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eSIMs continue to be integrated more into the retail industry

By
Retail Insider
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eSIMs have begun to revolutionize many industries, including retail. The whole world is becoming more digitized by the day, which is why companies across sectors should prepare for a digital revolution. eSIMs are virtual SIM cards embedded in devices and can be easily connected, without a physical card. 

The retail sector must keep up with evolving customer needs and offer seamless communication to help companies achieve success much faster. In this way, they will allow better communication between systems, teams, and customers worldwide. eSIMs can actually aid in keeping up with these constant changes. 

eSIMs reduce the need for physical SIM cards, so retail customers won’t need to buy new SIM cards or switch between carriers. This also brings good news for companies, as they can remain secure and operate more smoothly. eSIMs have already revolutionized travel, and travelers worldwide are now seeking reliable eSIM providers when visiting a new place. The best answer in this regard is the Holafly travel eSIM, which provides unlimited data, a fast and reliable internet connection, and eliminates roaming charges. 

In this article, we will explore why eSIMs have started to reshape operations in the retail industry, so keep reading to learn more. 

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/gray-computer-monitor-fMntI8HAAB8 

What challenges are retailers facing with international mobile connectivity?

Global retailers are facing several issues that affect their connectivity and may reduce their chances of thriving and reaching their full potential. Here are some of them. 

Time consumption

Retail businesses still using traditional SIMs face time-consuming processes and struggle to manage their communication when operating across multiple regions. This is why they need to integrate various solutions, including using multiple SIM cards, working with inconsistent data plans, and juggling carrier contracts. Unfortunately, this consumes a lot of time, and time is precious, especially in the business landscape. 

Bad signal

Those in retail who are still relying on traditional options also have poor mobile signals, which can cause them to lose customer orders. This occurs because poor mobile signal quality can disrupt mobile apps and affect mobile payment systems. Customers don’t have the patience to wait for the site to recover, and they will most likely abandon their carts. This is why they need to fix this problem, if they don’t want to impact sales. 

Security risks

Traditional SIM cards also pose various security risks that can affect a company’s reputation. The SIM cards come with physical risks, such as losing or swapping them. This can open the door to unauthorized users who can access companies’ data, leading to data breaches. 

Why have retail companies turned to eSIMs?

eSIMs have emerged as a technology that can overcome the limitations of traditional SIM cards. Here are some of the benefits they bring to the retail industry. 

Instant connectivity

eSIMs are virtual SIMs already embedded in devices that can be connected in seconds with a simple QR code scan and by following the steps from the provider. This is why companies will no longer need to go to stores to buy other SIM cards and swap them out when they need a different kind of connectivity. This simplifies and saves time, which is why eSIMs are a better answer for the retail sector. 

Help with international launches

When a business expands into new markets, it needs connectivity to keep up with the information flowing between people. The good news is that eSIMs will greatly help them, as they simplify logistics and enable seamless communication.  In this way, staff across all business operations will remain connected. Moreover, they won’t need to deal with expensive roaming. With eSIMs, retailers will gain a long list of advantages, including faster data sharing, real-time collaboration, and greater social media engagement. 

Offering the right tools for employees working across borders

Now, remote work has enabled companies to hire employees from all over the world, including in the retail industry. However, when using traditional SIM cards, companies also had to pay roaming charges, which further increased costs. But eSIMs cut these roaming extra fees, so workers abroad can enjoy great connectivity without incurring expensive bills or experiencing less downtime. 

Enhanced security

As mentioned above, traditional SIM cards can also pose numerous security challenges. This is why it is good to know that eSIM solves some of these problems, offering more protection for global retail operations. eSIMs are more secure and easier to manage for all companies. eSIMs reduce vulnerabilities such as cloning and theft that are common with physical SIM cards. 

What might lie ahead for the retail industry with the integration of eSIMs?

eSIM technology has truly helped reshape the retail industry’s operations. In the future, as this technology grows in popularity, the number of retail partnerships will surely increase. eSIMs will continue to improve and offer many other advantages, such as private networks, 5G, and integration with other smart devices. With 5G, eSIMs can enhance low-latency connectivity and offer a faster solution. With this approach, new technologies can begin to emerge in eSIMs, such as augmented reality shopping experiences, real-time analytics, and seamless mobile payments. 

AI could also be integrated into other technologies beyond smart devices, such as AR-enabled tools, wearables, and sensors. 

The bottom line

Retailers that integrate eSIMs into their operations to reduce reliance on traditional SIMs will bring several advantages and gain a competitive edge. eSIMs offer better personalization, higher engagement, and greater convenience. This is why they won’t only reshape the operations of retail companies, but also the customer experience. eSIMs have the power to offer solutions to the retail industry, integrating them into more than just mobile devices. 

What’s your opinion about eSIMs in the retail sector? 

Elevate Your Writing With AI

By
Retail Insider
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Artificial intelligence has quickly transformed into a science fiction theme to a feasible product that alters the way we operate, study and create. AI is a frontier that is exciting to writers. It offers intelligent help that may assist in the polishing of academic arguments and inspire creativity. Learning to use those tools, writers will know how to become more skilled, effective, and push their creative limits. That development in writing does not involve substituting human prowess but supplementing it and forming an affiliation between author and algorithm.

Sponsored Love: 5 Smart Ways AI Writing Assistants Elevate Your Productivity

Artificial Intelligence Products in Academic Writing

Academic writing requires researchers and students to be precise, clearly organised, and well-researched. These tasks can be greatly simplified with the use of AI tools. They have the potential to structure ideas, which are logical, and have each argument backed well. To clarify, AI can be used to analyse large quantities of data and academic literature and summarise the significant themes and find pertinent sources in fractions of the time it would legally take humans to do the same. This level of business process automation can free up scholars to focus on critical analysis and original thought.

Moreover, these tools include the best refinement of language. They are able to propose different wording, run grammatical edits, and maintain an academic tone in a paper across the whole text. There are also more sophisticated platforms that assist in the creation of citations in a number of formats, minimising the chances of unintentional plagiarism. This type of help is something that cannot be overrated to write quality and polished academic work. Many are now using AI outsourcing services to handle the more tedious aspects of research and formatting.

AI Assistants in Creative Writing

Even creative writers suffer the feared writer block because ideas appear to disappear and the blank sheet of paper becomes a nightmare. AI could also be an inspirational co-pilot, providing ideas, recommending storyline developments, or even creating whole ideas of characters, to get the story back in motion. This use of outsourced intelligence can help writers explore new directions and overcome creative hurdles.

In addition to addressing the problem of writer block, AI tools can assist the author in improving his/her style. They are able to critique the prose of a writer and give an idea of how to slow down pace, use better words and increase descriptive language. This form of business process automation allows writers to experiment with different narrative voices and techniques, ultimately enriching their storytelling. Even the emotional tone of a piece can be analysed with the help of some AI tools, which will contribute to the assumption that the intended feeling will be delivered to the reader. Through these tools, writers are able to simplify their creative process and can put more focus on the core of their story. Using AI outsourcing services for brainstorming can save a huge amount of time.

The Math Solver application is created to give simple answers and explanations. It is also of great assistance to many students in doing their homework. You have to try it now to see how it works. The app can streamline operations AI for your study routine.

Ethical Considerations

Although AI provides effective support, there are significant moral obligations attributed to its application in writing. The first issue is originality. It is important that AI be used as a support tool rather than in place of original thinking. Over-importance and over-utilisation of AI generated text may result in plagiarism and deter academic or creative integrity. You need to cite them properly, and in case an AI tool assists in generating ideas or summarising sources, it must be stated accordingly, under the suggestions of your institution or publisher. This is where smart operations AI comes into play, helping to manage citations and check for originality.

Transparency is also key. Authors should specify the degree to which they have utilised AI in their work. This keeps the audience engaged and it is ethical. Ultimately, the goal is to use outsourced intelligence responsibly, ensuring that the final piece is a genuine reflection of the author’s own intellect and creativity. Adopting smart operations AI practises can help maintain this balance.

Replacing the Flesh with the Spirit

AI is not in the business of replacing the art of writing, it merely seeks to improve it. With the establishment of AI as an aid to writing, academic and creative authors can unlock new horizons of productiveness and creativity. These tools will get the backing to clarify arguments, inspire ideas and refine prose to perfection.

The only way to do it is to think about the AI in a conscientious and ethical way, with a constant in the back of the mind that it serves to help and not to substitute the human mind. Due to the further evolution of technologies, the collaboration between writers and AI will become stronger, and there are new opportunities in telling stories and academia. This is the future of streamline operations AI in the creative and academic fields.

Beyond Refunds: How AI-Driven Chargeback Prevention is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Retailers

By
Retail Insider
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Luxury fashion retail in Canada is going through weird times. High-end stores opening in some cities, closing in others. The reasons aren’t always what you’d expect either. Everyone talks about foot traffic and rent costs and online competition, all real factors obviously. But chargebacks are quietly killing profit margins for retailers who can’t control them, and this doesn’t get discussed much outside industry circles.

How Prevention Tech Affects Store Viability

Stores that implemented better chargeback management saw their dispute rates drop, which sounds obvious but the impact goes beyond just saving money on individual chargebacks. Tools like Chargeflow automate the dispute response process using AI, handling evidence collection and submission that used to take hours of manual work. Lower dispute rates mean better relationships with payment processors. That translates to lower processing fees overall, and for a luxury retailer doing millions in online transactions that difference in processing fees alone can determine whether a location stays profitable or needs to close.

The competitive advantage isn’t just preventing losses though. Retailers with good fraud prevention can afford to be more aggressive with their return policies and customer service, they’re not operating from a place of suspicion with every transaction. Customers notice when checkout is smooth and when returns get processed without hassle. Builds loyalty in a market where customers have lots of options, can shop anywhere they want basically. Physical store locations in Canada are expensive. Especially in premium retail districts where luxury brands need to be, the rent is insane. A location that’s marginally profitable can become unprofitable quickly if online fraud cuts into margins. Some store closures that got blamed on “changing consumer behavior” were probably more about operational costs including fraud losses that made the math stop working. Not the whole story obviously but part of it.

The Canadian Luxury Retail Landscape Right Now

Holt Renfrew keeps expanding in some markets while Nordstrom pulled out of Canada completely back in 2023. Saks OFF 5TH has been growing, Harry Rosen is consolidating stores. The luxury fashion market isn’t dying in Canada but it’s definitely shifting around. Who wins and who loses gets decided by factors beyond just having nice products or good locations.

Online sales changed everything. COVID accelerated that shift, it’s not going back to how things were. Stores that survived learned they needed strong e-commerce alongside physical locations, which seems obvious now but some retailers resisted for too long. The thing is, online transactions come with fraud risks that brick-and-mortar stores never dealt with at this scale. You can’t walk out of a store with a $2000 coat then call your credit card company claiming you never got it, doesn’t work that way.

Chargebacks happen when customers dispute charges with their bank instead of the retailer. Sometimes it’s legitimate fraud, stolen credit cards and stuff. Other times it’s friendly fraud where customers claim they never received items they actually got. Or they say products were damaged when they weren’t, trying to get free stuff basically. Luxury goods are prime targets because transaction amounts are high, makes fraud more profitable.

Why Chargebacks Hit Luxury Fashion Harder

A chargeback on a $15 item hurts but whatever, it’s manageable. A chargeback on a $3500 designer handbag or a $5000 men’s suit? That’s completely different math. The retailer loses the product and the money, plus chargeback fees from payment processors get added on top. Get enough chargebacks and payment processors start categorizing you as high-risk. Which means higher processing fees for all transactions, not just the fraudulent ones. This eats into margins that are already thin in luxury retail where inventory costs are massive to begin with.

Canadian luxury retailers dealing with cross-border transactions face extra complications too. Currency conversion, different fraud patterns by region, consumer protection laws that vary. A store selling to customers across Canada and internationally needs to verify transactions without creating so much friction that legitimate customers just abandon their carts. Getting that balance right is tricky, mess it up either way and you lose money.

Some luxury fashion retailers in Canada started using AI-driven prevention systems that analyze purchase patterns in real-time. The technology looks at hundreds of variables during checkout. Stuff like device fingerprinting, shipping address history, purchase behavior patterns, whether the customer’s email has been associated with fraud before. It all happens in seconds while the transaction processes, customers don’t even notice usually.

The Tech Isn’t Perfect But It Helps

AI prevention systems make mistakes, legitimate customers sometimes get flagged which is frustrating for everyone. The technology needs constant adjustment because fraud patterns evolve, what worked six months ago might not catch new schemes today. Retailers need staff who understand the systems and can handle false positives without losing sales, which requires training and knowledge that not every store has.

Smaller luxury boutiques in Canada struggle to afford sophisticated prevention tools that bigger chains use. The technology exists but subscription costs and setup aren’t trivial, it’s a real investment. This creates a gap where large retailers can protect themselves better than independent stores. Affects who survives in competitive markets. An independent boutique losing 2 percent of revenue to chargebacks might not make it, while a chain can absorb those losses across multiple locations and stay afloat.

Conclusion

The luxury fashion retailers opening new Canadian locations now are the ones who figured out their operational costs including fraud prevention. They’re not just betting on having desirable products, they’re managing the entire transaction ecosystem better than competitors who closed down. Chargeback prevention became part of baseline infrastructure needed to operate profitably, not an optional add-on anymore.

Technology keeps improving and getting more accessible, which helps. Cloud-based prevention tools with lower upfront costs are making it possible for mid-sized retailers to compete with bigger players on fraud prevention. The gap is narrowing but it’s still there, still matters. Five years from now the Canadian luxury retail landscape will probably look different again. Fraud management will be one of several factors determining which stores are still around, not the only thing that matters but pretending it doesn’t matter at all misses a big part of why some retailers succeed while others don’t. The stores that survive will be the ones that figured this out along with everything else that goes into running a profitable luxury retail operation.

Eataly Opens 4th Toronto Location at CF Toronto Eaton Centre

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

Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre opened to the public on Tuesday afternoon, marking an important moment for the Italian marketplace. The launch represents Eataly’s fourth permanent Toronto location and reinforces the brand’s deepening relationship with the local community since entering Canada in 2019. The new two-level, 25,000 square foot space arrives at a time of renewed energy downtown, positioned inside Canada’s busiest shopping centre and situated on Toronto’s highest-traffic pedestrian corridor. Drawing on years of local momentum and a growing audience of loyal guests, the opening further underscores Eataly’s confidence in the Toronto market and its long-term expansion strategy within the country.

Tommaso Brusò, CEO of Eataly North America, said the launch reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to Canada. “Eataly Eaton Centre is a continuation of our story in Canada, cementing our appreciation for the community we have built here since first opening Eataly Yorkville in 2019. As an icon of the city and a premier destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, we are excited to bring a taste of Italy to CF Toronto Eaton Centre’s impressive roster of retailers, just in time for the holiday season.”

Tommaso Brusò, CEO of Eataly North America

The opening also extends Eataly’s growing relationship with landlord Cadillac Fairview. CF Toronto Eaton Centre becomes the brand’s third location within a CF property in the city, following earlier openings at CF Sherway Gardens and CF Shops at Don Mills. Eataly’s first Canadian store debuted at Manulife Centre in Yorkville in 2019 (in a non-CF property). The brand’s continued expansion across multiple property types demonstrates how adaptable Eataly’s marketplace model is within Toronto’s varied retail environments, from an upscale mixed-use complex to a suburban regional mall and now North America’s most visited shopping destination.

A Two-Level Experience Anchored by Dining, Marketplace Retail, and Grab-and-Go Counters

The new Eataly CF Toronto Eaton Centre spans more than 25,000 square feet over two floors formerly part of Nordstrom’s footprint. The layout was designed to deliver what Eataly executives describe as a full Italian experience for guests looking to shop, dine, or explore. The main floor features quick-service counters and grab-and-go offerings, while the upper level brings together full-service restaurants, marketplace retail, a wine shop, and the immersive atmosphere that has become central to the brand’s identity.

During an interview ahead of the opening, Brusò explained that the split-level design is intended to respond to the needs of the site and the movement patterns of the mall. “It is on two floors, so we have the ground floor where it is more like a service area with the entrance from the street where people can buy, take a pizza or something. Then the upper floor is more like the restaurant, the Eataly that we know. It is really a destination, but it also considers the mall and the traffic of the mall.”

He described CF Toronto Eaton Centre as a location uniquely suited to a fast-paced grab-and-go element with a deeper full-service experience upstairs. “Inside the mall of course there is a lot of traffic. The size we open, we think is the right size where you can really have this environment with the food, the atmosphere, and the furniture is very Italian.”

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

La Pizza & La Pasta Anchors the Full-Service Dining Experience

At the heart of Eataly CF Toronto Eaton Centre is La Pizza & La Pasta, the signature restaurant concept found across many of the company’s locations globally. The new 190-seat restaurant focuses on Neapolitan pizza and artisanal pasta prepared by expert pizzaioli and pasta chefs. Dishes include classic regional combinations and seasonal specialties such as white truffle offerings. The robust wine list features more than one hundred labels, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to presenting a curated selection of Italian varietals.

Nearby, La Piazza offers a more intimate bar and restaurant setting with fifty seats. The menu centres on aperitivo culture, with Italian wines and hand-shaken cocktails that range from classic spritzes to creations like the Earl Grey Vodka Martini, smoked tableside. Light fare includes freshly baked focaccia and shareable plates of salumi and formaggi.

Brusò said the aim is to create emotional resonance through the dining experience. “It is about emotion. It is important that we keep this emotional element because we are competing with the quality of time people spend. People spend a lot of time in the store because they enjoy the experience.”

Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, November 25, 2025. Photo: Craig Patterson
Second floor, Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, November 25, 2025. Photo: Craig Patterson
Second floor restaurant at Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, November 25, 2025. Photo: Craig Patterson

Marketplace Retail and a Dedicated Wine Shop Enhance the Offering

The marketplace retail area offers a substantial selection of Made in Italy products, including olive oils, balsamic vinegars, artisanal pasta, tomatoes, imported goods, cheeses, cured meats, and ready-to-cook essentials.

The assortment reflects Eataly’s long-standing commitment to small producers, traditional Italian food craftsmanship, and Slow Food principles.

A counter for fresh pasta and cut-to-order salumi and formaggi anchors the retail level, while the wine shop expands the offering significantly. With more than five hundred labels and selections from all twenty regions of Italy, the wine store is one of the most comprehensive Italian wine destinations in Canada.

Brusò noted that local partnerships continue to be essential for the company’s Canadian operations. Eataly CF Toronto Eaton Centre carries Toronto-area and Ontario products as part of its expanded produce and specialty food range. “We work with local producers on the fresh side. We work with some local producers on cheese and different things. We try to integrate the local community because from the day we open, we start to engage. We want to become part of the community.”

Second floor of Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, November 25, 2025. Photo: Craig Patterson
Escalators at Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, November 25, 2025. Photo: Craig Patterson

Quick-Service Counters Bring Accessible Italian Essentials to the Main Level

The main level of the new Eataly CF Toronto Eaton Centre location features several quick-service counters designed for mall guests seeking a fast bite or a takeaway option.

These include Il Gran Caffè with Illy espresso, La Pasticceria with classic Italian pastries, Il Gelato with gelato and sorbetto, and Pizza alla Pala serving Roman-style pizza by the slice and stuffed farcita sandwiches. The quick-service strategy reflects Eataly’s ability to integrate its Italian culinary identity into high-traffic environments where convenience is a priority.

Brusò emphasized that this format is intentional. “There is an entrance from the street, so people can have a bite of Eataly and walk outside. The retail experience and the restaurant are there. The upper level is the Eataly that people know from our other locations.”

Main floor of Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, November 25, 2025. Photo: Craig Patterson
Main floor of Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, November 25, 2025. Photo: Craig Patterson

A Growing Network of Toronto Locations Demonstrates Strong Local Demand

With the opening of Eataly CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto now becomes one of the rare cities outside Italy to support four permanent locations, plus a seasonal pop-up in the Distillery District. The city’s first location, the 50,000-square-foot Yorkville flagship at Manulife Centre, opened in 2019 and remains Eataly’s largest store in Canada.

CF Sherway Gardens followed in 2023 with a more streamlined 25,000 sq ft concept, and Eataly CF Shops at Don Mills opened in 2024 as a compact 9,800-square-foot space with a curated offering suited to the open-air shopping centre.

Brusò said the Toronto market has proven to be exceptionally strong, noting that each location continues to perform well. “Toronto is a place to be. I am familiar with North America and especially Toronto, and I have seen what has happened in the last years. It is really like New York with a lot of young people, very vibrant. For me, Toronto is a hub of Italian culture and lifestyle.”

Main floor lease plan showing Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre
Second floor lease plan showing Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre

He added that the city can support two downtown locations. “Of course there is a potential of cannibilization, but we believe the market can sustain it. The Eaton Centre is very high traffic with commuters and visitors. The other downtown location is more of a destination. We believe both can thrive.”

When asked whether the company plans further Toronto or national expansion, Brusò said the team remains open to opportunities. “Never say never. We see for now there is nothing in the radar for another location, but I never say never. We have the Distillery pop-up and we like that concept. It could become permanent one day.”

He also noted that the company continues to explore other cities in Canada. “Canada is a market we are looking at. If the right opportunity comes, why not.”

Second floor grocery at Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, November 25, 2025. Photo: Craig Patterson
Second floor of Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, November 25, 2025. Photo: Craig Patterson

Celebrating the Opening with Ten Days of Community Events

To mark the launch, Eataly CF Toronto Eaton Centre will offer ten days of complimentary tastings, demonstrations, and community-focused programming starting Wednesday, November 26. Brusò described this initiative as central to the brand’s philosophy of creating meaningful local ties. “This is the way to engage the community. We want to become part of the community, and we start to engage from the moment we open.”

Globally, Eataly has more than sixty locations in fifteen countries and continues to embark on an ambitious expansion plan. The CF Toronto Eaton Centre opening strengthens the brand’s North American presence and marks its eighteenth location on the continent.

Since 2023, Investindustrial has held a majority stake in the company, supporting new openings across major international cities. Canadian company Wittington owns a share of Eataly in Canada. 

Brusò said North America remains a key market. “Canada and the United States are central to our strategy. What is important is that we maintain the emotional concept of our stores. For us, living well is our mission. Everything we do connects to that.”

More from Retail Insider:

Cyber Week Early Signals Show Market Divide

By
Retail Insider
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A woman shopping with her son in a grocery store. Photo: Unsplash

By Elizabeth Shobert, Centric Software

The official start of Cyber Week is upon us, and itʼs time to read the signals about where the market stands and what we might expect over the coming month.

This season is shaping up around three contradictory truths all moving at full speed. On one side, value retailers are posting strong earnings and entering Cyber Week with the confidence of clear consumer demand: deep deals, bulk value, and convenience continue to win the day (think TJX, Costco, Walmart). On another, luxury (Hermès, Richemont, LVMH) is humming along on its own frequency, insulated for now by high-income shoppers who havenʼt pulled back, even as the broader market cools…though aspirational shoppers are noticeably more cautious. And running between them is everyone else: department stores, specialty players, mid-tier brands, all caught in a promotional arms race where margins are tight, loyalty is fickle, and algorithmic visibility means everything.

The result is a holiday landscape that feels both energized and, if weʼre honest, a bit uneasy. Shoppers are trading down and trading up simultaneously, hitting Walmart for essentials, Sephora for gifts, and Amazon for everything in between, each channel chosen with sharp intentionality. It isn’t just product retailers are competing on, theyʼre also competing on value perception, storytelling, convenience, and speed. And this Cyber Week, the winners wonʼt be determined by who discounts the most, but by who calibrates best: the smartest promotions, the clearest value proposition, and the most frictionless path from cart to doorstep.

With these themes in the back of our minds, let’s take a look at the latest market data.

Current Market Data

In the US market, weʼre seeing a clear trend: the share of merchandise on sale is running lower than last year, across both apparel and footwear. The clothing gap has narrowed in the past week, but footwear still sits roughly 3-4 points below last yearʼs discount levels, a meaningful signal that US retailers have kept inventories tighter (a necessity for many due to tariff volatility) and have avoided early-season promotional overreach.

Average Weekly Discount Penetration: US Clothing + Footwear. Data: Centric Software

If we look at the UK market, the opposite trend is playing out. This year’s discounting has been tracking higher across both apparel and footwear, although levels have declined slightly over the past few weeks. The macro backdrop: persistent cost-of-living pressure is clearly pushing retailers toward deeper promotional moves earlier in the season.

Average Weekly Discount Penetration: UK Clothing + Footwear. Data: Centric Software.

Where Discounting Is Concentrated

Zooming in, the November markdown landscape reveals just how differently the US and UK entered the season.

Most Discounted Categories During November. Data: Centric Software.

In the US, the categories most likely to be on sale were grounded in basics, think cargo pants, chinos, camisoles, even skinny jeans, signaling retailers cleaning up slow-moving apparel without resorting to broad, margin-eroding discounts. Footwear, notably, was largely absent from the list, a sign that American retailers planned conservatively or saw healthier sell-through in shoes.

Across the Atlantic, the story is completely different. UK retailers leaned heavily on promotions, with dresses, skirts and occasionwear posting discount penetration levels north of 55%. Itʼs a much more aggressive stance, suggesting softer consumer demand and greater inventory pressure. Altogether it looks like there will be a far more promotional holiday experience for UK shoppers compared with their US counterparts.

Whatʼs Selling Through at Full Price

The sold-out data adds another layer, an insight into true demand strength.

In the US, shoppers are snapping up activewear, outerwear, and boots at full price. These are categories with momentum and tight inventory discipline, indicating retailers have anticipated demand accurately and have not needed to discount to move product.

Categories with the Highest Sold Out Rates in November – Non-Discounted Products. Data: Centric Software.

In the UK, the fastest-selling items are lighter, transitional pieces, including skorts, camisoles, swim, and shorts. Itʼs a clear indicator that UK consumers are still reluctant to commit to full-price winter apparel and are favoring seasonless staples and perhaps even planning warm-weather travel.

So What Does This Mean?

All signs point to a holiday season that will unfold unevenly and, in many cases, later than usual. With US shoppers buying selectively and UK consumers waiting for deeper deals, much of the real conversion may not materialize until mid-December, when urgency finally overrides hesitation. That means retailers need to stay agile: inventory thatʼs well-positioned and promotions that can be adjusted in real time will determine who captures this late-season surge.

The divide between markets, and between value, luxury, and the pressured middle, makes a one- size-fits-all strategy impossible. Success this year will hinge on precision: targeted promotions, clear value communication, and operational speed that supports last-minute purchasing. Retailers that stay disciplined now will protect margins and enter 2026 in a stronger position, while those who over- promote early may find themselves out of room when demand actually hits. In a season defined by delay and unpredictability, the winners will be the ones prepared to perform when the clock runs out.

This content was developed in partnership with Retail Insider and Centric Software. To work with Retail Insider, email Craig Patterson at craig@retail-insider.com

Moomoo Plants A Fintech Flagship On Bloor Street

By
Craig Patterson
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Moomoo Trade/Moomoo Financial Canada Experience Store at 95A Bloor St. W. in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson

Toronto’s Bloor Street luxury corridor has welcomed a new occupant, and it is neither a fashion label nor a jeweller. Moomoo Financial Canada has opened its first Canadian bricks-and-mortar presence at 95A Bloor Street West, unveiling an experience-driven hub for active investors in a heritage-listed building surrounded by Hermès, Van Cleef & Arpels and Rolex. The move places a global fintech brand on one of the most valuable retail streets in the country and signals a different kind of expansion strategy in Canada’s increasingly competitive financial services sector.

The Moomoo Experience Store Toronto, measuring nearly 10,000 square feet across 95A Bloor and an adjoining structure, is designed as a community centre for market learning rather than a traditional bank branch. For Michael Arbus, CEO of Moomoo Financial Canada, the decision to enter the Canadian market through the nation’s most prestigious retail corridor was both strategic and symbolic.

“We thought that from a brand equity standpoint, if you are going to put up a retail facing storefront, why not pick the best and the brightest and the most premium luxury to associate with our brand,” Arbus said in an interview with Retail Insider. “Globally, this is a worthwhile stand for Canadians because it shows that we are here, that we care, that we want to spend and invest in Canada.”

The lease for the 95A Bloor storefront, branded ‘Moomoo Trade’, was represented on the landlord side by Arlin Markowitz and Emily Everett of CBRE’s Toronto Urban Retail Team. Robert Weinberg of Oberfeld Snowcap represented Moomoo Financial.

A Global Platform Looks to Deepen Its Canadian Footprint

Moomoo is a substantial player in global retail trading markets. Founded in Silicon Valley in 2018 and backed by Futu Holdings, a Nasdaq-listed fintech group headquartered in Hong Kong, the company now serves more than 27 million users across seven markets. Its platform is known for real-time data, technical indicators, options trading in supported regions and social investing tools designed for active retail traders.

Canada joined that global footprint in 2023 when OTT Financial Canada rebranded as Moomoo Financial Canada Inc. The firm now operates as a regulated investment dealer and offers trading in Canadian and U.S. stocks and ETFs with registered and non-registered account types. The Canadian app emphasizes advanced analytics, Level 2 data and extended trading hours, aiming to compete directly with established discount brokerages and newer digital trading platforms.

By choosing Bloor Street as its first Canadian physical location, Moomoo is signalling that its brand belongs among the most visible and high-traffic retail tenants in the country. “We had reached a point where it was enough about being just a financial technology firm,” Arbus said. “We wanted to show that we are committed to this market.”

Moomoo Trade/Moomoo Financial Canada Experience Store at 95A Bloor St. W. in Toronto. Photo taken from 100 Bloor St. W. above Hermes. Photo: Craig Patterson

A Heritage Corner With a Future Super-Tall Tower

Moomoo’s new storefront occupies one of the most distinctive retail buildings on the Mink Mile. Known historically as the Georg Jensen Silversmiths location and, later, the Victorinox Swiss Army flagship, the property at 95A Bloor Street West is listed on Toronto’s heritage register as an early modernist commercial building. Its façade, with unusually large mid-twentieth-century display windows extending across two storeys, cannot be demolished.

“Architecturally, we were not allowed to touch the exterior at all,” Arbus said. “It is totally protected space because it was designed by one of the first architects in Toronto to use large open retail storefront windows.”

That façade will eventually be incorporated into a proposed 79-storey mixed-use tower that spans 83–95A Bloor Street West. Plans call for a retail podium beneath more than one thousand residential units. While zoning and site plan approvals continue, the heritage designation means the Bloor frontage will remain standing and integrated into the redevelopment.

For Moomoo, that heritage protection offers an unexpected benefit. “Our space is not even getting demolished,” Arbus said. “If the condo market takes time to advance, we have bought a decade and that is where we live out our brand development. It is a great starting point.”

The company took a second adjoining building on the corner to secure the full presence it wanted. “The second space was just the lesser of evils in order to secure that corner,” Arbus explained. “We had to take both.”

Moomoo Trade/Moomoo Financial Canada Experience Store at 95A Bloor St. W. in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson

A Retail Storefront That Does Not Sell Anything

One of the most unusual qualities of the Moomoo Experience Store Toronto is that it functions without any traditional retail transactions. No accounts are opened onsite. No funds are moved. There are no teller counters and no investment products to buy.

“When we say store, what are we actually selling,” Arbus asked. “There is nothing we are selling. We are just a location for people from the community to walk in, warm up on a cold day and talk about what is happening in the investment universe.”

The space is designed to demystify market concepts, particularly for Canadians who feel disconnected from active trading culture. Visitors can explore the app on large interactive screens, ask staff about fundamentals like options or technical indicators and sit in on learning sessions in an environment that removes the intimidation factor typical of financial offices.

“Smarter trading starts with smarter investors and that is what Moomoo is all about,” Arbus said in the press release announcing the opening. “Whether you are just starting out or fine-tuning your strategy, we want Canadians to feel empowered to take control of their financial future and have a little fun doing it.”

Moomoo Trade/Moomoo Financial Canada Experience Store at 95A Bloor St. W. in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson
Moomoo Trade/Moomoo Financial Canada Experience Store at 95A Bloor St. W. in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson

Creating a Space for Community and Conversation

The ground floor serves as the entry point to Moomoo’s brand, but the second level is where the company wants to cultivate community life. The team has created a lounge-style venue with a large screen to host talks, demonstrations and events. The setup has been deliberately kept flexible so that visitors from a range of backgrounds can use it.

“Anyone who wants to use our space to host a community event of any kind, it is open,” Arbus said. “We want mom groups pushing strollers during the day who want a place to meet, have a coffee and maybe get their brains engaged talking about investment.”

He adds that the company will personally participate in many of those gatherings. “I love talking about this stuff. If it means that we get more people using our app, that is great. If not, it is okay. We are here.”

The plan includes regular educational sessions in partnership with post-secondary institutions. “If it is Thursday night and you are business or medical students who will be making money one day, come and learn a bit about option trading before you go out,” Arbus said. “That is the intention.”

Looking north on St. Thomas Street towards 100 Bloor St. W.: Moomoo Trade/Moomoo Financial Canada Experience Store at 95A Bloor St. W. in Toronto. Photo: supplied

Aligning AI Tools With In-Person Support

One of the distinctive features of Moomoo’s global platform is its integration of artificial intelligence to help traders interpret news, trends and analytics. Canadian users can already ask the app’s AI system questions about sectors, technologies or market events, with the platform surfacing data and research rather than providing advice.

“We are the first broker in Canada to have an AI platform built into the app that is focused on you,” Arbus said. “We do not give you advice, but we lead you with information.”

The store extends that digital experience into a human-led setting where staff can show visitors how to research a topic or use the tools. “I cannot advise you, but here is where I would research that myself,” Arbus said. “Can I talk you through how to do that.”

He frames the approach as part of a broader shift toward investor empowerment at a time when Canadians face rising costs, market volatility and the emerging pressures of generational wealth transfer. “We work way too hard to make money,” he said. “I hate seeing people give it up for free to someone who says, give me two percent of your funds a year.”

Grand opening of Moomoo Trade/Moomoo Financial Canada Experience Store at 95A Bloor St. W. in Toronto. on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Photo: Moomoo Financial Canada

Challenging Canada’s Passive Investment Culture

Arbus believes many Canadians have been discouraged from learning about investing because traditional institutions reinforce a passive approach. “The typical Canadian profile seems to be more loyal to our banks, more complacent and prepared to pay for advice,” he said. “In other parts of the world, people rely on themselves. They join communities and use advanced tools.”

He argues that the middle section of the investing public, those between full-service advisory accounts and app-based novices, has been underserved. “Most people never get enough money to warrant getting a phone call from an advisor,” Arbus said. “They ignored this middle section.”

This is where the Moomoo flagship on Bloor Street is meant to intervene. The concept aims to show that active learning, community discussion and technologically advanced tools can live together in an accessible, street-facing retail environment. The Moomoo Experience Store Toronto is therefore a strategic introduction of the brand to a market that has historically leaned toward conservative investment behaviours.

Windows in the Moomoo Trade/Moomoo Financial Canada Experience Store at 95A Bloor St. W. in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson

A Test Case for National Expansion

The company sees the Bloor Street location as its Canadian beachhead, one that can grow into a network of similar experience stores across major cities. “We look at Canada by entering a market, hiring great Canadians and building out the brand,” Arbus said. “Then we spread across Canada.”

Other markets where Moomoo operates have adopted this model, with stores now opening internationally in tandem. “This is happening at the same time in seven different markets,” Arbus said. “Everything is becoming standardized.”

Traffic at the new location has already exceeded expectations. During Santa Claus parade weekend, close to a thousand people stepped inside over two days, driven by curiosity about the concept. For a brand that entered Canada just over a year ago, the initial footfall is promising.

Even with the site’s eventual redevelopment, the heritage designation ensures the Bloor property has time before construction begins, giving Moomoo the runway it needs to establish its presence. The company’s initial two-year lease can be extended, and Arbus suggests the team is ready for a long tenure. “We are locked into it for a long time,” he said.

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Canadian trust in AI is low, survey finds

By
Craig Patterson
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AI shopping cart. Image: Unsplash

A new national study reveals that Canadians have little faith in artificial intelligence technologies, particularly AI-powered search tools. The survey, conducted by Toronto-based digital marketing firm dNOVO, asked more than 2,000 Canadians to rate their trust in a wide range of industries, companies, and technologies. AI search tools came in last, with a trust rating of just 1.91 out of 5, behind even lawmakers at 2.08.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, healthcare providers ranked as the most trusted industry, earning an average score of 3.77 out of 5. Traditional service sectors such as plumbing and HVAC followed with 3.08, while tech companies (2.38), financial services (2.44), insurance (2.35), and government services (2.34) all fell into what researchers described as a “low-trust zone.”

According to the study, this growing skepticism toward digital tools signals a pivotal moment for businesses that depend on AI-driven discovery or recommendation. As AI becomes more visible in consumer search and marketing, Canadians appear increasingly wary of its influence and transparency.

“If it’s free, you’re the product”

Ben Treanor, founder and managing director of Break of Dawn, which collaborates with dNOVO on research and communications initiatives, says the low scores reflect genuine unease around data privacy and manipulation.

“People are much more careful about data collection and what’s actually being recorded,” said Treanor. “If something’s free, you’re the product. That’s something that younger people should be a little more aware of.”

He noted that many Canadians remain unsure what happens to personal data shared through AI chat and search tools. “People are freely putting in their medical data or their legal problems — very sensitive information that you probably wouldn’t tell your next-door neighbor — but you’re happy to tell it to a company like OpenAI,” Treanor explained. “There may be some pushback on that eventually.”

Word-of-mouth remains most trusted

The study also examined what Canadians rely on when deciding which companies to trust. Despite the surge in digital information sources, recommendations from friends and family still rank highest, scoring 4.31 out of 5.

Online communities such as Reddit perform well with a score of 3.85, followed by Google Reviews at 3.25. Yet AI-generated recommendations landed last at 1.92, reinforcing the perception that Canadians place little confidence in machine-generated advice.

Treanor said the results confirm what many marketers already sense. “People very much like to read experiential testimony from other people in niche communities, but word of mouth still beats that,” he said. “It’s interesting that the oldest of all these methods remains the most trusted.”

What breaks consumer trust

The dNOVO survey asked Canadians which actions most often cause them to lose trust in a business. Dishonesty or sharing misleading information was the top reason, cited by 26 percent of respondents. That was followed by poor product or service quality (21 percent), negative or discriminatory behavior by a company or its employees (13 percent), privacy violations (12 percent), and poor customer service (9 percent).

For retailers and service providers, the message is straightforward. Canadians value honesty and quality above all else. Once a business is perceived as deceptive, it becomes very difficult to win consumers back, even if prices are competitive or products are popular.

Retailers should tread carefully with AI integration

As artificial intelligence becomes more visible in search, shopping, and personalization, Treanor cautions that retailers should focus on clarity and consent. “We’re predicting a shift from review websites with affiliate links to those same monetized recommendations showing up directly in AI,” he said. “If that isn’t fully apparent to consumers, I think people will really come to distrust it.”

He explained that this evolution could funnel more revenue back to major AI platforms at the expense of independent websites, blogs, and news outlets. “A lot of bloggers have been making their living this way,” Treanor said. “But in the last Google update, many saw their traffic drop by 90 percent overnight. The line between what is news and what is an advertisement is getting more blurred every day.”

A cautious Canadian consumer

For Canadian retailers and brands, the findings underscore the need for transparency, consistency, and human connection. While AI tools can improve efficiency behind the scenes, such as inventory management or fraud detection, Canadians remain skeptical of AI as a trusted advisor or recommender.

Retailers that use AI in marketing or customer engagement should clearly explain how data is collected and ensure that any automated communication feels personal and ethical. The survey also suggests that authentic, in-person experiences and peer recommendations carry far more weight than algorithmic suggestions.

“Older Canadians aren’t rejecting AI outright,” said Treanor. “They’re withholding judgment until it proves itself reliable.”

Building trust in an AI-driven marketplace

The dNOVO survey provides a roadmap for how companies can maintain credibility in an increasingly automated economy. That begins with earning, and keeping, consumer trust through transparency, integrity, and service quality.

Canadians are pragmatic. They may use AI-powered tools daily, but they are not yet ready to hand over decision-making to machines. Businesses that communicate openly about how technology supports, rather than replaces, human judgment will stand out.

The lesson is simple but timely: trust must be earned the human way, even in an age of AI.

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H&R REIT selling 27 Canadian retail properties and some office properties for $1.5 billion

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Photo: H&R REIT
Photo: H&R REIT

H&R Real Estate Investment Trust announced Tuesday it has entered into binding agreements with multiple buyers to sell retail and office properties in Canada and the United States.

Total gross proceeds before transaction costs amount to $1.5 billion which approximates the September 30, 2025 aggregate IFRS values for these assets, said the REIT.

Tom Hofstedter, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer, said: “These sales accelerate the REIT’s portfolio simplification strategy of selling office and retail properties, while reducing leverage and positioning the REIT to drive sustainable long-term value for all unitholders. In June 2021 when we announced the strategy, our Residential and Industrial segments amounted to 35% of our total portfolio. After these sales, our Residential and Industrial segments will amount to 83% of our total real estate assets. We will begin to market a number of other properties to aggressively accelerate this strategy.”

The assets to be sold are:  

 1) H&R’s non-managing 33.1% ownership interest in Echo Realty, L.P.’s U.S. retail portfolio;
 2) 27 Canadian retail properties;
 3) Hess Tower, a Houston office property;
 4) 145 Wellington, a downtown Toronto office property; and
 5) 88 McNabb, an office property in the Greater Toronto Area (“GTA”).

“These assets contributed $33.3 million to Q3 2025 Same-Property net operating income (cash basis) which does not reflect the impact of Hess Corporation’s previously announced plan to vacate one-third of the Hess Tower in June 2026, representing 278,850 square feet of space. Had these sales and the anticipated debt repayments been made at the end of Q2 2025, Funds from Operations (“FFO”)  in Q3 2025 would have been lower by approximately $0.06 per unit. H&R expects its proforma debt to Adjusted EBITDA at the REIT’s proportionate share before any unit repurchases to be 8.7x. H&R expects to keep this ratio below 9.0x on a go-forward basis. H&R expects to incur approximately U.S. $0.9 million in U.S. taxes upon the sale of these assets,” explained the REIT.

“Following the completion of the $1.5 billion of sales, the proportion of the REIT’s portfolio comprised of Residential and Industrial assets will increase from 69% to 83%. The only remaining retail sq.ft. will be part of a mixed-use property at River Landing in Miami comprising 528 residential units, 341,771 sq.ft. of retail space and 149,178 sq.ft. of office space.”

The sale of one retail property is expected to close in Q4 2025 and the rest of the property sales are expected to close in January 2026. The sales are subject to customary closing conditions. The sale of 88 McNabb, a 74,592 square foot office property in the GTA, is still subject to the buyer’s due diligence, added the REIT.

H&R said it remains in negotiations to sell two Canadian office properties in Toronto (310, 320 & 330 Front St. W. and 25 Sheppard Ave. W.). H&R is not expecting to enter into any other binding sale agreements in 2025. 

H&R REIT is one of Canada’s largest real estate investment trusts with total assets of approximately $9.6 billion as at September 30, 2025. H&R REIT has ownership interests in a Canadian and U.S. portfolio comprised of high-quality residential, industrial, office and retail properties comprising over 25.7 million square feet.

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Salvation Army opens 40th Ontario Thrift Store

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Every purchase and donation made at The Salvation Army Thrift Store directly contributes to the organization’s mission of giving hope and transforming lives. (CNW Group/The Salvation Army Thrift Store – National Recycling Operations)

The Salvation Army Thrift Store is opening a new 10,000-square-foot location in Peterborough on Nov. 27, marking the organization’s 40th store in Ontario.

The store, located at 81 George St. N, will offer a range of affordable clothing and household goods. The organization says proceeds from purchases and donations help fund local Salvation Army programs, including food banks, shelters, addiction rehabilitation and emergency relief services.

Ted Troughton
Ted Troughton

“As more people look for ways to stretch their budgets while making sustainable choices, we’re thrilled to open our doors in Peterborough,” said Ted Troughton, managing director of The Salvation Army Thrift Store.

 “This new location will provide an accessible shopping experience for individuals and families while helping fund Salvation Army programs and services that support those in need.”

Troughton said each new store contributes to the organization’s community work.

“Each store opening is more than an expansion. It’s an opportunity to make a difference,” he said. “Together with our donors and guests, we’re helping build stronger, more resilient communities, and we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone at the grand opening this Thursday at 10 a.m.”

The new store will sell gently used clothing, household items, electronics, art and books. Shopping hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and donations are accepted daily. A full list of accepted items and store hours is available at thriftstore.ca.

The Thrift Store (National Recycling Operations) is a non-profit organization and the only national division of The Salvation Army. Through its 95 Thrift Stores across Canada, the organization offers savings on gently used clothing, textiles, and household items while generating funds to support local programs, services, and emergency relief efforts. As one of the country’s largest textile collectors and a leader in textile diversion in the charitable sector, The Salvation Army Thrift Store diverted over 80 million pounds of items from landfills last year.

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Holiday shoppers lean on AI for deals but remain cautious about next iteration of AI-powered buying: KPMG

By
Mario Toneguzzi
-
Photo: Antoni Shkraba Studio
Photo: Antoni Shkraba Studio

Ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, more than three-in-four Canadians (78 per cent) say they plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to guide their holiday shopping this season, finds a new KPMG in Canada survey. 

Yet, almost as many (76 per cent) expressed hesitancy about relying entirely on agentic AI to do their shopping, saying it would feel impersonal and take the sentimental touch away from gift giving, said the report.

“Most consumers already use AI-powered tools, like personalized recommendations, product reviews, price comparisons on retailer websites and apps, and conversational platforms like ChatGPT or Gemini, to research deals,” explained KPMG.

“Agentic AI goes a step further, helping consumers plan and prepare actions, such as building a shopping cart or scheduling delivery, but still requiring user confirmations at key steps. The next iteration will be autonomous agentic AI agents that can manage tasks end-to-end from placing orders to arranging returns with minimal human intervention. While major U.S. retailers are already piloting these solutions, in Canada, adoption is still in its early stage.

Elliot Marer
Elliot Marer

“Canadians want the best deals and are turning to AI tools to help, especially as many households are feeling the pinch of rising costs,” said Elliot Marer, National Leader, Consumer and Retail, KPMG in Canada. “Whether browsing for deals, checking store stock or reading reviews, consumers are using technology to plan before they buy. However, when it comes to agentic AI shopping agents, Canadians remain hesitant, with most (86 per cent) wanting to remain in control.

“For retailers, building trust will be critical through transparency, easy opt-ins, and human-in-the-loop options, so that technology enhances rather than replaces the personal touch at the heart of holiday shopping.”

Key survey highlights:

  • 78 per cent of 1,200 Canadians say they are likely to use AI before choosing where to shop;
  • 32 per cent very likely;
  • 46 per cent somewhat likely;
  • 14 per cent unlikely;
  • 8 per cent very unlikely;
  • 72 per cent say agentic AI-powered shopping feels impersonal;
  • 60 per cent feel agentic AI takes away the personal touch of holiday shopping;
  • 86 per cent want to approve every step before an AI agent acts, 50 per cent of who strongly agree

According to the survey, KPMG said excitement and curiosity in AI shopping agents is strongest among younger Canadians, 54 per cent among those 18 to 24, 42 per cent among 25-34, and 39 per cent between 35-44 years old. Interest declines with age, dropping to 22 per cent among those 55-64 and 19 per cent among adults 65-84.

The survey shows that 57 per cent of consumers want an AI agent to automatically apply the best discounts and offers at checkout, 52 per cent would like personalized product recommendations across retailers, and 51 per cent want proactive alerts when items go on sale or return to stock, said KPMG.

Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko
Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko

Additionally, 38 per cent say they’d be more likely to use an AI agent if it managed loyalty and rewards programs.When asked what specific tasks  they’d be most comfortable using AI agents for, 44 per cent say comparing prices or applying coupons, 31 per cent say checking store inventory, and 30 per cent say finding gift ideas or personalized recommendations. However, 33 per cent say they wouldn’t be comfortable using any kind of agentic AI agent. Sixty per cent of respondents said they would feel uncomfortable allowing an autonomous end-to- end AI agent to make purchases on their behalf, it said. 

“Overall, we are seeing a more tech-savvy yet cautious consumer, one who embraces digital convenience but demands transparency and choice. Canadians are ready to use these tools but not to surrender control,” said Marer.

The report said privacy and control remain the key barriers to adoption. According to the survey, 78 per cent of Canadians express concern about the privacy of their personal data when using agentic AI agents to shop. Eighty-five per cent agree they’re not comfortable sharing financial details with AI tools, over half (52 per cent) strongly agreeing.

Katie Bolla
Katie Bolla

“Consumers demand convenience, but trust has become equally important to them,” said Katie Bolla, Partner, Customer and Retail Solutions, KPMG in Canada. “Retailers and AI developers need to communicate clearly about data use, security and consent if they want to build confidence in agentic AI tools.”

While most Canadians (58 per cent) plan to combine online and in-person shopping this holiday season, more consumers (14 per cent) plan to do all their shopping in-person, compared to those planning to shop exclusively online (9 per cent). Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of consumers planning to do their shopping solely in-person are 55 to 85 years old, predominantly baby boomers. This compares to only 13 per cent aged between 18 to 34, and only 12 per cent aged 35-54, added the survey.

“While internet use among older adults continues to grow, baby boomers tend to like brick-and-mortar shopping, preferring to see, touch and try products,” said Marer. “In-store shopping is also a social activity that can be meaningful for older consumers. The proliferation of online scams and data breaches has heightened concerns among older adults, affecting their willingness to transact online. That makes it even more important for retailers to use AI to enhance, not replace, that in-person experience. Tools like personalize recommendations, real-time inventory checks and loyalty optimization can bridge the gap between convenience and trust.”

When it comes to stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency pegged to fiat sovereign currencies like the Canadian dollar, the survey finds that nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of Canadians would not use them, 12 per cent say they might and only 4 per cent say they would prefer to. Interestingly, when asked what their main concerns were around stablecoins, 43 per cent say they don’t trust cryptocurrencies. Still, 30 per cent admitted that they don’t understand them, added the report.

Kareem Sadek
Kareem Sadek

“Canadians’ hesitancy is understandable, but the landscape is changing. With more focused, dedicated federal frameworks for stablecoins being introduced, requiring fully reserved, bankruptcy‑remote custody and clear redemption rights, we expect confidence to improve as regulatory safeguards take hold,” said Kareem Sadek, Partner, Advisory, Emerging Tech Risk Leader and Digital Assets and Blockchain Leader, KPMG in Canada. “Trust is built through transparency and education. As Canadians learn how fiat‑backed stablecoins will be structured in Canada, requiring high‑quality liquid reserves and oversight by the Bank of Canada with ministerial safeguards, the benefits will become clearer.

“For retailers, stablecoins can streamline payments by lowering processing costs, accelerating settlement, and reducing chargeback exposure through transparent, auditable blockchain rails. These efficiencies can translate into lower transaction fees and better cash flow for businesses. Consumers could see faster, more secure payment experiences with the potential for more seamless pricing and loyalty integrations within digital wallets. Stablecoins aren’t the same as speculative cryptocurrencies, they’re designed to stay stable and serve as a practical, cost-effective way to make payments.”

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