TOP STORIES

Groupe Marcelle partners with Dentsu Creative Canada on brand growth

Mario Toneguzzi -
Montreal-based beauty company Groupe Marcelle has partnered with Dentsu Creative Canada to support the development of its Marcelle, Watier and Annabelle brands.

Recipe Unlimited to acquire Greece-based restaurant operator Evergood

Mario Toneguzzi -
The Canadian restaurant company has signed an agreement to acquire Evergood, which operates more than 575 restaurants across five brands in Greece and regional markets.

Daily Synopsis: October 15, 2026

Retail Insider -
Patagonia opening downtown Kelowna store Friday, No Frills opening in SW Edmonton, Denny's expanding with Woodstock location, metro Vancouver restaurant named best in North America, and other news.

Canada’s Food Affordability Crisis Goes Beyond Grocery Prices

Sylvain Charlebois -
As World Food Day approaches, Sylvain Charlebois examines the widening divide between Canada's agricultural strength and household food security. New income and expense comparisons show why rising disposable incomes have not eliminated affordability pressures for lower- and middle-income Canadians.

mini mioche Returns to Toronto Retail as Trade War Reshapes Growth Strategy

Craig Patterson -
mini mioche opens a Toronto flagship as CEO Jacquelyn Corbett discusses trade uncertainty, Canadian manufacturing, wholesale growth and retail expansion.

Who Shopped HBC’s Women’s Floor, and Where They’ve Gone

Retail Insider -
New Environics Analytics research examines Hudson’s Bay’s affluent women’s clothing shoppers, their spending habits and the retailers attracting them.

Are Canadian Retailers Making Shopping Too Complicated? Samsung Research Raises Questions

Craig Patterson -
New Samsung Canada research finds that 68% of Canadians say technology gives them more to manage. Samsung executive Tarik Akad tells Retail Insider why retailers should reconsider how apps, loyalty programs and digital communications affect the customer experience.

Canadians keep spending through higher oil prices but momentum eased in September: RBC

Mario Toneguzzi -
RBC data shows Canadian consumer spending continued to grow in September, led by services, while higher fuel costs pressured household purchasing power and discretionary goods spending remained subdued.

Canadian Retailers Face a Costly Employee Retention Challenge

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retailers face rising employee turnover costs. Suzanne Sears explains how training and career development can help businesses retain staff.

Golf Town invests $15 million in Oakville flagship store

Mario Toneguzzi -
The 40,000-square-foot Oakville store becomes Golf Town’s 50th Canadian location, featuring expanded custom fitting, golf simulators and dedicated brand spaces.

Reitmans commits to providing one million meals through five-year food bank partnership

Mario Toneguzzi -
The Canadian apparel retailer is marking its 100th anniversary with a five-year partnership with Food Banks Canada to support people facing food insecurity.

Daily Synopsis: October 14, 2026

Retail Insider -
Walmart expands toys, Golf Town opens flagship in Oakville, Korean diner opens in Edmonton, and other news.

SMYTHE Appoints Former Canada Goose Executive Ana Mihaljevic CEO as Brand Expands

Craig Patterson -
Toronto fashion brand SMYTHE has appointed former Canada Goose executive Ana Mihaljevic as CEO as it prepares to open at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in 2027. Mihaljevic will also speak at Retail Insider @ Rotman on November 3.

Thai Express Is Betting on Calamari as Canada’s Next Quick-Service Premium Protein

Mario Toneguzzi -
Following the success of last year's lobster launch, the Canadian-born QSR brings another premium seafood favourite beyond the traditional restaurant appetizer.

Retail Insider @ Rotman Returns November 3 with Four Canadian Retail Leaders Exploring Customer Fit

Craig Patterson -
Retail Insider and Rotman reunite November 3 for four fireside chats on finding customer fit. Leaders from Harry Rosen, Roots, SMYTHE and Absolutely Fabrics will discuss changing consumer expectations, retail strategy and the future of Canadian retail.

SITE SEARCH

FEATURED ARTICLES

Retail Insider Releases Q3 2026 Canadian Retail Reports

Craig Patterson -
Retail Insider has released 18 Q3 2026 reports examining Canadian retail sectors, consumer behaviour and the businesses supporting the industry. The collection brings together reporting and data on store investment, real estate, technology, supply chains, marketing, security and policy.

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.

RETAILER PEOPLE NEWS

Latest retail news focused on leaders, recognition, etc.

News

SMYTHE Appoints Former Canada Goose Executive Ana Mihaljevic CEO as Brand Expands

Craig Patterson -
Toronto fashion brand SMYTHE has appointed former Canada Goose executive Ana Mihaljevic as CEO as it prepares to open at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in 2027. Mihaljevic will also speak at Retail Insider @ Rotman on November 3.

AI Could Push Retail Into a ‘Sea of Sameness’: Carl Boutet

Selwyn Crittendon moving on to different role at IKEA

Lululemon Overhauls Leadership, Taps Walmart Canada Executive as North American Sales Slide

VIDEO: What consumers can do during an affordability crisis

RETAILER OP-EDS

Latest retail opinion editorials.

News

Canada’s Food Affordability Crisis Goes Beyond Grocery Prices

Sylvain Charlebois -
As World Food Day approaches, Sylvain Charlebois examines the widening divide between Canada's agricultural strength and household food security. New income and expense comparisons show why rising disposable incomes have not eliminated affordability pressures for lower- and middle-income Canadians.

Weak Canadian Dollar Could Drive Grocery Prices Higher in 2027: Sylvain Charlebois

From The Desk: Retail Growth Divides and AI’s Expanding Role in Canadian Retail

Why Grocery Pricing Rules Could Help Some Retailers and Hurt Others

From The Desk: Polarized retail growth, evolving formats and AI-driven customer engagement

RETAILER NEWS (Con't)

News

Canadians keep spending through higher oil prices but momentum eased in September: RBC

Mario Toneguzzi -
RBC data shows Canadian consumer spending continued to grow in September, led by services, while higher fuel costs pressured household purchasing power and discretionary goods spending remained subdued.

Canadian Retailers Face a Costly Employee Retention Challenge

Golf Town invests $15 million in Oakville flagship store

Reitmans commits to providing one million meals through five-year food bank partnership

Thai Express Is Betting on Calamari as Canada’s Next Quick-Service Premium Protein

RETAILER FINANCIALS & DATA (Con't)

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 (Con't)

RETAILER OP-EDS (Con't)

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

SUBSCRIBE to Retail Insider's Daily E-News

Subscribe

* indicates required