TOP STORIES

Prince Street Pizza Pursues Canadian Expansion as Second Toronto Restaurant Takes Shape

Craig Patterson -
Prince Street Pizza is preparing its second Toronto restaurant at 2472 Yonge Street as CBRE seeks additional Canadian locations. The expansion follows the New York pizza chain's 2023 debut at The Well.

Daily Synopsis: October 29, 2026

Retail Insider -
DoorDash looks to acquire Instacart, rise of witchcraft stores, JYSK coming to former Moose Jaw Peavey Mart, Daniel's Art Supplies shutting in Toronto, Princess Auto opening Guelph location in December, and other news.

Oakridge Park Partners with Moment Factory to Launch Interactive Entertainment Attraction in Vancouver

Craig Patterson -
Oakridge Park in Vancouver is partnering with Montreal-based Moment Factory to launch Wonderground on November 2. The ticketed interactive gaming attraction will also accommodate brand activations and events, adding another entertainment offering to the mixed-use retail development.

Walmart Canada Overhauls Great Value as Private-Label Grocery Competition Intensifies

Lee Rivett -
Walmart Canada is redesigning Great Value packaging across its private-label assortment, with nearly 150 products expected to transition in 2027. The rollout comes as Loblaw, Sobeys and Metro compete for Canadian shoppers through their own store brands.

Tate McRae launches fragrance brand with exclusive Canadian Sephora deal

Mario Toneguzzi -
Calgary-born singer Tate McRae is entering the fragrance market with TATE 01, a new perfume developed with Scent Beauty and launching exclusively at Sephora Canada.

Statistics Canada Reports August Job Losses in Retail and Food Services

Mario Toneguzzi -
Statistics Canada says retail payroll employment fell by 4,400 in August, while accommodation and food services lost 6,800 jobs as vacancies held steady at 507,200.

Statistics Canada Reports Eighth Consecutive Monthly Increase in Restaurant Sales

Mario Toneguzzi -
Statistics Canada reports restaurant and foodservice sales rose 0.3% to $8.9 billion in August, despite ongoing profitability pressures across the industry.

LoyauT 2026: The Restaurant Industry Tops Canada’s Loyalty Programs

Mario Toneguzzi -
Salvatoré surprises Québec by jumping straight to the top spot, while Canadians appear to be reaching a plateau in their use of loyalty programs.

Canadian small business sales rise for four straight months, Xero report finds

Mario Toneguzzi -
Canadian small business sales rose 2 per cent year over year in the September quarter, led by Alberta, while late payments remained among the country's biggest challenges, said Xero.

Retail Insider “Q3 2026 Logistics & Supply Chain Report”: Resilience Has to Earn Its Cost

Lee Rivett -
Canadian retailers added distribution capacity while tariffs, freight costs and inventory needs shifted. Retail Insider’s Q3 report examines when extra supply-chain options protect service and justify their expense.

Restaurant Brands International sees net revenue jump to $2.53 billion in Q3, with system-wide sales near $13 billion

Mario Toneguzzi -
Restaurant Brands International Inc. is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with over $49 billion in annual system-wide sales and over 33,000 restaurants in more than 120 countries and territories.

Giftbit Data Shows Grocery Gift Card Rewards Surged 1,067% in December 2025

Mario Toneguzzi -
Giftbit data reveals grocery gift card rewards surged 1,067% in December 2025 as consumers prioritized practical rewards amid affordability pressures.

Loblaw Pushes Back on Supplier Price Hikes as No Frills and Maxi Expansion Accelerates

Craig Patterson -
Loblaw says it has challenged hundreds of millions in proposed supplier cost increases in 2026 as it expands No Frills and Maxi. The dispute highlights the economics of discount grocery, manufacturer cost pressures and Canada's new Grocery Code of Conduct.

Daily Synopsis: October 28, 2026

Retail Insider -
Halloween costumes fly off the shelves in stores, Ossington vendor market above coffee shop, calls for street and retail safety in BC, CFIG winners announced, and other news.

Canadian Tire Expands Saskatoon Store by More Than 50% to 104,000 Square Feet

Mario Toneguzzi -
Canadian Tire has expanded its Preston Crossing store in Saskatoon from 69,000 to 104,000 square feet, adding product displays, larger departments and a permanent greenhouse.

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How Retailers Are Reducing Store Rollout Costs Without Compromising Their Customer Experience

Craig Patterson -
Rodmell & Company explains how its Customer Experience Value Engineering approach helps retailers identify repeatable savings in store development while preserving the elements of the customer experience that matter most. Patrick Rodmell discusses the role of specifications, cross-functional decisions and long-term value.

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Is lululemon Taking a Page from Gap’s Comeback Playbook?

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Retail Insider “Q3 2026 Marketing & Customer Experience Report”: Measure the Job, Not Just the Audience

Lee Rivett -
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