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NEWS BRIEFS

THE COOPÉRATIVE DE SAINT-QUENTIN HARDWARE STORE JOINS RONA

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
RONA is headquartered in Boucherville, Québec. and its network operates and services some 425 corporate and affiliated dealer stores.

Chick-fil-A Awards Over US$27 million in Scholarships

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
In Canada, 61 Chick-fil-A Restaurant Team Members received scholarships of about C$1,400 (US$1,000) or about C$3,500 (US$2,500) each, totalling about C$145,000 (US$101,500) in scholarships awarded in 2025.

NHL Playoffs Spark Canadian Spending Surge: Moneris Data

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Craig Patterson -
Canadian NHL playoff games are driving huge boosts in local spending, especially near arenas, according to Moneris data.

London Drugs striving for highest sustainability standards

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
As the Western Canadian retailer celebrates 80 years, London Drugs is rolling out a new store concept in Burnaby in May, which includes a first of its kind product refill station, in partnership with SC Johnson.

RONA Foundation supporting 7 Canadian NGOs as part of 2025 Build from the Heart Campaign

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The RONA Foundation is a charitable organization created in 1998 whose mission is to contribute to improving the quality of life of Canadians in need by revitalizing their living environments and facilitating access to housing.

eBay announces global payment acquiring partnership with Checkout.com

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
With more than 2.3 billion live listings, eBay is one of the world's largest online marketplaces.

Happy Belly Food Group promotes Randall Papineau to President of Emerging Brands

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Happy Belly is continuing to accelerate growth across all its brands.

Colliers Acquires Triovest to Lead Canada’s Real Estate Sector

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Craig Patterson -
Colliers will acquire Triovest, uniting two major commercial real estate firms to form Canada's largest platform with 95M sq. ft. under management.

Minecraft’s new interactive adventure to make Canadian debut at Square One

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Minecraft is the best-selling game of all time with over 300 million copies sold, entertaining players from around the world through gaming and the recently released blockbuster film A Minecraft Movie.

Annual inflation rate eases in March: Statistics Canada

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The year-over-year slowdown in the all-items CPI was driven by lower prices for travel tours and gasoline in March, said Statistics Canada.

Affirm and Shopify accelerate global expansion of Shop Pay installments

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Shop Pay Installments will become available in general access to Shopify merchants in Canada and the U.K. this summer, with cross-border commerce capabilities between the U.S., Canada, and U.K. to follow.

Bootlegger Sold to Warehouse One Parent Amid Restructuring

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Lee Rivett -
Bootlegger will continue under new ownership as an Ontario court approves its sale to a Comark Holdings affiliate during restructuring.

DoorDash debuts Festival Activation Fund, helping local restaurants reach more customers

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
DoorDash said the Festival Activation Fund will provide 15 restaurants with up to 50% off a restaurant’s summer festival fee (up to $3,000 CAD) that occurs in any Canadian city – no matter how big or how small the community is – from June 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025.

Canada’s consumer confidence hits record low in March

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Despite easing inflation and falling interest rates, ongoing economic uncertainty remained a significant factor impacting consumers’ confidence.

Canadian counter-tariffs on U.S. vehicles necessary retaliation: Unifor

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy.

Bingemans bringing Kingpin concept to St. Catharines

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Bingemans is a leader in entertainment, culinary and hospitality, dedicated to creating generational memories through exceptional experiences

Leyad Buys St. Albert Centre Amid HBC Exit and Redevelopment Plans

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Lee Rivett -
Leyad acquires St. Albert Centre for $60M as Hudson's Bay plans closure, signalling a potential redevelopment under new ownership.

Chick-fil-A opening new location in Edmonton

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Locally owned and operated by Jag Dhanju, Chick-fil-A The Meadows will be the fourth location to open in Edmonton.

Walmart Canada creating new opportunities for Marketplace Sellers

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Walmart Canada Marketplace Sellers can now purchase sponsored product ads on Walmart.ca and the Walmart Canada app

Bond Brand Loyalty announces new President & CEO, Morana Bakula

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Based in Toronto, Bond has 800 people and operates across eight offices throughout North America and Europe.

Ontario’s first independent lottery supporting local hospitals expands to convenience stores across the province

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Residents in several Northern Ontario communities can now easily take part in supporting their local hospital foundations, which fund critical care and services in their communities, while also gaining the chance to try their luck at winning big cash prizes.

Say hello to June, Cambie Village’s newest culinary concept in Vancouver (Photos)

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Situated on an iconic street corner in Cambie Village, June invites guests to step into a world where brasserie charm meets spirited revelry.

Business conditions deteriorate in Canada: Bank of Canada

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Sales outlooks have softened, particularly for exporters. Firms reported having sufficient capacity, and many are delaying investment and hiring decisions amid uncertainty, says the Bank.

IKEA to Open Sherbrooke Planning Studio on April 14

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Craig Patterson -
IKEA Canada will open a Plan and order point in Sherbrooke on April 14, offering personalized planning services for kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms.

Montréal Roses Team with The Unscented Company

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Craig Patterson -
The Unscented Company becomes official care partner of Montréal Roses, supporting Canada's first pro women’s soccer team with sustainable products.

St. Lawrence Farmers Market Reopens in New North Building

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Lee Rivett -
Toronto's historic farmers' market returns indoors with the opening of the new North Market building at Front and Jarvis after nearly a decade.

Brewery & the Beast returns for 2025 with 3 epic culinary celebrations – Vancouver, Calgary, Vancouver Island

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Brewery & the Beast was created to educate and inform guests of the importance of being a conscientious consumer and how now is more important than ever to support responsible and sustainable Canadian food producers by purchasing their harvest in restaurants, grocery stores and markets.

Delta Bingo Etobicoke opens its doors, bringing Bingo and Vegas-style Gaming to Toronto’s West End

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Partnered with 960+ charitable organizations across 18 locations in Ontario, Delta Bingo & Gaming's charity partnerships have generated over $600 million for local communities.

Canada’s unions call for immediate action on U.S. tariffs threatening over one million jobs

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
"These reckless and unjustified tariffs from President Trump are a direct attack on Canadian workers, our industries and our economy."

Canadian trade balance goes from surplus to deficit: Statistics Canada

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Canada's merchandise trade balance with the world went from a surplus of $3.1 billion in January to a deficit of $1.5 billion in February

Significant shift in Canadian consumer shopping habits due to US trade threats 

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
67% of consumers report buying more Canadian products in the past two months, including 26% who indicate buying "much more."

Employment falls in wholesale and retail trade: Statistics Canada

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Employment fell by 29,000 (-1.0%) in wholesale and retail trade in March, partly offsetting an increase of 51,000 in February.

Pet Valu takes action to support increased ‘appetite’ for Canadian brands

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Pet Valu is Canada's leading retailer of pet food and pet-related supplies with over 800 corporate-owned or franchised locations across the country.

Salvation Army Thrift Store launches #EarthLovesThrift campaign

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Donations to The Salvation Army Thrift Store can be made at any of their 113 Donor Welcome Centres across Canada.

Hudson’s Bay Begins Sale and Lease Deal Process 

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Craig Patterson -
Hudson’s Bay starts formal sale and lease solicitation processes as part of court-approved restructuring under CCAA protection.

Jimmy The Greek becomes the Official Greek Restaurant of Toronto FC

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
As an official partner of Toronto FC, Jimmy The Greek said it will be the first ever brand to present all pre-match player walkout ceremonies during regular season home games as well as present a dedicated promotional night.

Time to Rethink Canada’s Dairy Supply Management System [Op-Ed]

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Sylvain Charlebois -
Canada’s dairy supply management system faces growing scrutiny over cost, waste, and transparency concerns—prompting calls for reform and accountability.

Understance Opens Burnaby Store at Metrotown

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Craig Patterson -
Understance opens a new store in Burnaby's Metropolis at Metrotown, offering inclusive lingerie sizing and personalized fittings.

Ramen Arashi expands to Langford, bringing authentic Japanese comfort food to the West Shore

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Ramen Arashi Langford is the sixth location in the expanding Ramen Arashi family, joining existing sites in Banff and Victoria.

T&T Supermarket Expands to San Francisco with 4th U.S. Store

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Lee Rivett -
T&T Supermarket announces its fourth U.S. store in San Francisco, targeting affluent neighbourhoods with authentic Asian offerings by Winter 2026.

Retail trade largest detractor for GDP growth: Statistics Canada

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Statistics Canada said real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.4% in January, following a 0.3% increase in December.

Pickleplex Social Club expands into British Columbia with Master Franchise Agreement

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The first Pickleplex Social Club locations in British Columbia are set to open in the coming months, with plans for additional expansion in the works.

Tourism spending on the rise: Statistics Canada

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The report said tourism spending by international visitors in Canada rose 2.2% in the fourth quarter, following a decline of 2.4% in the third quarter.

Shoppers Drug Mart opens first of 7 pharmacy care clinics in Surrey, British Columbia

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
At a time of rapid growth in the region, the Shoppers clinics will provide the community with more ways to access primary care services

Restaurants Canada appoints Nicolas Filiatrault as its new Chair of the Board

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Filiatrault will collaborate with President and CEO Kelly Higginson to strengthen the organization's advocacy for the foodservice industry as she and the team execute the strategic goals of the organization.

Guildford Town Centre announces immersive Smash + Tess pop-up

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Guildford Town Centre, a shopping mall situated in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, has been catering to shoppers since its establishment on November 8, 1966.

Retail sales down in January: Statistics Canada

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales decreased 0.4% in February.

Canada’s largest specialty coffee retailer Second Cup Café celebrates 50 years of Canadian coffee culture

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
From modest beginnings in 1975 as a kiosk selling whole bean coffee, Second Cup has evolved into a national brand deeply rooted in communities across the country.

Forget family passes the torch to another RONA affiliated dealer

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Mario Toneguzzi -
The RONA inc. network operates or services some 425 corporate and affiliated dealer stores under the RONA+, RONA, and Dick’s Lumber banners.

Couche-Tard Pursues Seven & i Takeover Despite Resistance

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Craig Patterson -
Couche-Tard says it remains committed to acquiring Seven & i despite pushback, citing strategic benefits and ongoing negotiations ahead of Seven & i’s AGM.
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FEATURES ON RETAIL INSIDER

Läderach Unveils New Boutique on Toronto’s Bloor Street

Craig Patterson -
Läderach has opened a new boutique on Bloor Street, marking the Swiss chocolatier’s first Canadian street-front location. A national expansion will see more Vancouver locations before moving into Alberta.

King Living opens flagship Toronto showroom

Craig Patterson -
Australian brand King Living opens a 12,000-sq-ft Toronto showroom in the Castlefield Design District, offering modular furniture, design services, and a gallery-like retail experience.

The Kenrick Hotel Banff Unveils Major Luxury Renovation

Craig Patterson -
The Kenrick Hotel in Banff reopens after a multi-phase luxury renovation by BUILD IT, offering upgraded suites, spa, dining, and event spaces.

Jollibee to Open 100 Canadian Locations in 5 Years

Unique Retailer ‘Hodge Podge Toys’ Relocates for Growth

BRIEF: Old Navy Announces 3 Stores, SSENSE to Unveil 5-Storey Flagship

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