contest but does not have much experience in the performing arts. He doesn’t even remember applying for the competition, but jumped at the chance when he was asked to try-out. “I don’t really have high expectations,” says Scott. “I’m going to do what I can to best represent myself, my team and my country.” Now in its 11th year, the World Championships of Performing Arts, also known as the “Talent Olympics”, is the first and only international series of competitions to find and crown the world’s best aspiring performing artists. The 2007 edition begins on July 28 and will run until August 6.

MUSICAL ROOTS This month, we spotlight Canadian R&B/soul singer Robin Thicke

iven the professional background of his parents, it’s little surprise Robin Thicke is making a name for himself in the entertainment world. His mother is American singer/actress Gloria Loring and his father Canadian actor Alan Thicke, most famous for his main role in the TV sitcom Growing Pains. With his huge talents as an R&B/soul singer, songwriter, musician, composer, and actor, Robin’s star is on the rise. Since 2002, he has released three CDs, with his most recent album The Evolution of Robin Thicke still hot on the charts. Thicke was born in Los Angeles in 1977 and at a very young age showed an interest in music. He often mentions Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder as his early influences. Robin also tried his hand at acting and appeared in an episode of Growing Pains and several episodes of The Wonder Years, but at age 16, he made music his priority. 8

The Source

He taught himself to play piano and later using the name Thicke, signed a record deal with Interscope Records. Robin was soon co-writing songs for the likes of Usher, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Brandy and Marc Anthony. In 2002, Robin re-

leased his debut single “When I Get You Alone” which was well received in the US and internationally with some listeners comparing him to the likes of Jamiroquai and Lenny Kravitz. Last fall, Robin released The Evolution of Robin Thicke. Made with super-producer Pharrell Williams, the album features the sweet sounds of Faith Evans. The album’s second single “Lost Without U” earned him his first #1 hit on the R&B singles chart, the first white male artist to do so since George Michael. That song, along with his new single “Can U Believe”, can both be heard on Roots Radio. Evolution… is currently #5 on the Billboard album chart and is gaining ground. Over the past year, Robin has also been touring with India.Arie and John Legend. He is married to actress Paula Patton (Idlewild, Hitch), seen on the front cover of Robin’s debut album

A Beautiful World. To find out more about Robin Thicke, visit: www. robinthicke.com – Davin Bujalski

THE ROOTS TOP 10 A guide to the sounds at Roots for the month of April

1. Lost Without You, Robin Thicke 2. Irreplaceable (Spanish Version), Beyonce 3. Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag, James Brown 4. Sunday Morning, K-os 5. Stuck In The Middle, Mika 6. Can U Believe, Robin Thicke 7. Don’t Matter, Akon 8. Beautiful Liar, Beyonce Feat. Shakira 9. Walk Away From Love, Bitty McLean & The Supersonics 10. When I See You, Fantasia - Compiled by Davin Bujalski Issue 69 - March 23, 2007

A BUSY MONTH OF MARCH Five stores open in either new or entirely renovated premises

arch marks not only the onset of spring but this year it’s also a month of momentous developments for Roots stores in several parts of Canada. In total, five stores in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick are opening in either new premises or after extensive renovations. In all cases, environmentally friendly building materials were used whenever practical. This week, the Roots flagship store in Quebec, known as Centreville, opened in downtown Montreal on Ste. Catherine Street West next to its original location. At 5,300 square feet, it is the largest Roots store east of Toronto. The other stores opening in March are in St. John, New Brunswick, and three in Ontario: Windsor, St. Catharine’s, and Belleville. Hats off to all those in-

Stores get involved in supporting Daffodil Days

Roots Centre-Ville, Montreal: Left to right - Sandra Thiel, Marcel Gingras, Brigitte Misserey, Jocelyn Lemaire, Angie Ello, Aran Pamplona, Daniel Garcia, Julien Casazant, Adjani Franco, Corina Shmidt, Renal Tingue, Suzy Almaeda, Deena Jacobs

volved in the construction and visual preparation of the stores, with a special nod to Pauline Landriault, Director of Visual Planning and Store Development, and Howard Pollack,

Director, Purchasing and Facilities, and their respective teams, for all their hard work under tight deadlines in producing such great looking stores.

Roots Windsor, Devonshire Mall: Left to right - Edith Bautista, Chris Crowe-Campeau, Lucy Palomba, Nathen Gelinas, Serein Makkawi, Gunika Ahluwalia, Ashley Kawczyk, Jaye Gillis

Eastpoint Centre, Saint John, NB: Left to right - Mauricio Santos, David Gallant, Justin Beman, Nicole Mcquoid, Mary Lynn Kieu, Laura Hatsield, Terri Priham and Brittany Doley

Pen Centre, St. Catharines, ON: Left to right - Leanne D’Achille, Jason Cofta and Katie Collins

Quinte Mall, Belleville, ON: Erick Hiller, Rosemary Eisenhut, Nicole Reid, Rebecca Davison; Back: Doug Bennett

Issue 69 - March 23, 2007

FLOWERS WITH ROOTS

very April, the Canadian Cancer Society promotes the sale of daffodils to help raise money in support of the fight against cancer. Over the next few weeks, select Roots stores across Canada will sell the bright, yellow flowers as part of the Daffodil Days to support the CCS’s efforts. Participating stores will receive bunches of daffodils to be displayed in the front of the store and staff will promote the cause by talking about the Daffodil Days to customers. Stores in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and British Columbia will celebrate Daffodil Days from March 29-April 1. Locations in Alberta and Manitoba will celebrate the event late this week. Founded in 1938, the Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization that seeks to eradicate cancer and improve the quality of life of people living with the disease. The CCS provides valuable cancer information services, funds research and educates Canadians on cancer-related risks. Retail price of daffodils: $6 for one bunch and $10 for two bunches (in Ontario); $5 per bunch (rest of Canada). Individuals interested in volunteering separately to sell the flowers can visit www. cancer.ca or call (416) 488-5400 or toll-free at 1800-268-8874 for more information.

The Source 9

GREEN TIP #34 Easy ways to help the environment

STARTING LINEUP

Introducing the people who make it happen at Roots stores

s part of our continuing series of team pictures of all the stores in the Roots retail family, this issue of The Source is shining the spotlight on the store in Terminal 3, (Toronto International Airport). Left to right: Sebastian Tisdall, Parmjeet Kaur, Monique Gregory, Harpreet Singh and Matt Stokes.

SPEAK TO MY AGENT The littlest customers show their Roots

HEALTH TIP #31 Easy ways to help you stay healthy

Maxwell Morgan, 9 months,Toronto

Cameron Schacter, 11 months, Toronto

How much are you driving? Driving is the most polluting thing we do: burning gasoline – or any other fossil fuel – releases pollutants that cause smog, global warming and water pollution. Every car passing you on the street is emitting carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, ozone, volatile organic compounds and tiny airborne particulates that you subsequently breathe in. Mmmmm. No one is suggesting you park your car permanently, just drive less. Here’s one concrete way: trip-chaining. Combine several errands into a single trip. It’s a more efficient use of your time, with fewer noxious emissions from your tailpipe. Reduce your driving by taking a minute before you leave home to plan multiple errands and map out your route. Source: Green Tips: How to Save Money and the Planet, published by Green Living Enterprises

Matthew Galvan, 9 months, Toronto The Source

ou’re never too young to look good in Roots. Many people obviously agree, based on the mail we receive at the Head Office. Both customers and staff often send in photos of their children, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, friends or neighbours wearing Roots, asking if they could appear in a future ad campaign for Roots. We can’t promise that but recently The Source began publishing a selection of such pictures on a regular basis. Everyone is welcome to submit their favourite shots. Please send your photos to photogallery @roots.com Be sure to include the name and age of each child in the photo, and a sentence stating that you agree for the photos to be used in The Source.

Happy apple: The apple, a universally loved fruit, has long been a symbol of passion and temptation. Now, scientists have confirmed that it also contributes to a healthy heart. Eating two to three apples per day results in decreased cholesterol levels, thanks to the fruit’s rich pectin content. Pectin also helps prevent colon cancer, which ranks among the top causes of death in adults over the age of 60. Source: Secrets of Longevity, Dr. Maoshing Ni Issue 69 - March 23, 2007

NEW & NOTEWORTHY A guide to just-launched Roots products

ROOTS STYLE FOR MEN

THE HOT LIST

Great new items in stores now

A fast look at what’s flying off the shelves at Roots stores

PROSPECT VARSITY JACKET urchase this one jacket and you will hold in your hands two different looks. The menswear creative team made up of Designer Rita Shulman and Associate Designer Dylan Anderson allow you to dress classic or sporty with their latest Prospect Varsity Jacket. Made from a combination of 100% nylon and 80% cotton and 20% polyester grey mix fleece fabric, this fully reversible jacket comes with a traditional Heritage Cooper Beaver logo on one side and a yarndyed ribbed hem. Turn it inside out and it features a contrasting athletic collegiate logo changing the jacket into trendy, sporty outerwear. Both sides of the jacket include side pockets for storage making it functional for outdoors. Perfect for spring, its varsity style makes the jacket easy-to-wear with a comfortably relaxed fit.

DRAKE STRIPED HOODY AND ECHO LAKE JEAN s the seasons change, we focus on transitional dressing. In that brief spell, while the winter layers are too bulky and it’s still too early to unpack your summer clothes, Roots offers the Drake Striped Hoody for men. Designed by Rita Shulman, the hoody comes in 100% cotton French terry knit fabric with flat lock seam construction to avoid bulk and add comfort. The left sleeve sports an embroidered ‘Tree’ patch. Other details include a double herringbone tape on the pocket edges and neck opening and a double-lined hood to give a clean, comfy finish. Pair-off the Drake striped hoody with the classic Roots Echo Lake straight-leg-fit jean. This bottom features the traditional leather jean patch on the back waistband and comes in black over-dye, medium wash and dark wash shades.

ROOTS STYLE TIP: Coordinate the Prospect Varsity Jacket with the Drake Striped Hoody and the classic Echo Lake Jean to achieve the perfect Roots-look that Dylan Anderson sports in the photo here. Available in select stores in sizes and retail price: • Prospect Varsity Jacket - $98, S-XXL • Drake Striped Hoody - $78, XS-XXL • Echo Lake Jean - $88, Sizes: 28-38

Based on the latest sales figures from all Roots stores in Canada and the United States, here are the 20 top-selling products: 1 Men’s Thelon polo 2 Women’s Marianne embroidered top 3 Women’s travel stretch skirt 4 Men’s Roots original sweatpants 5 Women’s Basic Varsity sweatpants 6 Women’s cut-off Varsity sweatpants 7 Women’s Roots original sweatpants 8 Women’s Basic Kanga hoody 9 Women’s Varsity sweatpants - Roots 10 Women’s Grassroots vintage sweatpants 11 Women’s gauze jersey T-shirt Cactus

12 Women’s modal rib tank 13 Women’s retro ringer T-shirt 14 Women’s Roots original cropped sweatpants 15 Women’s Grassroots vintage hoody

16 17 18 19 20

Women’s Love-Nature T-shirt Roots Global Warming Bracelet Roots bottled water (355 ml) Roots Eco-bag Village Bag (Prince leather)

QUALITY TIME New nature-inspired collection of timepieces now available in stores

t Roots, we’re ready for spring. Nature is a strong inspiration and the influence of the upcoming season is visible in a variety of Roots products. The latest example is the Roots Wood Works collection of watches that arrived recently in stores. The line includes four designs featuring unique wood grain dials in warm maple tones. Roots Flight Plan comes in a sleek silhouette and a rich walnut dial. The solid stainless steel watch features a multifunction movement with day, date and 24hour indicators, luminous hands and markers that add to the functionality of the design. Retail price: $150 Issue 69 - March 23, 2007

Roots Rockefeller includes a deep walnut wood grained dial combined with the solid stainless steel tankstyle shape adding a classic statement to modern style. Retail price: $130

Roots Arrowhead is ideal for any urban gent and features a rugged chocolate brown leather band along with a rich walnut dial for a casual look. Additional details include date function and luminous hands. Retail price: $110

Roots Orleans comes in a jewellery-inspired bracelet design with reversible wood - filled swivel links that provide two different looks. It features a deep rich walnut wood grain dial paired with a sophisticated tank-style case and will be available in stores next month. Retail price: $115 The Source 11

The Source

Issue 69 - March 23, 2007