Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For June 23, 2025

OUR ARTICLES OF THE DAY

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News at a Glance

Retail Insider is streamlining its Canadian retail news from around the web to include a handful of top news stories that can be viewed quickly during the day. Here are the top stories from the past several days.

Statistics Canada reports April retail sales up 0.3 per cent at $70.1 billion (The Canadian Press)

Lululemon layoffs hint at tougher landscape for retail (Vancouver Sun)

Landlords for 23 former Hudson’s Bay locations oppose plans for Ruby Liu department stores (Globe & Mail / subscriber paywall)

Loblaws drops property controls — a change that could reduce grocery prices and impact investor outlook (Yahoo)

Big grocery wants Ontario to lift ban on ‘private label’ wine, beer (CBC)

Craig’s Cookies set to open in Ottawa on Canada Day (CTV)

These once-rare plants popular during the pandemic are now popping up at retailers across Canada (CTV)

Kelowna Toys ‘R’ Us to close permanently (Kelowna Now)

Crowbars and getaway cars: Ottawa police investigating series of brazen smash-and-grabs (CBC)

Shein launches first-ever Alberta pop-up at CrossIron Mill (FashionNetwork)

Edmonton program repairs, restores damaged, stained clothes at thrift stores (CityNews)

Harden proceeds with sale of part of Méga Centre Notre-Dame site (The Laval News)

Toys “R” Us in the Maritimes: Confirmed closures and a wave of uncertainty (Country 94)

The Bensadoun School of Retail Management is back in the fast lane with Aston Martin F1 for another epic edition of The Winning Formula (McGill University)

MOST RECENT PREVIOUS ARTICLES

RECENT RETAIL INSIDER VIDEOS

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

Canadian retailers adjust store formats and expansion amid labour challenges, cost pressures and uneven spending, balancing growth with operational control.

Daily Synopsis: September 25, 2026

Competition Bureau seeks info on grocers in new wave, Marc Giroux steps in as CEO of Metro Inc., Pokemon thefts rise, Starbucks closing some Canadian locations, ABC Books shutting on Yonge St. in Toronto, and other news.

Aritzia’s Store Network Has Shifted South as U.S. Expansion Accelerates

Aritzia now operates more boutiques in the United States than in Canada as the Vancouver-founded retailer directs most new-store growth south of the border. Its mature Canadian network offers a useful template for the company’s push toward a potential 180-to-200-store U.S. footprint.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Kraft Dinner teams up with Solly’s Cream Soda for unique beverage

KD is teaming up with Solly’s Craft Soda to give fans a new way to satisfy their KD cravings in a beverage that combines the taste of cream soda with a hint of KD’s iconic cheesiness

Payroll employment increases in retail trade: Statistics Canada

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

Fuel costs, tariff pressures drag small business confidence down in September: CFIB

Weak demand remained the leading growth constraint for nearly half (49%) of small businesses, while shortage of skilled labour persisted for 41% of small firms.

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