In December, the number of Canadian-resident return trips from the United States was down 25% year over year, while the number of trips to Canada by US residents decreased 7.5%, reported Statistics Canada on Monday.
In contrast, both the number of Canadian-resident return trips from overseas (+12.9%) and the number of trips to Canada by overseas residents (+14.1%) increased compared with the same month a year earlier, said the federal agency.
On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, the number of Canadian-resident return trips from abroad edged up 0.3% in December. Meanwhile, both US-resident arrivals (+1.5%) and overseas-resident arrivals (+1.2%) saw increases, it said.
Trips to Canada by US residents decrease
In December 2025, US-resident trips to Canada (1.6 million) decreased 7.5% from the same month in 2024, explained Statistics Canada.
“British Columbia saw the largest year-over-year decline, partially because of a base-year effect from a higher number of visitors in December 2024 that coincided with a series of high-profile concerts in Vancouver,” it said.
“Arrivals by automobile (1.1 million) were down 7.5% year over year in December 2025, with just over half (50.7%) of these arrivals being same-day trips. Meanwhile, air arrivals (395,800) decreased 4.6% year over year.”
Trips to Canada by overseas residents continue to increase
In December, 509,500 overseas residents arrived in Canada, up 14.1% from the same month a year earlier, with the majority (90.7%) of arrivals by air, said the report.
“Increases in arrivals from Europe (+8.7%), Asia (+15.9%) and the Americas (excluding the United States) (+19.7%) were the primary contributors to the year-over-year rise in overseas-resident arrivals in December,” it said.
“The top three countries of residence for overseas visitors were the United Kingdom (59,600), France (52,700) and Mexico (47,200), accounting for 31.3% of all overseas arrivals in Canada in December.”
Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada’s food and pharmacy leader, announced Monday that it will spend $2.4 billion in 2026 to expand and renovate its store network, enhance its supply chain capabilities, and create jobs for people all across Canada.
“At a time when Canadians are struggling with affordability and access to healthcare services, in 2026 Loblaw will open 70 new stores. This will include 34 Shoppers Drug Mart / Pharmaprix pharmacies and care clinics, and 31 hard discount No Frills and Maxi stores delivering value to communities. These new locations, along with the renovation of another 191 stores, and the continued construction of its roughly 1.2 million square foot automated distribution centre in Caledon, Ontario, will create an anticipated 9,700 retail and construction jobs from coast to coast,” said the company in a news release.
This is the second investment in the company’s 5-year plan to spend $10 billion by 2030 – reinforcing Loblaw’s position as a major contributor to the growth of the Canadian economy, and to creating new avenues for customers to access value, it added.
Per Bank
“Our success depends heavily on the strength of the communities we serve,” said Per Bank, President and CEO, Loblaw Companies Limited. “We see this as a significant investment in our network and capabilities as one of Canada’s largest retailers, but it is also an investment in the people we serve and their ability to access great value and quality healthcare. By helping Canadians live life well, our business gets stronger too.”
Every part of Canada will see investment as a result of this announcement, said the company:
Eastern Canada – 4 new stores and more than 600 jobs
Quebec – 15 new stores and more than 1,985 jobs
Ontario – 27 new stores and 3,775 jobs, including roles associated with the company’s two new automated distribution centres in Southern Ontario
Western Canada – 24 new stores and more than 3,400 jobs
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada’s food and pharmacy leader, as well as its largest retailer and private sector employer with more than 220,000 people across the country and a network of 2,500 stores and national e-commerce options. Brands: President’s Choice, No Name, Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, T&T, Joe Fresh, PC Express and PC Financial. The company’s loyalty program, PC Optimum, has more than 16 million active members.
The Canadian retail sector exhibited a cautious yet optimistic momentum last week, anchored by notable expansions, strategic restructurings, and innovative market responses. Across key cities, retailers and landlords alike are adapting to evolving consumer expectations by rethinking spaces, deploying technology, and managing legacy brand transformations. Against a backdrop of moderated inflation and shifting consumer purchasing behaviour, the capacity for strategic agility remains a defining factor for success.
This optimism unfolds alongside influential legal and operational developments, including bankruptcy proceedings, innovative expansions in adjacent sectors like beauty and specialty beverages, and discussions on retail holiday policies. Retailers and real estate professionals are closely observing these dynamics as indicators of potential sector-wide recalibration rather than retreat.
Retailer News
Leasing activity at Calgary’s major shopping centres is gathering pace, demonstrated by multiple retailer expansions and high-profile entries such as Samsung’s return and new locations for Arc’teryx and Abercrombie & Fitch at CF Market Mall and CF Chinook Centre. Cadillac Fairview’s report on accelerated leasing activity in these malls underscores a growing retail demand that should bolster commercial real estate confidence in the region.
Meanwhile, the Ontario Superior Court’s recognition of Eddie Bauer’s U.S. bankruptcy filing integrates Canadian stores into a cross-border restructuring, effectively protecting assets and establishing a coordinated path forward for 24 Canadian locations. This development around Eddie Bauer’s bankruptcy presents complex implications for lease negotiations and possible consolidations, highlighting the fragility some mid-tier retailers face amid shifting consumer patterns.
In a proactive response to Hudson’s Bay’s department store exits, Walmart Canada is broadening its beauty sector footprint by targeting masstige and Gen Z-focused lines through exclusive collaborations and accelerated innovation programs. This strategic expansion of Walmart’s beauty assortment, detailed in the coverage of Walmart Canada’s beauty initiatives, signals a recalibration of category leadership in the Canadian retail beauty landscape.
Expansion into experiential retail is also underway with HEYTEA opening its inaugural Canadian Lab at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. This flagship store merges specialty beverage innovation with immersive brand experiences, a growing trend emphasized by the launch noted in HEYTEA’s Canadian debut. This move reflects how specialty concepts are leveraging high-traffic retail nodes to test new products and build customer loyalty.
Retailer Financials / Trends / Reports
Retail sales in Canada saw a modest 0.4% decline in December 2025, driven primarily by a drop in motor vehicle sales, though gasoline stations experienced gains. Despite this, the overall retail sales for 2025 ended with a healthy 4.0% growth, as noted in the Statistics Canada report. This mixed outcome suggests sector-specific challenges but also resilience in key categories that continue to support investor and operator confidence.
Canadian Tire Corporation’s robust results for Q4 and full-year 2025 highlight the impact of its True North transformation strategy, which leverages AI-driven pricing, inventory tools, and loyalty expansions. The record automotive service sales and sustained retail growth detailed in Canadian Tire’s financial disclosures signal operational efficiency and evolving customer engagement that other retailers should observe closely.
Rising costs in construction and labour continue to reshape retail development models in Canada. As explored in recent analysis on cost pressures affecting retail growth, these factors are increasing rent requirements and squeezing retailer margins, forcing a more disciplined approach to site selection and format innovation. Necessity-based retail remains comparatively resilient, supporting commercial real estate demand despite pricing challenges.
Restaurant News
The restaurant sector continues to face financial headwinds, with nearly half of Canadian eateries operating at a loss or breaking even as of late 2025, according to insights shared by the Restaurants Canada CEO. This erosion of profitability stresses retail landlords dependent on foodservice tenants and underscores the importance of supportive policies and adaptive lease structures to maintain commercial viability.
Retailer Op-Eds
New research on ethical purchasing behaviour reveals that Canadian consumers are more inclined to buy ethical products when offered smaller quantities rather than paying higher premiums, a key insight for retailers seeking to align brand values with budget-conscious shoppers. This finding, discussed in ethical shopping insights, suggests that innovative pricing and packaging strategies could bridge the gap between consumer intentions and actual sales.
Food inflation remains a significant concern for households, with Canada leading the G7 at 7.3%, propelled by complex structural factors beyond climate change. The editorial on Canada’s rising food prices highlights the urgent need for supply chain and pricing reforms within the food retail and real estate sectors to maintain affordability and margin stability in the face of sustained cost pressures.
The accelerating use of AI in Canadian grocery retail presents both operational efficiencies and consumer trust challenges. Coverage on AI integration in grocers stresses that while AI-driven personalization can enhance service, issues around data privacy and pricing transparency must be carefully managed to maintain public confidence in these essential retail channels.
Editor’s Take
Last week’s coverage collectively signals a Canadian retail landscape that is actively recalibrating amid pressures from rising costs, changing consumer behaviour, and legacy brand realignments. The vibrant leasing activity in Calgary’s malls alongside strategic expansions in beauty and specialty beverage sectors demonstrate that physical retail continues to matter when paired with innovation and nuanced consumer targeting.
Simultaneously, the Eddie Bauer bankruptcy ruling crystallizes the ongoing structural challenges facing several mid-tier retailers, forcing stakeholders to navigate the complexities of restructuring and asset preservation carefully. This situation demonstrates the necessity for landlords and operators to invest in flexible leasing terms and adaptive property management to manage tenant mix risks.
Advances in AI, exemplified by Canadian Tire’s transformation and Loblaw’s partnership with Google, highlight how technology is becoming indispensable in competitive retailing. Yet, concerns voiced around AI’s transparent role in pricing and data use remind executives that technological innovation must be balanced with ethical stewardship to build long-term customer trust and loyalty.
Major retailers in Canada are rapidly advancing artificial intelligence initiatives to gain efficiencies, reduce costs, and strengthen competitive positioning in an increasingly demanding market. What began as limited experimentation with chatbots and data tools has evolved into enterprise-wide deployments that are reshaping merchandising, supply chains, marketing, and customer engagement.
The latest wave of AI adoption in Canadian retail reflects a shift from pilot projects to full-scale execution. As of early 2026, the industry has entered what many executives describe as the era of agentic commerce, where AI systems act as digital agents capable of completing complex tasks for both consumers and businesses. This transformation extends beyond conversational interfaces and into logistics optimization, perishable forecasting, workforce management, and personalized marketing.
Grocers, general merchandise retailers, fashion brands, and electronics specialists are all moving quickly to embed AI into core operations. The result is a retail landscape increasingly defined by automation, predictive intelligence, and real-time responsiveness.
From Experimentation to Enterprise Execution
In 2023 and 2024, retailers across Canada experimented with generative AI tools, customer service bots, and limited personalization engines. However, inflationary pressures, labour shortages, and persistent supply chain disruptions exposed the limits of incremental innovation. Retailers required scalable, integrated systems capable of delivering measurable margin improvements.
By late 2025 and early 2026, leading retailers had transitioned from testing isolated applications to deploying enterprise platforms that connect front-end consumer experiences with back-end operational systems. This integrated approach defines the current phase of AI adoption in Canadian retail, where digital agents assist customers with shopping decisions while simultaneously optimizing inventory, pricing, and fulfillment.
Agentic commerce represents a step change. Instead of simply answering questions, AI systems now complete transactions, curate product bundles, predict demand surges, and allocate resources before customers even initiate a search.
Gatik autonomous delivery truck in front of a Loblaws store. Image: Loblaw
Loblaw Companies Limited has emerged as one of the most aggressive adopters of AI in the country, integrating the technology directly into the purchase journey.
In February 2026, Loblaw launched a shopping application within ChatGPT that allows users to describe dietary goals and budget constraints. For example, a customer can request a week of low-carb, family-friendly dinners within a defined price range. The system generates recipes, curates the necessary ingredients, and transfers items directly into a PC Express cart for pickup or delivery.
Loblaw also became the first Canadian grocer to enable direct shopping through Google’s AI Mode and Gemini application using the Universal Commerce Protocol. This integration positions the company inside widely used digital ecosystems, allowing consumers to shop without navigating to a traditional website.
Operationally, Loblaw has implemented a proprietary AI assistant known as Robin. Store managers use Robin to monitor inventory levels and staff scheduling in real time. The system addresses out-of-stock challenges that intensified during 2024 and supports more precise labour allocation.
At the corporate level, the company has migrated approximately 220,000 employees to ChatGPT Enterprise. The goal is to automate administrative tasks, streamline internal data queries, and accelerate reporting processes.
Canadian Tire Corporation: Predictive Context and Micro-Occasions
Canadian Tire Corporation has centered its strategy on predictive context, aiming to anticipate consumer needs based on weather, geography, and loyalty data.
In February 2026, the company introduced MOSaiC, a platform built on Microsoft Azure that identifies more than 1,000 micro-occasions. If weather models forecast a rapid thaw in Calgary, for example, the system automatically increases shipments of sump pumps and sandbags to affected stores. This preemptive inventory positioning reduces missed sales opportunities and enhances local relevance.
MOSaiC integrates longitudinal data from millions of Triangle Rewards members. By analyzing purchase histories and behavioral patterns, the system develops occasion personas that enable highly targeted promotions rather than broad national discounts. This approach supports margin preservation while maintaining customer engagement.
Internally, Canadian Tire is rolling out Microsoft 365 Copilot tools across corporate teams and partnering with Canadian business schools to promote responsible AI adoption.
Image: Walmart
Walmart Canada: Logistics Intelligence at Scale
Walmart Canada has focused its AI investments on logistics intelligence rather than solely on digital storefront enhancements.
In October 2025, the retailer opened a 550,000 square foot Ambient Distribution Centre in Vaughan, Ontario. The facility, one of the most technologically advanced in Walmart’s global network, uses AI-driven warehouse management systems and autonomous forklifts to process approximately 70 million cases annually.
The centre incorporates automated storage and retrieval systems that maximize vertical space up to 94 feet. This configuration reduces the physical footprint while increasing shipping speed by roughly 40 percent compared with traditional warehouses.
On the store level, Walmart has deployed generative AI tools that translate complex corporate manuals into conversational, task-based instructions for associates. This reduces training time for new hires and improves operational consistency.
Empire Company: Data Foundations and Margin Protection
Empire Company Limited, parent of Sobeys, Safeway, and FreshCo, has prioritized data infrastructure as the core enabler of AI deployment.
The company’s advanced analytics team refines promotional strategies by tailoring price points and deal types to specific neighbourhood demographics. Instead of uniform buy-one-get-one offers, AI determines localized promotional structures that align with consumer profiles in banners such as FreshCo and Sobeys.
In late 2025, Empire reported that AI-driven personalization within the Scene+ app contributed to record quarterly earnings. The company also applies AI-based traffic flow analysis to optimize store layouts, enhancing space productivity and customer navigation.
A multi-year migration to SAP S/4HANA supports these initiatives by serving as the operational backbone for future AI applications across more than 1,600 stores.
Metro Inc.: Reducing Shrink Through Perishable Intelligence
Metro Inc. has concentrated on the persistent challenge of grocery shrink, using AI to refine perishable forecasting.
Partnering with Moov AI, Metro employs systems that predict daily demand for more than 5,000 fresh products in Quebec stores. By aligning supply with granular forecasts, the retailer reduces food waste while improving freshness.
In 2026, Metro is launching a 230,000 square foot automated facility in Brampton that uses goods-to-person robotics for online order fulfillment. The company estimates picking efficiency could increase by as much as 500 percent compared with manual processes.
Across its Jean Coutu and Metro Pharmacy banners, AI models forecast prescription demand and optimize front-of-store health and beauty assortments.
Aritzia at Vaughan Mills, photo provided by Vaughan Mills.
Aritzia: Omni-First Fashion and Predictive Intent
Aritzia has positioned itself as an omni-first leader by integrating predictive analytics into marketing and merchandising decisions.
The retailer uses AI-powered Google Search tools and Performance Max campaigns to detect early spikes in consumer interest. When data indicated heightened attention around the Super Puff line, Aritzia adjusted its campaign mid-season, contributing to a reported 55 percent year-over-year increase in demand for that product category.
In December 2025, Aritzia launched a dedicated mobile application that functions as a closed AI ecosystem. The app delivers personalized style recommendations linked directly to local store inventory, bridging social inspiration and physical availability.
The company reported a 42 percent lift in e-commerce revenue in its most recent fiscal results, attributing part of the growth to AI-driven omni-channel integration.
Alimentation Couche-Tard: Reinventing Convenience Through AI
Alimentation Couche-Tard, operator of Circle K, unveiled its Core + More strategy in early 2026 under CEO Alex Miller.
The company is applying AI to predict optimal preparation timing for fresh food offerings such as pizzas and sandwiches. These models aim to balance speed and waste reduction in high-traffic convenience environments.
Couche-Tard also uses AI-driven geospatial modeling to select locations for approximately 100 new-build stores scheduled to open in 2026. The system analyzes traffic flows, electric vehicle charging needs, and demographic data to enhance site profitability.
Best Buy Canada: AI-Assisted Expertise
Best Buy Canada has embraced AI as both a product category and a service opportunity.
In February 2026, the retailer integrated AI-assisted writing and troubleshooting tools into its Best Buy Blog and product guides. These systems generate highly specific technical content aligned with real-time search trends.
During CES 2026, Best Buy Canada announced expanded training for Geek Squad agents in edge AI technologies embedded in devices rather than cloud platforms. The retailer aims to position itself as a primary Canadian service provider for AI-enabled appliances, laptops, and home systems entering the market this year.
The Competitive Implications
Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate that AI adoption in Canadian retail is no longer optional. Competitive advantage increasingly depends on predictive accuracy, operational speed, and the ability to personalize engagement at scale.
Retailers that successfully integrate AI across supply chains, marketing, and in-store operations can reduce waste, protect margins, and deliver tailored experiences. Meanwhile, laggards risk potential higher costs, slower response times, and diminished market share.
The industry’s competitive landscape will continue to be shaped by retailers capable of converting data into action at scale.
IKEA Canada Launches New YouTube Series “IKEA Kitchen Showroom Showdown” Featuring Scott McGillivray & Debra Salmoni (CNW Group/IKEA Canada Limited Partnership)
IKEA Canada says it is launching IKEA Kitchen Showroom Showdown, a new YouTube series created to show Canadians that beautiful, functional kitchens are still within reach – even as rising living costs cause many to delay renovation plans.
The retailer’s belief is simple: everyone deserves a kitchen they love, regardless of budget. The series demonstrates the brand’s commitment to accessible, high quality kitchen solutions and helps Canadians see what’s possible through thoughtful design and smart planning, it said.
“In this lighthearted “showdown,” popular on-camera personalities Scott McGillivray and Debra Salmoni each design and build their own dream IKEA kitchen within a set of parameters. The result is two inspiring spaces that highlight the flexibility, style, and practicality of IKEA kitchens — with ideas Canadians can easily imagine in their own homes.”
Debra Salmoni Scott McGillivray
Rob Kelly
“The kitchen is the true heart of the home,” said Rob Kelly, Chief Commercial Officer at IKEA Canada. “It’s where people cook, gather, and create everyday moments. We want every Canadian to feel that a beautiful kitchen is within reach, and this series shows just how accessible and customizable our solutions can be.”
Founded in 1943 in Sweden, the retailer is a leading home furnishing retailer. IKEA Canada is part of Ingka Group which operates 574 stores in 31 countries, including 15 stores and 11 Plan and order points in Canada. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 33.3 million visitors to its stores and 199.9 million visitors to IKEA.ca.
The McGillivray Group is a full-service marketing agency specializing in brand partnerships and creative production.
Jonelle Ricketts
“Short-form content has become a go-to source of home furnishing inspiration for Canadians,” said Jonelle Ricketts, Head of Marketing, IKEA Canada. “This series lets us meet Canadians where they are already consuming content with relatable storytelling, helpful ideas, and two personalities Canadians already trust.”
Beyond the five-episode series, produced by McGillivray Group, IKEA said it has partnered with Scott and Debra to create 12 additional pieces of social content featuring DIY tips, affordable design ideas, and renovation inspiration.
“The kitchen is one of your best investments in the home,” said McGillivray. “With IKEA Kitchen Showroom Showdown, we wanted to demonstrate that thoughtful design choices can elevate how you live today while protecting the value of your home tomorrow. IKEA makes it possible to create kitchens that are beautiful, functional, and financially smart, no matter your budget.”
Following December’s launch of afternoon Same-Day Delivery windows in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, and Hamilton, Amazon said it is now expanding these options to Edmonton, Calgary, and Southwestern Ontario.
“Prime members in these additional regions can now enjoy the same flexible afternoon timeframes (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.), giving customers greater control over when their packages arrive throughout the day,” said the company.
“This expansion comes as Amazon hit its fastest speeds ever for Prime members in Canada last year–with more than 450 million items arriving the same or next day. By continuing to add Same-Day Delivery options across more cities, Amazon maintains its momentum in providing even faster and more convenient delivery experiences nationwide.”
In December, Amazon said it expanded Same-Day Delivery in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, and Hamilton by adding new afternoon delivery windows. Now, it is bringing these same afternoon delivery windows (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.) to Prime members in Edmonton, Calgary, and Southwestern Ontario.
The company said customers across all these areas can choose from four flexible delivery windows including:
Overnight delivery: Order by midnight and select delivery between 4 and 8 a.m.
NEW! Extended daytime delivery: Order by midnight and select delivery between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
NEW! Afternoon delivery: Order as late as 10:30 a.m. and select delivery between 2 and 6 p.m. (perfect for dinner preparations)
Evening delivery: Order by 1:30 p.m. and select delivery between 5 and 10 p.m.
Photo: Amazon
“These expanded options give customers greater flexibility to receive their orders when it’s most convenient for them, bringing packages from click to doorstep in as fast as a few hours. Prime members can choose from millions of eligible items across multiple product categories for Same-Day Delivery on qualifying orders over $25, from daily essentials to electronics, toys, beauty products, and more,” said Amazon.
“These enhanced delivery speeds are supported by Amazon’s strategic investments in bringing fulfillment facilities closer to customers, which reduces travel distances and handoffs while prioritizing employee health and safety—creating a customer-focused network that enables faster, more reliable delivery.”
In December, Amazon said it introduced a dedicated Same-Day storefront on Amazon.ca, available in all areas where Same-Day Delivery is offered: Metro Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Southwestern Ontario, and Montreal.
“Building on this improvement, this month Amazon launched the Same-Day Delivery Free Shipping Progress Bar, helping Prime members easily track their progress toward the $25 minimum for free Same-Day Delivery while providing a direct link to find eligible items,” it said.
“The category-based storefront and progress bar make it easier to browse millions of items eligible for Same-Day Delivery across numerous product categories including kitchen, electronics, beauty, baby, pet supplies, books, toys, health and personal care, and many more. To ensure you see all available options, simply verify your default address is correct so the storefront displays eligible items for your location.”
Waterworks Food Hall, Toronto’s most curated culinary destination, has launched a new lunch program featuring some of Toronto’s most exciting spots, including Boxcar Social, Bellos Pizza, Rasta Pasta, Taco Lupita and TANXTO.
With meals under $15 – from hearty ramen bowls to street-style tacos and steak sandwiches – there’s something to satisfy every craving – a budget-friendly way to explore Toronto’s diverse food scene.
The program will run daily from February 13 to March 15, 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The list of participating venues can be found here.
The Food Hall, at 50 Brant Street, is home to more than 15 restaurant concepts, three bars, and two outdoor patios, including a secret courtyard garden.
“With cost pressures still top of mind and more employees returning to the office, there’s a clear appetite for convenient, high-quality lunches at an accessible price point. We pay close attention to those shifts and respond in ways that feel relevant to our community. What makes this initiative unique is that every restaurant in the Food Hall is participating. One of the advantages of the food hall model is our ability to coordinate independent operators around a shared moment. It allows us to thoughtfully promote the Food Hall and introduce it to new audiences, while spotlighting our individual restaurants,” he said.
“From a business standpoint, our primary goal is always to actively support our vendors while making Waterworks a high-quality and memorable experience for every guest, whether they’re visiting for the first time or returning regularly. With Lunch Club, that means driving weekday midday traffic, increasing frequency, and making lunch more accessible downtown without compromising quality or experience.”
From day one, the Food Hall has been deliberate about who joins, explained Townley.
“We really obsess over bringing in the best local operators in Toronto. Authenticity matters to us, and we’ve deliberately avoided national chains in favour of independent brands with strong identities and exceptional products,” he said.
“Before launching Waterworks, we spent extensive time researching the food hall model. We visited halls globally to understand what truly works and how to strike the right balance of cuisines, price points, and service styles under one roof. That research shared a lineup that is diverse yet cohesive and helped us shape a mix that feels diverse but cohesive.
“Our restaurant selection process is highly curated and proactive. We directly approach operators we’re interested in, taste the food, visit their existing locations, and vet them thoroughly to ensure alignment with the quality and experience we’re building. We’ve taken the same approach with our bar partners, collaborating with some of the best in Canada to elevate the overall offering. The result is a well-balanced mix that offers something for everyone while maintaining a consistent standard across the hall.”
Photo: Waterworks Food Hall
How are vendors able to offer meals under $15 in the current cost environment, and what does that mean for margins and volume expectations?
In the current cost environment, the key is being intentional. Rather than discounting core menu items, many vendors developed a specific lunch feature that’s designed to be efficient to produce while still reflecting the quality they’re known for, said Townley.
“At this price point, the focus shifts to consistency and frequency. Lunch is an important daypart, and driving steady midday traffic across the hall supports the broader health of our operators’ businesses.
“The objective isn’t to compete on price alone. It’s to create an accessible entry point that attracts new guests, builds weekday habit, and gives existing customers a reason to return regularly. When volume and frequency increase, the overall ecosystem benefits; new guests to try Waterworks and give existing guests another reason to visit regularly.”
Office workers are certainly an important audience, especially as more return to the core, but the Food Hall looks at it more holistically than that.
“King West has a strong mix of creative firms, tech and finance offices, and a growing residential population, which creates steady daytime energy in the neighbourhood,” added Townley.
Photo: Waterworks Food Hall
“The $15 Lunch Club reflects that evolution. It offers a quick, accessible option for professionals during the workday, while also appealing to residents, students, and visitors looking for a high-quality midday meal. For us, the bigger picture is ensuring Waterworks performs across all dayparts and continues to meet how the neighbourhood lives and works today.”
The $15 Lunch Club is designed as a limited-time program, and the Food Hall will be closely evaluating how it performs.
“We’re also looking forward to gathering feedback from both our guests and our restaurants to understand what’s resonating and where there’s an opportunity to refine on the overall experience,” said Townley.
“At Waterworks, programming is an ongoing part of how we operate. We’re always exploring new ways to support our restaurants, drive meaningful traffic, and create memorable experiences. Initiatives like this will continue to evolve based on what we learn, ensuring we stay responsive to our community and the needs of the neighbourhood.”
Alberta visitor spending hit a record $15.2 billion in 2025 – proving Alberta’s tourism strategy is helping expand access and driving economic growth, says the Government of Alberta.
In 2025, Alberta’s visitor economy had another record-breaking year, with the highest level of visitor spending in provincial history. For a second consecutive year, visitor spending saw record-setting growth, increasing six per cent year-over-year and almost doubling the national average for growth, it explained.
“This success is felt in communities across the province; that means stronger businesses, more jobs and new opportunities for Albertans.
Behind this momentum is Alberta’s tourism strategy, laying out a bold vision to grow the visitor economy and diversify the province’s economic base,” said the government.
“The economic impact goes beyond spending. Tourism in Alberta supports over 86,000 full-time jobs, accounting for more than 10 per cent of the province’s workforce. The sector has experienced a seven per cent increase in new jobs, driven by more visitors staying in local hotels, dining at restaurants, shopping and booking experiences with tour operators and attractions.”
Andrew Boitchenko
“These record-breaking results show that Alberta’s tourism strategy is working. By investing in our destinations, strengthening partnerships and expanding air access, we are growing our economy, creating jobs and showcasing Alberta to the world,” said Andrew Boitchenko, Minister of Tourism and Sport.
The Alberta government said Statistics Canada data shows Alberta was one of the only provinces in Canada to record growth in international visitors, with a four per cent increase, while Canada overall saw a five per cent decline. Expanded air access to key overseas markets like Mexico, South Korea and Japan, paired with strategic investment and emerging destinations, has boosted Alberta’s global reach and reinforced its reputation as the top choice for visitors seeking authentic, world-class experiences.
Jon Mamela
“Tourism is economic development, and it’s no accident that Alberta continues to lead the pack in growth. Our strategic investments to grow the visitor economy – leveraging the Alberta brand, expanding air access, and unlocking private investment in world-class experiences – are behind these outstanding results,” said Jon Mamela, chief commercial officer, Travel Alberta.
The province’s goal is to hit $25 billion in annual visitor spending.
Darren Reeder
“It’s official! Alberta’s visitor economy is one of our fastest-growing exports, punching in at a record $15.2 billion and outpacing the national trend. This performance proves the growth strategy is working. The next step: a whole-of-government approach that clears regional investment bottlenecks and scales up the funding tools we already know work, so tourism can drive Alberta’s economic flywheel all the way to $25 billion and beyond,” said Darren Reeder, president and CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Alberta.
The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) has announced five consumer-driven wellness trends shaping the future of the natural, organic, and wellness industry.
They were showcased at this year’s CHFA NOW Vancouver (February 20 to 22) on the trade show floor.
Aaron Skelton
“CHFA’s five wellness trends aren’t just predictions; we’re seeing these trends already taking over store shelves with no sign of slowing down,” said Aaron Skelton, President and CEO, CHFA. “Consumer voices and demands are louder and more intentional than ever, and CHFA NOW (brought) together brands and experts to discuss how those demands are being met with innovation.”
The CHFA is Canada’s largest trade association dedicated to natural, organic and wellness products.
The five key wellness trends identified by CHFA include:
Healthspan Habits: Driven by consumers’ want for food and supplements to help them feel good and age well without strict diets or rules. Longevity is moving into everyday eating with comfort foods shifting from restriction to balance made with anti-inflammatory fats, while cellular health becomes part of daily wellness routines through functional foods and supplements.
Conscious Connection: Consumers are increasingly linking their personal health to the planet’s health, seeking brands with tested products that make clear sourcing and safety claims that protect both people and ecosystems.
Wellness Simplified: Consumers feel overwhelmed by the crowded wellness space and loud, extensive messaging. Simplicity stands out, and shoppers are gravitating to brands and products that feel simpler, cleaner and easier to trust.
Intentional Packaging: Greater transparency into product materials, as packaging is now part of the health conversation among consumers, not just sustainability.
GLP-1 Journey: GLP-1 medications are changing eating habits and shaping a new wellness ecosystem. Consumers want nutrition that supports their everyday journey and are seeking smaller-portion foods and beverages that are high-protein, fibre-rich, low-sugar, electrolyte-rich, and supplements designed to support energy, digestion, and long-term muscle and bone health.
EMERGE Commerce Ltd., a portfolio of e-commerce brands and technologies, has signed a definitive agreementdated effective February 19, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Emerge Brands Inc., to acquire substantially all assets of Viral Loops and specified liabilities from Wishpond Technologies Ltd.
Founded in 2016, Viral Loops is a highly profitable, B2B referral marketing platform that enables businesses to design and manage subscription-based referral programs that drive word-of-mouth, increase retention, and reduce customer acquisition costs, said EMERGE, adding that Viral Loops operates an asset-light, recurring revenue model with high gross margins and strong cash flow conversion. The business serves a diversified base of global B2B customers.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, Viral Loops generated CA$1.3M in revenue, with gross margins of ~86%, and Adj. EBITDA of CA$800K (~62% Adj. EBITDA margin), based on unaudited results, explained EMERGE.
EMERGE has agreed to pay cash consideration of $2.1M on closing of the transaction, subject to certain closing adjustments, and $200,000 in deferred cash consideration at the one-year anniversary. At December 31, 2025, Viral Loops had total assets of approximately $1.2 million.
EMERGE’s subscription, marketplace, and retail businesses provide its members with access to offerings across its grocery and golf verticals. truLOCAL is its flagship Canadian meat and seafood subscription service, connecting local farmers with a health-conscious audience. Its golf vertical includes its discounted tee-times/ experiences brand, UnderPar, and its discounted golf apparel and equipment brands, JustGolfStuff and Tee 2 Green.
Ghassan Halazon
“Viral Loops is precisely the type of high-margin, recurring revenue business we aim to acquire — profitable, cash-flow generative, and strategically complementary to our portfolio. At ~2.9x Adj. EBITDA, we believe this transaction reflects disciplined capital allocation with compelling immediate returns. We are impressed with the lean team running the business and their tech-forward AI roadmap that we believe has the potential to both take Viral Loops to the next level, as well as super-charge the overall EMERGE portfolio,” said Ghassan Halazon, EMERGE founder and CEO.
“The acquisition of Viral Loops is expected to substantially enhance EMERGE’s profitability and cash flow profile, strengthen the Company’s balance sheet, and potentially improve our cost of capital over time.”
Viral Loops will continue to maintain its team, brand, website and its hundreds of client relationships under EMERGE, said the company, adding
Viral Loops is EMERGE’s first acquisition under its newly formed, EMERGE B2B vertical, designed to complement and strengthen the company’s overall portfolio.
