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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.
News

Why Retail Spaces Aren’t Converting Despite Demand

Retailers are leaving money on the table as poor merchandising and layout prevent stores from converting demand into sales, says an expert.
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Open Banking to Reshape Retail Payments in Canada

Open banking is set to change how Canadians pay, as trust begins to influence checkout decisions for retailers.
Other Articles

Creative Production Supports Retail Growth in Canada

Brandomatic Studios helps retailers scale creative production across digital and in-store channels with consistent execution.
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From The Desk: Retail Resilience and Experiential Growth in Canadian Markets

Canadian retailers expand experiential and sustainable footprints while navigating inflation and evolving consumer behaviours shaping urban and mixed-use markets.
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Luxury Shoppers Are Still Spending, But More Carefully: Canada Goose

Canada Goose’s latest earnings call suggests luxury shoppers remain active, but retailers are seeing more cautious and selective spending patterns.
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Sports Retail Shows Resilience in Canada

SportChek growth, fanwear demand, and rising interest in soccer highlight resilience in Canada’s sports retail sector.
Retail Insider Reports

Q1 2026 Retail Technology Retail Report: AI Agents Rewrite The Buying Journey

Q1 2026 saw AI move from retail tool to shopping interface. Winners are building data, loyalty, and execution foundations; laggards risk losing customers.
Retail Insider Reports

Q1 2026 Retail Economy Retail Report: Inflation Sticks, Consumers Trade Down

Q1 2026 saw sticky food inflation, oil-driven cost risk, and cautious consumers reshape strategy. Winners lean value; independents, restaurants, and duty-free feel it.
Retail Insider Reports

Q1 2026 Books & Entertainment Retail Report: Experiences Grow As Legacy Retail Breaks

Steve’s Music retrenched while Cineplex, Activate Games, Splitsville, eBay Live and fandom-driven commerce formats point to sector's future.
Retail Insider Reports

Q1 2026 Real Estate & Leasing Retail Report: Tight Space, Tougher Deals

Q1 2026 saw tight vacancy and rising rents collide with higher build-out costs. Winners are landlords who can reconfigure space fast; weaker assets face stress.
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Vivobarefoot to Open Second Canadian Store in Toronto

Vivobarefoot plans to open its second Canadian store on Toronto’s Queen Street West as barefoot footwear gains momentum in Canada.
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adidas Taking Over Toronto’s STACKT Market for FIFA World Cup

adidas is turning Toronto’s STACKT Market into a massive FIFA World Cup fan destination with watch parties, retail, food, and soccer experiences.
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Leger and Plus Company Introduce Smart Persona for Real-Time Consumer Insights

Leger and Plus Company launch Smart Persona, enabling real-time consumer insights through AI-powered synthetic personas.
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PLANTA Closes Toronto Restaurants in Yorkville and Queen West

Toronto-founded PLANTA has closed its flagship Yorkville and Queen West restaurants as the upscale plant-based brand focuses on continued U.S. growth.
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George Minakakis Says Municipalities Must Modernize Like Businesses

Milton mayoral candidate George Minakakis says municipalities must modernize through AI, economic development, and operational leadership.
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Luxury Resale Growth in Canada Signals Consumer Shift

Luxury resale in Canada is surging as consumers shift spending habits, with Mine & Yours reporting strong growth amid changing demand.
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Why Aritzia Keeps Winning in a Fragmented Apparel Market

Aritzia’s growth highlights shifting consumer habits, premium positioning, and the widening divide in apparel retail.
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Liberty Entertainment Group Celebrates 40 Years of Shaping Toronto’s Hospitality Evolution

Liberty Entertainment Group marks 40 years after helping transform Toronto through immersive dining, nightlife, entertainment, and experiential hospitality.
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Swatch x AP Launch Sparks Chaos at Canadian Malls

Swatch x Audemars Piguet’s Royal Pop launch triggered overnight lineups, store closures, and crowd-control concerns at Canadian shopping centres on Saturday.
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From The Desk: Strategic Brick-and-Mortar Growth and Consumer Caution Shape Canadian Retail

Strong Canadian retailer expansions coexist with cautious consumers amid evolving experiential retail, supply challenges, and shifting workforce dynamics.
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Felicia Launches in Canada with Retail Expansion

Italian pasta brand Felicia expands into 800+ Canadian stores while launching a $55 million manufacturing hub in London, Ontario.
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Flying Tiger Copenhagen Enters Canada with GTA Expansion

Flying Tiger Copenhagen is entering Canada with its Scandinavian-inspired discovery retail concept and an initial GTA expansion.
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Canada Goose Pushes Beyond Parkas as Apparel Sales Surge

Canada Goose reported strong fiscal 2026 growth as apparel, spring collections, and retail conversion helped drive momentum beyond winter outerwear.
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Pet Valu Earnings Reveal a More Cautious Canadian Consumer

Pet Valu earnings reveal how inflation, fuel costs, promotions, and loyalty programs are reshaping Canadian consumer shopping behaviour.
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Toronto-Based Menswear Brand Guardin Launches with TNT

Toronto-based menswear brand Guardin launches with TNT, offering minimalist suede and leather outerwear at accessible premium price points.
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