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.

Mercedes-Benz Refreshes Holt Renfrew Studio With Paul & Shark and New S-Class

Mercedes-Benz has refreshed its Holt Renfrew Studio in Toronto with a new Paul & Shark residency, the Canadian debut of the 2027 S-Class, and an immersive 140 Years of Innovation experience.

Nearly 4 in 10 Canadian Shoppers Are Using AI for Shopping: Salesforce

Salesforce says 39% of Canadian shoppers have used AI for shopping as product discovery, retail marketing and e-commerce begin to change.

Retail Accessibility Can Shape Sales and Customer Loyalty, Says Pamela Shainhouse

Pamela Shainhouse explains why accessibility in store design, staff training and ecommerce should be part of the customer experience for Canadian retailers.

Harry Rosen’s Bloor Street Flagship Enters Final Days After Nearly 40 Years

Harry Rosen’s landmark 82 Bloor Street West flagship closes September 12 after nearly 40 years, ahead of its move to a new Yorkville store.

Fraud Is Costing Canadian Merchants More Than They May Realize

The financial impact of fraud extends well beyond a lost transaction. Konek can help Canadian retailers build trust into the payment experience from the start.

Brunello Cucinelli to Open at Fairmont Château Whistler as Oxford Elevates Luxury Retail Mix

Brunello Cucinelli will open at Fairmont Château Whistler as Oxford Properties elevates the resort’s retail concourse with additional luxury brands expected.

Miniso Expands MINISO LAND in Canada as Retailer Shifts to ‘Quality First’ Growth

Miniso is opening its second Canadian MINISO LAND at CF Toronto Eaton Centre as the retailer shifts its global expansion strategy toward larger, more productive stores.

MEC Deepens Investment in Trail Running as Category Gains Momentum

MEC is expanding its trail running business with a broader product assortment, Canadian brands, staff expertise and new community programming across Canada.

Canadian Retailers Keep Expanding as Staffing Gets Leaner

Canadian retailers continue opening stores as employment data weaken. Suzanne Sears explains leaner staffing, part-time hiring, wages and changing retail jobs.

From The Desk: Canadian Retail Navigates Expansion, Consumer Shifts, and Supply Challenges

This week in Canadian retail: store expansion, shifting consumer spending, tariffs, supply chain pressures, loyalty strategies and key industry developments.

Lululemon Cuts Store SKUs by 15% as Retailer Slows Expansion

Lululemon is cutting store SKUs by 15%, testing localized assortments and slowing net expansion while continuing to invest in Canadian stores.

Pilgrim Plans Canadian Expansion After Oshawa Store Opening

Pilgrim CEO Robert Hayes discusses the jewelry brand's Canadian expansion plans, new Oshawa Centre store, suburban performance, growing wholesale network and the increasing role of piercing services.

Lululemon Canada Sales Fall 11% as Outlook Weakens

Lululemon's Canadian revenue fell 11% in Q2 as traffic and product challenges intensified, with the retailer warning of deeper declines ahead.

Retail Insider’s Canadian Retail Monitor — August 2026 Edition: Demand Strengthens as Volumes Rise

Retail Insider’s first edition of the Canadian Retail Monitor finds demand strengthened, with sales volumes rising faster than headline sales. Health, apparel and general merchandise led growth, while grocery weakened and e-commerce rebounded sharply.

Gather Packaging Pivots to Canada After 50% U.S. Tariff

Toronto-based Gather Packaging is targeting Canadian retailers after a 50% U.S. tariff disrupted a market representing more than 75% of its plant volume.

Couche-Tard Reshapes Convenience Store Mix as Consumer Habits Change

Couche-Tard is shifting store assortments as food, energy drinks and functional products grow while traditional convenience categories soften.

Margins, Losses, Surplus: What Food Waste Really Costs Small Businesses

FoodHero is helping independent Canadian retailers turn surplus food into revenue, reduce waste and reach new customers as it expands its platform.

Kit and Ace Relocates at CF Sherway Gardens as Expansion Continues

Kit and Ace has relocated at CF Sherway Gardens, moving into a 2,370-square-foot store that CEO David Lui says is performing better.

Why Brand Activations Are Becoming an Important Part of Retail Marketing

Brand activations are becoming a bigger part of retail marketing as brands use physical experiences, creator content and memorable environments to connect with consumers.

Couche-Tard Earnings Rise as Canadian Convenience Sales Flatten

Couche-Tard reports higher Q1 earnings as Canadian merchandise sales remain flat, while fuel volumes and margins strengthen.

Michael Hill Plans Further Canadian Store Expansion After Record Year

Michael Hill is targeting further growth in Canada after a record year, with store upgrades planned and additional locations under consideration.

Loblaw Plans More No Frills and Maxi Stores in $1.2B Expansion

Loblaw plans $1.2 billion in capital spending through the rest of 2026 as it accelerates No Frills and Maxi expansion across Canada.

Canadian Retailers Enter Holiday 2026 With Spending Momentum and Price-Sensitive Shoppers

Canadian shoppers are spending more heading into Holiday 2026, but Salesforce says price sensitivity, promotions, shipping costs and hybrid shopping will shape the season.

Canada Emerges as Leading Growth Market for Williams-Sonoma

Williams-Sonoma says Canada is leading international growth as Pottery Barn, West Elm and Williams Sonoma gain market share and expand digital and trade channels.

35 Years Since Simpsons Disappeared: The Story of a Canadian Department Store Icon

Thirty-five years after Simpsons disappeared, a look back at the department store’s rise, HBC takeover, St. Regis Room, Queen Street flagship and 1991 end.

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