Supercharge Your Retail Marketing Thinking at RCC’s Retail Marketing Conference 2024

Explore cutting-edge trends in AI, digital marketing, Gen Z influence, and brand identity at RCC's Retail Marketing Conference 2024 in Toronto on September 12. Speakers include Neil Patel, Nikolas Lopez, and Doug Stephens. Early Bird rates available until August 15.

Canadian Restaurants Poised to Capitalize on Rising Solo Dining Trend

Lightspeed data reveals 43% of Canadians dine alone, presenting a lucrative opportunity for restaurants to cater to this growing market.

‘Stretchflation’: The New Grocery Store Tactic Raising Prices Under the Radar in Canada [Op-Ed]

A new pricing strategy where product quantities increase but prices rise disproportionately higher, is emerging in grocery stores as manufacturers respond to economic pressures and consumer backlash against shrinkflation says Sylvain Charlebois.

7-Eleven Expands Alcohol Offerings Across Ontario, Introducing In-Store Dining

The convenience store retailer plans to offer beer, wine, and cocktails for in-store consumption and takeaway across Ontario, marking a shift in the convenience store industry.

Canadian Retail Sector Sees Mixed Performance Amid Shifting Consumer Preferences

Examining the evolving trends in the Canadian retail landscape, from the bifurcation of luxury and discount segments to the rise of boutique food halls. 

Canadian Tire Weathers Consumer Spending Challenges with Loyalty Program and Focus on Essentials

The retailer navigated a consumer spending slowdown by leveraging its loyalty program and shifting focus to essential product categories, according to an earnings call this week.

Shopify Beats Q2 Estimates, Defies Market Slowdown

Shopify reports strong Q2 results with 21% revenue growth, outperforming analyst expectations amid cautious consumer spending.

Amazon Canada Accelerates Same-Day Delivery for Prime Members in Ontario and BC

Amazon Canada enhances Prime with faster same-day and new overnight delivery options in select Canadian metropolitan areas.

Canadian Retail Supply Chains Face Multiple Threats

Wildfires and labor disputes threaten Canadian retail supply chains, with potential rail and port disruptions looming.

Big Mac, Bigger Problems: McDonald’s Struggles to Keep Customers as Prices Soar

Sylvain Charlebois says McDonald’s has raised prices almost double compared to its rivals Burger King, Wendy’s, and Harvey’s.

Fraud Fears Reshape Canadian Payment Habits

New study reveals 13% of Canadians affected by payment fraud in past six months, altering financial behaviors nationwide.

Kyochon Chicken Debuts in Vancouver as it Expands into Canada

South Korean fried chicken chain Kyochon F&B opens its first Canadian store on Vancouver's Robson Street, eyeing North American expansion.

George Weston’s Q2 Hit by Bread Price-Fixing Settlement

George Weston reports $253 million impact on Q2 earnings due to bread price-fixing settlement, affecting overall financial performance.

Loblaw’s NoFrills Ad Sparks Controversy with Farmers

Loblaw's NoFrills faces backlash from farmers' markets and small business groups over a controversial text ad campaign promoting its produce.

Loblaw Reports Minimal Boycott Impact, Cites Lawsuit Settlement for Profit Decline

The retail behemoth saw minimal impacts from boycotts while a settled lawsuit dented profits.

Loblaw and George Weston Agree to Historic $500M Settlement Over Bread Price-Fixing Scandal

A class-action lawsuit accused them of participating in a 14-year bread price-fixing scheme.

Walmart Canada Raising Store Associate Wages, Investing in Technology

This initiative aims to boost employee compensation, attract talent in competitive markets, and acknowledge the hard work of its associates.

YDISTRI AI Solution Redistributes Unsold Inventory Based on Real-Time Demand

By intelligently redistributing unsold inventory to actual demand, YDISTRI empowers retailers to maximize revenue and minimize waste.

Downtown Montreal Seeing Foot Traffic Returning with Office Space at Sainte-Catherine and Peel Available

Visitor traffic is returning with an increase in tourism, growing transit ridership and a return to the office in the city's vibrant core.

Beyond Inspiration: How Pinterest Drives Holiday Sales Performance

Pinterest's enhanced performance tools and seamless shopping experience are driving conversions and boosting sales for holiday campaigns.

Creating Exceptional Retail Experiences: Insights from KPMG Canada’s Peter Hughes

Gain insights on exceptional retail experiences from KPMG in Canada's Peter Hughes at RCC STORE 24, May 28-29, Toronto, alongside other industry leaders.

Downtown Banff Welcomes New Mountain Warehouse Store Amidst National Expansion [Photos]

The UK-based outdoor retailer operates 43 stores in Canada, making it the second-largest market outside of the UK. The Banff Mountain Warehouse is next to a former Hudson's Bay that will see Arc'teryx open there next year.

Former Eaton’s Department Store Restaurant in Toronto to Feature ‘Lunching with Lady Eaton’ Event in July

The iconic Eaton’s College Street Round Room Restaurant, which closed in 1977 for a store relocation, will be open to the public who can dine with a menu as well as the opportunity to shop local goods.

Montreal’s Le Groupe Brande Thrives with Lightspeed Capital: A Case Study in Expansion and Efficiency

Le Groupe Brande is leveraging Lightspeed Capital and its merchant cash advance system to fuel expansion plans, while also allowing the retailer to streamline operations, cut costs and experience significant efficiency gains.

SUKOSHI MART Opens Its Largest Store Yet, Elevating the Asian Beauty and Lifestyle Shopping Experience

The Asian beauty and lifestyle retailer has been expanding across Ontario, and has entered the Ottawa market with its first store.

Savant eCommerce Toronto 2024: Mastering Retail Challenges with Technology and Insightful Consumer Engagement

Savant eCommerce Toronto returns, uniting 90+ retailers and brands for two days of exclusive and enriching insights.

From Chaos to Competitive Edge: Doug Stephens Explores Retail’s Next Big Leap

Doug Stephens, a renowned retail futurist, will share his insights on transforming industry challenges into competitive advantages at RCC STORE 24, emphasizing retail’s role in societal change. Covering topics like AI, sustainability, and data privacy, he advocates for retail as an innovation hub and societal changemaker.

Redefining Retail Human Resources Strategies in an AI-Driven Era

RCC’s Retail Human Resources Conference on April 25, 2024, emphasizes blending AI tools and attentive employee engagement to revolutionize retail HR, with key talks on workforce development and effective talent management strategies.

Standing Up for Our Industry: A Conversation with Michael Medline

Micheal Medline, President & CEO, Empire Company Limited and Sobeys Inc., speaks to retailers, vendors, and suppliers on today’s most pressing retail issues. April 2, 2024, in Toronto.

One Bloor East in Toronto Secures Nike Flagship and Mango as Key Retail Tenants [Exclusive]

First Capital REIT has leased-out the entire retail podium at the iconic Yonge and Bloor corner, including space to another new tenant in the main-floor space formerly occupied by Nordstrom Rack.

Unprecedented Opportunity for Canadian Retailers to Sell to Consumers in China Online

China is the world’s largest online consumer market, and it is projected to grow for years to come.

“WeLoveModainItaly – La Moda Italiana@Toronto” Event Held in Downtown Toronto Feb 13-14

The two-day event connected Italian fashion brands and retailers with Canadian industry at the Hyatt Regency.

Catalyzing Retail’s Next Wave of Excellence: RCC STORE 24 Debuts a Visionary Agenda 

Get ready to be inspired at RCC STORE 24, Canada's biggest retail event on May 28-29, 2024. Featuring an incredible lineup of visionary speakers including Doug Stephens, Eric Morris, Selwyn Crittendon, Greg Hicks, Diana Dimitian, Michèle Boudria, and more, this event promises fresh perspectives and transformative insights into AI, sustainability, global trends, and future innovations. Don't miss out on this opportunity to ignite your retail business with new ideas and strategies.

Factory Direct to Shut All 14 Stores Amid Bankruptcy, Liquidation to Begin Saturday

The company, founded in 1995, is one of Canada’s largest privately owned discount retailers which struggled with declining sales and increasing costs following the pandemic.

2024’s Must-Attend RCC Retail Events: Learn, Grow, Connect and Thrive   

Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is rolling out a comprehensive array of conferences, webinars, and initiatives in 2024, aimed at enhancing the expertise and connections of retailers. Highlights like the Retail Secure Conference, RCC Retail CyberSecure Program, Excellence in Retailing Awards, and RCC STORE 24 Conference will offer deep insights into the latest retail trends and strategies. This dynamic lineup is set to invigorate the Canadian retail industry with enriching learning experiences.

Shake Shack to Join The Ballroom Bowl and Hard Rock Cafe at ‘The Tenor’ in Downtown Toronto

The first location for Shake Shack will occupy a prominent corner location at Yonge and Dundas in an iconic building seeing new tenants. 

Lids to Re-Open at Union Station in Downtown Toronto After More than a Decade

The brand exited Union Station in the earlier 2010s for an overhaul, and it now returns along with various other new retail tenants.

Victoria’s Secret To Relocate in Downtown Vancouver

Victoria's Secret has closed its Robson Street flagship and is moving to a downsized location following significant reductions in the chain's Canadian stores in 2020.

Hollister Opens New Location at CF Pacific Centre in Downtown Vancouver

American clothing brand Hollister relocates to a new and more prominent location within the same shopping centre.

CDNGLOBAL Brokerage Expands into Toronto with Plans for Future Growth [Video Interview]

Craig and Scott Mulligan, Managing Partner and Broker of Record at CDNGLOBAL, discuss an overview of CDN Global's recent expansion into the Toronto market.

Top Shopping Centres in Canada Evolving Experiential Elements to Grow Foot Traffic and Tenant Revenue [Interview]

JLL’s Senior Marketing Director, Property Management, discusses how creating unique experiences tailored to local markets helps drive overall asset value through increased footfall and productivity.

Lightspeed Announces Global Rollout of its ‘Meet or Beat Promise’ as part of its Unified Payments & POS Initiative, Leverages AI 

Lightspeed Commerce Inc. has officially expanded its 'Meet or Beat Promise' globally, ensuring that all eligible customers worldwide can now benefit from competitive payment processing rates when transitioning to its unified payments and POS platform. 

The Power of Long-Term Strategic Planning: Navigating Uncertainty with Vision and Purpose

In times of great uncertainty, the standard thinking says to focus on being nimble and reactive. The standard thinking is wrong, according to two experts.

Pret a Manger Set to Open First Canadian Stand-alone Location in Toronto’s Financial District

The storefront follows a two-year pilot project within A&W locations, which got mixed reviews in terms of quality and experience.

West Side Stories: From Retail Resilience to Remarkable Renewal

Retail Council of Canada’s Retail West Conference on November 2, 2023, is a pivotal yearly conference for retailers in Western Canada to meet each other and discuss the opportunities for their brands and businesses. In this roundtable interview, hear what Sharon Hayles from Diane’s Lingerie, Jackie Ross from JRoss Recruiters, Polly Tracy from Best Buy and are looking forward to at this year’s event.

Generative AI Technology Takes Center Stage as Retail Leaders and IT Executives Prioritize Ethical Adoption

New Research Highlights Surge in Interest and Concerns Over the Ethical Use of Generative AI in Business.

Mandy’s to Open Gourmet Salad Restaurant in Toronto’s Yorkville as Chain Expands [Exclusive Interview/Renderings]

The popular Montreal-based foodservice concept is growing its presence in Toronto with multiple locations, including one behind a soon-to-open Saint Laurent flagship store.

Generative AI Reshapes Ecommerce Landscape: Revolutionizing Customer Experiences

The world of online shopping is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the power of generative AI technology. Retailers with online sales are adopting...

Generative AI’s Impact on Ecommerce: Transformative Insights

In the ever-evolving landscape of ecommerce, the intersection of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and online retailing represents a key advancement that warrants scrutiny. Generative...

Facing Sustainability’s Biggest Challenges Head-On

What happens when Canada's retail giants unite with a sustainability mission? Transformation. Retail Council of Canada assembles top retail, CPG, manufacturing, technology, and policy leaders at the inaugural Retail Sustainability Conference on October 3, 2023 at the International Centre in Mississauga.