Daily Synopsis: August 17, 2026

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Welcome to the Daily Synopsis by Retail Insider. We hope you enjoy the 11 articles we published covering key developments in Canadian retail.

Primaris REIT is investing $19 million to redevelop the former Hudson’s Bay at Galeries de la Capitale into multi-tenant retail and restaurant space anchored by Imaginaire’s largest store. Canadian families plan to spend more on back-to-school shopping in 2026 driven by inflation, favouring value retailers like Walmart and Costco while shifting toward online platforms such as Amazon. Lululemon has expanded its Like New resale program to Canada, enabling customers to buy and sell pre-owned items on a peer-to-peer platform to support sustainability and brand loyalty.

Leon’s furniture portfolio was appraised at $1.17 billion highlighting value beyond its book figure as part of a REIT spin-off strategy. CBRE is seeking a national grocery store to anchor Saskatoon’s downtown redevelopment, addressing the critical need for grocery-anchored retail to drive urban revitalization and support the area’s growing density. Retail Insider also published insights into rising consumer prices and changing retail employment skills amid AI developments.

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