Hello, and welcome to another edition of From the Desk of Craig Patterson.
It’s been another interesting week in Canadian retail, with developments spanning sports sponsorships, new store concepts and leadership changes. As businesses look for ways to connect with consumers and position themselves for growth, we’re seeing some interesting shifts in where companies are investing and how they’re approaching the market.
Women’s professional sports are attracting growing commercial interest, with Canadian sponsors recognizing opportunities to reach expanding and increasingly diverse audiences. The momentum is creating new possibilities for retailers, brands and commercial property owners looking to connect with fans and communities.
We’re also seeing continued experimentation with retail formats and customer experiences. From personalised children’s books that combine online customisation with physical retail distribution to interactive gaming environments designed to attract shoppers, companies are finding creative ways to bring digital and physical retail together.
Meanwhile, a series of executive appointments highlights how Canadian retailers are preparing for their next stages of growth, with renewed attention to international expansion, brand development and changing consumer expectations.
Here are some of the stories and developments that caught our attention this week.
Retailer News
Canadian Tire has completed its commitment to allocate at least half of its sports sponsorship budget to women’s professional sports and now aims to grow fan engagement through enhanced media partnerships and marketing campaigns focused on the underrepresented audience for women’s sports in Canada. This move comes as retail and real estate stakeholders seek to capitalise on the growing commercial potential of women’s sports by developing targeted marketing initiatives and sponsorships that reflect rising consumer interest.
Toronto-based SundayFawn is preparing to enter over 200 retail locations with its Story Pass model, which allows retailers to sell personalised children’s books without maintaining inventory, as customers customise and order books online with fulfillment managed entirely by SundayFawn. This model reduces risk for retailers and provides a scalable way to introduce personalised products in locations such as hospital gift shops, potentially changing how physical retail blends in-store discovery with digital order fulfilment. Simultaneously, Nintendo’s launch of North America’s first store-within-a-store concept at EB Games’ Toronto flagship combines merchandising with interactive product demonstrations, reflecting a trend towards immersive experiences to keep physical gaming retail relevant amid a digital-dominated sector.
Retailer Financials / Trends / Reports
A&W Food Services of Canada reported a 3.8% increase in system sales in the third quarter, reaching $497.6 million driven primarily by a successful burger promotion. In the same period, A&W opened nine new restaurants and expanded its Pret grab-and-go brand, indicating steady growth in its physical footprint alongside menu innovation. The company also introduced a new mission and corporate strategy focused on attracting younger, value-conscious consumers by emphasising convenience and consistent quality across its offerings. This approach may create new franchising opportunities and influence quick-service restaurant real estate demand as A&W adapts to evolving consumer preferences while aiming to strengthen market share and franchisee success.
Retailer People News
Retail leadership saw notable changes with Groupe Dynamite appointing Jennifer Vincent as Head of Global Communications to support its international expansion amid 29.8% revenue growth in Q2 2026. Vincent’s background in consumer and retail communications aligns with the company’s goals to strengthen brand development and investor relations during a period of new store openings in the US and UK.
Toronto fashion label SMYTHE named former Canada Goose executive Ana Mihaljevic as CEO to lead its retail and digital growth, including opening a 2027 boutique at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Meanwhile, Bed Bath & Beyond Canada tapped Carol Deacon as president to steer its planned 2027 relaunch with a digital-first approach followed by smaller physical stores supported by Sleep Country’s operational experience.
Retailer Op-Eds
Canada’s food affordability issues run deeper than consumer prices, reflecting a gap between the country’s agricultural capacity and household income pressures that affect lower- and middle-income buyers. Despite rising disposable incomes, many Canadians still face challenges securing affordable food, creating risks for grocery retailers and food-related retail property owners who serve these populations. Looking ahead, a weakening Canadian dollar coupled with increasing global commodity prices for staples like wheat and rice could intensify grocery inflation throughout 2027, particularly impacting imported fruits and vegetables. This situation compels retailers and landlords to pay more attention to sourcing and supply chain resilience, while government efforts to improve food self-sufficiency could moderate future pricing pressures and protect Canadian grocery sectors.
Editor’s Take
The Canadian retail market continues to evolve, and one of the more interesting developments is the growing contrast between retailers that are investing confidently in expansion and those struggling to maintain their existing operations. Premium brands and value-focused chains are finding opportunities to grow, often through larger stores, improved merchandising and investments in technology. Meanwhile, many mid-market retailers and independent businesses face a more difficult environment, with rising operating costs, staffing challenges and increasingly demanding consumers.
Aritzia offers an interesting example of what successful expansion can look like. The Vancouver-based retailer reported a 44% increase in revenue, supported by strong customer demand and continued growth in the United States. Its investment in larger boutiques reflects a broader recognition that physical stores remain central to retail success. Well-designed spaces can strengthen brand identity, showcase merchandise more effectively and encourage customers to spend more time shopping. Of course, larger stores also require substantial investment, and the approach won’t work for every retailer.
Labour is another important part of the picture. Even as retailers open new locations, that expansion doesn’t necessarily translate into equivalent employment growth. Companies are becoming more selective about hiring, restructuring operations and looking for ways to improve productivity with existing teams. For smaller retailers, retaining experienced employees can be particularly challenging. High turnover affects customer service, institutional knowledge and ultimately the shopping experience. Investments in training and employee development may not generate the same headlines as new store openings, but they can make a meaningful difference to long-term performance.
Artificial intelligence adds another dimension to these changes. Retailers are increasingly exploring how AI can improve operations, merchandising and customer engagement. There are clear opportunities, but I also wonder whether widespread adoption of similar technologies could make some retail experiences feel increasingly alike. Efficiency is important, but so is differentiation. A retailer still needs a compelling reason for customers to choose its stores, products and brand over competitors.
As AI changes how consumers discover and evaluate products, I believe the physical store could become even more important as a point of differentiation. Stores provide opportunities to build relationships, communicate brand identity and create experiences that cannot be fully replicated online. For landlords, this reinforces the importance of attracting retailers with distinctive concepts and a clear understanding of their customers.
Looking ahead, I expect the retailers that perform best will be those that balance investment in technology with strong store operations, thoughtful merchandising and capable employees. Growth is important, but building a business that can sustain that growth will matter just as much.
This Week’s Articles
Retailer News
- Canadian Tire shifts focus to growing fandom after reaching women’s sport investment milestone — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 16
- Sundayfawn Targets 200 Retail Locations With Personalized Book ‘Story Pass’ Model — Evan Nagy — Oct 16
- Nintendo’s first store-within-a-store in North America opens Saturday October 17 in Toronto — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 16
- KaleMart24 Eyes 100-Store Network as Canadian Expansion Accelerates [Video Interview] — Craig Patterson — Oct 16
- Tanya Taylor Opens First Canadian Store in Toronto’s Summerhill Neighbourhood — Craig Patterson — Oct 16
- Loblaw Expands Multi-Brand Apparel Strategy Beyond Joe Fresh — Lee Rivett — Oct 16
- Toronto-Based REFORMD Expands to California with Major Fitness and Wellness Studio — Craig Patterson — Oct 16
- MTY Food Group Shifts Focus to Franchising as Canadian Restaurant Sales Stabilize — Lee Rivett — Oct 16
- Oakridge Park Hosts Fashion Showcase with John Legend and Joe Zee in Vancouver — Craig Patterson — Oct 16
- Groupe Marcelle partners with Dentsu Creative Canada on brand growth — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 15
- Recipe Unlimited to acquire Greece-based restaurant operator Evergood — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 15
- mini mioche Returns to Toronto Retail as Trade War Reshapes Growth Strategy — Craig Patterson — Oct 15
- Who Shopped HBC’s Women’s Floor, and Where They’ve Gone — Retail Insider — Oct 15
- Are Canadian Retailers Making Shopping Too Complicated? Samsung Research Raises Questions — Craig Patterson — Oct 15
- Canadians keep spending through higher oil prices but momentum eased in September: RBC — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 15
- Canadian Retailers Face a Costly Employee Retention Challenge — Craig Patterson — Oct 15
- Golf Town invests $15 million in Oakville flagship store — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 15
- Reitmans commits to providing one million meals through five-year food bank partnership — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 15
- Thai Express Is Betting on Calamari as Canada’s Next Quick-Service Premium Protein — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 14
- Retail Insider @ Rotman Returns November 3 with Four Canadian Retail Leaders Exploring Customer Fit — Craig Patterson — Oct 14
- AI-Powered Scams Target Holiday Shoppers as Retail Fraud Risks Rise, Infobip Report Finds — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 14
- Browns Shoes Expands Canadian Store Network Following Toronto Eaton Centre Flagship Opening — Craig Patterson — Oct 14
- Calgary’s Stoked Oats Doubles Revenue as It Expands Into Costco and Asian Markets — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 14
- Bonobos rolls out Shopify-powered online shopping and in-store technology — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 14
- Are Canadian Retailers Making Shopping Too Complicated? Samsung Research Raises Questions — Craig Patterson — Oct 14
- Empire’s Family of Support Expands Access to Children’s Mental Health Care Across Canada — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 14
- Canadian Tire Corporation makes “landmark” commitment to women’s professional sports — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 14
- Canadian Small Businesses Pursue Growth Despite Economic Uncertainty: Scotiabank — Craig Patterson — Oct 14
- Deloitte projects 14% drop in Canadian holiday spending to record low — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 14
- Levi’s Canadian Retail Strategy Takes Shape After Hudson’s Bay Closure — Lee Rivett — Oct 14
- Apple Expands Smart Home Ambitions with New Hub and Connected-Home Products — Lee Rivett — Oct 13
- Jollibee marks 10 years in Canada with charity campaign, expansion plans — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 13
- Sold-Out Dealmaking Floor Caps Strong ICSC@CANADA in Toronto — Craig Patterson — Oct 13
- CRAFT Beer Market marks 15th anniversary with limited-time menu — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 13
- Athletic Brewing named official non-alcoholic beer partner of NHL in Canada — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 13
- Tim Hortons launches Halloween merchandise collection featuring Timbits Mummy — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 13
- Villages Calgary closes retail operation after more than 40 years — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 13
- BrandMo Tech launches adtech platform with global headquarters in Toronto — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 13
- Canadian small businesses turn to AI to save time as holiday shopping season nears — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 13
- SUPER MINISO Opens at Square One as Retailer Confirms Montréal Expansion — Lee Rivett — Oct 13
- Canada’s Retail Employment Puzzle: Why Store Expansion Isn’t Telling the Whole Story — Craig Patterson — Oct 13
- Australian fitness franchise REVL Training targets U.S. and Canadian expansion — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 13
- Richelieu Hardware sales rise 12.6% as acquisitions boost growth — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 13
- Toronto Fashion Label Demascaré Expands Into Ready-to-Wear as Shaun Mascarenhas Eyes Retail Growth — Craig Patterson — Oct 10
- Aritzia’s Stronger Store Performance Supports Continued North American Expansion — Craig Patterson — Oct 9
- Bento launches Nashville hot chicken sushi roll across Canada — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 9
Retailer Financials / Trends / Reports
- A&W launches new mission and corporate strategy — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 16
Retailer People News
- Groupe Dynamite appoints Jennifer Vincent as Head of Global Communications — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 16
- Carol Deacon takes the helm as Bed Bath & Beyond prepares Canadian store comeback — Mario Toneguzzi — Oct 16
- SMYTHE Appoints Former Canada Goose Executive Ana Mihaljevic CEO as Brand Expands — Craig Patterson — Oct 14
- AI Could Push Retail Into a ‘Sea of Sameness’: Carl Boutet — Craig Patterson — Oct 13
Retailer Op-Eds
- Canada’s Food Affordability Crisis Goes Beyond Grocery Prices — Sylvain Charlebois — Oct 15
- Weak Canadian Dollar Could Drive Grocery Prices Higher in 2027: Sylvain Charlebois — Sylvain Charlebois — Oct 13
- From The Desk: Retail Growth Divides and AI’s Expanding Role in Canadian Retail — Craig Patterson — Oct 10
