FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Mississauga, Ontario) Monday, January 12 – With support from the Ontario government, through the Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC), Dixie Tile Shop, operating as Dixie Reno Supplier Inc., has been able to modernize its retail operations. This support was made possible from the DCC’s new Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG).

“Ontario’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and digital modernization is key to helping them grow and thrive,” said the Honourable Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business. “Through the Digitalization Competence Centre, we are giving businesses like Dixie Reno the tools they need to work smarter, improve service, and remain competitive in today’s digital economy.”

Dixie Reno, a Mississauga-based tile and renovation retailer serving homeowners, contractors, and designers, upgraded its point-of-sale system to Square POS and invested in new office equipment to streamline sales and inventory management. The project enables faster reporting, real-time inventory access on the sales floor, and more efficient day-to-day operations.

“Digital modernization is essential to helping Ontario’s small businesses stay competitive,” said Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI). “Through Ontario’s Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC), OCI is supporting projects like Dixie Reno’s that improve productivity, reduce costs, and strengthen day-to-day operations.”

The project is expected to increase productivity by 20–25% and reduce operating costs by 20–25%.

“Support from the Retail Modernization Project Grant has transformed how we operate,” said Jenny Zhang, CEO, Dixie Reno Supplier Inc. “With real-time inventory, faster reporting, and streamlined sales processes, our team can focus more on customers and less on paperwork. This investment is already making a meaningful difference for our staff and our business.”

Beyond productivity gains, the modernization effort is also generating environmental and workplace benefits, including reduced paper use, improved access to real-time data for staff, and lower electricity consumption from newer equipment.

Since July 2025, on behalf of the Ontario government, OCI has approved more than 200 Retail Modernization Project Grant projects, helping retailers across the province adopt digital tools and build long-term competitiveness.

“Digital adoption is a game-changer for small businesses and key to their competitiveness,” said Raed Kadri, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Business Development and Head of OVIN at OCI. “OCI is at the forefront of Ontario’s digital transformation, supporting businesses on their journey to scale, compete in the digital economy, and drive economic growth in local communities.”

The Digitalization Competence Centre is funded by the government of Ontario, delivered by OCI and supports Ontario SMEs through funding, tools, and expertise to accelerate digital adoption, improve productivity, and strengthen competitiveness across key sectors.

About the Ontario Centre of Innovation 

The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) brings industry, academic, and government partners together to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities that generate the highest return on innovation for Ontarians.

As an ecosystem connector, OCI initiates unparalleled partnership opportunities, develops and manages successful industry-academic collaborations, supports high-potential SMEs in commercializing ground-breaking research, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of highly-skilled talent.

OCI drives economic growth and job creation through investments in the development, commercialization, and adoption of advanced technologies. For more information: https://www.oc-innovation.ca

Media Inquires
Alicia Pereira, apereira@oc-innovation.ca