TOP STORIES

Starbucks undertakes massive refresh of North American locations and closing 250 stores

Mario Toneguzzi -
A refresh of Starbucks cafés is designed to bring customers back to what they love most about the coffeehouse: great coffee, craft, connection, and community.

Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop has ambitious growth plans in Canada and internationally

Mario Toneguzzi -
Tommy Gun’s CEO Keenan Fisher discusses the Canadian barbershop brand’s growth, franchising strategy and plans for 80-plus new locations worldwide.

MEC to Open Small-Format Whistler Store as Retailer Tests New Concept

Craig Patterson -
MEC will open a 2,200-square-foot store in Whistler Village, testing a smaller retail format backed by curated inventory and its broader online assortment.

Lavazza Targets Canadian Growth as It Moves to Double North American Business by 2028

Craig Patterson -
Lavazza is expanding its Canadian presence as part of a strategy to more than double its North American business by 2028, with growth opportunities in distribution, Western Canada and experiential marketing.

Guac Mexi Grill Marks 10 Years With 56 Locations, Eyes U.S. Expansion

Mario Toneguzzi -
Oakville-based Guac Mexi Grill is marking its 10th anniversary with 56 Canadian locations and plans to add 10 to 15 restaurants annually while expanding into the U.S. and India.

Rawcology Founder Tara Tomulka turns personal health journey into growing plant-based food business

Mario Toneguzzi -
Rawcology has grown from a nutrition blog into a food brand offering organic, low-sugar products, with founder Tara Tomulka eyeing further growth in Canada and international markets.

AI transforming retail pricing, from dynamic discounts to personalized offers

Mario Toneguzzi -
McGill professor Maxime Cohen examines how artificial intelligence could reshape retail pricing, customer discounts, fairness and the future of AI-driven commerce.

Retailers face growing trust challenge as AI reshapes customer personalization

Mario Toneguzzi -
Amperity co-founder Derek Slager explains why accurate customer data, privacy, transparency and governance are becoming critical as retailers expand AI-powered shopping experiences.

Daily Synopsis: September 24, 2026

Retail Insider -
Economists optimistic amid new retail data, consumers could benefit from Empire ending property controls, Starbucks closing 250 North American locations, OVO marks 25 years of Degrassi, and other news.

Natural, organic and wellness sector facing growing pressure from tariffs

Mario Toneguzzi -
The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) warns of impacts across the NOW industry that generates approximately $39.7 billion in economic output, contributes $18.7 billion to Canada’s GDP, and supports approximately 147,100 full-time equivalent jobs, according to research by MNP.

Central Walk Details Redevelopment of Former Bay Spaces at Woodgrove and Mayfair

Craig Patterson -
Central Walk owner Ruby Liu details plans for 310,000 square feet of former Hudson’s Bay space at Woodgrove  Centre in Namaimo and Mayfair Centre in Victoria, including H Mart, Haidilao and TM Wander.

8 in 10 Canadians cutting back on restaurants: Restaurants Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
Restaurant sales are expected to reach $130 billion in 2026, but rising costs and thin margins continue to depress bottom lines.

Retail sales dip in July: Statistics Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
The largest decrease was observed at general merchandise retailers, in which retail sales were down 1.9% in July, after increasing 2.5% in June.

7-Eleven Brings Korean Bestsellers to Canada as Global Food Strategy Expands

Lee Rivett -
7-Eleven Canada is importing top-selling Korean snacks from another 7-Eleven market for the first time, extending a food strategy that increasingly draws on products tested elsewhere in its global network. The move follows the success of its Japanese-style egg salad sandwich.

Osmow’s reaches 250 locations as family-run restaurant marks 25 years

Mario Toneguzzi -
The company was founded by Sam Osmow in 2001 after he converted a small Streetsville sub shop into the first Osmow’s Shawarma location.

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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.

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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

Payroll employment increases in retail trade: Statistics Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
From February to July, payroll employment in this sector generally trended up, with an overall increase of 25,300 (+1.3%).

Retail sales dip in July: Statistics Canada

RBC: Canadian Consumer Spending Broadens as Cardholder Purchases Rise in August

Reitmans (Canada) Limited reports Q2 financial results, net revenues decrease 1.9% y/y

Dollarama Q2 sales increase 17.6% y/y to surpass $2 billion

RETAILER PEOPLE NEWS

Latest retail news focused on leaders, recognition, etc.

RETAILER OP-EDS

Latest retail opinion editorials.

RETAILER NEWS (Con't)

News

AI transforming retail pricing, from dynamic discounts to personalized offers

Mario Toneguzzi -
McGill professor Maxime Cohen examines how artificial intelligence could reshape retail pricing, customer discounts, fairness and the future of AI-driven commerce.

Retailers face growing trust challenge as AI reshapes customer personalization

Natural, organic and wellness sector facing growing pressure from tariffs

Central Walk Details Redevelopment of Former Bay Spaces at Woodgrove and Mayfair

8 in 10 Canadians cutting back on restaurants: Restaurants Canada

RETAILER FINANCIALS & DATA (Con't)

RETAILER PEOPLE NEWS (Con't)

News

Danone Canada appoints Natalie Holloway as Senior Vice President, Customer and Commercial Sales

Mario Toneguzzi -
In this role, she will lead Danone Canada's customer and commercial sales organization, helping advance the company's long-term growth ambition while continuing to strengthen trusted relationships with its retail partners across the country.

Toronto’s newest wellness destination – The Practice

AI, Traceability and Resilience Reshape Global Retail Supply Chains: TradeBeyond Executive

Reitmans Names Lilly Singh and Katherine Levac as New National Ambassadors for Fall 2026 Campaign

Groupe Dynamite appoints new digital leader as Chief Customer Officer

RETAILER OP-EDS (Con't)

News

Canadian Consumers Keep Spending Despite Weak Economy and Trade War

Lee Rivett -
Canadian consumers continue spending despite trade tensions and a weaker labour market, with Walmart, TJX and other retailers posting strong results.

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

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

Grocery Prices Face New Pressure as Ottawa Imposes Counter-Tariffs

Canadians Are Grocery Shopping More Often but Buying Less Each Time

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