Wittington Investments secures Boots in a US$8.9-billion deal expanding pharmacy reach, while Lululemon appoints new executives to counter North American sales decline. Both moves reflect strategic repositioning in retail amid market and competition pressures.

The Weston family is making a major return to British retail with an US$8.9-billion acquisition of Boots, a pharmacy, healthcare and beauty giant with striking parallels to Shoppers Drug Mart.

Lululemon is restructuring its leadership team just 29 days into Heidi O’Neill’s tenure, recruiting senior executives from Walmart Canada and Athleta as the Vancouver-based retailer focuses on product, brand and operational execution.

Entertainment operators are taking larger positions in Canadian shopping centres as landlords redevelop former department stores and add attractions designed to extend visits. JLL is tracking a 16.5-million-square-foot North American pipeline as concepts including Playdium, Activate, Splitsville and Forever Young expand.

The brand is adding Metro Ontario and Pattison Food Group locations while making and packaging its Canadian lineup domestically.

Quebec-based hobby and collectibles retailer Imaginaire is prioritizing Ontario as it plans two to three new stores annually beginning in 2027 and builds toward a national footprint.

CEO Victor Tam says the Vancouver-based company is deepening its presence in existing Canadian markets while balancing growth between Canada and the U.S.

More than three years after Nordstrom exited Canada, replacement tenants are now known at all six former full-line stores. From SportChek, Winners and Old Navy in Calgary to Simons, Aritzia, Eataly and Splitsville elsewhere, the former department-store boxes are taking on very different configurations.

Second-wave findings from Zensurance’s 2026 survey show three-in-five small business owners remain outside the AI conversation.

Investor demand in Calgary is strongest for grocery-anchored, neighbourhood and convenience-focused properties, as buyers seek resilient retail assets amid population growth and limited supply.

New permanent Nintendo space coming to EB Games' flagship Toronto location October 17

TD data show spending on travel, groceries and home-related purchases remained resilient, while World Cup activity lifted select categories in Ontario and B.C.

Costco members across Canada can now order groceries, household essentials, electronics and other products from Costco warehouses through DoorDash.

Wild Fork retreats from Ontario after closing four stores, contrasting with Jollibee's rapid Canadian growth and MINISO's launch of a larger store format in Mississauga. Their differing strategies reflect varied approaches to scaling retail operations in competitive markets.

Wild Fork is exiting Canada and closing four Ontario stores after once planning nearly 30 locations and broader national expansion.