TOP STORIES

Chatters marks 35 years with focus on people, digital growth and national expansion

Mario Toneguzzi -
Chatters operates more than 115 locations nationwide and positions itself as a salon-based retailer offering both services and professional beauty products.

Daily Synopsis: May 5, 2026

Retail Insider -
RioCan shifts strategy in tight retail market, pickleball and other uses come to Canadian 'dead malls', counterfeit bills a concern for retailers in Windsor, pasta concept coming to Lonsdale Quay, and other news.

First Capital REIT reports “solid” Q1 results.

Mario Toneguzzi -
Total portfolio occupancy of 97.2%, representing an increase of 30 basis points year-over-year

EQB secures final approval for PC Financial acquisition

Mario Toneguzzi -
EQB expects the acquisition to close in the summer of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

Primaris REIT Repurposing Malls After Hudson’s Bay Closures

Craig Patterson -
Primaris REIT is repurposing former Hudson’s Bay stores, turning anchor closures into a strategy to reshape Canadian shopping centres.

Happy Belly Food Group acquiring 50% of Ghost Taco

Mario Toneguzzi -
Ghost Taco is a fast-growing Ontario-based fast-casual restaurant brand specializing in bold, Mexican-inspired tacos, bowls, sides and desserts.

Shopify delivers again as merchants clear $100 billion in Q1 GMV

Mario Toneguzzi -
For the second quarter of 2026, Shopify said it expects revenue to grow at a high-twenties percentage rate on a year-over-year basis.

Kantar: Brands Risk Missing Canada’s High-Value Seniors

Mario Toneguzzi -
Canadians in their "third age" (60–80) aren't retreating from life, they're travelling, dining out, adopting new tech, and spending.

Kinton Ramen introduces 1st food court concept at Waterfront Centre Vancouver

Mario Toneguzzi -
This new opening represents the brand's 12th location in British Columbia and serves as the first of several planned food court expansions across the province. 

Calgary Boutique espy experience Expands Under Megan Szanik

Mario Toneguzzi -
espy experience began in 2009 as a 1,500-square-foot designer discount concept in Inglewood and has grown to more than 12,000 square feet.

SITE SEARCH

FEATURED ARTICLES

RETAIL INSIDER REPORTS

Retail Insider Introduces Canadian Retail Sector Analysis

Craig Patterson -
New reporting series from Retail Insider delivers sector-level insight into Canadian retail, connecting trends across categories and consumer behaviour.
Read "Retail Insider Reports" Announcement

LATEST RETAIL INSIDER REPORTS

Retail Insider Articles, By Category

RETAILER NEWS

Latest retail store openings, closings, expansions, etc.

News

Chatters marks 35 years with focus on people, digital growth and national expansion

Mario Toneguzzi -
Chatters operates more than 115 locations nationwide and positions itself as a salon-based retailer offering both services and professional beauty products.

EQB secures final approval for PC Financial acquisition

Primaris REIT Repurposing Malls After Hudson’s Bay Closures

Happy Belly Food Group acquiring 50% of Ghost Taco

Kantar: Brands Risk Missing Canada’s High-Value Seniors

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.

RETAILER OP-EDS

Latest retail opinion editorials.

News

From The Desk: Navigating Retail’s Transformation Amid Legacy Resets and Experiential Growth

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail reshapes with Hudson’s Bay closures, experiential expansions, and evolving consumer trends emphasizing sustainability, technology and affordability.

What Simons Signals for the Future of Downtown Vancouver Retail

Grocery Prices Stabilize, but Affordability Remains a Challenge in Canada

From The Desk: Retail Revitalization and Strategic Expansion in Canada

How Luxury Retail Actually Works: Retail Staff

Articles By Category Continue Following Advertisement

CURATED NEWS

Articles By Category Continue Following Advertisement

RETAILER NEWS (Con't)

News

Kinton Ramen introduces 1st food court concept at Waterfront Centre Vancouver

Mario Toneguzzi -
This new opening represents the brand's 12th location in British Columbia and serves as the first of several planned food court expansions across the province. 

Splitsville Bowl Expands Across Canada with New Centres

How Cadillac Fairview Drives Shopping Centre Productivity

Toronto’s Basil Box to Shut Down All Locations by May 14

Pierre Cardin Opens First Canadian Store in Expansion

RETAILER FINANCIALS & DATA (Con't)

News

Apple Reports Record Revenue for Second Quarter of 2026

Lee Rivett -
Apple Inc. has announced impressive financial results for its fiscal second quarter of 2026, reporting a record revenue of $111.2 billion.

Happy Belly Food Group Reports $63.1M in 2025 Sales

Canadian Retail Sales Show Uneven Growth as Wellness Spending Surges

Jobs declining in the retail sector: Statistics Canada

Canadian GDP rises slightly in February: Statistics Canada

RETAILER PEOPLE NEWS (Con't)

News

Canadian Retail in Transition Conference Set for Toronto

Retail Insider -
Retail leaders gather May 8 in Toronto to discuss restructuring, insolvency trends, and the future of Canadian retail. Craig Patterson will provide his perspective of the industry in a fireside chat.

VIDEO: 50 Years of Canada’s Commercial Real Estate Evolution

Tim Cook Transitioning to Apple Executive Chairman as John Ternus Becomes CEO

Johny Srouji Appointed Apple’s Chief Hardware Officer in Significant Leadership Shift

OPA! of Greece names new President and CEO

RETAILER OP-EDS (Con't)

News

Public Grocery Stores Debate Gains Traction in Canada

Retail Insider -
Debate grows over public grocery stores in Canada as experts question feasibility, costs, and impact on food affordability.

Meat and Produce Prices Rise Together in Canada

Faulty Meat Scales Cost Canadians Millions

From The Desk: Strategic Growth and Market Polarization Shape Canadian Retail

Small Business: Elevating First Impressions Online

SUBSCRIBE to Retail Insider's Daily E-News

Subscribe

* indicates required