McGill Desautels researchers secured $4 million in funding through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s (SSHRC) 2025 and 2026 competitions. Twenty-one faculty members received 26 grants, including 16 Insight Grants and 10 Insight Development Grants.
As concert merchandise pop-ups become a standard feature of major music tours, Ariana Grande’s Montreal shop drew thousands of fans seeking exclusive items and a shared experience.
Siddhanth Mookerjee, marketing professor at Bensadoun School of Retail Management, explains that these limited-time stores help artists build anticipation while strengthening fan communities. By requiring appointments and offering exclusive products, brands satisfy consumers’ desire for both belonging and uniqueness.
Today’s online retail experience is built for convenience, removing nearly every barrier between browsing and buying. “E-commerce has reduced the friction of the purchasing process,” says Siddhanth Mookerjee, an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Bensadoun School of Retail Management.
