NEWS BRIEFS

PetSmart plans free Halloween events at Canadian stores

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
PetSmart Canada will host in-store Halloween activities and introduce a new experience featuring snakes, lizards and other small creatures in October.

Salvation Army Thrift Store opens second Victoria location

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The Salvation Army Thrift Store is opening an 8,300-square-foot location on Quadra Street, its second store in Victoria and eighth on Vancouver Island.

Wayfair expands Klarna payment options to Canadian shoppers

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Wayfair is expanding its partnership with Klarna, making the payment company's full suite of flexible payment options available to Canadian shoppers for the first time.

Neighbourly Pharmacy continues to grow, 10 more pharmacies acquired

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Additions bring Neighbourly's national network to 342 pharmacies across Canada

Jimmy John’s launches five new Picklewich sandwiches

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Breadless sandwich swaps bun for a giant dill pickle in five varieties.

Tim Hortons Orange Sprinkle Donut campaign raises $979,000 for Indigenous organizations

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Tim Hortons says its sixth annual Orange Sprinkle Donut campaign raised $979,000 for five Indigenous organizations across Canada on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

A&W Canada raises $1.56 million for MS Canada through annual fundraiser

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The fundraiser supports MS Canada programs and research aimed at improving support for Canadians affected by multiple sclerosis and advancing research into the disease.

Giant Tiger opening in Tillsonburg, Ontario

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Located at 400 Simcoe Street, the store is expected to open in Spring 2027.

Good Earth Coffeehouse opens new location in Calgary health facility

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating welcoming spaces that bring people together and support healthier, more connected communities.

Kinton Ramen expands Edmonton footprint, introduces new fall menu items

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Second Edmonton restaurant brings KINTON RAMEN’s authentic Japanese cuisine to the city’s growing southwest region

Chick-fil-A opening another Calgary location

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
It marks the brand's 31st restaurant in Canada.

Okanagan Hardware & Supply Joins the Home Hardware Network

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Family-owned business in Oliver, B.C. converts to Okanagan Home Hardware Building Centre

NHL names DoorDash exclusive delivery partner in North America

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The agreement marks DoorDash's first partnership with the NHL and gives the company marketing and branding rights tied to league broadcasts, events and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Pinterest Unveils New AI-Powered Ad Tools, Visual Search Ads and Business Assistant in Canada

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Pinterest unveils new AI-powered advertising tools, including Visual Search Ads, Performance+ updates and Business Assistant in Canada.

Giant Tiger stores to provide $500 to local schools for Terry Fox fundraising

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The Terry Fox Foundation said it surpassed $1 billion raised for cancer research in February 2026.

Maybelline New York taps four Canadian artists to rework iconic jingle in new campaign (Videos)

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The campaign, called The Power of Maybe: The Canadian Jingle Reimagined, launched this week and features Nicolina, Liz Lokre, Naomi and Tia Wood, with each artist interpreting the jingle through her own music and approach to self-expression.

EAIGLE, Loblaw expand AI partnership at distribution centres

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The expanded rollout of EAIGLE's Vision AI technology is focused on automating gate operations and improving the movement of vehicles through Loblaw's distribution network.

Downtown Yonge BIA expands food tour program with new fall experiences

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The program, created by the Downtown Yonge BIA and operated by Tour Guys, will add a weekday lunch tour beginning Sept. 17 and a Sunday beverage tour launching Sept. 20. The expansion follows three sold-out seasons of the community food-tour series.

SHEIN turns to digital creators for Fall/Winter 2026 trend campaign

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
SHEIN said the campaign is intended to reflect the role of creators and their digital communities in fashion discovery, inspiration, interpretation and conversation.

Apple’s Siri AI Push Creates a New Product Discovery Layer for Retailers

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Lee Rivett -
Apple’s iOS 27 rollout gives Siri AI and Safari new capabilities for product discovery, price monitoring and restock alerts. For Canadian retailers, the shift raises a practical question: whether their product data and digital services are ready for more AI-mediated shopping journeys.

RBC relaunches Avion Rewards Travel with AI-powered booking tools

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The new platform brings several travel-booking functions into one interface and adds AI-assisted tools for tracking fares, predicting prices and alerting users when airfares fall.

Kinton Ramen opens third Hamilton-area location in Ancaster

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The company now operates more than 60 locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta and Quebec, with much of that growth occurring over the past five years.

Firehouse Subs opens 200th Canadian restaurant in Calgary

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Firehouse Subs said it is prioritizing high-potential Canadian markets as it plans its next phase of growth.

Jersey Mike’s Subs opens first Calgary location as Redberry targets 300 Canadian stores by 2035

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
A second Edmonton location and a restaurant in St. Albert are also planned to open later this year, according to Redberry.

PetSmart launches 2026 Halloween collection for Canadian pets

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The Thrills & Chills collection is being offered in PetSmart stores and online as the retailer expands its seasonal merchandise ahead of Halloween.

RONA invests $40,000 in skilled trades training, launches contractor job initiative

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
RONA said the program is intended to help students move from training into employment while addressing labour needs in the construction and skilled trades sectors.

Apple Launches AirPods 5 with Advanced Active Noise Cancellation in Toronto

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Lee Rivett -
Apple has introduced its latest AirPods 5, featuring advanced open-ear Active Noise Cancellation and enhanced sound quality. Priced at $179, pre-orders begin today with in-store availability set for September 18.

Apple Launches Apple Watch Series 12 Featuring Advanced Health Sensing System

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Lee Rivett -
Apple, an American technology company, has launched the Apple Watch Series 12, equipped with a new Health Sensing System and enhanced features aimed at health and fitness tracking. Pre-orders are available now, with in-store availability starting September 18.

Apple Introduces Apple Watch Ultra 4 with Advanced Health Features

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Lee Rivett -
Apple, an American technology company, has unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 4, featuring a new Health Sensing System and extended battery life. The latest model offers advanced health and fitness tracking for users seeking comprehensive support during workouts and daily activities.

Apple Introduces iPhone Duo with Breakthrough Foldable Design

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Lee Rivett -
Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, featuring a groundbreaking foldable design that allows for enhanced multitasking and productivity. With two displays and a focus on durability, the new model aims to redefine the smartphone experience for users in Canada and beyond.

Apple Launches iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in Canada

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Lee Rivett -
Apple has unveiled its new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, featuring significant advancements in camera technology, battery life, and the A20 Pro chip. Pre-orders start on September 12, with availability beginning September 18 across Canada.

AutoCanada expands Edmonton collision repair network with Doug’s Place acquisition

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The acquisition builds on AutoCanada’s purchase of the first Doug’s Place location in Edmonton’s Strathcona area in October 2025 and adds dedicated non-luxury collision repair capacity near six of the company’s franchised dealerships.

Taco Bell Canada brings back two menu favourites, debuts Quesarito

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The menu additions draw on different periods in Taco Bell's history, with the Meximelt associated with the 1980s, the Caramel Apple Empanada with the 2000s and the Quesarito previously available in markets including the United States and Spain.

Subway Canada launches under-$5 menu as consumers weigh lunch costs

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The company’s inaugural State of Lunch Report also found that while lunch remains important to Canadian workers, affordability, convenience, freshness and quality are increasingly factors in decisions about what — and whether — to eat during the workday.

Huda Beauty teams with Cardi B on new Ultra Snatched makeup collection

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The launch campaign, called "Snatched Baddies," features Kattan and Cardi B and is rolling out across social media, digital channels and stores.

Burger King Canada launches fundraising campaign for youth education

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The “Support Your Local Scholars” campaign will raise money for the Burger King Foundation, which provides educational scholarships and classroom supplies for children in local communities.

RONA Foundation launches annual fundraising campaign targeting $500,000

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The RONA Foundation was established in 1998 and focuses on improving the quality of life of Canadians in need by helping revitalize living environments or making housing more accessible.

Doritos launches rolled tortilla chips exclusively in Canada

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
PepsiCo Canada said the launch is aimed at consumers seeking a combination of flavour and texture, with the rolled shape designed to provide a different eating experience from traditional tortilla chips.

Freshii expands Canadian menu with new Heartii Salads

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The menu expansion combines vegetables and protein in three different salad offerings, including a plant-based option and a higher-protein version, according to the company.

SHEIN planning four-day pop-up in downtown Montreal

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The pop-up showcases SHEIN's top selections for Fall/Winter 2026, bringing the season's style forecast to life through six curated trend installations showcasing the key aesthetics shaping the months ahead.

Garnier Canada expands Toronto Blue Jays partnership through 2028

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The multi-year agreement follows the first year of the collaboration in 2025 and will include national storytelling, digital and social content, contests, product discovery opportunities and select in-stadium activations during the baseball season.

Subway Canada brings back original artisan flatbread after customer demand

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said the decision follows an outpouring of requests and social-media discussion from Canadians after the flatbread was removed from its menu.

Squishmallows fragrances expand into Canada through Sephora

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Squishmallows launched in 2017 and has sold more than 600 million plush units worldwide.

Tre Stelle targets grocery-shopping habits with cream cheese campaign

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The campaign is built around encouraging consumers to reconsider an everyday grocery choice rather than automatically purchasing the same product.

Rexall launches weekly 20% discount for eligible health-care workers

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The Healthcare Hero Thursdays program begins Aug. 20 and is available to eligible health-care professionals who are members of Rexall's Be Well program.

Old Dutch Foods opens energy-efficient facility in P.E.I.

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Its solar power system includes an array spanning approximately 160 metres and is expected to generate about 40 kilowatts of power.

EQ Bank launches 25-million-point PC Optimum giveaway and in-store campaign

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The campaign follows EQ Bank's role as the exclusive financial services partner of the PC Optimum loyalty program and is part of what the bank describes as a broader effort to connect its banking services with the everyday activities of loyalty-program members.

WeCook partners with chef Chuck Hughes on four-week back-to-school menu

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The collaboration comes as WeCook continues to expand its ready-to-eat meal business. The company says it has grown by 1,000 per cent since 2020 and has created more than 600 jobs.

Insolvencies on the rise in Canada: report

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Management of Companies and Enterprises; Accommodation and Food Services; and Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction registered the largest increases in the number of insolvencies.

bb.q Chicken launches Felix-backed menu item across Canada

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The launch gives bb.q Chicken a new product tied directly to its marketing partnership with the K-pop performer. The company said additional campaigns featuring Felix are planned both online and in its restaurants.
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