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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.

More from Retail Insider:

Daily Synopsis: Apr 16, 2026

By
Retail Insider
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Today’s Retail Insider articles below cover key developments including First Capital REIT’s $9.4 billion acquisition by KingSett Capital and Choice Properties REIT, reshaping urban retail real estate ownership. UniverCell Canada is also expanding rapidly through franchising, targeting strip malls and integrating technology to meet evolving consumer demands. Another retailer, Vancouver-based The Ball Depot, has launched online as it looks to experiential retail stores. These stories, alongside other insights, highlight shifting strategies in retail real estate and franchise growth driving market adaptation.

 

🗞️ The Day’s Retail Insider Article List

 

🌐 Canadian Retail News From Around the Web

Top Canadian Shopping Centres by Sales Per Square Foot in 2025

By
Craig Patterson
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The newly updated and expanded Tiffany & Co. flagship at Yorkdale in Toronto includes 32,000 crystals. Photo: Craig Patterson

Canada’s highest-performing shopping centres continue to demonstrate strong productivity, with Yorkdale Shopping Centre once again leading the country by a wide margin. According to newly released data from ICSC, Yorkdale recorded sales of $2,368 per square foot in 2025, maintaining its position as Canada’s most productive retail asset.

The gap between first and second place remains significant. CF Toronto Eaton Centre ranked second with $1,642 per square foot, followed by CF Pacific Centre at $1,593. The spread highlights the continued strength of top-tier urban shopping centres, particularly those located in major gateway markets such as Toronto and Vancouver.

Top-Tier Centres Continue to Lead

Several of Canada’s most prominent malls rounded out the upper tier of the rankings. CF Chinook Centre in Calgary reported $1,469 per square foot, while CF Richmond Centre and Square One Shopping Centre posted $1,466 and $1,396 respectively.

The presence of multiple Greater Toronto Area properties among the top performers reinforces the region’s role as the country’s most competitive retail market. At the same time, strong results from centres in Vancouver and Calgary point to sustained demand in key Western Canadian markets.

Notably, several properties exceeded $1,300 per square foot, placing them firmly within what industry observers often view as the highest echelon of retail productivity. These centres tend to feature a curated mix of luxury, premium, and high-performing international brands, along with strong food and experiential offerings that drive consistent traffic.

The $1,000 Per Square Foot Benchmark

Beyond the top tier, a substantial number of Canadian shopping centres reported sales above $1,000 per square foot in 2025. This threshold is widely considered a benchmark for strong performance in enclosed malls, reflecting healthy tenant productivity and sustained consumer demand.

Centres such as CF Masonville, CF Carrefour Laval, and Metropolis at Metrotown all fall within this range, demonstrating that high-performing retail is not limited to a single region.

At the same time, the data suggests a widening performance gap across the sector. While top-tier assets continue to achieve strong results, many mid-tier and lower-tier centres report significantly lower sales productivity, often below $700 per square foot. This divergence reflects broader structural shifts within the retail landscape, where tenant demand and consumer traffic are increasingly concentrated in dominant, well-located properties.

Performance Shifts Highlight Changing Dynamics

Year-over-year changes provide additional insight into evolving market conditions. Some centres posted notable gains, including CF Chinook Centre, which saw one of the largest increases in sales per square foot. In contrast, others experienced declines, including CF Sherway Gardens, underscoring the variability in performance even among established assets.

These shifts may reflect a combination of factors, including tenant mix changes, redevelopment activity, evolving consumer preferences, and broader economic conditions. As retailers continue to rationalize store networks and prioritize high-performing locations, top-tier centres are often the primary beneficiaries.

CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Photo: Cadillac Fairview

Concentration of Retail Performance Continues

The 2025 data reinforces a broader trend within Canadian retail real estate. Rather than a uniform recovery across all properties, performance is increasingly concentrated among a relatively small group of dominant shopping centres.

These leading assets continue to attract investment, premium tenants, and redevelopment activity, while lower-performing centres face growing pressure to reposition through mixed-use development, experiential offerings, or alternative uses.

As Retail Insider continues to analyze this dataset, upcoming coverage will explore multi-year trends, regional dynamics, and the long-term implications for Canada’s shopping centre landscape.

Notable Shopping Centres Absent from the Dataset

While the 2025 rankings provide a comprehensive snapshot of participating properties, several major Canadian shopping centres are not included in the data submitted to the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Industry sources indicate that these properties rank among the highest-performing shopping centres in Canada by sales productivity. Their absence means that the ICSC list, while highly valuable, does not represent a complete ranking of all top-tier retail assets across the country.

Notably, West Edmonton Mall, owned by Triple Five Group, does not report sales per square foot through ICSC. Similarly, Park Royal, owned by Larco Investments, is absent from the dataset.

In addition, major outlet centres such as Toronto Premium Outlets and McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport are also not included in the ICSC-reported figures.

More from Retail Insider:

Why Multi-Functional Products are Dominating the 2026 Market

By
Retail Insider
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Multi-functional products are driving Australian consumer markets, with a high demand for user-friendly, time-saving solutions. Consumers are increasingly prepared to pay for products that make their lives easier. We are moving away from the era of disposable fashion and into a period where we are willing to spend more up front for products that solve multiple problems at once.

Primary trends include smart watches that tell the time, monitor exercise, are communication tools and act as payment devices. Another popular trend is photochromic sunglasses that seamlessly move from office prescription lenses to outdoor wear, by automatically darkening when exposed to sunlight.

Consumers are preferring higher quality, longer-lasting and sustainable options, rather than several lesser quality items. Australians are looking for products that save time and money. This is due to the rising cost of living, which is motivating extensive product research, bulk buying and a consumer shift toward durable, long-lasting products to reduce costs.

Sustainable Fashion

Why are multi-functional products becoming increasingly popular? It’s not only about convenience, but sustainability is a key factor driving consumer behaviour. 

The 2000’s saw the advent of fashion-forward ideas like sustainability, using organic raw materials and reducing our waste footprint. Using recycled materials (or upcycling) has always been popular, but market technology has made significant enhancements to how and when we turn old items into something more usable. Not only usable, but highly stylised.

Optical Industry Sustainability

Sustainability in the optical industry is part of fashion’s overall move towards eco-friendly practices. Australia has nationwide recycling programs for glasses, biodegradable frame materials and is developing plant-based lenses. Expert Market Research (2026) found that market growth is being led by sustainable glasses that follow eco-friendly manufacturing processes that reduce our overall carbon footprint.

In the fashion industry, sunglasses and prescription glasses can now be made from recycled plastics that have been sourced from oceans, landfill or industrial waste. The industry is shifting towards sustainability as a core component,  rather than just as a niche market. PwC (2024) found that 80% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainably produced goods.

Cost Savings

By choosing one pair of adaptive lenses over two separate products, consumers are reducing their material footprint without sacrificing luxury or performance. With the rising cost of living, consumers are purchasing products that serve multiple functions, therefore saving on the overall cost of individual purchased items.

The multifunctional market is highly competitive, with retailers innovating design to secure a larger market share. This competitiveness stimulates better pricing for the end consumer. This translates into increased buying options and value for money for savvy customers. 

Sunglass Technology Advances

Photochromic sunglasses (in the early days known as transition glasses) have come a long way since they first came onto the scene in the 1990’s. These glasses have evolved from slow-acting, glass, grey-tinted lenses into fast-acting modern lenses with improved clarity. With these new advances, adaptive glasses can now be used for sports and driving (photochromic with polarised technology for the latter).

Sports

For sports, photochromic glasses offer a lightweight material that is durable under high-intensity conditions. Due to the high glare factor, it is recommended to use both photochromic and polarised lenses when active on water or snow.

How It Works

Photochromic lenses possess millions of light-sensitive molecules (organic dyes) that change structure when hit by UV rays, absorbing light and causing them to darken. Likewise, when the UV light is removed, the glasses clear again. This process takes less than a minute.

These lenses normally work better in cooler weather. Intense heat can affect the chemical reaction, causing it to darken less or more slowly. With higher UV levels, there is a faster and deeper darkening effect of the sunglasses. 

Health Benefits

Photochromic glasses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection and improve visual comfort by reducing glare and easing eye strain. A further benefit is their ability to block blue light that is emitted from commonly used devices, like smartphones and televisions. Both forms of protection apply even in low-tint conditions. Standard optical glasses do not offer this level of protection to your eyes.

Ideal Uses

Photochromic sunglasses are ideal for anyone who is regularly moving between the indoors and outdoors. Outdoor athletes, like cyclists, runners, golfers and hikers who are constantly managing fluctuating light conditions will benefit from this enhanced technology. Individuals who suffer from light sensitivity now have a tangible solution to managing light exposure. Photochromic sunglasses are useful when travelling, eliminating the need to carry two types of glasses.

The Way Forward

Gone are the days when you needed to carry around two pairs of glasses, your regular pair and sunglasses. Photochromic sunglasses offer an affordable and attractive alternative to this scenario. Although a higher initial cost, there are cost savings from not having to purchase multiple products for both prescription glasses and sunglasses. With the added health and sustainability benefits, it’s worth the investment.

The Sleep Reset Most Americans Miss: How Wool Bedding Can Lead to Better Sleep

By
Retail Insider
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Anyone who has struggled with feeling sluggish or exhausted during the day can tell you how appealing a “sleep reset” sounds. If you’re someone who has tried to “reset” your sleep through earlier bedtimes, less screen time, or even melatonin gummies, only to wake up still groggy in the morning, you’re not alone. The focus for many attempted “resetters” is typically bedtime, when more attention should be paid to what bedding they’re sleeping in.

Wellness culture is gaining popularity in 2026, and that includes mindful sleep practices and “resets.” However, according to Woolroom, a leading wool bedding brand, the secret to a restful night’s sleep may lie in the bedding one wraps themself in at night.

“Sleep is more sensitive than we think,” explains Chris Tattersall, Managing Director of Woolroom. “It is not just affected by routine. The sleep environment we create for ourselves plays a significant role in regulating or disrupting the body’s natural sleep rhythms.”

Bedding that may matter more than bedtime

For generations, bedding has been marketed as a comfort product or a matter of decor, focused on soft textures, high thread counts, and appealing patterns. However, as we learn more about what makes sleep truly restorative, more attention is being paid to materials that matter far more than their appearances. 

Synthetic bedding is often made from petroleum-based fibers that trap heat, block airflow, and retain moisture. All of this can lead to night sweats, middle-of-the-night temperature spikes, and general discomfort that can push the body out of its natural sleep rhythm. In contrast, wool is naturally temperature-regulating and moisture-managing, helping people maintain a consistent body temperature as they sleep, allowing them to get a deeper, fuller night’s sleep without disruption.

“Wool fibers can absorb up to 35% of their own weight in moisture without feeling wet,” Tattersall explains. “That means when you get too warm, wool draws humidity away from your skin and releases it into the air, keeping your temperature regulated naturally.”

Wool bedding works with the body’s natural chemistry to promote deeper sleep, making it not just a comfort upgrade but a physiological advantage in the quest for better sleep.

Woolroom’s sleep science can help you sleep better

Many may still hesitate when they hear “wool bedding,” imagining scratchy fibers or thick blankets that result in a night wrapped in heavy, sweat-drenched misery. Woolroom is actively changing this perception. 

Founded in the UK, Woolroom’s traceable, chemical-free wool products are redefining what wool can do. The company’s bedding collections feature everything from duvets to toppers and mattresses, all of which are soft, breathable, and, above all else, comfortable and low-maintenance. The designs leverage wool’s natural resilience and fluff, and many of the products are machine washable.

Woolroom is also committed to sustainability and meeting environmental and safety standards with every product. Unlike most bedding companies, Woolroom can trace its materials all the way back to the very farms that raised the sheep, thanks to its Wool ID® traceability program. By scanning a QR code, customers can literally see the path their wool took “from sheep to sleep,” allowing the company to maintain transparency about wool origin and animal welfare.

Wool remains one of nature’s most sustainable fibers, making Woolroom not just a company dedicated to helping people find better sleep, but one that aligns comfort with conscience.

“Compare that with synthetic bedding, which sheds microplastics during washing, relies on fossil fuels to produce, and can release volatile organic compounds into the air,” explains Tattersall. “Wool bedding, by comparison, can actually improve indoor air quality by absorbing and neutralizing VOCs without re-emitting them, even under heat.”

With Woolroom, one’s nightly sleep reset can not only restore their body but also help restore the planet.

The health benefits of wool

Part of the approach to sleep resets is leaning into healthier habits. While synthetic bedding manufacturers may tout their hypoallergenic properties, these are typically achieved by using chemical coatings that can fade over time.

For people who may struggle with allergies, asthma, or sensitive skin, wool bedding can be even more beneficial. “Wool is naturally hypoallergenic, thanks to its resistance to dust mites, mold, and bacteria, making it the ideal bedding fiber for allergy sufferers,” says Tattersall. 

Wool can also be the safer choice for the home environment because it is naturally flame-resistant. Many synthetic bedding materials can melt or release toxic smoke when exposed to flames, while wool resists ignition and often self-extinguishes.

Rethinking the sleep reset

While maintaining a consistent bedtime schedule and powering down devices before bed can be a great way to set yourself up for a better night’s sleep, bedding can also play a crucial role in sleep resets. Even the best sleep hygiene practices can be thrown off by a less-than-ideal sleep environment.

Woolroom is challenging an entire industry to rethink what quality sleep really means, and to consider wool as the go-to bedding material that can help people reset their sleep from the ground up.

Cyber threats hurting retail sector: EY

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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AI-enabled cyber threats are increasingly targeting specific high-value sectors—with implications for Canada’s economic resilience and digital trust. According to EY’s latest Global Cybersecurity Threat Outlook 2026, sectors like Retail, Telecommunications and Energy are facing distinct and rapidly evolving threat profiles.

For example:

  • Retail and consumer sectors remain highly vulnerable to ransomware and identity-driven attacks, disrupting operations, driving financial losses and eroding customer trust.
  • Telecommunications are increasingly targeted as critical network infrastructure, where attacks can disrupt communications, impact emergency services and expose sensitive data.
  • Energy is a growing target due to its role in critical infrastructure and the potential for widespread disruption.

Umang Handa, National Leader, Cybersecurity Managed Services at EY Canada, said the report shows that cybercriminals are increasingly focusing on sectors that people rely on every day. 

“In Canada, retail, telecommunications and energy stand out because attacks against them can cause immediate disruption and quickly get attention. Retail is a major target because it handles large volumes of customer data and transactions,” he said.

“Retailers also rely on many connected systems like payments, loyalty programs, suppliers and delivery partners. AI makes it easier for attackers to automate fraud, break into accounts and launch scams at scale, especially during busy shopping periods when teams are stretched and problems are harder to spot.

Umang Handa
Umang Handa

“Telecommunications companies are attractive because they sit at the centre of Canada’s digital economy. If attackers disrupt networks or gain access to telecom systems, the impact can spread far beyond one company affecting businesses, governments and everyday consumers.

AI helps attackers scan large networks more quickly and find weak points, especially around user access and identity controls. Energy and utilities are targeted because successful attacks can cause real world disruption.

Power, fuel and utilities are essential services and even short outages can have serious economic and safety consequences. These organizations also operate complex systems, some of which weren’t built with today’s cyber threats in mind.

“Across all three sectors, attackers are going after trust and continuity. When customers lose access to services they depend on or fear their data isn’t safe, the damage lasts well beyond the cyber incident itself.”

How AI is changing the nature of cyberattacks

Handa said AI is changing cyberattacks in three keyways at once: attacks are happening at greater scale, they are harder to spot and they rely less on technical hacks and more on social engineering techniques used for tricking people.

“First up is scale. AI allows attackers to automate phishing emails, fraud attempts and login attacks across thousands or even millions of targets at the same time. What once took large criminal groups can now be done quickly and cheaply, increasing the overall volume of attacks Canadian organizations face,” he explained.

“Second is sophistication. AI is being used to create more convincing scams, including fake emails, voice messages and even deepfake videos that appear to come from real executives or trusted partners. These attacks don’t look suspicious in the traditional sense, which makes them much harder for employees to detect.

“And third, AI is creating new risks. Attackers aren’t just targeting systems anymore, they’re targeting data, identities (both non-human and human) and automated decision-making processes. If those are manipulated, the damage can spread quietly through an organization without being noticed right away.

“The big shift highlighted in our outlook is that organizations can’t assume they’ll stop every attack. Instead, success now depends on how quickly a problem can be spotted, contained and fixed. In an AIdriven threat landscape, speed and preparation matter just as much as prevention.”

How AI-driven ransomware and identity-based attacks evolving

Handa said retailers are seeing a clear shift toward attacks that focus on people and access, rather than just systems and AI is helping attackers break into accounts more easily and shut down operations when it hurts the most.

“Ransomware attacks are becoming more targeted so instead of hitting random systems attackers use AI to study a retailer’s environment and identify the systems that would cause the most disruption such as payment platforms or supply chain tools. Attacks are often timed during peak sales periods, making downtime especially costly. At the same time, identity-based attacks are increasing,” he noted.

“AI helps criminals create realistic phishing messages or impersonate executives, suppliers or customer service staff. Once an attacker takes over an account, they can move through systems quietly, access sensitive data and disable safeguards before anyone notices.

“For customers, the impact is immediate. Fraud, account takeovers and data breaches reduce confidence quickly, especially in retail where customers have many alternatives. Trust lost during a cyber incident is hard and expensive to rebuild. For operations, this means identity security is now critical. Retailers who don’t have strong controls around who can access systems, detecting cyber threats and how quickly they can respond when something goes wrong will face higher risks of both disruption and long-term brand damage.”

Potential real-world consequences of successful cyberattacks

Handa said it’s clear that cyberattacks on telecommunications and energy don’t just affect companies, they can directly affect people’s daily lives. 

“In telecommunications, a serious cyber incident can interrupt mobile service, internet access or emergency communications and because so many businesses and public services depend on these networks, even a short disruption can ripple across the economy, affecting payments, logistics, retail operations and public safety,” he said. 

“Cyberattacks on energy and utilities carry even greater risks. Disruptions to power or fuel systems can halt production, shut down transportation and create safety concerns. These systems are complex and interconnected, which makes recovery more challenging once an attack has taken place.

“The broader concern is public trust. When essential services are disrupted, confidence in infrastructure quickly erodes and attackers increasingly understand this and target sectors where disruption has high visibility and impact. The takeaway is that cyber resilience in telecom and energy is no longer just about protecting data, It’s about ensuring services stay available, disruptions are limited and recovery happens quickly to avoid widespread consequences for Canadians.”

Top priorities for Canadian organizations, especially in retail

Handa said organizations need to move away from reacting after an incident and toward being ready before one happens. 

“One of the top priorities is identity management because most modern attacks start with a stolen or misused logins. Stronger authentication, better monitoring and faster response when accounts are compromised can stop small issues from turning into major incidents,” he said.

“Second, cyber risk needs attention at the leadership level. Our outlook highlights that organizations do better when cyber decisions are tied to business priorities like customer trust, uptime and reputation, not treated solely as a technical issue for IT teams.

“Third, organizations need to look beyond their own walls. Retailers rely on supply chains and their vendor’s products and services, multi tenant platforms and logistics partners which broaden the potential attack surface. AI makes it easier for a breach at one supplier to affect many others so understanding and managing third party risk is essential.

“Finally, companies must invest in proactively identifying and managing vulnerabilities while keeping pace with the quickly evolving cyber threat landscape with real time detection and recovery. In a fastmoving threat environment, the ability to spot problems early, recover systems quickly and communicate clearly with customers matters just as much as prevention. In today’s environment, strong cyber resilience isn’t just about avoiding damage, it’s a way to protect trust and stay competitive.”

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Golf Town and Brooke Henderson cement decade-long partnership

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Brooke Henderson. Golf Town photo
Brooke Henderson. Golf Town photo

Golf Town, Canada’s leading golf retailer, has announced a three-year partnership extension with Canada’s most decorated golfer, Brooke Henderson, alongside her sister Brittany, through 2028.

This renewal marks more than a decade of collaboration, evolving from a landmark partnership into a lasting legacy dedicated to fueling the continued growth of golf in Canada, said the retailer.

Golf Town said it believes that growing the game requires more than just messaging; it’s about providing women with the resources that empower them to Come Out and Play. By bridging the gap between grassroots accessibility and professional infrastructure, Golf Town and Brooke Henderson are working together to ensure the game is inclusive, resourced, and accessible for all.

“When I first joined the Golf Town family in 2017, I knew we shared a deep passion for the sport, but I couldn’t have imagined the impact we would make together,” said Henderson. “Renewing this partnership through 2028 is incredibly special to me, and meaningful to my family as well, because of the work we’re doing to grow the game among the next generation of Canadian golfers through the Brooke Brigade. Seeing the juniors in the Brooke Brigade zones each year, along with the continued support for all golfers, makes me proud to be part of the Golf Town team and the role we’re playing in inspiring more people to take up the game.”

Golf Town photo
Golf Town photo

Golf Town said a key component of this renewed partnership is the continued evolution of the Brooke Brigade – a nine-year program that has introduced and mentored hundreds of junior girls across Canada. Inspired by Brooke’s journey as one of the country’s top athletes, Golf Town has deepened its commitment to supporting women’s golf through more intentional storytelling, access, and community-led initiatives. From the Golf Town Players Tour Truck experience and International Women’s Day clinics to partnerships with organizations like Black Women Golfers Canada and Tamil Golfers Association Canada to the brand’s annual Ladies Night, which brings thousands of women into stores each year, these efforts are designed to create more welcoming and accessible entry points into the game.

Barry Williams
Barry Williams

“Brooke Henderson is more than an ambassador; she’s a cornerstone of the Canadian golf story through her excellence in play and leadership off the course,” said Barry Williams, President of Golf Town.

“At Golf Town, our mission is to go beyond just talking about equality. We’re dedicated to creating a more vibrant golf community through action. Whether it’s providing LPGA pros with elite support via our Players Tour Truck, hosting events that bring women together to celebrate and play or building pathways and partnerships for junior girls through our community camps, this partnership reflects our commitment to Brooke Henderson, Brittany Henderson, and the Brooke Brigade, while actively shaping the future of golf in Canada.”

Golf Town is the largest specialty golf retailer in Canada, operating 49 stores. Golf Town is a banner under the Sporting Life Group umbrella and is owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.

Youtube video

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First Capital REIT acquired in deal worth $9.4 billion

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Avenue Road entrance to Yorkville Village in Toronto. Photo: First Capital REIT

First Capital REIT has been acquired by two major landlords. On Tuesday, First Capital REIT, KingSett Capital, and Choice Properties REIT announced that they have entered into an agreement where KingSett and Choice Properties will acquire First Capital in a unit and cash transaction valued at approximately $9.4 billion, including the assumption of certain debt.

Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, First Capital unitholders will receive consideration of $19.24 in cash and 0.3186 units of Choice Properties per First Capital unit, which represents total consideration of $24.40 per First Capital unit based on the closing unit price of Choice Properties on April 15, 2026. The Transaction Price represents a premium of 17% to First Capital’s 20-day volume-weighted average price through April 15, 2026, and a premium of 8% to First Capital’s Net Asset Value of $22.57 per unit. Additionally, the Transaction Price represents a premium of 12% and 21% to First Capital’s closing unit price and 90-day volume-weighted average price through April 15, 2026, respectively, according to a press release.

Upon close of the transaction, Choice Properties will acquire approximately $5.0 billion of high-quality retail assets from First Capital. KingSett will acquire approximately $4.4 billion of First Capital assets and all of First Capital’s issued and outstanding units.

Paul Douglas, Chair of First Capital’s Board of Trustees, said: “We are pleased to deliver immediate value to our investors through this Transaction. Supported by the recommendation of a Special Committee comprised of independent trustees, the First Capital Board believes this Transaction is in the best interests of First Capital unitholders. Accordingly, the Board recommends that unitholders vote in favour of the Transaction.”

Adam Paul
Adam Paul

“This is an excellent transaction for our investors, which recognizes their longstanding support and commitment to First Capital,” added Adam Paul, First Capital’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “I am deeply grateful to our employees – many of whom will continue to support the assets acquired by KingSett and Choice – as well as to my partners on the executive leadership team, who have remained singularly focused on what was in the best interests of First Capital unitholders, and whose diligence and work ethic were critical in bringing us to this point.”

Rob Kumer
Rob Kumer

Rob Kumer, Chief Executive Officer at KingSett Capital, said: “This Transaction comes at a time when we are seeing renewed optimism and positive momentum in Canadian real estate. We have partnered with Choice Properties to align the right assets with our respective strategies to deliver maximum value to First Capital’s unitholders. We look forward to working with First Capital’s tenants, partners and other stakeholders in the years ahead.”

Rael Diamond, President and Chief Executive Officer of Choice Properties, said: “This is an exciting and transformative transaction that will solidify Choice Properties as Canada’s leading REIT. Choice Properties is acquiring best-in-class, necessity-based neighbourhood shopping centres that will significantly strengthen our portfolio. We believe this is a unique and compelling opportunity that will increase our presence in urban markets and further diversify our tenant base. Importantly, we expect the combination of these assets with our existing portfolio will deliver enhanced long-term growth and value for our unitholders.”

Liberty Village (Image: First Capital REIT)

The approximate $5.0 billion Choice Properties Acquisition Portfolio comprises approximately $4.8 billion, or 8.0 million square feet, of income producing assets, along with approximately $0.2 billion of properties under development. The Choice Properties Acquisition Portfolio is expected to generate full-year NOI of approximately $235 million in 2027, with an annual growth rate of approximately 3.5% in the near-term, said the news release.

Choice Properties intends to finance its acquisition of the Choice Properties Acquisition Portfolio through a combination of debt and equity. This includes the issuance of 68.6 million units of Choice Properties to First Capital unitholders valued at $1.1 billion based on Choice Properties’ closing unit price on April 15, a $0.6 billion equity investment from George Weston Limited for 38.0 million units, the assumption of First Capital’s $2.3 billion of outstanding unsecured debentures, and the assumption of approximately $0.4 billion of existing in-place mortgages. The remaining consideration is expected to be financed via the issuance of new unsecured debentures by Choice Properties, it said.

“Concurrent with Transaction completion, Choice Properties will assume First Capital’s $2.3 billion of outstanding unsecured debentures as successor entity to First Capital, in accordance with the trust indenture,” it said.

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RONA Foundation’s 2026 Build from the Heart campaign is on

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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SOFIA House team, one of the selected organizations for 2026 Build from the Heart campaign. (CNW Group/RONA inc.)

The RONA Foundation, which oversees the philanthropic activities of RONA inc., one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers, operating and servicing over 425 corporate and affiliated stores, will launch the 2026 edition of its Build from the Heart campaign on April 18.

The goal of this campaign is to allocate a total of one million dollars to seven Canadian non-profit organizations to help with a construction or major renovation project that aims to improve living environments or access to housing. More specifically, the campaign aims to support victims of domestic violence and their children, low-income families and people with disabilities or mental health issues, explained the Foundation.

Catherine Laporte
Catherine Laporte

“In light of our current economic context, the funds we are raising will contribute to providing a comfortable and safe place to live for vulnerable Canadians. Our stores, partners and customers are coming together to build stronger communities, and I am so proud to see that everyone is getting involved and wants to make a difference in the lives of those in need,” said Catherine Laporte, President of the RONA Foundation’s Board of Directors and Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, RONA inc.

The funds that will be allocated to these organizations will be raised through three major initiatives:

  • From April 18 to May 31, customers who shop at RONA+ and RONA corporate stores, or online at rona.ca, will be invited to donate to the fundraising campaign.
  • From April 18 to May 29, for every major appliance sold in store and online (Samsung, LG, GE, Bosch, Electrolux, Whirlpool and Midea), $5 will be donated to the RONA Foundation.
  • On July 6, several RONA vendors will take part in the RONA Foundation’s Annual Golf Day to raise funds for the Build from the Heart campaign.

Meet the selected organizations for the 2026 campaign

Following a call for applications that was held from February 16 to March 13, a selection committee chose seven construction and major renovation projects submitted by non-profit organizations in each region where RONA operates.

ProvinceSupported Organization
AlbertaYWCA Banff
British ColumbiaHabitat for Humanity Victoria
ManitobaKa Ni Kanichihk (Velma’s House)
MaritimesYouth Impact Jeunesse
OntarioCharity House Windsor (Brentwood Recovery Home)
QuébecBureau de consultation jeunesse
SaskatchewanSOFIA House
Renaud-B. Paquin
Renaud-B. Paquin

“We received over 100 applications from organizations with really interesting construction and renovation projects. Each organization’s commitment to their community and the quality of the projects they submitted showed incredible dedication. The seven selected projects will meet concrete needs to provide safety, dignity and quality of life to the most vulnerable,” said Renaud-B. Paquin, Director of the RONA Foundation.

The amounts presented to each organization will be announced on July 7.

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UniverCell Canada Expands Through Franchising Growth

By
Craig Patterson
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Photo: UniverCell

Canadian electronics repair retailer UniverCell Canada is accelerating its national growth strategy, driven by franchising and a differentiated value proposition centred on pricing transparency. The company recently opened a new location in Mississauga, marking another step in its broader expansion across Canada.

Founded by Afaq Ahmed Shaik, the business has grown from a single kiosk in Winnipeg into a network of more than 17 locations spanning Ontario, Manitoba, and Quebec. The company is now positioning itself for further national growth, with franchising at the core of its expansion strategy.

“We started this journey in 2021 after learning from earlier franchise experiences,” said Shaik. “Today we are operating 17 locations across three provinces, and we are fully bootstrapped. Our focus now is to grow across Canada and make repair services more accessible.”

Photo: UniverCell

New Mississauga Store Highlights GTA Growth

The company’s newest location at Mavis Mall in Mississauga strengthens its already significant presence in the Greater Toronto Area, where it now operates multiple stores including in Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Ajax, Whitby, and Toronto.

Afaq Ahmed Shaik

Shaik emphasized that the GTA remains a priority market due to its scale and density. He noted that additional opportunities are being explored in areas such as Brampton, downtown Toronto, and Oakville, where consumer demand for device repair and resale continues to grow.

“There is still a lot of room in the GTA,” he said. “We are seeing strong demand in several underserved pockets, and we plan to continue expanding strategically.”

Franchise Model Driving National Expansion

A key pillar of the UniverCell Canada expansion strategy is its franchise program, which enables rapid growth without heavy corporate capital investment. The company currently operates a mix of corporate and franchised locations, with multiple franchise partners managing several stores.

“We are looking for owner-operators who want to build a business in their community,” said Shaik. “We provide training, systems, and vendor access, so even those new to the industry can succeed.”

The company is actively targeting new markets across Canada, including Atlantic Canada, where internal research has identified strong consumer demand for repair services. Western Canada also remains a focus, with Alberta and British Columbia offering long-term growth opportunities.

Transparent Pricing Sets Brand Apart

A defining feature of the company’s model is its commitment to fully transparent pricing, a rarity in the fragmented device repair industry.

“We identified that customers struggled with unclear pricing, inconsistent warranties, and unpredictable turnaround times,” said Shaik. “So we built a system where customers can see pricing upfront, understand timelines, and book repairs with confidence.”

UniverCell publishes repair pricing online for a wide range of devices, eliminating the need for in-store quotes or negotiation. This approach, combined with standardized warranties and defined turnaround times, is designed to build consumer trust in a category often dominated by independent operators.

Shaik noted that this transparency is a key competitive advantage in a highly unorganized market. “Most repair shops do not have a strong online presence or standardized processes. We are trying to bring structure and consistency to the industry.”

Phones, photo: UniverCell

Shift to Strip Retail Locations Improves Economics

The company has also refined its real estate strategy, moving away from enclosed shopping centres toward strip plazas and high-traffic street locations. This shift has significantly improved store-level economics.

“We tested whether we could replace mall foot traffic with targeted marketing,” said Shaik. “We found that we could generate similar revenue at lower cost, which improved profitability.”

By focusing on accessible locations with shared traffic from neighbouring businesses, UniverCell has been able to optimize rent-to-revenue ratios while maintaining visibility and convenience for customers.

Photo: UniverCell

Omnichannel Growth Through Marketplace Integration

In addition to physical retail expansion, the company is growing its digital presence through marketplaces such as Best Buy Canada Marketplace. This channel has improved cash flow and enabled more frequent revenue cycles compared to traditional franchise royalty structures.

“We moved into marketplaces to stabilize cash flow and invest in growth,” said Shaik. “Now we are expanding that model so our franchise partners can also benefit.”

The company is working toward integrating its retail inventory with online platforms, allowing devices acquired through buyback programs to be refurbished and sold through both its own e-commerce channels and third-party marketplaces.

Sustainability and Circular Economy Focus

Sustainability is another core component of the UniverCell Canada expansion narrative. The company promotes device longevity through repair, refurbishment, and resale, positioning itself within the growing circular economy.

With more than 25,000 devices repaired to date, the company estimates significant reductions in electronic waste. Its buyback program also encourages consumers to trade in used devices, which are then refurbished and reintroduced into the market.

“Our mission is to extend the life of devices and reduce waste,” said Shaik. “Repair and reuse should be the first option before replacement.”

Photo: UniverCell

Technology and AI Integration to Support Growth

Looking ahead, UniverCell is investing in technology to support both customer experience and franchise operations. This includes AI-driven diagnostics, automated pricing tools, and internal systems designed to assist technicians and franchisees.

The company is also developing tools that allow customers to assess device conditions remotely and initiate buyback transactions from home, further expanding its national reach without relying solely on physical store visits.

“We want to operate as a technology-enabled retail company,” said Shaik. “Our goal is to connect all our stores through a unified system and make the process seamless for customers.”

Positioned for Continued National Growth

As the Canadian market continues to shift toward affordability and sustainability, UniverCell Canada is positioning itself to capture demand through a combination of franchising, transparency, and technology.

With expansion plans spanning multiple regions and a growing footprint in key urban markets, the company’s next phase of growth will depend on scaling its franchise network while maintaining operational consistency.

“We want to be present everywhere in Canada,” said Shaik. “Our goal is simple, to make device repair easy and accessible for everyone.”

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