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Canadian Shopping Centre Performance Trends (2023–2025)

By
Craig Patterson
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Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto. Image: Oxford Properties

New multi-year data from ICSC points to a clear shift in Canada’s shopping centre landscape. Between 2023 and 2025, retail performance has become increasingly concentrated among a small group of dominant assets, while many mid-tier properties have seen more modest gains or limited movement.

Retail Insider has independently tracked Canadian shopping centre sales per square foot for several years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, including through a partnership with the Retail Council of Canada. That research provided a consistent benchmark for retail productivity across the country.

However, the study was paused in 2020 as pandemic-related lockdowns disrupted normal retail activity. Shopping centre closures occurred at different times and durations across provinces, making direct comparisons between properties inconsistent and, in some cases, misleading.

As a result, the 2023 to 2025 data represents a more stable and comparable period for analyzing post-pandemic retail performance trends.

Yonge Street exterior of Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, November 25, 2025. Photo: Craig Patterson

Top-Tier Assets Show Consistent Strength

At the top of the market, Yorkdale Shopping Centre continues to set the benchmark. The centre recorded sales of $2,402 per square foot in 2023, declined to $2,301 in 2024, and rebounded to $2,368 in 2025.

Other leading centres have demonstrated steady upward momentum. CF Toronto Eaton Centre increased from $1,457 per square foot in 2023 to $1,500 in 2024, before rising to $1,642 in 2025. Similarly, CF Pacific Centre climbed from $1,324 to $1,454 and then to $1,593 over the same period.

These patterns point to sustained demand for highly productive retail environments in major urban markets. Centres with strong luxury representation, international brands, and high levels of foot traffic continue to outperform.

CF Pacific Centre in Vancouver. Photo: Cadillac Fairview

The $1,000 Per Square Foot Divide Becomes Clearer

The data highlights the growing importance of the $1,000 per square foot threshold. In 2023, a significant number of Canadian shopping centres clustered around the $900 to $1,100 range, suggesting relatively broad-based recovery following the pandemic period.

By 2025, that middle band appears to be thinning. A larger group of top-tier centres has moved well above $1,300 per square foot, while many others remain below $700. The result is a more polarized distribution of retail performance across the country.

This shift suggests that tenant productivity is increasingly concentrated in dominant, high-traffic centres, reinforcing their competitive advantage.

A Widening Gap Across the Sector

The contrast between top and lower-performing assets has become more pronounced over the three-year period. Leading centres now achieve between approximately $1,300 and over $2,300 per square foot, while a large number of properties fall significantly below that range, often under $700.

This widening gap reflects structural changes within the retail industry. Retailers are prioritizing fewer, higher-performing locations, while consumers are increasingly gravitating toward destinations that offer a stronger mix of brands, dining, and experiences.

As a result, top-tier malls continue to attract investment and premium tenants, while mid-tier assets face greater pressure to differentiate.

CF Sherway Gardens in Toronto. Image: Cadillac Fairview

Case Studies Highlight Diverging Trajectories

A closer look at individual properties illustrates how performance trends are diverging. CF Toronto Eaton Centre and CF Pacific Centre have shown consistent upward growth over the three-year period, reinforcing their status as dominant urban retail destinations.

By contrast, some centres have experienced more variability. CF Sherway Gardens has seen fluctuations in sales productivity, reflecting how even well-established assets can be impacted by tenant changes, redevelopment activity, or shifting consumer patterns.

Regional Strength Reinforces Market Leadership

Toronto continues to dominate the upper tier of Canadian shopping centre performance, with multiple Greater Toronto Area properties consistently ranking among the country’s most productive. In addition to Yorkdale, centres such as Square One Shopping Centre and CF Sherway Gardens remain key players.

Western Canada has also demonstrated strength. CF Chinook Centre has posted steady gains, while Vancouver-area centres continue to rank among the country’s top performers.

These patterns suggest that top-performing retail assets in major metropolitan markets are benefiting from both population growth and sustained consumer demand.

Data Scope and Limitations

It should be noted that not all major Canadian shopping centres report sales per square foot through the International Council of Shopping Centers. Notable properties such as West Edmonton Mall, Park Royal, Toronto Premium Outlets, and McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport are not included in the dataset, despite being widely regarded as among the country’s highest-performing retail assets.

A More Concentrated Retail Landscape

Taken together, the 2023 to 2025 data points to a clear evolution in Canada’s retail landscape. Rather than broad-based growth across all shopping centres, performance is increasingly concentrated among a relatively small number of dominant properties.

This trend has important implications for landlords, retailers, and investors. High-performing centres are likely to continue attracting capital, premium tenants, and redevelopment activity, while lower-performing assets may face increasing pressure to reposition through mixed-use development or alternative uses.

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Flying Tiger Enters Canada with GTA Store Launch

By
Craig Patterson
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Flying Tiger store, image: Flying Tiger Copenhagen

Flying Tiger Copenhagen is set to enter the Canadian market with its first stores opening in June 2026, marking a major step in the brand’s global growth strategy. The Danish retailer will launch its Canadian presence in the Greater Toronto Area, with some initial locations replacing recently shuttered Fox Home stores in several major shopping centres.

This move follows a post on LinkedIn last year stating that approximately 50 Flying Tiger stores are expected to open across Canada by 2030. The expansion will be led through a franchise partnership with Fox Group, an international retail operator that has rapidly expanded its presence in Canada in recent years.

Flying Tiger store, image: Flying Tiger Copenhagen

Fox Home Closures Make Way for New Concept

The first Flying Tiger locations will take over several of the spaces previously occupied by Fox Home, a banner launched by Fox Group in early summer 2023. The concept operated eight stores across the Greater Toronto Area and is in the process of closing locations with liquidation sales (some have already shut).

Former Fox Home sites include high-profile shopping centres such as CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Yorkdale Shopping Centre, CF Sherway Gardens, CF Fairview Mall, Scarborough Town Centre, Vaughan Mills, Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket, and Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga. Signage at CF Toronto Eaton Centre confirms a location will open there this summer.

The transition of some of the Fox Home locations to Flying Tiger reflects a strategic shift by Fox Group to introduce a more globally recognized and differentiated retail concept into the Canadian market.

Construction signage for Flying Tiger at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Photo: Eithne Lavin

Franchise Model Drives Canadian Entry

Flying Tiger’s Canadian expansion will be executed through a franchise model, with Fox Group Canada responsible for local operations including site selection, staffing, and logistics.

The Fox Group has built a reputation for scaling international retail brands across new markets. In Canada, it already operates banners such as Nike, Mango, and Laline, and is also preparing to introduce additional concepts including Jumbo.

This approach allows Flying Tiger to expand into Canada with reduced capital risk while leveraging Fox Group’s established relationships with major landlords and its operational expertise in the local market.

Flying Tiger store, image: Flying Tiger Copenhagen

Global Expansion and Strategic Context

The Canadian launch is part of a broader global expansion strategy for Flying Tiger Copenhagen, which is targeting growth in North America and Southeast Asia. The company currently operates more than 1,000 stores across over 40 countries and continues to expand through franchise partnerships.

The push into Canada follows a financial restructuring in 2025, when creditors including Danske Bank and Nordea assumed control of the business. This restructuring has led to a more asset-light model focused on franchise growth rather than direct store ownership.

In a LinkedIn announcement last year, the company noted that its Canadian expansion represents entry into a new continent and a significant extension of its global footprint, with plans to reach at least 50 Flying Tiger stores nationwide by the end of the decade.

Flying Tiger store, image: Flying Tiger Copenhagen

Unique Retail Concept Targets Urban Consumers

Flying Tiger will enter Canada’s competitive variety and lifestyle retail segment, positioning itself alongside players such as Miniso, Daiso, and Dollarama.

The brand differentiates itself through its focus on original Danish design and a constantly rotating assortment, introducing approximately 300 new products each month. Stores are designed as a one-way “treasure hunt” experience, encouraging discovery and impulse purchases through a curated, maze-like layout.

Its merchandise spans home goods, gifts, toys, and seasonal items, typically priced within an accessible range, appealing strongly to Gen Z and Millennial consumers in urban markets.

Growing Influence of Fox Group in Canada

The Flying Tiger Canada expansion further underscores the growing influence of Fox Group within the Canadian retail landscape. The company has adopted a strategy of clustering multiple brands within key shopping centres, strengthening its negotiating power with landlords while creating operational efficiencies.

With additional concepts such as Jumbo also planned for Canada, Fox Group is building a diversified portfolio that targets middle-market consumers with globally recognized brands.

Outlook for the Canadian Market

As Flying Tiger prepares to open its first Canadian stores, the brand’s success will depend on its ability to differentiate within an increasingly competitive value-driven retail environment. Its emphasis on design, novelty, and in-store experience may provide a compelling alternative to existing discount and variety retailers.

The phased rollout beginning in June 2026 will offer the first indication of how Canadian consumers respond to the concept, as the company works toward its longer-term goal of establishing a national footprint.

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Ben’s Original disrupts instant noodles category with launch of new Street Food Noodles

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Ben’s Original, part of Mars, is expanding its ready meal portfolio with the launch of Ben’s Original Street Food Noodles. 

Inspired by bold, globally loved street food flavours, this new ready meal extension delivers a flavour-packed, authentic international taste to Canadians in just 90 seconds, said the company.

“The launch reflects growing Canadian consumer demand for convenient meals that deliver on taste, quality and global inspiration. In fact, the ready meal segment in Canada is expected to grow 46 per cent between 2024 and 2030, to a $7.18B US industry.1 Ben’s Original™ is meeting growing consumer demand with an expanded portfolio of ready meals, continuing to move the brand to the center of the plate and the star of mealtime,” said the company.

Derin Bello
Derin Bello

 “Noodles are one of the fastest-growing convenient meal categories in Canada, and consumers are increasingly looking for bold, globally inspired flavours they can prepare quickly,” said Derin Bello, General Manager, Mars Food & Nutrition Canada.

“With the success of our Ben’s Original Street Food ready meals, expanding into noodles was a natural next step, bringing exciting international flavours to Canadians in a format that’s ready in just 90 seconds.”

To celebrate the launch, Ben’s Original is offering a limited-time promotion where Canadians who purchase two or more Street Food Noodles can receive an exclusive set of authentic bamboo chopsticks in a sleek travel case.

Five Globally Inspired Street Food Noodles Varieties

Each Ben’s Original Street Food Noodles variety delivers authentic global flavours in a convenient microwave-ready pouch:

  • Chinese Stir Fry Noodles – Classic wok-inspired flavour with perfectly cooked noodles, vegetables, and a savoury seasoning blend. This convenient entrée combines mushrooms, carrots and red bell peppers with a satisfyingly savoury profile that brings authentic Chinese-style stir fry taste straight to your table.
  • Korean Style BBQ Noodles – Perfectly cooked noodles combined with mushrooms, carrots, red bell peppers and green onions, and a touch of chili for a sweet, smoky, and mildly spicy Korean BBQ–style flavour.
  • Spicy Indonesian Noodles – Bringing the heat with a spicy Indonesian-style blend seasoning that delivers heat, depth, and rich aromatic notes. This entrée features carrots, green beans, red bell peppers and green onions.
  • Thai Stir Fry Noodles – Lightly spiced noodles with Thai seasoning that delivers a balanced combination of savoury, sweet, and fragrant notes. Carrots, red bell peppers and green onions round out the dish.
  • Japanese Teriyaki Noodles – A classic teriyaki-style seasoning brings deep umami and a touch of gentle sweetness, complemented by a vibrant mix of mushrooms and red bell peppers for a perfectly balanced bite.

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Beloved Canadian chef Anna Olson coming to Barrie

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Anna Olson
Anna Olson

One of Canada’s most recognizable culinary voices is heading to Barrie this spring. On April 18, celebrity chef, television personality and bestselling author Anna Olson will host an exclusive brunch at Beertown Barrie as part of a national tour celebrating the launch of her newest cookbook, Anna Cooks.

“Food has a way of bringing people together, and events like this let us celebrate that connection,” said Jody Palubiski, Chief Executive Officer of the Charcoal Group of Restaurants, the parent company that owns and operates Beertown. “We’re excited to welcome Anna Olson to Barrie and share her love of cooking with our community.”

Jody Palubiski
Jody Palubiski

Guests can enjoy a seasonally inspired, chef-curated brunch menu, featuring six dishes from Anna Cooks, including syrniki, double blueberry streusel muffins, scrambled smoked salmon and asparagus and a croque madame – alongside two speciality cocktails and three desserts, he said.

Olson’s latest cookbook features more than 125 approachable recipes for every time of day – from quick weekday breakfasts and lunches to one-pan dinners and indulgent desserts. 

Known for her warm, practical approach to cooking, Olson continues to inspire home cooks of all skill levels with recipes that are both accessible and satisfying, he said. 

“Hosting a culinary icon like Anna at Beertown Barrie is a chance to showcase what makes our restaurant special,” said Palubiski. “It’s about great food, meaningful experiences and creating memories that guests will cherish long after the meal.”

Anna Olson
Anna Olson

In addition to Olson’s curated menu, Beertown’s regular menu will also be available.

Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase a copy of Anna Cooks. Reservations are required for this complimentary, ticketed event. 

Following the Barrie event on April 18, Olson will continue her tour with appearances at Beertown locations in Waterloo and Burlington in June. 

For reservations and more information, visit Beertown.ca.

Charcoal Group is an inspired group of full-service restaurants located across in Southern Ontario with over 65 years in the hospitality industry. Restaurants include Solé Uptown, The Charcoal Steakhouse, Martini’s, Dels Italian Kitchen, Wildcraft Grill & Long Bar, The Bauer Kitchen, The Bauer Bakery & Café, Moose Winooski’s, Beertown and Sociable Kitchen & Tavern.   

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Canadian cardholder spending holding up despite higher gas prices: RBC

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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SHVETS production photo
SHVETS production photo

RBC Canadian cardholder spending firmed modestly in March with underlying activity continuing to stabilize despite ongoing softness in discretionary goods.

“A sharp increase in gasoline prices, tied to geopolitical tensions, boosted spending at fuel stations, and contributed to strength in essentials’ purchases. Excluding gasoline, spending still increased in March, although at a slower pace than February,” said RBC.

“Growth in spending edged lower on a three-month average, largely reflecting a pullback in January with activity over February and March broadly improving.  

“Our core retail sales measure rose 0.3% on a three-month average from -0.1% (seasonally adjusted), extending the gradual improvement seen since the start of the year.”

The details from RBC:

  • Spending on gasoline surged 9.1% in March as conflict in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher.
  • Excluding gasoline, spending still rose in March, but slowed from February, remaining weak on a three-month average.
  • Clothing and related retail segments continued to contract on a three-month average, largely reflecting a pullback in January with spending firmer in the following two months.
  • Service categories remained the primary source of non-gasoline related growth with entertainment and arts leading gains, reinforcing the ongoing shift toward experience-related spending.
  • Provincial trends were mixed with declines persisting in British Columbia and New Brunswick, while other regions, including Quebec and Ontario, showed modest gains or stabilization.

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Ofood Kimchi Ramyun surpasses 1 million units sold in Canada

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Ofood Kimchi Ramyun Surpasses 1 Million Units Sold in Canada

Kimchi Ramyun, launched by Daesang’s leading Korean food brand Ofood, has surpassed 1 million units in cumulative sales in Canada, carving out a niche market by leveraging Korea’s heritage as the origin of Kimchi.

Since its launch in the Canadian market in October last year, ‘Real Kimchi Ramyun Noodle Soup’ has quickly gained traction, receiving strong positive responses from local consumers. Unlike conventional ramyun products that rely on dried flakes, Ofood Kimchi Ramyun uses real Kimchi from Korea’s No.1 Kimchi brand Jongga, delivering the authentic taste of traditional Korean Kimchi stew. This differentiated approach has contributed to its rapid market growth, said the company.

Ofood Kimchi Ramyun is available in two varieties: ‘Real Kimchi Ramyun Noodle Soup’, featuring a spicy soup base, and ‘Real Fiery Kimchi Stir-fried Ramyun’, made with gochujang. Both products use fresh Kimchi instead of dried flakes, offering a crisp texture and deep fermented flavor. While balancing sourness and aroma, the products retain the signature spiciness of Korean ramyun, making them appealing to a wide range of consumers, said the company.

“Active marketing efforts targeting local Gen Z consumers also contributed to the strong performance. Ofood enhanced brand awareness through outdoor advertising in major Canadian cities and digital campaigns on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. In addition, large-scale sampling events held around major universities, including the University of Toronto, helped expand engagement with younger consumers familiar with Korean culture and bold flavors, leading to actual purchases,” it said.

“Following strong sales performance, distribution expansion is also accelerating. In addition to existing retail channels such as Costco and Loblaws, Ofood Kimchi Ramyun is now available at FreshCo, where it is currently sold in approximately 70 stores across Canada, with plans to expand distribution to more than 150 locations nationwide in the second half of the year.”

Seungin Jung, Head of Global Discovery BO at Daesang, said: “Ofood Kimchi Ramyun is rapidly gaining traction in the Canadian market as a product that allows consumers to enjoy the authentic taste of Korean Kimchi. We will continue to strengthen the presence of K-food in North America through marketing tailored to local consumer lifestyles and expanded distribution channels.”

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Small businesses see fuel costs as key constraint to growth: CFIB

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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RDNE Stock project photo
RDNE Stock project photo

Fuel costs are now the top cost constraint on business growth, affecting nearly three in four firms, according to the latest Monthly Business Barometer by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

Fuel costs posted the largest monthly increase, rising another 20 points in April alone. In fact, concern over fuel costs has doubled in just two months, climbing from 36% in February to 74% in April.

Other key takeaways:

  • The average price increase plans jumped to 3.2% in April, the highest monthly change since the tariff war last March.
  • Small business long-term optimism improved modestly to 58.5 points in April, following the sharp decline recorded in March.

CFIB’s Business Barometer long-term index, which is based on 12-month forward expectations for business performance,  edged up to 58.5 in April—roughly 3 points higher than in March. The short-term optimism index, based on the 3-month outlook, also posted a modest gain, rising by about 1 point to 55.4, said the national organization.

Measured on a scale between 0 and 100, an index above 50 means owners expecting their business’s performance to be stronger over the next three or 12 months outnumber those expecting weaker performance.  

“Concern over fuel costs has, in fact, doubled in just two months, climbing from 36% in February to 74% in April. Shipping and receiving costs have also risen sharply, reaching 45%, up from 26% in February,” said the CFIB.

“The average price increase jumped up to 3.2% in April, marking the highest monthly change since the tariff war last March. The average wage increase increased slightly to 2.4%, the first notable shift after roughly 12 months of readings clustered around the 2.2% mark.”

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Staples Canada launches its next sustainability era

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Staples Oakville (Image: Staples Canada)

Staples Canada recently released its 2025 Community Impact and Sustainability Report, marking the completion of its five-year Goals for a Greener Future program and introducing a new four-pillar sustainability framework to guide its environmental commitments.

The report also highlights record fundraising efforts in support of health equity and a milestone moment for the annual Staples School Supply Drive, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025, raising more than $1.16 million for students across Canada, it said.

“Each year, we set ambitious goals to strengthen our commitment to environment, equity and education in the communities we serve,” said Jens Cermak, CEO, Staples Canada. “Our new sustainability framework reflects how we’re evolving – moving from individual targets to driving cumulative, measurable impact across our entire business. I’m proud of what our team and partners have built, and I’m energized by what’s ahead.”

Environment: A New Chapter in Sustainability

Staples Canada said its Goals for a Greener Future, launched in 2020, set bold recycling and waste diversion targets. With the program now complete, the company is sharing the results and introducing the framework that will replace it.

Over the course of the five-year program, Staples Canada said it met the following recycling and waste diversion targets:

  • Technology Recycling: More than 14,000 metric tonnes.
  • Writing Instrument Recycling: More than 12 million units. In partnership with TerraCycle, Staples Canada has Canada’s only national writing instrument recycling program, which is approaching its 20th anniversary.
  • Ink and Toner Recycling: More than 9.2 million units.
  • Battery Recycling: More than 2.34 million kilograms since 2004. This achievement earned Staples Canada the 2025 Leaders in Sustainability Award from Call2Recycle, recognizing outstanding environmental leadership in responsible battery recycling across Canada.

An Updated Sustainability Framework for 2026 and Beyond
Starting in 2026, Staples Canada said it is replacing its fixed-target model with a progress-driven approach centred around four pillars that reflect changing consumer interests and evolving industry regulations:

  • Waste Diversion and Circular Economy
  • Climate Action and Carbon Management
  • Sustainable Products and Services
  • Community Impact

Reducing Carbon Emissions

“In 2025, Staples Canada expanded its electric vehicle (EV) fleet with 10 new EVs, building on its initial rollout in 2023, and extending its EV presence to Vancouver, Laval, Winnipeg, and Calgary. The EVs also use smart routing software to identify the most efficient delivery routes, further reducing emissions. Additionally, since 2013, the company has partnered with Bullfrog Power to power its Print production centres, Solution Shops, Studio co-working spaces and select stores across Canada with 100 per cent clean, renewable electricity, displacing more than 36,000 tonnes of CO2e over the course of the partnership,” said the retailer.

Strengthening Sustainability Partnerships

In 2025, Staples Canada deepened its long-standing partnerships with Tree Canada, Call2Recycle, TerraCycle, and eCycle, celebrating major milestones and raising associate awareness around joint initiatives. The company’s 17-year partnership with Tree Canada has resulted in more than 256,000 trees planted in underserved communities across Canada, it added.

“Staples also became the first company to pilot the Bullfrog Environmental Token technology, launched at its Burlington, Ontario store grand opening. These digital tokens provide long-term traceability of a store’s environmental impacts, and the technology is expected to become available to other Bullfrog Power partners in 2026,” it said.

Equity: Fostering a New Way to Give Back Through Innovative Partnerships

Staples Canada said its flagship Even the Odds initiative reached a four-year milestone in 2025, with total fundraising for MAP – Canada’s largest health equity research centre – growing from an initial $5 million commitment to more than $9 million raised. In 2025 alone, customers, team members, vendor-partners, and a corporate match donation combined to raise more than $2 million for MAP’s evidence-based community health programs.

Education: 20 Years of Breaking Down Barriers to Learning

“In 2025, Staples Canada’s annual School Supply Drive celebrated its 20th anniversary, raising a record $1.16 million for students across Canada — the most in any single year since the program launched in 2005 — and bringing its cumulative total to more than $18 million. Through longstanding partnerships with United Way/Centraide and Kiwanis, Staples Canada continued to break down barriers to learning from coast to coast,” it said.

Staples Canada, headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, has close to 300 stores across Canada.

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Giant Tiger Marks 65 Years with Nationwide Celebration

By
Craig Patterson
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Founded in 1961 as a single Ottawa store, built on a simple promise to offer low prices, support local owners and earn customer trust, Giant Tiger has expanded into a national network of over 260 locally owned stores across Canada. (CNW Group/Giant Tiger Stores Limited)

Canadian discount retailer Giant Tiger is marking a major milestone with a nationwide celebration tied to its 65th anniversary, combining promotional events, customer engagement initiatives, and community-focused investments across its network of more than 260 stores.

The Ottawa-based company announced that festivities will begin April 22, 2026, featuring promotional offers both in-store and online, alongside a national GT VIP contest. The campaign will culminate in a coordinated birthday event on May 2 and 3, when all locations will participate in customer-focused activations.

During the two-day event, the first 65 customers at each store will receive a $10 gift card, reinforcing the retailer’s value positioning while driving store traffic during the anniversary weekend.

A Canadian Retailer Rooted in Local Ownership

Founded in 1961 by Gordon Reid, Giant Tiger began as a single store in Ottawa’s ByWard Market. The business has since grown into a national discount chain, maintaining a hybrid model that combines corporate oversight with locally operated franchise stores.

According to the company, its long-standing focus on affordability, community engagement, and local ownership continues to define its operations. The retailer employs more than 10,000 people and positions its store operators as integral to maintaining strong ties with local customers.

Gino DiGioacchino

“Our founder, Gordon Reid, built this business on values that still guide us today: low prices, local ownership and earning customer trust every day,” said Gino DiGioacchino, President and CEO of Giant Tiger Stores Limited. “That foundation comes to life in a simple but powerful way: one customer, one store, one local owner and one team, all working together to earn trust and save Canadians more. That connection to our customers and communities has sustained us for 65 years and will for many years to come.”

Local Ownership Model Sets Giant Tiger Apart

Giant Tiger operates as a privately held Canadian company with a hybrid structure that combines centralized operations with local ownership. Most stores are run by franchise partners who live and work in the communities they serve, creating a level of local connection that is uncommon among national retailers.

At the same time, the company maintains control over merchandising, sourcing, and pricing, allowing it to deliver consistency and scale across its network. This balance enables individual stores to reflect local needs while benefiting from a national operating platform.

Ownership has also extended to key employees at the head office level, reinforcing a culture of accountability and long-term commitment. The model has remained largely unchanged over decades and continues to underpin Giant Tiger’s position in Canada’s discount retail sector.

Giant Tiger at 275 Second Line West, Sault Ste. Marie (Image: Giant Tiger)

Customer Engagement Through Promotions and Contests

As part of the Giant Tiger 65th anniversary campaign, the retailer is launching a national contest running from April 22 to May 5. GT VIP members are invited to share why they value the brand for a chance to win one of four $1,000 gift cards, along with a Giant Value prize pack.

The GT VIP program provides members with personalized deals, exclusive offers, and early access to promotions, reflecting a broader industry trend toward loyalty-driven engagement strategies.

In addition to the contest, the company is bringing back its mascot in the form of a limited-edition plush toy, with proceeds directed toward charitable organizations.

Community Investment and National Giving Initiatives

A key component of the anniversary campaign is a $93,000 community investment program, with $1,000 grants allocated to local charities selected by individual stores. The initiative is designed to support programs related to food security, youth well-being, and health.

The retailer is also partnering with national and regional organizations, including BGC Canada and Enfant Soleil, through the sale of its “Friendly the Giant Tiger” plush toy.

“BGC Canada is proud to partner with Giant Tiger as they celebrate an incredible 65 years of community impact. Through their limited edition Friendly, the Giant Tiger plush campaign, Giant Tiger is helping create meaningful, positive change for more than 160,000 children and youth across Canada,” said Brooke Duval, Senior Director, Partnerships & Philanthropy at BGC Canada.

“Enfant Soleil is proud to celebrate Giant Tiger’s 65th birthday and the positive impact they continue to have on children and families across Canada. Partners like Giant Tiger are essential to our mission; they support pediatric care adapted to children’s needs, care that is close to families and delivered in comforting environments designed to promote healing,” said Catherine B-Montminy, Corporate Partnership Advisor at Enfant Soleil.

Interior of the Giant Tiger store on Walkley Road in Ottawa. Photo: Giant Tiger

Expanding Community Programs with Food Bank Support

Building on its existing charitable efforts, Giant Tiger is introducing a new in-store donation initiative tied to the anniversary. Customers can purchase pre-packed “birthday bags” containing cake essentials, which will be donated to local food banks.

The program reflects an effort to address food insecurity while aligning with the celebratory theme of the campaign, enabling families to mark birthdays with essential items that might otherwise be out of reach.

“For 65 years, our success has been built on the strength of our communities,” said Alison Scarlett, Head of PR, Communications and Corporate Responsibility at Giant Tiger Stores Limited. “This milestone is more than a birthday; it’s a nationwide celebration of the customers, store teams and local partners who have supported us along the way, reinforcing our commitment to delivering low prices while continuing to show up for our communities in meaningful ways.”

A Resilient Player in Canada’s Discount Retail Sector

The Giant Tiger 65th anniversary comes at a time when the Canadian retail landscape continues to evolve, particularly in the discount segment. The company has remained focused on its core strategy of low prices and local engagement, even as competitors have entered and exited the market.

Notably, Giant Tiger has operated exclusively in Canada following a brief U.S. expansion that ended in 2009. The retailer has since concentrated on domestic growth, leveraging its franchise model and supply chain investments to remain competitive.

As the company looks ahead, it continues to emphasize its community-driven approach and value proposition, positioning itself as a stable presence in a sector shaped by economic pressures and shifting consumer expectations.

The anniversary campaign reinforces that positioning, highlighting a retailer that has maintained its identity while scaling nationally over more than six decades.

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ROYALMOUNT Targets Montreal F1 Race Week with Concours Event

By
Craig Patterson
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ROYALMOUNT CONCOURS D’ÉLÉGANCE (2025), Source: Royalmount

ROYALMOUNT is set to host the second edition of its Concours ROYALMOUNT event from May 14 to May 24, 2026, positioning the destination as a central hub for Montreal’s Formula 1 race week while reinforcing its broader experiential retail strategy.

The 10-day public event will feature a curated showcase of rare supercars and hypercars, alongside a range of complementary programming designed to drive foot traffic and deepen consumer engagement. Open to the public at no cost, the activation reflects a growing trend among shopping centre developers to integrate large-scale cultural and lifestyle programming into retail environments.

ROYALMOUNT CONCOURS D’ÉLÉGANCE (2025), Source: Royalmount

Automotive Showcase Anchors Programming

At the core of the event is a curated display of 20 rare vehicles sourced from private collections, including those associated with Automobiles Etcetera and Montreal-based collector Luc Poirier. The vehicles will be exhibited throughout the centre during the week, offering visitors access to automobiles that are rarely seen by the public.

The concept draws inspiration from international concours-style exhibitions, where vehicles are showcased for their design, craftsmanship, and heritage. By bringing this format into a retail environment, ROYALMOUNT is blending luxury automotive culture with a commercial setting in an effort to create a differentiated in-person experience.

Visitors will also be invited to participate digitally by voting for their favourite vehicles through the ROYALMOUNT app, adding an interactive layer to the activation while encouraging repeat visits throughout the event.

ROYALMOUNT CONCOURS D’ÉLÉGANCE (2025), Source: Royalmount

Experiential Programming Designed to Drive Traffic

In addition to the automotive display, ROYALMOUNT has developed a series of programming elements aimed at broadening the event’s appeal across demographics.

A Junior Race Circuit activation will take place over the Victoria Day long weekend, offering children the opportunity to navigate miniature electric vehicles on Formula 1-inspired tracks within the centre’s urban park. The activation introduces a family-oriented component, expanding the audience beyond traditional automotive enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, a Formula 1 simulator presented by TUDOR will allow visitors to engage with racing technology in a more immersive format. Later in the event, a Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team replica car, presented in partnership with IWC Schaffhausen, will be displayed as a central visual feature within the property’s luxury retail corridor.

The event will conclude with a Cars & Coffee gathering on May 23, bringing together collectors, enthusiasts, and the broader community in a more informal setting that contrasts with the curated vehicle showcase.

Retail and Brand Integration

The event also integrates retail and merchandise components, including the sale of official Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve-branded apparel and accessories. This creates an opportunity for ROYALMOUNT to connect event-driven traffic with on-site retail spending.

More broadly, the activation aligns with the centre’s positioning as a luxury-focused destination. ROYALMOUNT is home to what it describes as the highest concentration of luxury watch and jewellery maisons in Quebec, and the inclusion of brands such as TUDOR and IWC Schaffhausen in the programming reflects a strategic alignment between tenants and experiential initiatives.

ROYALMOUNT CONCOURS D’ÉLÉGANCE (2025), Source: Royalmount

Positioning Within Montreal’s Race Week

Montreal’s Formula 1 race week has increasingly evolved into a city-wide economic and cultural moment, with activations spanning hospitality, retail, and entertainment. ROYALMOUNT’s Concours event represents a deliberate effort to capture a share of that activity by offering a centralized, multi-day destination experience.

By extending programming over a 10-day period, the centre is seeking to lengthen visitor engagement beyond the race weekend itself, encouraging both local and tourist traffic to incorporate the destination into their broader itinerary.

Experiential Retail as a Long-Term Strategy

The return of Concours ROYALMOUNT signals a continued emphasis on experiential retail as a core component of the development’s long-term strategy. As shopping centres across Canada adapt to changing consumer expectations, large-scale events and activations are increasingly being used to differentiate physical retail environments and drive visitation.

ROYALMOUNT, developed by Montreal-based Carbonleo, includes approximately 170 stores and 60 restaurants and cafés, along with a 77,000-square-foot urban park and direct connectivity to public transit. The integration of programming such as Concours ROYALMOUNT suggests that the project is positioning itself not only as a retail destination, but as a year-round cultural and lifestyle hub.

As competition for consumer attention intensifies, particularly in major urban markets, initiatives such as Concours ROYALMOUNT highlight how landlords are leveraging events tied to global moments like Formula 1 to reinforce relevance and drive sustained engagement.

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