November 6, 1998
Nunavik co-ops adopt new look, more efficient management
The FCNQ is adopting new colours, a new logo, and more competitive marketing practices.
JANE GEORGE
Nunatsiaq News
BAIE D'URFE — The Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau Québec is sprucing up its operations, from the inside out.
The FCNQ's board has named a new president for the organization to replace Aliva Tulugak, who resigned in July.
Willie Etok from Kangiqsualujjuaq steps into the presidency, while Kuujjuaq's Sandy Saunders now sits as vice-president.
As well as bringing in new leadership, Nunavik's network of cooperatives is also adopting a whole new look. This includes outdoor and indoor signs, banners and even distinctive aprons for co-op employees.
The designs, based on the FCNQ's existing logo and rainbow colour scheme, were introduced at the board's recent meeting at the FCNQ's headquarters in Baie d'Urfé near Montreal.
Elijah Grey and Sarollie Weetaluktuk were quick to model the spiffy new aprons that all employees will receive, although those present at the unveiling felt that powder blue would be a more cheerful colour for the aprons than black.
Each coop in Nunavik will also receive a large outdoor sign. These illuminated signs will feature the name of the co-op, its own logo and the FCNQ's logo.
Assembled in segments, signs will be tailor-made to tell potential customers exactly what services they can expect from their community coop. Depending on the location, these may include postal services, a lunch and bakery section, or hardware supplies.
Co-ops will also receive new flags as well as inside banners to announce their weekly specials. The spectrum of rainbow colours will be repeated within the store, where each department will be designated by its own colour.
New large blue, igloo-shaped signs, similar to that already on the FCNQ logo, will also mark the individual departments.
Products such as baked goods and BBQ chicken will also be offered in many coops. Inukjuak's coop began selling bread on October 28 and quickly sold out the hot loaves.
New food and hardware
The FCNQ network is also linking up with two distributors for food and hardware, Colabor and Home Hardware. This arrangement should allow the coops to expand their offerings, but receive lower prices and keep inventory down.
This new way of doing business means the coops will have to make changes that are more than skin deep.
Keeping a lower inventory on hand means orders will have to be placed more frequently. But this move should increase the stores profitability by reducing overstocking.
"When you have to throw away inventory, you throw away money," explained Elijah Grey to delegates meeting in Baie d'Urfé.
To simplify ordering, computerized inventory control systems will gradually be introduced to all the co-ops. Electronic cash registers will soon be the rule in all stores, too
In December, Kuujjuaraapik's coop will finally begin doing its accounting on computers.
"We've been using hand-written ledgers, just like in the 1800s," said manager Elijah Petagumskum.
The board also discussed the fact that this new way of doing business will mean a different role for store managers like Petagumskum, who will now have more time to get involved in other areas of co-op operations.
Some expressed concern that these changes may difficult to accept, but FCNQ's management stressed the need for its 12 co-op stores to become more efficient and competitive.