Craig Patterson

Located in Toronto, Craig is the Publisher & CEO of Retail Insider Media Ltd. He is also a retail analyst and consultant, Advisor at the University of Alberta School Centre for Cities and Communities in Edmonton, former lawyer and a public speaker. He has studied the Canadian retail landscape for over 25 years and he holds Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws Degrees.

Canadian Jewellery Brand Steff Eleoff Opens New York Pop-Up with Shopify

Toronto-based jewellery brand STEFF ELEOFF has opened a three-day pop-up at Shopify's SoHo space in New York City, running November 6–8, 2026, following recent retail activations with Holt Renfrew in Canada.

Giorgio Armani Opens Only Standalone Canadian Boutique and First Armani/Caffè at Oakridge Park

Giorgio Armani has opened its only standalone Canadian boutique and the country's first Armani/Caffè at Vancouver's Oakridge Park. Amachris constructed the boutique and café, while DWSV Realty handled the leasing transaction.

Holt Renfrew Vancouver Sees Luxury Boutique Shakeup as Brands Arrive, Relocate and Depart

Gentle Monster opened at Holt Renfrew Vancouver on October 30 with an installation of three moving sculptural heads. The opening comes as Brunello Cucinelli relocates its women's boutique and Tiffany & Co. and Loewe shift their Vancouver retail presence.

Sephora to Reach 150 Canadian Stores as Prestige Beauty Competition Intensifies

Sephora will open its 150th Canadian store in Oakville on November 13 as it expands into neighbourhood retail, adds luxury skincare brands and faces growing competition from Shoppers Drug Mart.

Canada Goose Faces Deeper Comparable Sales Declines as Winter Shoppers Delay Purchases

Canada Goose reported a 7.5% decline in comparable sales during its second fiscal quarter, with weakness continuing into October as warmer weather delayed winter apparel purchases. Canadian sales held steady while gross margins improved.

Primaris Expands Méga Parc with $1 Million Atlas Mini-Golf Attraction

Primaris REIT is opening the nearly $1-million Atlas Mini-Golf attraction at Méga Parc in Quebec City. New interviews reveal the landlord's entertainment strategy, projected operating revenue, growing events business and plans for further investment in 2028.

Samsung Canada Takes Smartphone Rivalry to the Streets with Three-City Billboard Campaign

Samsung Canada deployed mobile digital billboards in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal as part of a rapid-response campaign promoting its Galaxy Z Fold8. Samsung executive Christian Di Vincenzo explains the retail strategy, Edelman's role and the company's reported results.

Peloton Rebuilds Canadian Retail Presence Through Fitness Factory Partnership

Peloton is expanding its Canadian physical retail network from two to ten locations through The Fitness Factory. The partnership follows earlier showroom closures and accompanies three new treadmills as the company increases its focus on running.

KIT + ACE Expands Canadian Network to 18 Locations with Brentwood Store, Prepares U.S. Entry

KIT + ACE is expanding to 18 Canadian locations with a new store at The Amazing Brentwood in Burnaby. CEO David Lui also confirms the Vancouver-founded apparel retailer is working toward finalizing its first U.S. store under Unity Brands.

Toys“R”Us Canada to Make Comeback Through Nearly 300 Staples Stores

Toys“R”Us Canada is returning through a national partnership with Staples Canada, with shop-in-shops planned for close to 300 stores through 2027. The first location opens November 14 in Richmond Hill, introducing Toys“R”Us alongside the new Parties“R”Us concept.

Cadillac Fairview Sells Stakes in Two Major Malls to KingSett Amid Portfolio Shift

Cadillac Fairview has sold 50% interests in CF Markville and CF Fairview Pointe Claire to KingSett Capital, expanding a three-mall partnership as the company diversifies its real estate portfolio. The transactions come amid documented financial pressures, Hudson's Bay redevelopment requirements and KingSett's proposed acquisition of First Capital REIT assets.

Imaginaire and WINNERS Join Splitsville in CF Sherway Gardens Nordstrom Redevelopment

Cadillac Fairview has announced Imaginaire and WINNERS for the former Nordstrom at CF Sherway Gardens in Toronto. Together with Splitsville Bowl, the three tenants will occupy approximately 100,000 square feet of the former department store, with openings targeted for fall 2027.

Primaris Lines Up New Retailers for Former Toys “R” Us Stores Across Canada

Primaris REIT has negotiated replacement tenant deals for six former Toys R Us stores spanning approximately 145,000 square feet. Higher rents are anticipated, with tenants expected to take possession during 2027. The article also examines Old Navy at Dufferin Mall and Jumbo at Vaughan Mills.

From The Desk: Retail real estate shifts, selective expansion and operational discipline

Canadian retail is shifting as landlords redevelop spaces, retailers focus expansion, and operations integrate technology amid cost and labour pressures.

Primaris REIT Advances Hudson’s Bay Leasing as Mall Redevelopment Program Moves Forward

Primaris REIT has increased long-term leasing commitments for former Hudson's Bay stores to 728,000 square feet. Its Q3 2026 results outline projected rental income, redevelopment spending, and the company's acquisition and disposition strategy across Canadian shopping centres.

Prince Street Pizza Pursues Canadian Expansion as Second Toronto Restaurant Takes Shape

Prince Street Pizza is preparing its second Toronto restaurant at 2472 Yonge Street as CBRE seeks additional Canadian locations. The expansion follows the New York pizza chain's 2023 debut at The Well.

Canadian Tire, Sobeys, IKEA and Tim Hortons Among Winners of Inaugural Retail Sustainability Awards

Retail Council of Canada has announced the winners of its inaugural Retail Sustainability Excellence Awards, recognizing Canadian Tire, Sobeys, IKEA Canada, Tim Hortons and other organizations for initiatives involving recycled materials, refrigeration, logistics and supply chain sustainability.

Oakridge Park Partners with Moment Factory to Launch Interactive Entertainment Attraction in Vancouver

Oakridge Park in Vancouver is partnering with Montreal-based Moment Factory to launch Wonderground on November 2. The ticketed interactive gaming attraction will also accommodate brand activations and events, adding another entertainment offering to the mixed-use retail development.

Loblaw Pushes Back on Supplier Price Hikes as No Frills and Maxi Expansion Accelerates

Loblaw says it has challenged hundreds of millions in proposed supplier cost increases in 2026 as it expands No Frills and Maxi. The dispute highlights the economics of discount grocery, manufacturer cost pressures and Canada's new Grocery Code of Conduct.

Kastners to Close After More Than a Century as Independent Fashion Retail Faces Pressure in Smaller Canadian Cities

Kastners Men’s and Ladies Wear in Cornwall, Ontario, is preparing to close by January 2027 after more than a century. Its departure adds to a series of traditional clothing-store closures in smaller Canadian markets, where retirement, succession and changing shopping habits are reshaping specialty retail.

Toronto’s Distillery Winter Village Expands Retail Offerings as Quince Takes Title Sponsorship

Toronto's Distillery Winter Village is expanding its retail offerings for 2026, with Quince joining as title sponsor, two new marketplaces featuring Canadian independent businesses and additional food operators. The event brings more than one million annual visitors to the historic shopping district, according to organizers.

The One Statement Piece That Transforms a Room This Season

Maison Territo at Montréal’s Royalmount highlights distinctive lighting and decorative objects from Seletti, Fornasetti and Tom Dixon, showing how statement pieces can elevate holiday entertaining and remain part of the home year-round.

How Retailers Are Reducing Store Rollout Costs Without Compromising Their Customer Experience

Rodmell & Company explains how its Customer Experience Value Engineering approach helps retailers identify repeatable savings in store development while preserving the elements of the customer experience that matter most. Patrick Rodmell discusses the role of specifications, cross-functional decisions and long-term value.

Aritzia Targets $10 Billion as Canadian Store Strategy Shifts Toward Stronger Boutiques

Aritzia is targeting up to $10.5 billion in annual revenue by fiscal 2032 while expanding to 160 U.S. boutiques. In Canada, the retailer expects a slight decline in store count as it optimizes existing locations and consolidates legacy branded stores.

LEGO Opens Store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Expanding Downtown Toronto Retail Presence

The LEGO Group has opened a 2,637-square-foot store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, occupying a retail unit previously used by Rodd & Gunn and Ted Baker. The opening is part of a three-store GTA expansion, with the downtown leasing transaction handled by Odyssey Retail Canada's Ryan McCarthy.

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