David Sobey Centre

David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing & Services

The David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing and Services (DSC) helps build a vibrant retail sector in Canada through research, innovation and retail education. This state-of-the-art centre of excellence is equipped with cutting-edge facilities including a range of specialized labs and spaces dedicated to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and technology.

Innovation at the DSC is carried out entirely in-house, with faculty and graduate students, as well as in collaboration with industry partners. Partners can be retailers and/or technology companies. Faculty colleagues from multiple disciplines bring diverse perspectives to innovation projects. The DSC’s labs (biometric lab and digital lab), mock store and store-lab provide the ideal environment for identifying innovation opportunities, developing, and testing innovations, as well as deploying them in a retail store.

Opening in 2024, the David Sobey Centre's automated Store-Lab will serve as a "living lab," providing an exceptional infrastructure for research, education and customer experience. Through collaboration with the DSC, retailers gain access to academic expertise and leverage cutting-edge research methods, driving forward their businesses.