Second Cup Café has launched its national fundraising campaign in support of Breakfast Club of Canada, running until May 25. The campaign aims to raise $25,000 to help provide nutritious breakfasts to children in schools across Canada.
During the campaign period, guests can contribute $1 or $2 donations with any purchase made in-store, online, or through the Second Cup mobile app. Every $2 raised helps provide one breakfast to a child. This year’s campaign goal of $25,000 will help feed nearly 65 children for an entire school year, or more than two full classrooms.
“Together with our guests and franchise partners, we’re proud to support an organization that makes such a meaningful difference in communities across the country,” said Roxane Desjardins, Marketing Director at Second Cup. “This campaign is a simple yet powerful way for Canadians to come together and help ensure more children start their day with a nutritious breakfast.”
Roxane Desjardins
Funds raised will support Breakfast Club of Canada’s network of more than 5,000 school breakfast programs, which collectively reach over 895,000 children nationwide. These programs ensure students have access to nutritious breakfast, setting them up for success in the classroom.
Julie Desharnais
“For a child, a simple breakfast can transform a day, and sometimes even the course of a life. Thanks to Second Cup’s ongoing commitment, young people across the country can start their day with the energy they need to thrive,” says Julie Desharnais, President and CEO of Breakfast Club of Canada. “We are deeply grateful for this partnership and the generosity of each customer. Together, we are doing much more than filling plates: we are nurturing the hope, dignity, and confidence that every child deserves to carry with them throughout the day.”
Second Cup has partnered with Breakfast Club of Canada since March 2023. This spring initiative marks the third major collaboration between the two organizations. In 2025 alone, Second Cup raised $40,000 through its spring and fall campaigns.
The campaign will run at participating Second Cup locations across Canada.
Second Cup has operated since 1975 and is part of the Foodtastic group of brands, which is one of Canada’s largest restaurant franchisors, operating more than 1,200 locations across the country. Its diverse portfolio includes Freshii, Quesada, Pita Pit, Second Cup, Milestones, and over 22 other banners.
Rawcology opening at AMI/St. David's Niagara on the Lake
Toronto-based functional food brand Rawcology is entering a pivotal stage of expansion following a newly announced joint venture with AM Ingredients (AMI), a move designed to significantly increase manufacturing capacity, streamline distribution, and support continued product innovation.
The Rawcology strategic partnership marks what the company describes as a transition from a fast-growing Canadian brand to a scaled, innovation-led player in the better-for-you snack category.
Tara Tomulka, Founder and CEO, Rawcology, said the collaboration represents a major inflection point for the business. She explained that the company had reached a stage where demand required more advanced infrastructure to maintain growth without compromising product integrity.
“We realized we needed to scale quickly to meet demand, but we were not willing to sacrifice ingredient quality or how we manufacture,” Tomulka said. “With AMI, we found a partner that allows us to do both.”
Manufacturing and Distribution Expansion Unlock National Scale
Through the partnership, Rawcology gains access to AMI’s 19,000-square-foot production facility in St. Davids, Niagara-on-the-Lake, alongside a 50,000-square-foot cross-docking and distribution network.
This infrastructure is expected to support coast-to-coast distribution while accelerating speed-to-market for new products. It also enables Rawcology to scale output in response to growing retail demand, including a second rotation with Costco West launching in April.
Megan Loach Tomulka, Co-Founder, Rawcology, emphasized that scaling production has been a priority following strong retail performance.
Rawcology co-owners and sisters. Left-to-right: Megan Loach Tomulka, Tara Tomulka, Laura Powadiuk. Photo: Rawcology
“Our first Costco rotation performed extremely well, and that confirmed we needed higher capacity,” she said. “This partnership gives us the ability to produce at scale while maintaining the integrity of our products.”
The Rawcology strategic partnership also addresses broader supply chain challenges, including rising ingredient and logistics costs. Coconut, a core ingredient, has seen price increases, while global factors such as fuel costs continue to impact distribution.
However, access to AMI’s logistics network is expected to mitigate some of these pressures.
Niagara Retail Concept Brings Brand Closer to Consumers
As part of the partnership, Rawcology will be featured in the launch of Chocolate & Crunch Market, a new retail and experiential concept located within the St. Davids facility in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The 19,000-square-foot facility combines manufacturing with a consumer-facing retail environment, allowing visitors to observe production processes and purchase products on-site.
The space will showcase Rawcology alongside St. Davids Chocolates and Remix Snacks, creating a curated destination that blends food production, retail, and tourism.
Megan Loach Tomulka noted that the concept provides a valuable opportunity for direct consumer engagement.
“Customer feedback has always been critical for us,” she said. “Having a physical space where people can interact with the brand, taste products, and see how they are made gives us insights that help shape future innovation.”
The location is expected to benefit from Niagara’s strong tourism traffic, particularly bus tours and visitors to nearby attractions, while also serving as a testing ground for new products.
Rawcology opening at AMI/St. David’s Niagara on the Lake
Innovation Pipeline and Product Strategy
With expanded capabilities, Rawcology is also accelerating its product development pipeline. The company plans to introduce new formats and categories while continuing to refine existing offerings based on consumer feedback.
The brand’s approach remains focused on clean-label ingredients and functional nutrition, with an emphasis on taste as a primary driver of consumer adoption.
While high-protein products continue to dominate the market, Rawcology is taking a measured approach.
“There is definitely pressure to add protein to everything,” Megan Loach Tomulka said. “But we already have naturally occurring protein in our products. Our focus is on balance, making sure we deliver fibre, healthy fats, and overall nutrition alongside great taste.”
The company is planning to introduce a protein-focused snack bite later this year, while maintaining its broader philosophy of nutrient-dense, allergen-friendly formulations.
Rawcology at AMI/St. David’s Niagara on the Lake
Expanding Retail Footprint Across Canada
Rawcology currently distributes products in more than 1,500 retail locations across North America, including major partners such as Sobeys, Whole Foods, and Bulk Barn.
Recent growth has been particularly strong in Western Canada, where consumer demand for functional and wellness-oriented foods continues to outpace other regions.
Megan Loach Tomulka noted that British Columbia has emerged as a leading market for the brand.
“We saw our strongest performance in B.C. during our Costco rotation, and that translated into increased direct-to-consumer demand as well,” she said. “There is a strong alignment with consumers who are focused on ingredient transparency and overall wellness.”
At the same time, the company is expanding its presence in Ontario, including new product listings and increased distribution across existing retail partners.
Canadian Roots with Global Ambitions
Despite its rapid growth, Rawcology remains a Canadian-owned company headquartered in the Toronto area. The founders emphasized that maintaining local roots is an important part of the brand’s identity, even as it scales internationally.
“This partnership allows us to stay true to our values while growing much faster,” Tara Tomulka said. “We are building something that is proudly Canadian but ready to compete on a global stage.”
With enhanced production capacity, expanded distribution, and a new consumer-facing retail concept, the Rawcology strategic partnership positions the company for what it describes as its most significant growth phase to date.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
“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.
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
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
