KEEN and Space Available announce circular-driven collaboration

By

-

April 22, 2026

KEEN, maker of original hybrid footwear, and Space Available, a Bali-based sustainable design studio, have launched their first collaboration: the KEEN UNEEK 360.

KEEN and Space Available share a commitment to sustainability and circular design, creating products that foster a more conscious connection to nature. Blending KEEN’s outdoor performance heritage with Space Available’s upcycled, design-led philosophy, the collaboration bridges city life and the natural world, encouraging everyday engagement with the outdoors, explained a news release.

“At the center of the partnership is the UNEEK 360—KEEN’s iconic two-cord silhouette reengineered with a modular, solvent-free construction. Eliminating traditional adhesives, the design supports KEEN’s detox initiative to remove harmful chemicals from footwear production,” it said.

“Consciously created with recycled materials—including cords made from recycled plastic bottles—the UNEEK 360 is built for durability and designed for end-of-life disassembly, marking a progressive step toward more circular footwear systems.

“Inspired by the ocean and the natural world, the collaboration features a thoughtfully curated color palette and is elevated by Space Available’s signature design elements, including a hand-stitched co-branding logo on the shoe tongue and recycled-material charms.”

A special campaign film was created to capture the spirit of the collaboration. Set against a record store journey through Tokyo, the film explores themes of cultural connection and respect—celebrating the rituals, spaces and communities that shape creative expression. Moving fluidly between city streets and moments of quiet discovery, the film expresses a lifestyle rooted in culture, curiosity and a deeper awareness of one’s surroundings—reflecting the shared values of craftsmanship, authenticity, and conscious living that unite KEEN and Space Available, said the press release.

Key features of the UNEEK 360 include:

· Recycled knit upper: Engineered knit upper contains recycled plastic bottles.

· Modular design: Innovative four-piece construction with removable knit upper can be disassembled at end-of-life.

· Abrasion-resistant foam outsole: Hybrid rubber/foam compound is super lightweight without compromising traction and durability.

· Articulated comfort: Cording moves on multiple axes for a snug, comfortable fit that adapts to your foot.

· Glue-free construction: Held together by cords, not glue, for a durable design that’s lighter on the planet.

· Pesticide-free odor control: Eco Anti-Odor uses natural probiotics that are safe for the environment.

This limited-edition UNEEK 360 Space Available sneaker is available worldwide at $260 CAD (men’s sizing) through KEEN and Space Available’s official retail and online channels.

Space Available is a sustainable design studio founded by Daniel Mitchell, the creator of the London-based brand LN-CC. Established in 2020 in Bali, the studio focuses on upcycling and recycling materials to create environmentally conscious products.

Video of the campaign can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/58arf84d

More from Retail Insider:

From The Desk: Strategic Growth and Market Polarization Shape Canadian Retail

CFIB calling on measures in federal budget to address declining entrepreneurship

By

Mario Toneguzzi

-

April 22, 2026

Small businesses are calling on the federal government to reduce taxes, incentivize investment and improve Canada’s entrepreneurial environment in its spring economic statement on April 28, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

“The government is too often focusing its policies on big businesses while ignoring Main Street. Government officials don’t know which business may be the next Lululemon, Shopify or Couche-Tard. Give all Canadian-born companies, of all sizes, a better chance to not just survive but thrive,” said Corinne Pohlmann, CFIB executive vice-president of advocacy.

“We’ve had six consecutive quarters of more businesses closing than entering the market, which means Canada is in an entrepreneurial drought, and it’s time government paid attention to small businesses.”

The CFIB said 73% of small firms say they are not confident that the federal government has their back as a business owner.

CFIB has sent a letter to Minister Champagne, urging the government to address Canada’s declining level of entrepreneurship and to invest in small businesses by:

Reducing the federal small business tax rate from 9% to 6% over the next three years.
Increasing the small business deduction threshold from $500,000 to $700,000 and indexing it to inflation
Introducing a lower EI premium rate for smaller employers.
Supporting succession planning by expanding existing current rollover provisions.
Incentivizing investment by expanding Immediate Expensing and the Accelerated Capital Cost Initiative to all capital investment and sectors to let business owners choose how best to use the deduction.
Introducing a lower capital gains inclusion rate tax on a second tranche of gains beyond the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE).
Eliminating two requirements for every new one introduced to reduce the red tape burden.

“These measures would provide immediate relief, increase productivity and help small firms invest in their operations and our economy. A country that neglects its small businesses will eventually lose its economic resilience. Fewer start-ups mean less innovation and competition, and slower economic growth,” said Jasmin Guenette, CFIB vice-president of national affairs. “Government needs to use the spring economic statement to deliver policies that will help small firms and future entrepreneurs succeed.”

The CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 103,000 members across every industry and region.

More from Retail Insider:

METRO reports Q2 financial results with sales rising more than 4% from last year

By

Mario Toneguzzi

-

April 22, 2026

METRO INC. announced on Wednesday its financial results for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 ended March 14, 2026, indicating overall sales grew by 4.% to just over $5.1 billion.

“We delivered solid second quarter results, driven by strong revenue growth and disciplined expense control, as our teams continue to offer the best possible value to customers across all our banners. We are very pleased with the expansion of our discount store network, which continues to fuel food sales growth, as well as with the sustained sales momentum in our pharmacy business.

“We are disappointed with the strike at our produce distribution center in Laval, our contingency plan is in place and our Quebec stores are now generally well stocked. We look forward to a resolution that considers the needs of our employees and customers while ensuring the long-term competitiveness of our company,” said Eric La Flèche, President and Chief Executive Officer.

2026 SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
– Sales of $5,113.0 million, up 4.1%
– Food same-store sales up 1.8%
– Pharmacy same-store sales up 5.1%
– Net earnings of $246.6 million, up 12.1% and adjusted net earnings of $236.5 million, up 4.4%
– Fully diluted net earnings per share of $1.16, up 17.2% and adjusted fully diluted net earnings per share of $1.11, up 8.8%
– Returned $222.5 million to shareholders through share repurchases
– Opened or converted three stores in the quarter

“With regards to the strike at our produce distribution centre in Laval which began on March 30th, we look forward to a resolution that considers the needs of our employees and customers to ensure the long-term competitiveness of our company. This labour dispute will have an impact on our third quarter results and we will provide further details in due course. We remain focused on providing value to our customers and on driving growth through the expansion of our discount banners with the planned opening of about a dozen new or converted stores in this fiscal year while realizing efficiency gains throughout our supply chain and store network. We are confident that our effective merchandising programs, strong private label offering, our Moi program, a consistent execution at store level as well as our ongoing collaboration with our supply chain partners will allow us to continue to grow and deliver long-term shareholder value,” said the company.

With annual sales of more than $22 billion, METRO is a food and pharmacy leader in Québec and Ontario, providing employment to more than 97,000 people. As a retailer, franchisor, distributor, manufacturer, and provider of eCommerce services, the company operates or services a network of some 1,000 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C, Food Basics, Adonis and Première Moisson, and 640 pharmacies primarily under the Jean Coutu, Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Food Basics Pharmacy banners.

More from Retail Insider:

METRO sees sales growth but net earnings decline in Q1 2026 financial results

Canadian tourism industry set for banner year: Destination Canada

By

Mario Toneguzzi

-

April 22, 2026

Canada’s tourism sector is entering a promising 2026 with tourism revenue outpacing the broader economy, according to Destination Canada’s Canadian Tourism Outlook 2026–2035, prepared with Tourism Economics.

Canada is in the race to seize a greater share of the USD $2.1 trillion global market for international visitor spending, said the organization.

The Canadian tourism sector celebrated a record 2025 summer, and this momentum looks set to continue through 2026 and beyond. The outlook forecasts tourism spending in Canada will expand by 6.0% in 2026, ahead of the 5.4% projected in previous outlooks. By 2035, total tourism revenue is projected to reach $216.3 billion, up 67% from 2024 levels, explained Destination Canada.

Tourism already ranks among Canada’s top service exports. The sector supports one in 10 Canadian jobs, injects more than $364 million daily into communities across the country, and returned $32.7 billion in municipal, provincial and federal tax revenue in 2024, it added.

“Tourism is a high-growth export with fast returns,” said Marsha Walden, President and Chief Executive Officer of Destination Canada. “The Canadian Tourism Outlook shows demand is accelerating, and the opportunity for Canada is even greater if we grow global market share and continue attracting more international demand.

“Business events continues to be a driver of economic growth with Canada’s global reputation riding high, the new federal investment into Destination Canada’s International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF) announced last week, allows Canadian cities to seize this moment to increase our market share of international business events.”

The drivers of the Canadian Tourism Outlook

Canadians are increasingly choosing to travel at home, with reshored spending expected to add $1.5 billion in 2025 and $4.4 billion between 2025 and 2027, giving the national outlook an immediate lift across Canada.
The United States remains Canada’s tourism cornerstone and largest international market, unmatched in scale, with total US spend forecast to grow 5.3% annually as higher-yield air arrivals outpace land and sea travel.
Overseas markets are the sector’s export acceleration engine, forecast to grow 9.8% annually through 2035, roughly double the US pace, strengthening diversification across markets, seasons and sources of demand.

The ICAF has helped secure 116 international events for Canada, generating more than $800 million in direct economic impact and supporting more than 6,600 jobs.

The organization said business events remain a high-yield export play, with association events projected to reach 132% of 2019 levels by 2028 and delegate volumes 118%, extending long-term trade, talent and legacy benefits for host communities.

In 2025, tourism generated $133 billion in visitor spending, supporting over 280,000 businesses in 5,000 communities. With revenues projected to grow to $177B by 2030, tourism is a key economic driver and one of Canada’s top service exports, with the potential to contribute 9-10% to Canada’s $300B trade diversification goal, noted Destination Canada.

More from Retail Insider:

Toronto aligns on the future of tourism with new Destination Master Plan

Tahini’s launches “first-of-its-kind” Shawarma Ramen

By

Mario Toneguzzi

-

April 22, 2026

Tahini’s Restaurants, Canada’s fastest-growing Mediterranean fusion brand, is launching Shawarma Ramen.

Two years in the making, this first-of-its-kind, bold new creation brings together shawarma and ramen for the very first time ever, said the brand.

“Shawarma Ramen is exactly what Tahini’s stands for,” says Omar Hamam, Founder and CEO of Tahini’s. “This is a bold and creative product that makes people stop scrolling and say, ‘Wait, what?’. It’s already sparking curiosity and bringing new guests into our restaurants.”

Blending two of the world’s most craveable comfort foods, Shawarma Ramen delivers a rich, savoury broth layered with seasoned protein and unexpected toppings in one unforgettable slurp, explained the brand.

“Warm, cheesy and packed with flavour, each bowl features corn, crispy onions, mozzarella cheese and Tahini’s signature spices. Guests can choose between chicken or halloumi, with both delivering incredible flavour and can enjoy it spicy or non-spicy,” it said.

“Shawarma Ramen has already generated more than 15 million impressions online, fueling a growing viral movement and driving in-restaurant inquiries across the country. At the same time, guest feedback from pilot locations has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong value perception and repeat visits as customers return and bring friends to experience the unexpected mashup.”

A nationwide rollout is set to begin in late May.

Tahini’s is a unique, category-leading quick service restaurant group, founded in 2012, with more than 73 locations across Canada.

More from Retail Insider:

Egg Club opening first Edmonton location

By

Mario Toneguzzi

-

April 22, 2026

Egg Club, the Canadian breakfast brand known for its fresh ingredients, made-to-order sandwiches and commitment to everyday affordability, is opening its first Edmonton location on April 25 at 10115 100A St NW.

The expansion into Edmonton marks a significant step in its growth across Western Canada, following strong demand for high-quality, value-focused breakfast options that fit the needs of today’s cost-conscious consumers, said the company.

“While many operators are facing tough headwinds, we’re continuing to grow by staying focused on what guests care about most: quality, consistency and fair pricing,” said Jason Yu, President of Egg Club. “Edmonton is an exciting market for us and we’re looking forward to serving the community with breakfast that feels fresh, filling and accessible.”

The new location will be locally owned and operated by Manny Cheema, an Edmonton-based entrepreneur with deep experience in the food and hospitality sector. Cheema began his career as a business owner at 24, later joining his family’s financial services firm before returning to the restaurant industry, said the brand.

Cheema first discovered the concept during a visit to Calgary with his wife, where they were impressed by the concept and the quality of the food. That visit sparked his decision to bring the brand to Edmonton.

“From the moment we tried Egg Club, we knew it was something special,” said Cheema. “We’re excited to bring that experience to Edmonton and become part of people’s morning routines.”

The brand, which was founded in Toronto in 2020, plans to open additional locations across the GTA, Ottawa and Vancouver through 2026 as part of its national expansion strategy.

More from Retail Insider:

Amazon expands partnership with NHLPA for communities

By

Mario Toneguzzi

-

April 22, 2026

Amazon Canada and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) have expanded their ongoing partnership, with Amazon committing more than $1 million to local community organizations in 32 North American cities during the 2026–2027 hockey season.

Amazon said the partnership reflects its broader commitment to supporting the communities it serves, and where its employees live and work. Since launching in 2024, the partnership with the NHLPA has focused on delivering local impact by working closely with players and community organizations across Canada and, more recently, the United States.

“This expansion of Amazon’s partnership with the NHLPA will support hyperlocal community projects in 32 cities across North America,” said Brian Huseman, Vice President of Public Policy and Community Engagement at Amazon. “Our $1 million CAD commitment will further demonstrate that creating positive community impact requires not only investment in jobs and infrastructure, but meaningful local engagement and support for the causes that matter most.”

“The NHLPA is proud of the continued growth of our partnership with Amazon,” said Marty Walsh, Executive Director, NHLPA. “Through this joint initiative with Amazon and NHLPA Goals & Dreams, players across the league will continue giving back in the communities that support them every season. We look forward to expanding these meaningful connections next season to all 32 cities.”

Through the 2025–2026 NHL season, the partnership delivered more than $60,000 CAD in donations in Canada and more than $230,000 USD in the U.S., with organizations already seeing the impact – from expanding facilities to increasing access to critical community programs.

As part of the expanded partnership, NHL players will visit Amazon facilities in all 32 cities throughout the 2026–2027 NHL season, connecting with employees and presenting donations to local organizations making a meaningful impact in their communities, said the company.

More from Retail Insider:

Go Lime expands retail footprint through Home Depot and Walmart Canada

By

Mario Toneguzzi

-

April 22, 2026

Go Lime Inc--Go Lime Launches in Walmart Canada- Opening First T — Milton Location (CNW Group/Go Lime Inc.)

Go Lime Inc., a leading Canadian home comfort and energy solutions company, is significantly expanding its retail partnerships with Home Depot Canada and Walmart Canada.

The dual-channel expansion extends Go Lime’s reach to millions of Canadian households seeking accessible, flexible solutions across HVAC, water heaters, water filtration, and home energy management, said the company in a news release.

Go Lime is now active in 24 Home Depot locations across Ontario, following the addition of 15 new water heater stores in London, York Region, and Toronto.

On May 1, Go Lime expands further with the launch of seven Northern Ontario locations – Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, North Bay, Sudbury, Huntsville, and Bracebridge- offering customers a comprehensive home comfort solution under one roof, including HVAC systems, water heaters, water filtration, and protection plans.

“Home Depot Canada saw the same thing we did: Canadian homeowners deserve a one-stop, trusted solution for everything in their mechanical room,” said Jeff Schwartz, President and CEO of Go Lime Inc. “This partnership is a natural fit and we’re just getting started on our national expansion ambitions.”

Since entering Walmart Canada in February 2025 with a single location, Go Lime has grown to five active stores across Ontario and is the only HVAC provider in any Ontario Walmart location. The partnership collectively reaches an estimated 10 million customers annually.

A sixth store is set to open in Windsor, Ontario in August, adding approximately two million additional annual customer touchpoints, with 10 further Walmart locations targeted for 2027.

Beginning in Q2 2026, Go Lime is expanding its Walmart product offering to include water testing and water filtration solutions, responding to growing consumer demand for water quality across communities in Ontario.

Community-embedded retail experts, multilingual customer engagement, and water testing stations at select locations have driven strong organic growth and referral activity at existing stores, said the company.

“What we’ve built at Walmart is something genuinely special,” said Schwartz. “Our experts are embedded in the communities they serve – they speak the languages of those neighbourhoods – and that trust translates into meaningful, lasting customer relationships.”

More from Retail Insider:

Go Lime launches in Walmart Canada, with 1st two retail stores in Ontario

2nd annual Walmart Canada Growth Summit a boost for small businesses

By

Mario Toneguzzi

-

April 22, 2026

Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs are set to put their growth in motion with Walmart Canada at the second annual Walmart Canada Growth Summit on June 23.

The retailer said the unique event welcomes small and medium-sized Canadian businesses to Mississauga to connect directly with its Merchandising and Marketplace teams and explore opportunities to grow their business in-store and online, including its rapidly expanding online Marketplace.

At the event, select Canadian businesses will also have the opportunity to pitch their ‘Made in Canada’ or ‘Product of Canada’ products directly to Walmart Canada merchants for a chance to earn a Golden Ticket, representing the opportunity to be listed in-store, online or both, it explained.

“Nearly 60 Canadian entrepreneurs and businesses earned Golden Tickets at last year’s inaugural Canada Growth Summit. Less than a year later, many of these products – including Peacasa Snacks chickpea chips, Happy Naturals hand sanitizer, Noba Animal Co. cat furniture, Creative Beginnings educational toys and Refresh Botanicals skin care – are now available in Walmart Canada stores and online, with many more on the way in the coming months,” explained the retailer.

Canadian businesses and Marketplace sellers can apply to the event, including the pitch opportunity, here. Applications close May 7.

“We know the next great Canadian success story is already taking shape in communities across the country. At the Walmart Canada Growth Summit, we’re unlocking opportunities for these small- and medium-sized Canadian businesses and Marketplace Sellers with big dreams, including looking for even more Canadian-made products,” said Russ Mounce, Chief Merchandising Officer, Walmart Canada.

“We’re opening our doors to meet directly with these Canadian entrepreneurs and startups to help them scale their growth with Walmart.”

The Canada Growth Summit reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting Canadian businesses and local economic growth. Since 1994, Walmart Canada has worked with Canadian suppliers, purchasing billions of dollars’ worth of goods, including those made, grown and manufactured here in Canada, added the retailer.

“This year’s Growth Summit is designed to empower attendees with dedicated support and education, unlocking the potential for Canadian sellers to be part of our thriving omnichannel ecosystem, including joining the more than 130 million items on Walmart Canada’s online Marketplace,” said Gauthier Dumoulin, Vice President, Marketplace, Walmart Canada. “This event illustrates our commitment to helping Canadian businesses and sellers succeed, whether their goal is growth in stores, online or both.”

Walmart said the Growth Summit is an opportunity to bring the Canadian seller and business community together and provide the resources they need to grow with Walmart Canada, with sessions focused on better understanding Walmart’s ecosystem and accelerating their business with the retailer.

Attendees will benefit from:

Keynotes from Walmart’s Canadian Leadership Team on merchandising and marketplace strategy and innovation
Deep dives into new supplier and seller tools, services and fulfillment capabilities
Networking opportunities with Walmart merchants, Marketplace teams and the Canadian seller and business community
Practical guidance on expanding assortment and reaching millions of Walmart customers

Walmart has more than 400 stores in Canada serving 1.5 million customers each day.

More from Retail Insider:

Asian lifestyle and beauty brand SUKOSHI opening at Calgary’s Southcentre Mall

By

Mario Toneguzzi

-

April 22, 2026

Southcentre Mall is expanding its beauty and lifestyle offering with the arrival of SUKOSHI, opening its second Calgary location on Saturday, May 2.

The Toronto-founded retailer has built a strong presence across North America by introducing customers to sought-after skincare, makeup, and lifestyle products from Korea, Japan, and across Asia, categories that continue to see growing interest among Canadian consumers.

“At Southcentre, we’re focused on bringing in brands that reflect how our customers are shopping today,” said Alexandra Velosa, Marketing Manager at Southcentre Mall. “SUKOSHI introduces a highly curated and globally relevant beauty concept that adds something new and distinct to the Calgary market.”

Since launching in 2018, SUKOSHI has expanded steadily across Canada and the United States, with more than 20 locations and plans to surpass 40 stores by the end of 2026. The brand works with a wide network of established and emerging beauty labels, offering customers access to hundreds of products that emphasize quality, innovation, and everyday usability.

Its Southcentre store is designed to support a more hands-on shopping experience, where customers can explore new products, learn about ingredients and routines, and receive guidance from in-store teams—an approach that continues to resonate as shoppers look for more confidence in their purchases.

“Calgary has been an incredibly strong market for us, and expanding within the city was a natural next step,” says Linda Dang, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SUKOSHI. “Southcentre offers the kind of environment where customers can take their time, discover new products, and really engage with the experience.”

The opening also reflects a broader shift back toward in-person retail, particularly in categories like beauty where trial, education, and personalization play a key role in the customer journey, she said.

To celebrate the launch, the Southcentre location will offer a series of grand opening incentives on May 2, including limited-time giveaways and gifts with purchase for early customers, while quantities last.

To learn more, visit https://southcentremall.com/store/sukoshi-mart/.

Southcentre Mall features more than 160 stores and services, including Calgary exclusives like Crate & Barrel and Restoration Hardware. It is part of Oxford Properties Group.

More from Retail Insider:

Retail InsiderCanada's Most-Read Online Retail Industry Publication.

KEEN and Space Available announce circular-driven collaboration

CFIB calling on measures in federal budget to address declining entrepreneurship

METRO reports Q2 financial results with sales rising more than 4% from last year

Canadian tourism industry set for banner year: Destination Canada

Tahini’s launches “first-of-its-kind” Shawarma Ramen

Egg Club opening first Edmonton location

Amazon expands partnership with NHLPA for communities

Go Lime expands retail footprint through Home Depot and Walmart Canada

2nd annual Walmart Canada Growth Summit a boost for small businesses

Asian lifestyle and beauty brand SUKOSHI opening at Calgary’s Southcentre Mall

FEATURES ON RETAIL INSIDER

About

Contact

Media

Follow