Lee Rivett

Lee Rivett, based in Vancouver, supports the digital distribution and technical backend operations of Retail Insider. In addition, Lee is also an active contributor to Retail Insider’s editorial content. His work includes technical reporting, international shopping centre tours, and feature articles on Canadian retail news.

World Cup Drives 35% Increase in International Card Spending in Canada: Visa

Visa says inbound international card spending in Canada rose more than 35% during the opening weeks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto and Vancouver.

Belleville Costco Warehouse Planned as Canadian Expansion Continues

Plans for a new Costco warehouse in Belleville, Ontario, have moved forward following an announcement by Mayor Neil Ellis. The project highlights Costco's continued Canadian expansion and the retailer's strategy of serving growing regional markets.

Study Finds Grocery Stores Could Cut Plastic Produce-Bag Use

University of Toronto research involving 30 Toronto grocery stores and a Longo’s pilot suggests retailers could reduce disposable plastic produce-bag use through signage, reusable alternatives and changes to dispenser placement.

Retail Insider Books & Entertainment Report: Fandom, Community and Experience Reshape the Market

Retail Insider's latest Books & Entertainment Report examines how Canadian retailers are using fandom, community, intellectual property and experiential formats to strengthen customer engagement, with insights into bookstores, collectibles, entertainment venues and evolving consumer behaviour.

Retail Insider Convenience Retail Report: Food-Led Formats and Digital Loyalty Redefine the Channel

Retail Insider's latest Convenience Retail Report examines how foodservice, digital loyalty, beverages and modern store formats are reshaping Canada's convenience sector as operators respond to changing consumer behaviour, evolving revenue sources and growing competition across multiple retail channels.

Retail Insider Jewelry Report: Experience and Accessible Premium Reshape the Market

Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 jewellery report examines how experiential luxury, accessible premium brands, new luxury destinations and lab-grown diamonds are changing competition across the Canadian market.

Retail Insider Sporting Goods & Outdoor Report: Participation and Experience Reshape Growth

Retail Insider's latest Sporting Goods & Outdoor Report examines how participation, community engagement and experiential retail are reshaping Canada's sporting goods sector, with implications for retailers, landlords, brands and investors as operators compete for long-term customer relationships.

Retail Insider Home Furnishings Report: Service, Value and Accessibility Reshape the Market

Canadian home furnishings retailers are adapting to slower demand by investing in service, accessibility, omnichannel retail and operational resilience. Retail Insider's latest Home Furnishings Report examines how evolving consumer behaviour is reshaping competition across furniture, décor, mattresses, lighting and related categories.

Retail Insider Ranked Third Globally in FeedSpot’s 2026 Retail Rankings

Retail Insider has been ranked third worldwide and first in Canada in FeedSpot's 2026 retail publication rankings, recognizing the publication's coverage of Canada's retail industry.

Retail Insider “Health & Beauty Report”: Scale, Integration and Trust Reshape the Market

Retail Insider's latest Health & Beauty Report examines how pharmacy services, loyalty ecosystems, wellness, digital care and consumer trust are reshaping Canada's health and beauty retail sector, with implications for retailers, brands, landlords, investors and the broader healthcare ecosystem.

Retail Insider “Retail Technology & Payments Report”: Commerce Infrastructure Gets Smarter

Retail Insider's latest Retail Technology & Payments Report examines how artificial intelligence, payments, loyalty, commerce platforms, and digital infrastructure are becoming increasingly integrated, reshaping retail operations, customer experiences, and competitive advantage across the Canadian retail industry.

Retail Insider “Discount, Value & Off-Price Retail Report”: Value Retail Becomes a Defining Force in Canadian Retail

Retail Insider's latest report examines how discount, value and off-price retailers are reshaping Canadian consumer behaviour, retail real estate and competitive strategy as value shopping becomes a mainstream force influencing retailers, landlords and investors alike.

Lululemon Opens Massive Automated Distribution Centre in Brampton

Lululemon’s new one-million-square-foot Brampton distribution centre will support e-commerce fulfillment across Eastern Canada and the eastern U.S.

RioCan Sells 50% Share in FourFifty The Well to Woodbourne Capital for $188 Million

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust has divested its 50% stake in FourFifty The Well in Toronto to Woodbourne Capital for $188 million. This marks a strategic move as RioCan focuses on its core retail operations while Woodbourne gains full ownership of the rental tower.

Quebec Removes QST from Select Foods and Household Essentials

Quebec has removed QST from selected foods, toilet paper and facial tissues, requiring retailers to update product classifications and checkout systems.

Retail Insider “Real Estate & Leasing Report”: Scarcity and Curation Reshape Canadian Retail

Retail Insider's latest Real Estate & Leasing Report examines how limited retail space, selective investment, and redevelopment strategies are reshaping Canada's commercial property market, with growing performance gaps between prime retail assets and secondary centres.

Retail Insider “Luxury Report”: Control, Concentration and the Rise of Canada’s Premier Retail Nodes

Canada's luxury retail market is becoming increasingly concentrated around a select group of premier destinations as brands prioritize flagship stores, direct customer relationships and experience-led retail. Retail Insider's latest report examines the forces reshaping luxury investment, real estate and competition.

Retail Insider “Consumer Behavior & Retail Economy Report”: Canada’s Market Grows Increasingly Divided

Retail Insider's latest Consumer Behavior and Retail Economy Report examines how affordability pressures, selective spending, retail real estate polarization, and widening differences between value and premium segments are reshaping Canada's retail landscape and influencing strategic decisions across the industry.

New Retail-Theft Sentencing Rules Take Effect in Canada July 15

New federal retail-theft sentencing reforms take effect July 15, adding an aggravating factor for theft intended for resale, barter or fraudulent return.

Retail Insider “Grocery Report” Examines How Value Is Reshaping Canadian Grocery

Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 Grocery Report examines how value is reshaping Canadian grocery, from discount expansion and private label to digital tools, prepared foods, grocery-anchored real estate and shifting consumer behaviour.

Costco Canada Sales Growth Moderates as Warehouse Expansion Continues

Costco Canada's June comparable sales growth slowed from earlier in the year, but the warehouse retailer continues to post healthy underlying gains while expanding its Canadian store network.

Retail Insider “Apparel & Fashion Report”: Market Polarization Reshapes Canadian Apparel Retail

Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 Apparel & Fashion Report examines how premium brands, value retailers, resale concepts and specialists are reshaping Canadian apparel retail while mid-market chains face growing pressure.

Retail Insider “Food Service Report”: Scale, Value and New Formats Reshape Canadian Restaurants

Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 Canadian Food Service Report examines resilient restaurant spending, tougher traffic competition, franchise platform growth, value-led QSR strategy, coffee and breakfast pressure, and the growing role of food halls, mixed-use projects and flexible formats.

Food Inflation Creates More Tactical Grocery Shoppers in Canada

A new Milesopedia survey finds grocery shoppers are comparing prices more often, buying more private label and questioning whether loyalty rewards meaningfully offset rising food costs.

Retail Insider “Grocery Report” Examines How Value Is Reshaping Canadian Food Retail

Retail Insider’s latest Industry Intelligence Report examines how value is reshaping Canadian grocery retail, from discount expansion and private label to grocery-anchored real estate, digital tools, prepared foods and shifting consumer behaviour.

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