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Mercedes-Benz Reimagines Automotive Retail Inside Holt Renfrew

By
Craig Patterson
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Mercedes-Benz showroom on the street level of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada

Mercedes-Benz has opened an evolving automotive and lifestyle destination inside Holt Renfrew’s Toronto flagship, bringing vehicles together with fashion, product customization, hospitality and cultural programming.

Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto occupies approximately 3,000 square feet on the main floor of the department store at 50 Bloor Street West. Opened June 26, the Studio will be redesigned twice more during 2026, with each version introducing a new creative concept, automotive presentation, fashion residency and merchandise assortment.

The inaugural summer installation is centred on Mercedes-AMG, performance and tennis culture. It features the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 4MATIC+ Roadster, a residency by Vancouver-founded Reigning Champ, tennis-related collectibles, an embroidery station and a café program inspired by major international tournaments.

At the rear of the Studio, the MANUFAKTUR Atelier presents a more permanent exploration of Mercedes-Benz craftsmanship and personalization. Visitors can examine exterior colours, upholstery, interior materials and trim selections in a workshop-inspired setting that demonstrates how a vehicle can be configured around individual preferences.

The Studio gives Mercedes-Benz a presence beyond the traditional dealership and places the automotive brand directly within Toronto’s principal luxury shopping district. For Holt Renfrew, it creates a changing main-floor attraction intended to encourage discovery, interaction and repeat visits throughout the year.

“Through our partnership with Holt Renfrew, we’ve created an inviting, design-led space where customers can experience Mercedes-Benz beyond the vehicle,” said Alex Matthews, Vice President, Digital, PR and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Canada.

Matthews said the Studio reflects the breadth of the Mercedes-Benz portfolio, ranging from AMG performance and the S-Class to electric vehicles and the craftsmanship offered through MANUFAKTUR.

Mercedes-Benz showroom on the street level of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada

Inside Holt Renfrew’s Canadian Flagship

Holt Renfrew’s Bloor Street flagship spans more than 150,000 square feet of retail space across multiple levels, with expansive frontage along Bloor Street. Its Yorkville location places the Mercedes-Benz Studio within Canada’s most concentrated luxury retail district and directly in front of customers already engaging with premium fashion, beauty, accessories and personal service.

The prominent main-floor location allows Mercedes-Benz to meet customers in a setting that is less formal than a dealership. Visitors can move between Holt Renfrew’s fashion departments, the Studio’s merchandise, the vehicles and the MANUFAKTUR material displays without beginning with an automotive sales appointment.

Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto functions as a vehicle showcase, fashion shop, customization space and cultural installation. Merchandise is available for purchase, while test drives offered on selected dates create a pathway from the in-store presentation to direct engagement with Mercedes-AMG vehicles.

The space is divided into two principal portions. The front section will change with each creative refresh, while the MANUFAKTUR Atelier will remain in place throughout the activation. The summer concept will be replaced by a new presentation in September, followed by another transformation in November. The three phases will explore sport, timeless creativity and the holiday season.

The rotating model gives the Studio a cadence associated with fashion retail, where new collections, collaborations and visual presentations provide customers with reasons to return.

During a walkthrough, Retail Insider observed a space built around participation as much as presentation. Visitors can shop, examine the vehicles, explore materials, customize apparel and engage with programming tied to the summer tennis concept.

Mercedes-Benz showroom on the street level of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada

Reigning Champ Leads the First Fashion Residency

The Studio’s first residency features Reigning Champ, with a curated assortment of premium athletic apparel and products developed in collaboration with Holt Renfrew.

The presentation includes clothing bearing custom Holt Renfrew and Reigning Champ graphics, with certain products created specifically for the Toronto installation. The limited availability gives the residency an element of exclusivity that extends beyond the vehicles on display.

The apparel is joined by tennis-related objects curated through Pro Shop, a concept created by artist and photographer Vicente Muñoz. Vintage magazines, rackets, tennis balls, prints and ceramic works are displayed throughout the space, with several one-of-one pieces available for purchase.

Muñoz’s work draws from the culture, imagery and material history of tennis, providing a bridge between performance, fashion, design and collecting.

The summer program has also included racket-stringing sessions, allowing visitors to observe the technical process and have equipment restrung according to their preferred tension. An embroidery station offers further customization for selected merchandise, including Mercedes-Benz and Reigning Champ branding and personal initials.

These elements make participation part of the retail proposition. Customers can purchase a product, take part in its customization and leave with something individualized, an approach increasingly visible across luxury fashion, footwear, jewellery and accessories.

A café component adds another layer, with refreshments inspired by the traditions surrounding major tennis tournaments. Together, the retail, food, vehicles and programming create a destination designed to be explored over time.

The tennis theme also gives the global Mercedes-Benz Studios concept a local connection. Mercedes-Benz has relationships involving the WTA, Tennis Canada and the National Bank Open, which is held annually in Toronto and Montreal.

Mercedes-Benz showroom on the street level of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada

Customizing a Vehicle Like a Luxury Product

The MANUFAKTUR Atelier provides the clearest connection between automotive design and the shopping experience elsewhere inside Holt Renfrew.

Exterior paint samples, interior colours, upholstery, fabrics and trim options are displayed in an environment where customers can see and touch the materials used to personalize a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. The process is presented in a manner similar to selecting a made-to-order garment, accessory or piece of furniture.

That comparison becomes especially visible inside a luxury department store. Customers accustomed to making decisions around colour, fabrication, craftsmanship and personal style can apply a similar mindset to configuring a vehicle.

The Atelier remains in place while the front of the Studio changes, creating continuity across the three creative concepts. The merchandise customization station reinforces the same broader idea: giving customers a role in shaping the final product.

The Studio also has a commercial function beyond brand awareness. Visitors can explore vehicles, materials and design choices in a lower-pressure setting before arranging a test drive or continuing the conversation through the Mercedes-Benz dealer network.

Mercedes-Benz showroom on the street level of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada

A New Use for a Former Luxury Concession

The Mercedes-Benz Studio has introduced a new use for one of Holt Renfrew’s most visible former luxury concessions.

The approximately 3,000-square-foot space previously housed Saint Laurent, which operated a comprehensive concession with its own entrance along Bloor Street. It closed after the French fashion house opened a substantially larger standalone flagship a short distance west at 110 Bloor Street West.

The newer Saint Laurent store spans approximately 10,400 square feet and formed part of a broader wave of expanded international luxury flagships along Bloor Street.

The transition illustrates how the relationship between department stores and global luxury brands is evolving. Some major fashion houses are establishing larger standalone locations where they can control the full assortment, environment and customer journey. Department stores, meanwhile, are introducing rotating partnerships, cultural programming and categories beyond conventional fashion concessions to animate prominent space.

In this case, a relatively static branded boutique has been replaced by an installation expected to transform three times within approximately six months. The vehicles, merchandise, fashion partners and creative treatment will change, while the Mercedes-Benz presence and MANUFAKTUR Atelier provide continuity.

For Holt Renfrew, the model introduces a new category to the main floor and creates an attraction that can be repeatedly remerchandised. Mercedes-Benz gains access to the department store’s customer base, luxury positioning and central Yorkville location.

Mercedes-Benz showroom on the street level of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada

Automotive Retail Moves Into Yorkville

Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto forms part of an international initiative spanning more than 10 cities across four continents. Although the Studios share a broad framework, each is adapted through local design, partnerships and cultural programming.

Toronto’s version draws from Yorkville’s concentration of luxury retailers, the seasonal importance of the National Bank Open and the presence of a Canadian performance-wear company through Reigning Champ.

“Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto brings our brand directly into Yorkville, the city’s most prestigious neighbourhood,” Matthews said.

Mercedes-Benz Canada operates through 57 authorized dealerships and sold 37,382 vehicles in Canada in 2025. The Studio does not replace those dealerships. It creates another point of entry into the brand, reaching people who may be shopping or spending time in Yorkville without actively seeking an automotive showroom.

Automotive brands have long displayed vehicles in shopping centres and other high-traffic environments, but the Toronto Studio is structured as a longer-term retail and cultural residency. Its product releases, fashion partnerships, food service and rotating concepts position it closer to a branded flagship or gallery than a temporary vehicle display.

“At Holts, we curate the best of the world’s brands and experiences in our stores for our customers,” said Jerry Wu, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Holt Renfrew.

Wu said the Studio will continue to transform throughout its time at the flagship, introducing further innovation and partnerships.

Expanding the Role of the Luxury Department Store

The Studio arrives as department stores continue to reconsider the role of their largest physical locations.

Holt Renfrew remains an important Canadian distribution platform for international fashion and beauty brands, while its stores also bring together products, services, collaborations and programming that are difficult to reproduce through online shopping.

That role is particularly relevant on Bloor Street, where global luxury brands have invested in larger and increasingly elaborate standalone flagships. Holt Renfrew operates alongside those boutiques while seeking distinct reasons for customers to enter and move through its store.

Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto broadens the definition of what can occupy prime department-store space. Vehicles, performance apparel, collectible objects, customization services and food and beverage have been assembled within one changing environment, connected through a narrative built around performance and design.

For Mercedes-Benz, the Studio presents its vehicles and materials through the language of luxury retail. For Holt Renfrew, it replaces a departed fashion concession with a concept capable of generating newness several times during the year.

Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto is expected to remain at Holt Renfrew through the end of 2026 and into the period immediately following the holiday season. The current Mercedes-AMG and tennis installation will be followed by two additional versions, extending the concept across automotive design, fashion and experiential retail.

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Decathlon reaches 700 stores equipped with Vusion solutions

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Decathlon

Vusion, a global leader in digitalization solutions for physical retail, says that Decathlon reached the milestone of 700 stores equipped with its digital solutions during the second quarter 2026. The deployment now spans 54 countries across three continents (Europe, South America, and Asia-Pacific), making the sporting goods retailer Vusion’s most internationally deployed customer to date, it noted.

“Voted France’s Most Attractive Retailer in 2026 and widely recognized for its outstanding customer experience, Decathlon relies on Vusion’s platform to automate price management. With instant, synchronized price updates on the electronic shelf labels (ESL), store teams are freed from the time-consuming task of manually replacing paper price tags. As a result, associates can dedicate more time to what lies at the essence of their job: welcoming customers, delivering personalized advice and service to sports enthusiast customers,” according to a news release.

“Beyond the productivity gains for store teams, digital shelf management ensures an excellent level of pricing accuracy. Discrepancies between the shelf price and the price charged at checkout are nearly eliminated. This perfect transparency reinforces customer trust and directly contributes to higher customer satisfaction across the Decathlon network.”

“Thanks to ESLs, we have further enhanced the in-store experience while improving our operational efficiency. Deploying connected shelf labels at scale enables us to focus on our core mission: advising and supporting our sports customers. This project delivers immediate, tangible benefits for both our store teams and consumers,”said Xavier Dété, VP Innovation, Decathlon.

“We are particularly proud to support Decathlon, a global retail leader highly valued by its customers and recognized for both the strength of its brand and its commitment to sustainability. This large-scale partnership demonstrates our ability to support leading global retailers and industrialize our cutting-edge solutions in the demanding sporting goods sector–a high-potential market where Vusion continues to strengthen its leadership position,” added Sébastien Fourcy, SEVP EMEA, Vusion.

From a technical perspective, Decathlon leverages Vusion’s cloud platform. The electronic shelf labels connect natively and securely to the retailer’s existing Cisco Meraki network infrastructure, enabling a seamless deployment without requiring any additional networking hardware, said the news release.

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METRO sells its Première Moisson Group production facility to FGF for $90 million

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Photo: DoorDash
Photo: DoorDash

METRO Inc. and FGF Brands (FGF), a Canadian company and a North American leader in bakery products, have announced a strategic partnership for the commercial bakery manufacturing operations of Première Moisson Group Inc., a subsidiary of METRO. As part of the transaction, FGF will acquire Première Moisson Group’s production facility located in Baie-D’Urfé for $90 million.

This transaction reflects METRO’s ongoing commitment to focus its investments and resources on its core food and pharmaceutical retail and distribution operations, while simplifying its operating model through the support of a specialized partner, said METRO.

Upon closing of the transaction, FGF will manufacture and distribute Première Moisson products sold in food stores. This agreement will allow METRO to continue offering Première Moisson products to customers throughout its Québec and Ontario food store network while leveraging FGF’s manufacturing expertise, innovation capabilities and operational scale, it said.

Première Moisson Group will remain a subsidiary of METRO and will retain ownership of the Première Moisson brand, its network of 25 retail bakeries across Québec, its artisanal in-store production operations, and its French pastry production facility in Vaudreuil-Dorion, which exclusively supplies its bakery network, it explained.

The agreement with FGF provides for the continued production and manufacturing of all Première Moisson products. All impacted employees will be transferred to FGF upon closing of the transaction; METRO and FGF will work with the union representing unionized employees as part of the transition, according to the companies.

“This transaction is consistent with our focus on our core food and pharmaceutical retail and distribution activities, while preserving the strength of the Première Moisson brand. By partnering with a company recognized for its manufacturing expertise, we will continue to offer customers the Première Moisson products they enjoy while benefiting from enhanced innovation, product development capabilities and a more efficient operating structure.” said Marc Giroux, Chief Operating Officer, METRO.

Marc Giroux
Marc Giroux

“We are pleased to bring our baking expertise to METRO and in particular to Première Moisson, a brand renowned for the quality of its products and craftsmanship. This partnership allows us to leverage our manufacturing and innovation capabilities to support the growth of Première Moisson’s grocery offering while continuing to provide consumers with high-quality products,” said Ojus Ajmera and Tejus Ajmera, Co-Chief Executive Officers and Co-Founders of FGF.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions for transactions of this nature. It is expected to close during METRO Inc.’s fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, which ends on September 26.

With annual sales of more than $22 billion, METRO Inc. 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 some 640 pharmacies primarily under the Jean Coutu, Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Food Basics Pharmacy banners.

FGF Brands is a Canadian, family-owned private bakery company founded in 2004. The FGF Group of Companies is Canada’s largest industrial baker and one of the world’s fastest-growing producers of bakery and snack foods. Headquartered in Toronto, FGF supplies a broad range of branded and private-label products to leading retailers and foodservice partners across the globe.

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Red Apple stores set to celebrate 4 grand openings on August 14

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Photo: Red Apple Stores

Red Apple Stores will host four grand openings on Friday, August 14 across the country: Esterhazy, SK, where the former Bargain! Shop has both converted to Red Apple and undergone a full renovation, and Revelstoke, BC, Blind River, ON, and Fort Nelson, BC, where newly renovated stores are ready to welcome shoppers back.

“Four grand openings on one day is a great way to show how much momentum we’ve got going right now,” said Jim Hreljac, President, Red Apple Stores. “Esterhazy customers are getting a double transformation – a new name and a completely refreshed store. In Revelstoke, Blind River and Fort Nelson, shoppers are walking back into stores they already love, now with a brand-new look. Either way, August 14 is a great day to shop.”

Grand Opening Day Highlights, August 14

  • A FREE $10 shopping card and laundry basket for the first 100 customers
  • A FREE shopping bag, while quantities last
  • Entry to win a $1,000 shopping spree
  • Two-day flyer deals available August 14
  • A 25% off coupon for every customer, valid on a future purchase

“A renovation is a great opportunity to take a fresh look at what’s on the shelves, and that’s exactly what we did for these four stores,” said Barry Fisler, Senior Vice President of Merchandising, Red Apple Stores. “Customers are going to find a strong mix of fashion, home and everyday essentials waiting for them.”

In Esterhazy, the transformation is twofold: the store has officially converted from The Bargain! Shop to Red Apple and has come out of a full renovation at the same time. Customers will find a familiar location now carrying the Red Apple name, with a brighter, more open layout to match, said Red Apple.

All four stores, Esterhazy, Revelstoke, Blind River and Fort Nelson have undergone the same kind of renovation: a brighter, more open layout, refreshed signage, and displays designed to make deals easier to find, including the new CandyWorks™ section, a colourful candy destination for treat lovers of all ages, it said.

“There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to pull off four store transformations at the same time,” said David Johnson, Vice President of Store Operations, Red Apple Stores. “Our store teams made sure customers never lost access to the products and service they rely on, even while the work was happening around them. Seeing all four stores open together on August 14 makes it all worth it.”

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Blu Mediterraneo: A Timeless Mediterranean Design Language at Maison Territo

By
Craig Patterson
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Dolce & Gabbana Blu Mediterraneo

There is a particular shade of blue that seems to return with every Mediterranean summer. It appears in the sea beneath a clear afternoon sky, across hand-painted ceramics, against whitewashed façades, and in weathered shutters overlooking quiet harbours. It is a colour shaped by sunlight, water, and architecture, one that has become inseparable from the enduring beauty of the Mediterranean coastline.

Known as Blu Mediterraneo, Dolce & Gabbana‘s signature decorative motif draws inspiration from the landscapes, architecture, craftsmanship, and lifestyle of the Mediterranean. Defined by its distinctive blue-and-white palette, the collection evokes places such as the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Saint-Tropez, and the Greek islands through imagery and craftsmanship that celebrate coastal living.

At Royalmount, Maison Territo embraces this timeless aesthetic through curated furniture and interior collections that celebrate craftsmanship, texture, and refined living. The 11,000-square-foot showroom presents internationally recognized brands including Fendi Casa, Versace Home, Dolce & Gabbana Casa, and Bentley Home, creating immersive environments where global design influences come to life.

Dolce & Gabbana Blu Mediterraneo

A Design Language That Endures

Blu Mediterraneo is expressed through azure ceramics, limestone, linen textiles, woven natural fibres, light woods, and handcrafted details that reflect generations of Mediterranean artisans. Together, these materials create interiors that feel calm, welcoming, and deeply connected to their surroundings.

Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to balance sophistication with simplicity. While design trends evolve from season to season, Blu Mediterraneo continues to influence luxury interiors through an aesthetic that feels both timeless and unmistakably Mediterranean.

Craftsmanship at the Centre

Authentic materials and skilled craftsmanship remain central to the Blu Mediterraneo philosophy. Hand-finished ceramics, natural stone, carefully woven textiles, and thoughtfully crafted furnishings create spaces with warmth, texture, and character.

This appreciation for craftsmanship aligns closely with Maison Territo’s approach to interior design. Throughout the showroom, carefully curated collections demonstrate how exceptional materials and thoughtful design can create interiors that are elegant, personal, and enduring.

Madonna’s 2026 short film Confessions II – The Film, produced in partnership with Dolce & Gabbana, luminous fabrics, expressive shades of blue, and the interplay of light and reflection.

Beyond the World of Interiors

The influence of Blu Mediterraneo extends beyond architecture and interior design into fashion and contemporary culture. In Madonna’s 2026 short film Confessions II – The Film, produced in partnership with Dolce & Gabbana, luminous fabrics, expressive shades of blue, and the interplay of light and reflection evoke many of the same sensory qualities associated with Mediterranean summers.

While distinct from the Blu Mediterraneo concept itself, these visual elements demonstrate how this timeless palette continues to inspire creative expression across multiple disciplines.

Experience Blu Mediterraneo at Maison Territo

For architects, interior designers, and private clients alike, Blu Mediterraneo offers an enduring source of inspiration where colour, craftsmanship, and natural materials come together in harmonious interiors.

Maison Territo invites visitors to experience this Mediterranean design language firsthand through its curated collections and immersive showroom environments, where timeless design traditions continue to inspire contemporary living.

Visit the Maison Territo website to learn more:
https://maisonterrito.ca/en

Maison Territo is located at 5050 Côte de Liesse #1050, Mont-Royal, QC H4P 0C9, Canada.
For more information, call 514-800-0102.

Dolce & Gabbana Blu Mediterraneo

Destination Canada and Economic Developers Association of Canada unite to advance tourism

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Andre Furtado photo
Andre Furtado photo

Destination Canada, a Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada, and the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration between tourism and economic development leaders across Canada, helping communities advance tourism investment, attract visitors and unlock long-term economic growth.

Tourism is a major economic engine for Canada, and Destination Canada’s latest Outlook Report shows growth that will far outpace the general economy. The sector generated $140.5 billion in direct visitor spending in 2025. Tourism GDP grew at 2.5%, outpacing the national economy, which grew at 1.7%. Destination Canada’s forecast shows that annual tourism revenue is projected to grow by 6% in 2026. It supports 280,010 businesses in 5,000 communities; 1 in 10 jobs in Canada relies on tourism. Tourism is one of Canada’s largest service exports, contributing $34.9 billion in export revenues last year, said the corporation.

Stronger collaboration between tourism and economic development leaders advances Destination Canada’s strategy Tourism 2030: A World of Opportunity by positioning tourism as a high growth economic driver offering fast returns, while strongly supporting the government’s goals of doubling non-US exports by $300 Billion by 2035 and unlocking $1 trillion in investment over five years, it added.  

Meaghan Ferrigno
Meaghan Ferrigno

“Tourism supports communities across Canada by diversifying economic activity, creating immediate jobs, improving local amenities, and attracting investment,” said Meaghan Ferrigno, Interim President and CEO of Destination Canada. “By partnering with the Economic Developers Association of Canada, we are strengthening connections between professionals in tourism and economic development to help communities position tourism as a catalyst for investment and long-term growth.”

“Economic developers play a critical role in shaping vibrant, resilient communities,” said John Perrott, Executive Director of EDAC. “This collaboration with Destination Canada will help equip our members with new insights, tools and partnerships to integrate tourism into economic development strategies and unlock opportunities for communities across Canada.”

John Perrott
John Perrott

Destination Canada said the collaboration will focus on knowledge sharing and strengthening investment readiness between the tourism and economic development sectors, including:

  • Promoting the economic value of tourism to economic development professionals and municipal leaders
  • Sharing research, data and best practices related to tourism development and investment attraction
  • Delivering workshops and webinars that build tourism investment literacy among economic development professionals
  • Integrating tourism-focused content into EDAC’s Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D) curriculum
  • Participating in conferences and joint communications initiatives that strengthen collaboration between tourism and economic development organizations

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration over the next three years, enabling both organizations to advance initiatives that support tourism growth, strengthen investment attraction and create new economic opportunities for communities across Canada, it said.

To learn more about how Canada’s tourism sector is positioned for growth, including market fundamentals, demand drivers, priority growth corridors, and opportunities to align capital with destination development, visit www.investintourism.ca. 

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 Canada’s second-largest service export, with the potential to contribute up to 10% to Canada’s $300B trade diversification goal, said Destination Canada.

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Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada Appoints Renée St-Jean as New Chair

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (Neighbourhood Pharmacies) has appointed Renée St-Jean, Vice President, Enterprise Operations Governance – Pharmacy and Pharmacovigilance at Cencora, as Chair of the Association’s Board of Directors for a two-year term. she most recently served as Vice Chair of the Board, having been appointed to the role in 2025.

Marie-Claude Vézina
Marie-Claude Vézina

A bilingual pharmacist with more than 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare, she has dedicated her career to advancing pharmacy practice and improving patient care in Canada. She has held senior leadership roles across specialty pharmacy, hospital and community pharmacy, regulatory consulting, and pharmacy operations. She holds an MBA from the University of Ottawa and is a strong advocate for integrated, patient-centreed care, believing the best health outcomes are achieved through collaboration across health system partners, said the Association.

She succeeds Marie-Claude Vézina, Senior Vice President and Chief Network Officer at Metro Inc., who has completed a successful two-year term as Chair and will continue to support the Association as Past Chair for a one-year term, helping ensure a seamless leadership transition.

“Serving as Chair of Neighbourhood Pharmacies over the past two years has been a privilege. Together, our Board established a bold strategic direction for the Association through Prescription for Success – a roadmap that recognizes strong, sustainable pharmacy businesses as the foundation for expanding access to care and strengthening Canada’s health system. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made to strengthen the Association, elevate pharmacy’s voice with governments and partners, and position the sector for long-term success. On behalf of our Board, I want to congratulate Renée on her appointment as Chair. Renée brings tremendous experience, strategic insight, and a collaborative leadership style, and I know she will lead the Association with confidence as it enters its next chapter,” said Vezina.

Neighbourhood Pharmacies said it is now focused on executing the next phase of its strategy – strengthening its national advocacy, expanding the value it delivers to members and partners, and helping shape the future of community pharmacy in Canada.

“I am excited to welcome Renée as Chair and look forward to working alongside her as we continue advancing our vision for a thriving, sustainable pharmacy sector that delivers exceptional care while strengthening communities and Canada’s economy. Under Marie-Claude’s leadership, our Board established a strong strategic foundation and positioned the Association for its next phase of growth and impact. Today, Neighbourhood Pharmacies is exceptionally well positioned to build on that momentum by strengthening our advocacy, expanding the value we deliver to Members and Partners, and helping shape the future of pharmacy in Canada. I also want to thank Marie-Claude for her outstanding leadership, partnership, and lasting contributions to the Association over the past two years,” said Sandra Hanna, Chief Executive Officer of Neighbourhood Pharmacies.

Sandra Hanna
Sandra Hanna

Looking ahead to her term as Chair, St-Jean said: “I am honoured to assume the role of Chair of Neighbourhood Pharmacies at a pivotal time for pharmacy and the broader healthcare system. Across Canada, pharmacy teams are playing an increasingly important role in improving access to care and supporting better health outcomes. I look forward to working alongside our Board, Members, Partners, and the Neighbourhood Pharmacies team to advance policies and initiatives that strengthen pharmacy businesses, expand access to care, and demonstrate the value our sector delivers to patients, the healthcare system, and Canada’s economy.”

Neighbourhood Pharmacies represents Canada’s leading pharmacy organizations, including chain, banner, long-term care, specialty pharmacies, grocery chains, and mass merchandisers with pharmacies. It advocates for pharmacies’ role in caring for Canadians, both behind and in front of the counter. We aim to advance sustainable healthcare for all stakeholders by leveraging over 12,000 pharmacies located in virtually every community throughout the country.

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Internal trade improving on paper, but not yet in practice: CFIB (Video)

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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MART PRODUCTION photo
MART PRODUCTION photo

Governments across Canada are making progress on internal trade, but many small businesses are still not seeing improvements in their day-to-day operations, according to the 2026 State of Internal Trade: Interprovincial Cooperation Report Card released by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

The report shows clear improvement compared to previous years, with the federal government earning an A+ and 10 jurisdictions achieving an A. Much of this progress is tied to growing adoption of mutual recognition legislation, including a pan-Canadian agreement that will allow goods approved in one province to be sold in another without additional regulatory requirements, said the CFIB.

2026 State of Internal Trade report card grades are:

JurisdictionCanadian Free Trade
Agreement Exceptions
(40%)		Select Barriers
to Internal Trade
(20%)		Status of Items from
Reconciliation
Agreements (40%)		Mutual
Recognition
(Multiplier)		Overall
Score and
Grade
MB7.3C+5.4D9.6A99.8A
SK6.9C5.3D9.2A99.7A
NB5.9D6.4C-8.8A-99.7A
NS2.5F6.9C9.1A99.6A
QC0.0F5.0D9.6A99.5A
ON110A+6.1C-8.4B+59.3A
NT4.9D2.0F8.8A-89.2A
PEI3.3F4.3D8.8A-89.1A
AB8.0B4.9D9.5A59.0A
YT2.7F3.0F8.8 A-89.0A
BC7.6B-4.1D9.6A58.9A-
NU4.6D2.0F8.6B+16.1C-
NL*4.3D2.7F8.5B+1NANA
FED210A+9.7A1010.0A+
Notes:While “A+” is not currently included in the grading scale, Ontario and the federal government are awarded an A+ in the area of Canadian Free Trade Agreement Exceptions for having no exceptions.The federal government is scored on two areas: an economic impact score based on the procurement exceptions it maintains from the CFTA in 2025, and the implementation status of reconciliation agreements. Both areas are weighted equally (50% each), as the select barriers area was not available for this analysis.
*NL given an NA due to recent change in government.

The CFIB, which is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 103,000 members across every industry and region, said it applauds the significant progress made but cautions that these high scores reflect commitments more than actual progress felt on the ground. Nearly seven in 10 small businesses (69%) reported not noticing meaningful changes in doing business across Canada over the past 12 months, with 16% reporting it has become more difficult. Many continue to face challenges related to regulatory differences, certification requirements, and delays, all of which add costs. Awareness also remains an issue, with more than half (57%) of business owners not yet familiar with recent reforms.

Keyli Loeppky
Keyli Loeppky

“It’s encouraging to see governments achieving high grades and making further commitments to improve internal trade,” said Keyli Loeppky, CFIB’s senior director of interprovincial affairs. “But small businesses are still dealing with inconsistent rules, extra paperwork, and higher costs. Until announcements turn into barriers coming down in a meaningful way, progress on paper won’t translate into results for small businesses.”

Persistent barriers continue to affect key areas such as tax complexity, licensing and regulatory differences, and transportation and logistics. Restrictions on the movement of food and alcohol products also remain a source of frustration for many businesses, limiting market access and consumer choice. The CFIB said it will update its report card methodology for 2027 to better reflect the real-world experience of small businesses and the outcomes of internal trade reform.

“Internal trade progress has moved more in the last two years than in the last decade, and our methodology needs to keep pace,” said Loeppky. “We want to make sure we’re measuring what matters most to small businesses and highlighting where governments are making a real difference. We anticipate 2027 grades to be much lower than this year if governments don’t take implementation of agreements and MOUs seriously.”

CFIB noted it is calling on governments to turn commitments into measurable results by accelerating implementation and removing the most persistent internal trade barriers. That includes:

  • expanding mutual recognition to cover all the sale and use of all goods, services and labour (including food, alcohol, WCH and OHS);
  • reducing exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement and Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement;
  • delivering on the direct-to-consumer alcohol sales MOU
  • simplifying rules that add unnecessary cost and complexity for businesses operating across provincial and territorial borders.

“Governments have shown they can work together and make progress on internal trade — now they need to deliver,” said Loeppky. “Small businesses don’t need more announcements. They need fewer barriers, clearer rules, and real improvements they can see in the day to day. Canadian leaders have held enough press conferences and signed enough MOUs. If we want a stronger, more competitive economy, the focus now must be on implementation and results.”

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Daily Synopsis: Jul 16, 2026

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Retail Insider
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Welcome to the Daily Synopsis by Retail Insider. We hope you enjoy the 10 articles we published covering key developments in Canadian retail.

Lululemon opened a one-million-square-foot automated distribution centre in Brampton featuring 525 robots to improve e-commerce fulfillment in Eastern Canada and the eastern U.S. Chrome Hearts acquired a building in Yorkville to launch its first Canadian standalone store, marking expansion into the luxury retail market. Nixit expanded its retail footprint into nearly 400 Canadian Loblaw locations and about 2,000 Walmart stores in the U.S., growing its presence in period care.

Splitsville Bowl plans to open a 34,000-square-foot flagship entertainment venue at CF Sherway Gardens in the mall’s former Nordstrom space, adding experiential retail. Foxy Box Laser & Wax Bar targets growth to 150 locations across Canada and international expansion. RioCan sold its 50% stake in FourFifty The Well to focus on core retail assets. The sector’s evolution includes a focus on AI-enhanced food safety risk communication in grocery retail. Economic outlooks show growth in GDP but a projected weakening in private investment. The Retail Insider Discount, Value and Off-Price Retail Report notes value retail’s growing significance in Canada.

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Food Safety Needs an AI Upgrade: Why Better Risk Communication Matters for Grocery Retail

By
Sylvain Charlebois
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A woman looks at lettuce in a grocery store. Photo: Unsplash/licensed

Every summer, Canadians are reminded that fresh produce, while essential to a healthy diet, can also pose food safety risks. This year’s Cyclospora outbreak in the United States has already sickened more than 1,600 people, making it one of the largest in recent memory. Yet despite its scale, investigators have not identified the specific fruit, vegetable, farm or supplier responsible. Canada’s food regulators have appropriately resisted calls to suspend produce imports because there is simply no scientific evidence pointing to a particular commodity or country of origin. From a regulatory standpoint, that is the right decision. From a communications standpoint, however, we have an opportunity to do much better.

Food safety agencies have become remarkably sophisticated at tracing pathogens through increasingly complex supply chains, but when it comes to communicating uncertainty, many are still relying on a model designed for another era. Press releases and media interviews remain the primary tools for informing the public, even though most Canadians now consume information through search engines, social media and increasingly through artificial intelligence. The way people seek answers has changed dramatically, but the way governments communicate risk has barely evolved.

Cyclospora presents a particularly difficult communication challenge because consumers have very little control over their own exposure. Unlike bacterial outbreaks involving foods that can be cooked, this parasite is commonly associated with fresh produce that is eaten raw. Washing leafy greens or herbs offers only limited protection, and by the time illnesses are reported, the contaminated products have usually disappeared from store shelves. Add an incubation period that often exceeds a week, and consumers are left trying to remember meals they barely recall eating. Public health officials therefore face a difficult balancing act. Warn too aggressively and consumers may avoid fresh produce altogether, unnecessarily harming growers, distributors and retailers. Say too little, and the public may conclude that authorities are withholding information.

One of the biggest shortcomings of current risk communication is its lack of precision. When headlines mention “leafy greens,” most consumers do not distinguish between romaine lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula or mixed salads. They simply avoid the entire category. Behavioural economists have long recognized this as a spillover effect: one product’s problem becomes everyone else’s problem. The result is collateral economic damage extending far beyond the actual source of contamination, often affecting producers who had absolutely nothing to do with the outbreak. This is precisely why communication matters as much as epidemiology.

Artificial intelligence offers an opportunity to fundamentally rethink how food safety information reaches consumers. Imagine asking your AI assistant whether spinach is implicated in the current outbreak and receiving a clear, evidence-based response explaining that no such link exists, while also describing what investigators do know and what remains uncertain. If a specific imported herb were eventually identified, consumers could receive targeted guidance immediately instead of vague warnings that leave them guessing. Rather than relying on generalized announcements that inevitably fuel confusion, regulators could provide personalized, real-time answers based on verified data, reducing unnecessary panic while improving public confidence.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has earned an international reputation for scientific excellence. Its inspectors, laboratories and traceability systems are among the best in the world. The next frontier is not simply improving detection; it is modernizing communication. Instead of issuing static recalls and occasional updates, regulators should develop dynamic, AI-ready information platforms capable of distinguishing between products that are confirmed sources of illness, products that remain under investigation and products for which there is no evidence of concern. Just as importantly, agencies should become more comfortable communicating uncertainty. Telling Canadians, “We don’t yet know, but here’s what we’re doing,” is far more credible than offering broad reassurances that can quickly unravel as new evidence emerges.

Food safety has always depended on science. Increasingly, it will also depend on trust. In an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming the public’s first source of information, regulators must ensure that trustworthy, evidence-based guidance reaches consumers before speculation and misinformation do. The future of food safety will not be defined solely by faster laboratory testing or more sophisticated traceback investigations. It will also be defined by our ability to communicate risk with the same precision as the science itself.

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