Just Good Business 🍁

Economic Forecast 2026: Insights from BMO's Chief Economist

00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:13 - Economic Forecast 2026: Insights from BMO's Chief Economist00:11:34 - Reflecting on 2025 with Sean McCormick: A Flat Holiday Spend and Its Implications00:19:13 - AI and Retail Evolution: Preparing for 2026 with Mastercard’s Benjamin Jacob00:28:08 - OutroChapter 1: Economic Forecast 2026: Insights from BMO's Chief EconomistAl sat down with Douglas Porter, Chief Economist at BMO, to unpack the top 3 economic stories of 2025, and to look at the year ahead in Canada’s economy. He also offers some helpful insights for Canadian small business owners.Chapter 2: Reflecting on 2025 with Sean McCormick: A Flat Holiday Spend and Its ImplicationsData Expert Sean McCormick joins Al to break down the latest holiday consumer spending trends. Was spending up, down, or flat this year? Which provinces came out on top? Which days were the busiest—and has Boxing Day lost its traditional shopping momentum? Get these answers and more insights in the full conversation.Chapter 3: AI and Retail Evolution: Preparing for 2026 with Mastercard’s Benjamin JacobDon't miss our chat with MasterCard's Benjamin Jacob on the evolving consumer behavior and adaptive economies. Discover how AI and strategic spending are revolutionizing the way Canadians shop!  Links of Interest:BMOBMO Capital MarketsMoneris Data ServicesMastercardMastercard Small Business Resources Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Small Business & Charity: How Communities Support Ronald McDonald House

00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:52 - Small Business & Charity: How Communities Support Ronald McDonald House00:11:16 - Call For Small Campaign Winners00:11:50 - Inside Black Friday 2025: What the Data Tells Us00:21:22 - OutroChapter 1: Small Business & Charity: How Communities Support Ronald McDonald House  Al is joined by Kate Horton from Ronald McDonald House Canada. She shares stories of how the organization supports families during their child's medical treatments. Ronald McDonald House Canada has supported more than 500,000 families across Canada since inception in 1981.Learn how you can help make a difference.Chapter 2: Inside Black Friday 2025: What the Data Tells UsJoin Al as he dives into the results from Black Friday 2025 with resident data expert Sean McCormick. Despite high hopes, spending was down 4% year-over-year, revealing intriguing regional differences and consumer behaviors. Discover key insights into the holiday shopping season, economic pressures, and strategic tips for merchants.Links of InterestRoncy PacksRonald McDonald House Canada / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookMoneris Data Services  Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Maximizing Your Restaurant’s Profitability: Insights from David Hopkins

Chapter 1: Maximizing Your Restaurant’s Profitability: Insights from David HopkinsCanada's restaurant industry is grappling with rising food and labor costs, shifting consumer habits, and economic uncertainties. David Hopkins, President of The Fifteen Group, discusses how restaurants can maximize profits and create new concepts. Hopkins emphasizes the importance of detailed business planning for new restaurants and strategizing for peak seasons like the holidays. He also touches on trends and the cautious use of technology and Ai in the industry.Chapter 2: Tech to Table: How Moneris Go Restaurant Elevates Your Business OperationsAl dives into the latest technology to streamline restaurant operations with Gad Elharrar, VP of Product, and Michael Monaghan, Director of Product at Moneris. They introduce Moneris Go Restaurant, a commerce solution designed for small and micro-merchants. Learn how this solution is exceeding expectations and meeting the evolving needs of Canadian restaurateurs.Chapter 3: Putting a bow on consumer spending during the Toronto Blue Jays’ epic post-seasonThe World Series has wrapped up, and unfortunately for Canadian baseball fans, the Toronto Blue Jays came up short. While the on-field results weren’t what we hoped for, the story at the cash register tells a different tale for small Canadian businesses. Al sits down with consumer spending data expert Sean McCormick to break down the numbers from Toronto’s postseason run. The conversation even takes a therapeutic turn as Sean helps Al process the loss.Links of InterestThe Fifteen GroupMoneris Go RestaurantMoneris Data Services Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

October Baseball’s Economic Impact On Spending Across Canada

October Baseball’s Economic Impact On Spending Across CanadaAl is joined by Sports Expert and VP of Business Development at Moneris Data Services Sean McCormick to discuss the excitement of October baseball as the Toronto Blue Jays enter the postseason, examining the impact on local and national spending. Sean shares insights on how playoff rusns boost restaurant and bar revenue, referencing data from previous NHL and MLB events.Introducing Moneris Go Retail: New Features For Modern Retail NeedsLast month, Moneris launched significant enhancements to its Go Retail solution, addressing the evolving needs of modern retail. Al is joined by VP of Product Gad Elharrar and Director of Retail Products Alexandra Silverberg to discuss the new features designed to streamline operations for small and micro businesses.Links of InterestMoneris Data ServicesMoneris Go Retail Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Rediscovering Canada: Insights on Domestic Tourism

Discover how Canadians are embracing domestic tourism more than ever before! In this insightful episode, Al sits down with Sean McCormick, VP of Business Development at Moneris Data Services, to discuss his findings.  Learn about the reasons behind the increased focus on local travel, how the exchange rate and political factors are influencing travel decisions, and get a sneak peek into the upcoming Elevate Festival in Toronto.Whether you're in the tourism industry or just curious about travel trends, this episode is packed with valuable information you won't want to miss!Also in this episode:Amanda Ibrahim, Senior Events & Sponsorship Specialist at Moneris talks about the upcoming Elevate FestivalLinks of Interest:Moneris Data ServicesAngus Reid InstituteElevate Festival  Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.