Daily Synopsis: September 3, 2026

Date:

Share post:

Welcome to the Daily Synopsis by Retail Insider. We hope you enjoy the 9 articles we published today covering key developments in Canadian retail.

Lululemon’s Canadian sales declined 11% in Q2 amid worsening traffic and product challenges, with an even steeper downturn expected in the near term. Gather Packaging, a Toronto-based manufacturer previously reliant on U.S. markets for over 75% of its volume, accelerated production to export before a new 50% U.S. tariff took effect, severely impacting its American sales. Alimentation Couche-Tard is reshaping its convenience store assortments by emphasizing food, energy drinks, and functional beverages amid declining demand for traditional categories like carbonated soft drinks and snacks.

Retail Insider’s remaining coverage is included in the full article list below.

🗞️ The Day’s Retail Insider Article List

🌐 Canadian Retail News From Around the Web will return next week. Have an excellent Labour Day long weekend.

RELATED ARTICLES

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

RECENT articles

Lululemon Canada Sales Fall 11% as Outlook Weakens

Lululemon's Canadian revenue fell 11% in Q2 as traffic and product challenges intensified, with the retailer warning of deeper declines ahead.

Retail Insider’s Canadian Retail Monitor — June 2026: Demand Strengthens as Volumes Rise

Retail Insider’s Canadian Retail Monitor finds demand strengthened in June 2026, with sales volumes rising faster than headline sales. Health, apparel and general merchandise led growth, while grocery weakened and e-commerce rebounded sharply.

Gather Packaging Pivots to Canada After 50% U.S. Tariff

Toronto-based Gather Packaging is targeting Canadian retailers after a 50% U.S. tariff disrupted a market representing more than 75% of its plant volume.

Canadian puzzle brand Villager Puzzles builds business around women artists and retail growth

Villager Puzzles collaborates with Canadian women artists, who receive uncapped royalties from every puzzle sold. Some artists have earned between $10,000 and $28,000 over the past year.

BRP raises full-year earnings guidance as second-quarter revenue climbs 18.5 per cent

The Quebec-based powersports company reported revenue of $2.24 billion for the three months ended July 31, up from $1.89 billion a year earlier.

D Spot Dessert Café expands into U.S. with Dallas launch, eyes Houston, Chicago, Nashville and Atlanta

Founded in Canada in 2014, D Spot has grown to more than 55 locations nationwide and recently launched its first American location, marking a significant milestone for the brand.

Restaurants Canada welcomes extension of Federal Fuel Excise Tax suspension

Gas costs have risen by an average of 46% since December 2025, contributing to higher food and transportation costs and supplier fuel surcharges, reported by 86% of restaurants.

Couche-Tard Reshapes Convenience Store Mix as Consumer Habits Change

Couche-Tard is shifting store assortments as food, energy drinks and functional products grow while traditional convenience categories soften.

Daily Synopsis: September 2, 2026

Canadian Tire launches loyalty program with Tim Hortons, Lululemon expands resale program to Canada, City of Edmonton launches shop local campaign, 100+ year Lunenburg women's store closing, Ontario teachers reportedly gouged with Staples pricing, and other news.

Margins, Losses, Surplus: What Food Waste Really Costs Small Businesses

FoodHero is helping independent Canadian retailers turn surplus food into revenue, reduce waste and reach new customers as it expands its platform.

Kit and Ace Relocates at CF Sherway Gardens as Expansion Continues

Kit and Ace has relocated at CF Sherway Gardens, moving into a 2,370-square-foot store that CEO David Lui says is performing better.

Gap Sales Surge as Old Navy Reshapes Canadian Store Network

Gap continues its strong sales momentum as Old Navy works to improve performance while reshaping its Canadian store network through closures and new locations.

Why Brand Activations Are Becoming an Important Part of Retail Marketing

Brand activations are becoming a bigger part of retail marketing as brands use physical experiences, creator content and memorable environments to connect with consumers.

Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons launch linked loyalty program

The program is aimed at connecting the two loyalty ecosystems and giving customers additional rewards for purchases at participating Tim Hortons restaurants.

Jimmy John’s opens first Calgary restaurant in city’s University District

This is the second location in Alberta since the brand’s first Canadian location opened in November 2024, with plans to open over six more before the end of the year.

New U.S. Tariffs Add to Cost Pressures for Canada’s Restaurant Industry: Restaurants Canada 

Restaurants Canada research shows that 41% of operators are now operating at a loss or barely breaking even, compared with 12% in 2019.

Planet Fitness to open third Halifax-area location in Lower Sackville

The company also has locations in Moncton, Saint John and St. John's elsewhere in Atlantic Canada.

Daily Synopsis: September 1, 2026

Surge in demand for Canadian-made food and products, New Lululemon CEO faces turnaround challenge, used bookstores navigate bulk orders amid AI book shredding fears, Safeway opens at Oakridge Park in Vancouver, and other news.

Couche-Tard Earnings Rise as Canadian Convenience Sales Flatten

Couche-Tard reports higher Q1 earnings as Canadian merchandise sales remain flat, while fuel volumes and margins strengthen.

MONTONI partners with Super C and Jean Coutu to develop new retail complex in Mascouche, Quebec

MONTONI develops, builds and manages real estate projects and it has completed more than 700 projects representing over 30 million square feet of industrial, commercial, institutional and residential construction and 30 corporate campuses, with another 25 million square feet under development–an impressive portfolio of properties across Québec.