TOP STORIES

Joseph Tassoni Calls ‘Natural Authority’ His Best Show Yet as Canadian Brand Builds

Craig Patterson -
Canadian designer Joseph Tassoni discusses his Natural Authority runway show in Toronto, his Oakville showroom and his strategy for controlled brand growth.

Retail Insider’s Canadian Retail Monitor — September 2026: Consumer Spending Becomes Selective

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail is experiencing widening demand gaps across categories, regions and price points as value considerations move deeper into retailer strategy.

Toronto Waterfront Retail Market Evolves as Eastern District Builds Out

Craig Patterson -
Toronto’s waterfront retail market is evolving as new businesses, experiential concepts, transit investment and major eastern waterfront development create new commercial opportunities.

Lunaro Hospitality opens first restaurant with chef Justin Friedlich in Toronto

Mario Toneguzzi -
Shay Ristorante is named after Friedlich’s daughter and is described as a personal expression of his heritage and story, with a focus on creating a dining experience centred on family and Italian culinary traditions.

Canadian Grocery Supply Chains Face Rising Costs and Disruption Risks: Capgemini

Mario Toneguzzi -
Canadian grocers face tariff pressures, raw-material shortages and limited logistics alternatives as retailers diversify suppliers and strengthen supply-chain resilience.

Larry’s Catch opens a new warehouse in Vancouver as the brand makes inroads into Western Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
The new facility will allow the brand to strengthen its delivery network, lower shipping costs and make its premium, wild-caught Canadian seafood more accessible to customers across British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

OK Tire Launches National Video Series Spotlighting the People ‘Behind the Bay Doors’ (Video)

Mario Toneguzzi -
Documentary-style series puts community, entrepreneurship, and Canadian business at the forefront of national growth strategy.

Nightmare Bar Brings an Immersive Halloween Experience to Calgary

Mario Toneguzzi -
Calgary is getting a new Halloween destination filled with themed cocktails, interactive entertainment and unexpected scares.

Daily Synopsis: October 1, 2026

Retail Insider -
Tsawwassen Mills plans a large H Mart grocery and entertainment expansion while CF Chinook Centre adds Old Navy, SportChek, and Winners to boost retail offerings. In Quebec, La Cordee is shutting, and other news.

Why Canadian Retailers Are Losing Sales They’ve Already Won

Craig Patterson -
Checkout friction can cost Canadian retailers thousands in sales. Konek can help merchants offer a simple and trusted payment experience.

La Cordée Closure Ends Six-Year Turnaround Attempt in Quebec Outdoor Market

Lee Rivett -
Quebec outdoor retailer La Cordée is shutting down after 73 years, ending a six-year turnaround that included new ownership and store expansion. The retailer returned to creditor protection in July 2026 with more than $13 million in obligations.

Tsawwassen Mills Marks 10 Years with H Mart, TM Wander and New Entertainment Uses

Craig Patterson -
Tsawwassen Mills marks 10 years as Central Walk expands the 1.2-million-square-foot centre with TM Wander, recreation and entertainment uses. A roughly 30,000-square-foot H Mart anchor is also targeted to open around Christmas 2027.

IKEA Canada celebrates 50 years in Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
To mark the milestone, IKEA Canada is focused on affordability with 50% off one iconic IKEA product every weekend in October.

Canadian Retail Supply Chains Face Scrutiny as $63.3B in Imports Linked to Labour Risk

Lee Rivett -
World Vision estimates $63.3 billion in Canadian imports were associated with documented child- or forced-labour risks in 2025, led by electronics and apparel, as Ottawa considers stronger border enforcement that could raise traceability demands for retailers.

Iconic outdoor lifestyle brand L.L.Bean reimagines its flagship store in Freeport, Maine

Mario Toneguzzi -
The reimagined Flagship store and campus, which is visited by many Canadian tourists each year,  immerses customers in the outdoor lifestyle inspired by Maine and surrounds them with the products designed to enjoy it.

FEATURED ARTICLES

How to Manage Peak Season Risks: Safeguard Profits and Customer Loyalty When Shipping Volumes Surge

Retail Insider -
Join Retail Insider and UPS Capital Canada on October 7 at 11:00am ET for a free webinar on peak-season shipping risks, and protecting profits.

SITE SEARCH

CURATED NEWS

Retail Insider Articles, by Category, can be found below.

RETAILER NEWS

Latest retail store openings, closings, expansions, etc.

RETAILER FINANCIALS & DATA

Latest retail financial results, industry data, and third-party research affecting Canadian retail.

News

Retail Insider’s Canadian Retail Monitor — September 2026: Consumer Spending Becomes Selective

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail is experiencing widening demand gaps across categories, regions and price points as value considerations move deeper into retailer strategy.

Aritzia Absorbs U.S. Tariff Hit as Growth Outpaces the Cost

Retail trade sector dips in July: Statistics Canada

Payroll employment increases in retail trade: Statistics Canada

Retail sales dip in July: Statistics Canada

RETAILER PEOPLE NEWS

Latest retail news focused on leaders, recognition, etc.

RETAILER OP-EDS

Latest retail opinion editorials.

News

Canada’s Retail Market Is Polarizing. Where Does That Leave the Middle?

Retail Insider -
Canada’s retail market is increasingly polarized between value and premium. Linda Farha examines why differentiation, positioning and a clear customer proposition are becoming critical for retailers caught in the middle.

From The Desk: Retailers adapt formats and expansion amid labour, cost and consumer shifts

Grocery Prices Face New Pressure as Diesel Costs Rise Across Canada

From The Desk: Strategic growth, pricing resilience and retail real estate shifts

How Premium Brands Defend Pricing as Products Become Easier to Copy

RETAILER NEWS (Con't)

RETAILER FINANCIALS & DATA (Con't)

RETAILER PEOPLE NEWS (Con't)

RETAILER OP-EDS (Con't)

News

Why Food Inflation Is Running Hotter in Canada Than the U.S.

Sylvain Charlebois -
Canadian grocery prices have risen faster than in the U.S. Sylvain Charlebois examines tariffs, productivity, competition, processing capacity and scale.

How SMBs can deliver like large retailers this holiday season: UniUni (Opinion)

Canadian Consumers Keep Spending Despite Weak Economy and Trade War

Canada’s New Counter-Tariffs to Impact Food Sector Supply Chains

From The Desk: Canadian Retail Navigates Expansion, Consumer Shifts, and Supply Challenges

SUBSCRIBE to Retail Insider's Daily E-News

Subscribe

* indicates required