Welcome to the Daily Synopsis by Retail Insider. We hope you enjoy the 13 articles we published covering key developments in Canadian retail. Here are a couple highlights with a full list of the day’s articles thereafter.
SMYTHE has appointed Ana Mihaljevic, former Canada Goose executive, as CEO to lead its commercial operations amid plans to expand its retail presence, including a new boutique at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in 2027. Browns Shoes is expanding its physical retail presence in Canada with a new flagship at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, larger stores, and openings planned across Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec through 2027. Levi Strauss & Co. is reshaping its Canadian retail approach following Hudson’s Bay’s 2025 closure, leveraging branded stores, mass-market outlets like Walmart and Mark’s, and premium partnerships with Holt Renfrew to reach diverse consumer segments.
Deloitte forecasts a 14 percent decline in Canadian holiday spending to a record low, driven by economic uncertainty and tariff concerns that push consumers toward value-focused shopping. Retailers must navigate heightened competition as customers visit more stores and prioritise discounts, transparency, and local ownership. Meanwhile, at the Retail Insider @ Rotman event, leaders from Harry Rosen, Roots, SMYTHE, and Absolutely Fabrics will share strategies for adapting to shifting consumer expectations and the changing role of stores.
🗞️ The Day’s Retail Insider Article List
- SMYTHE Appoints Former Canada Goose Executive Ana Mihaljevic CEO as Brand Expands – Craig Patterson
- Retail Insider @ Rotman Returns November 3 with Four Canadian Retail Leaders Exploring Customer Fit – Craig Patterson
- Browns Shoes Expands Canadian Store Network Following Toronto Eaton Centre Flagship Opening – Craig Patterson
- Deloitte projects 14% drop in Canadian holiday spending to record low – Mario Toneguzzi
- Levi’s Canadian Retail Strategy Takes Shape After Hudson’s Bay Closure – Lee Rivett
- Calgary’s Stoked Oats Doubles Revenue as It Expands Into Costco and Asian Markets – Mario Toneguzzi
- Are Canadian Retailers Making Shopping Too Complicated? Samsung Research Raises Questions – Craig Patterson
- Canadian Tire Corporation makes “landmark” commitment to women’s professional sports – Mario Toneguzzi
- Canadian Small Businesses Pursue Growth Despite Economic Uncertainty: Scotiabank – Craig Patterson
- Thai Express Is Betting on Calamari as Canada’s Next Quick-Service Premium Protein – Mario Toneguzzi
- AI-Powered Scams Target Holiday Shoppers as Retail Fraud Risks Rise, Infobip Report Finds – Mario Toneguzzi
- Bonobos rolls out Shopify-powered online shopping and in-store technology – Mario Toneguzzi
- Empire’s Family of Support Expands Access to Children’s Mental Health Care Across Canada – Mario Toneguzzi
🌐 Canadian Retail News From Around the Web
- Walmart Canada unveils its 2026 Top Toys, spotlighting the toys set to top wishlists (Cision)
- Canadian Tire Corporation Achieves Landmark 50/50 Investment Milestone and Launches National Effort to Grow Women’s Sport Fandom (Cision)
- Cineplex Delivers Highest Quarterly and September Box Office Performance in Company History (GlobeNewswire)
- Get That Restaurant-Quality Crisp You Crave At Home: McCain Launches New Air Fryer Lineup (Cision)
- HEINZ Takes Soup Beyond the Can with New Ready-To-Eat Soup Collection (Business Wire)
- GOLF TOWN UNVEILS FIRST FLAGSHIP LOCATION IN OAKVILLE, ONTARIO (Cision)
- MNP Report: Canada’s F&B industry has built the foundation. Now comes the opportunity to grow more value (Cision)
- Nova Scotia TIMBER MART marks grand opening (Hardlines)
- New Guelph fashion store showcases local talent (GuelphToday)
- Nominal rent growth set to rebound, but may fail to keep pace with inflation (CoStar News)
- Vancouver’s MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Vietnamese Restaurant Is Expanding to Manila (Noms Magazine)
- A New Italian Sandwich and Pasta Shop Is Opening Soon on Vancouver’s Fraser Street (Noms Magazine)
- A new authentic Korean diner has opened up in Edmonton (Daily Hive)
