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Knix Expands into Men’s Market with New Brand MNTD

By
Craig Patterson
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Image: MNTD by Knix

Toronto-based intimates brand Knix, known for redefining women’s underwear and activewear through innovation and inclusivity, has announced an expansion into men’s essentials with the launch of MNTD. The new line aims to deliver the same elevated comfort and performance-driven design that have made Knix popular, introducing a collection that “gives men that fresh out of the shower feeling all day long.”

Since its founding in 2013 by Joanna Griffiths, Knix has reimagined what comfort and confidence look like in women’s apparel. The company says that its commitment to innovation and function-first design now extends to men’s essentials with the introduction of MNTD.

Knix Founder Joanna Griffiths at a Knix pop-up in Holt Renfrew’s Bloor St. store in March 2025. Image: Knix/Holt Renfrew

“For the past 12 years, Knix has been redefining what comfort and innovation look like in women’s intimates and following years of requests and prototyping we saw a clear opportunity to bring that same revolution to men’s,” said Griffiths, Founder and President of Knix. “Men deserve products that look great, feel great and keep them feeling their best all day long. With 72% of women purchasing underwear for the men in their lives, and the incredible power of the Knix community, we are launching MNTD just in time for the holiday season.”

The debut of MNTD marks Knix’s first formal entry into the men’s category, drawing on more than a decade of technical fabric development, body-first design, and consumer insight.

Redefining Men’s Essentials: Comfort Meets Performance

MNTD introduces a collection that merges premium design with practical innovation. The lineup includes boxers, T-shirts, long sleeve tops, and socks, all designed to deliver superior comfort and performance throughout the day. Prices start at $22 CAD/USD per pair of boxers when purchased in bundles, with tees retailing at $50 CAD/USD.

Image: MNTD by Knix

According to Kate Rothschild, General Manager of Men’s at Knix, the new brand was born from an identified “innovation gap” in the men’s essentials market. “After over a decade of reimagining comfort and innovation in women’s intimates, and fostering the growth of our incredible community of women at Knix, the launch of a men’s brand was a natural next step,” she said. “We identified an innovation gap within the category that we are uniquely positioned to fill, creating products that offer men that fresh out of the shower feeling all day long.”

Kate Rothschild, General Manager of Men’s at Knix

Introducing Mint Condition and Pristine Pouch Technologies

At the core of the Knix MNTD men’s essentials line are two proprietary innovations designed to redefine comfort: Mint Condition™ Anti-Odor Technology and the Pristine Pouch™.

Mint Condition Technology integrates temperature regulation, moisture-wicking, and anti-odour features within ultra-soft, breathable fabrics. “Our Mint Condition Technology is a proprietary breathable, quick-drying fabric that delivers adaptive temperature regulation to keep you cool, while anti-odour technology keeps you smelling and feeling fresh all day,” explained Rothschild.

The Pristine Pouch is another first-of-its-kind feature developed by Knix’s design team. It prevents moisture buildup, eliminates ride-up, and maintains a consistent, comfortable fit throughout the day. Rothschild added, “Our Pristine Pouch is a first-of-its-kind design that keeps you dry and comfortable while preventing moisture from showing through.”

A specialized version, the Pristine Pouch Plus™, debuts in MNTD’s Buffer Boxer style, which can wick away up to three teaspoons of moisture, offering all-day dryness without bulk.

Knix at 294 Queen St. W. in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson

Designed, Tested, and Perfected by Real Users

Knix applied its established approach of wear testing and community-driven design to MNTD’s product development. The collection underwent more than 255 hours of testing with feedback from Knix’s extended network of men, including partners, colleagues, and friends, to ensure comfort and performance across all sizes.

“We’ve fit and wear tested each product on every size that we make,” said Rothschild. “The result is underwear and tees that don’t sag, bunch, or ride up,  just fresher basics made to move with you all day long.”

The product line is available in a variety of cuts, colours, and sizes ranging from S to XXL, designed to accommodate a wide range of body types and lifestyles.

Image: MNTD by Knix

A Fresh Brand Identity for a New Market

The MNTD men’s brand stands as a distinct identity within the company’s portfolio. “It was important for us to create a distinctly male brand that looks and feels completely different than Knix as they are two separate entities,” said Rothschild. “While the two have commonalities with product innovation and development, we know that the target customer is unique to each brand.”

MNTD will operate under its own website, wearmntd.com, and social media channels under @wearemntd, emphasizing a clean, confident, and elevated aesthetic aimed at the modern man.

MNTD officially launched on Tuesday, November 11, and is available through wearmntd.com, Knix.com, and all Knix retail stores. The timing aligns with Knix’s broader retail expansion strategy, following the opening of its first New York City flagship at 242 Lafayette Street in SoHo earlier this year.

Knix plans further retail growth across North America through 2025 and 2026, signaling confidence in its ability to expand across gender and geography.

“MNTD will be available for purchase on wearMNTD.com and will have an initial presence inside all Knix retail locations,” said Rothschild. “In early December, full inventory will roll out in stores and be available for purchase from an in-real-life retail standpoint.”

E-commerce plays a pivotal role in the launch strategy, reinforcing Knix’s direct-to-consumer roots. “As much as MNTD is a part of the Knix family, it was important to us that MNTD is firmly established as its own brand,” Rothschild explained. “This will give us broader reach as we expand our customer presence across North America.”

Image: MNTD by Knix

Targeting the Active and Style-Conscious Man

The Knix MNTD men’s essentials line aims to serve a broad audience, from athletes seeking high-performance fabrics to professionals looking for premium basics. “MNTD is designed for the active, everyday man on-the-go,” said Rothschild. “We’re confident this first collection will appeal to a wide range of lifestyles: from the everyday athlete who values performance fabrics and no-chafe basics, to the professional minimalist who is looking for premium basics that look and feel superior.”

Interestingly, Knix expects women to play a major role in introducing the brand to consumers. “Studies show that 72% of women are already purchasing underwear for the men in their lives,” said Rothschild. “We have no doubt that our Knix community will play a role in word-of-mouth awareness, brand referral, and trial.”

Knix’s Broader Growth Vision

The launch of MNTD comes as Knix continues its trajectory from digital disruptor to established omnichannel leader. Since pivoting to a DTC model in 2016, Knix has expanded across Canada and the United States with both online and physical retail stores, maintaining its core values of inclusivity and innovation.

“This launch is a big step in Knix’s next chapter,” said Rothschild. “We know the same comfort, innovation, and confidence that our community loves are just as relevant for men. Expanding into this space with the launch of the MNTD brand lets us reach new customers while staying true to what Knix does best, reimagining everyday essentials that help people feel good in their own skin.”

Image: MNTD by Knix

Knix’s expansion into men’s apparel aligns with a growing trend among DTC brands diversifying their product portfolios to capture broader lifestyle markets.

Looking ahead, Knix plans to evolve MNTD through customer engagement and feedback. “We’re excited to introduce MNTD to the market and see how customers connect with the brand and experience the product,” said Rothschild. “We’re always eager to hear directly from them — what they’re looking for in their everyday essentials, their product feedback, and the new categories they want us to explore next.”

While no immediate plans for standalone MNTD stores have been confirmed, the company remains open to the possibility as the brand grows. “Knix stores have proven as a great way to engage with our customer in real life, so while there are no plans on the immediate horizon, we’re always listening, adapting and finding the best ways to meet our customers where they are. Never say never,” Rothschild said.

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Canadian Apparel Retail Defies 2025 Gloom Forecasts

By
Craig Patterson
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CF Carrefour Laval near Montreal. Image: Cadillac Fairview

At the beginning of 2025, economic commentators painted a bleak picture for Canadian apparel retailing. Forecasts warned that rising costs, consumer uncertainty, and discretionary spending cuts would weigh heavily on the sector. Many analysts expected another downturn following a 2.8 percent decline in apparel sales in 2024, coupled with a possible wave of retailer bankruptcies.

But as Randy Harris, President of Trendex North America points out, “Those forecasts could not have been more wrong.” Harris, who has tracked Canadian apparel market performance for decades, notes that the narrative of “doom and gloom” has given way to one of surprising strength and resilience across virtually every category of fashion retail.

A Strong Rebound in 2025

According to Trendex data, total retail apparel sales in Canada increased by 9.3 percent in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The growth was broad-based, with men’s apparel up 10.4 percent and women’s apparel up 9.1 percent. Importantly, those figures exclude the rapid expansion of the resale sector, which continues to gain traction among younger shoppers and sustainability-minded consumers.

Randy Harris

“Only one Canadian apparel retailer filed for creditor protection this year, apart from the long-anticipated wind-down of Hudson’s Bay,” says Harris. “That alone tells us that the health of the apparel industry is far better than expected.”

Specialty apparel stores were among the biggest winners, seeing sales climb 10.8 percent through August. The strongest growth came from Alberta and Quebec, where specialty apparel sales rose 13.2 percent and 17.1 percent respectively. These gains reflect not just consumer demand but also the vibrancy of local retail ecosystems and strong in-mall recovery traffic in major urban centres.

Retailers Reporting Double-Digit Growth

Several homegrown and international retailers have reported standout performances in 2025. Groupe Dynamite, which operates Garage and Dynamite, saw its Canadian sales climb 18.2 percent in the first half of the year. Roots, a heritage lifestyle brand, reported an 11.6 percent increase in direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales during the same period.

Children’s apparel and value-focused retailers also performed well. Carter’s Canada posted an 8 percent same-store sales increase in the second quarter, while TJX Canada, the parent company of Winners, Marshalls, and HomeSense, reported 9 percent comparable sales growth.

Aritzia, one of Canada’s most closely watched fashion success stories, experienced a 19 percent surge in Canadian sales from February through July. “These results underline a robust appetite for fashion among Canadian consumers,” notes Harris. “It’s clear that apparel spending is not just holding up, it’s thriving.”

CF Chinook Centre in Calgary. Photo: Cadillac Fairview

Why Canadian Apparel Sales Are So Strong

Harris attributes this momentum to several overlapping factors, rather than a single cause. Among them, the depreciation of the Canadian dollar has played a major role in shifting consumer spending back to domestic channels.

“The weaker dollar discouraged cross-border shopping and e-commerce purchases from U.S. websites,” explains Harris. “We also saw fewer same-day trips across the border, down 30.1 percent through August 2025. That spending is staying in Canada.”

At the same time, the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) model has helped consumers afford higher-priced discretionary items. “BNPL has changed the psychology of shopping,” says Harris. “It allows Canadians to purchase items they might previously have postponed, which has been especially beneficial for fashion retailers.”

Credit card use has also surged across discretionary categories, while inflation has had little impact on apparel. “Unlike most other consumer goods, apparel prices actually declined slightly in the first half of 2025,” he adds. “That created a sense of affordability and encouraged purchases.”

Gift card redemptions from the 2024 holiday season also supported first-quarter apparel sales, since those transactions are only recorded upon redemption rather than purchase. “Gift cards provided a strong start to the year,” Harris notes, “and helped sustain momentum into the spring season.”

Tourism and the Luxury Segment

The rebound in inbound tourism has provided a significant boost, particularly to luxury retailers. Overall non-U.S. tourism rose 6 percent in the first seven months of 2025, led by increases of 6.3 percent from Europe and 6.7 percent from Asia. “Luxury apparel benefited directly from this return of high-spending international visitors,” says Harris. “Downtown cores in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have felt that impact.”

Luxury retailers in Canada have also adapted more quickly than anticipated to post-pandemic shifts, investing in experiential stores and digital engagement that appeal to both local shoppers and tourists. With global luxury brands expanding across Canada, from Bloor Street to Burrard Street, the sector remains a critical growth driver for apparel retailing overall.

Gucci at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver main floor/lobby in downtown Vancouver on December 19, 2022. Photo: Lee Rivett

Younger Consumers Fuel Spending

Demographics are another part of the story. Almost half of all adult apparel purchases in Canada are now made by consumers under 40, a group that includes many single adults still living at home. “This cohort faces fewer financial pressures than young families,” Harris explains. “They’re spending freely on apparel, footwear, and accessories, often driven by lifestyle and self-expression.”

Social media and the influencer economy continue to shape this group’s fashion habits, with trends moving faster than ever. The appetite for affordable style, paired with increased access to payment flexibility, has fueled growth across both mid-market and premium segments.

Regional Strength and Brand Resilience

While Alberta and Quebec are leading in specialty store growth, British Columbia and Ontario have also seen strong year-over-year increases, especially in mall-based environments where experiential retailing has become a key differentiator. “The Canadian apparel retail market is showing strong regional diversity,” Harris observes. “We’re seeing confidence from both local entrepreneurs and global brands expanding footprints.”

Retailers such as Simons, Reitmans, and Frank And Oak have also adapted successfully to evolving consumer expectations, balancing sustainability, omnichannel convenience, and accessible pricing. Meanwhile, the resurgence of physical retail has surprised analysts who expected e-commerce to dominate. “Consumers still enjoy shopping for apparel in person,” says Harris. “Stores remain essential for discovery, fit, and immediate gratification.”

Mall entrance to La Maison Simons at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, August 14, 2025. Photo: Craig Patterson

Revisiting the Forecasts

The contrast between early 2025 predictions and actual market outcomes has raised questions about how apparel retail performance is measured and interpreted. Harris believes that many analysts underestimated the adaptability of Canadian retailers and consumers. “It’s a reminder that data alone doesn’t tell the full story,” he says. “Retailers that read the market accurately and execute well can outperform expectations, even in uncertain times.”

Trendex North America’s latest report suggests that total apparel sales growth for 2025 could remain in the high single digits through year-end, barring significant economic disruption. That would make 2025 one of the strongest post-pandemic years for Canadian fashion retail.

Looking Ahead

While macroeconomic risks remain, including interest rates, household debt, and currency volatility, the Canadian apparel sector appears positioned for continued growth. Retailers are focusing on product differentiation, sustainability, and localized experiences to maintain momentum into 2026.

For Harris, the takeaway is clear. “Canadian apparel retailing is far more resilient than many give it credit for,” he says. “Consumers still want to look good and feel good, and they’re finding ways to make that happen. That’s why 2025 has been anything but a lost year for fashion.”

More from Retail Insider:

Interprovincial alcohol trade barriers keep small businesses bottled up: CFIB

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Photo: Ketut Subiyanto
Photo: Ketut Subiyanto

Canada’s small and craft alcohol producers still face major roadblocks when trying to sell alcohol across provincial borders despite recent agreements meant to ease trade restrictions, finds a new report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

The report, Bottled Up: Barriers facing small business in interprovincial alcohol trade, reveals that outdated rules and complicated processes continue to block Canadian producers from reaching new markets, even if that market is their neighboring province. Despite public support for reform and recent internal trade commitments, lack of energy for change has resulted in a fragmented system that drives up costs, limits consumer choice, and stifles the growth of small producers, added the national organization.

  

Keyli Loeppky
Keyli Loeppky

“When American liquor products were pulled from store shelves across Canada in response to U.S. tariffs, it opened space that could, and should, have been filled by Canadian producers,” said Keyli Loeppky, CFIB’s director of interprovincial affairs. “Instead, rigid interprovincial rules and excessive red tape continue to hinder small alcohol producers from expanding beyond their home provinces, leaving significant growth potential untapped.

“It’s absurd that Canadians can’t easily purchase alcohol products made in their own country. If we can’t fix barriers at home, how can we expect our businesses to meet goals to expand international trade? Provincial politicians need to put protectionism aside and work towards true free internal trade in Canada.”

The CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region.

The CFIB said Canada’s alcohol industry is built on small businesses, with over 1,500 breweries, wineries, and distilleries nationwide. Yet entrepreneurs face a confusing patchwork of regulatory, logistical, and pricing barriers when selling outside their home province, including:

  • Excessive red tape and complex regulations
  • Poor transparency and communication from regulators
  • Wide variability in markup rates
  • High shipping costs
SeoRhin Yoo
SeoRhin Yoo

“Duplicative lab testing requirements, inconsistent mark-up rates, and confusing rules all add to higher costs and fewer opportunities for Canadian entrepreneurs,” said SeoRhin Yoo, CFIB senior policy analyst for interprovincial affairs. “Allowing direct-to-consumer shipment of alcohol would be a significant step forward, but it’s only one part of the solution small brewers, distillers and vintners want to see. Businesses that want to move pallets of their products, not just bottles, still face myriad barriers that make it not worth the hassle.”

CFIB said it is urging provinces to work together to fully implement the alcohol-related commitments already made under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and recent Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, including a strategic rollout plan for May 2026.

 To create a fairer, more competitive marketplace, CFIB is calling on governments to:

  • Expand government commitments on mutual recognition agreements to include provincial rules, regulations and requirements on alcohol.
  • Increase transparency on listing processes and mark-up structures.
  • Establish a cross-provincial working group dedicated to alcohol trade reform.
  • Provide clear, accessible guidance to small businesses on interprovincial requirements.

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Shapermint expands into Walmart Canada with new shapewear line

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Walmart Canada store. Photo: Getty Images

Shapermint has launched its Shapermint Core collection at Walmart Canada, expanding its retail presence into more than 270 locations across the country.

The move marks the Canadian debut of the brand’s most popular size-inclusive shapewear styles, following its initial rollout in the United States. The company said the expansion supports its goal of making its comfort-focused products more accessible to customers worldwide.

Massimiliano Tirocchi
Massimiliano Tirocchi

“Our launch into Walmart Canada reflects our mission to make comfort and confidence universally accessible,” said Massimiliano Tirocchi, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Shapermint. “We’re thrilled to offer Canadian customers in-store access to our bestselling styles that are loved by millions.”

The Shapermint Core collection features seven wardrobe essentials designed for all-day wear. The line includes a wireless shaping bra, high-waisted shaping panty, boyshort, shorts, bodysuit, shaping tights and cami.

Gabrielle Richards
Gabrielle Richards

“This launch is rooted in what our Canadian customers have told us they want: solutions that feel as good as they look,” said Gabrielle Richards, brand director of Shapermint. “Shapermint Core was designed with inclusivity and real life in mind—to support women, not squeeze them.”

The company said the launch reinforces its mission to reshape the shapewear category by focusing on comfort, affordability and confidence.

Founded in 2018, Shapermint serves more than 12 million customers globally and describes itself as one of North America’s leading size-inclusive shapewear and intimates brands.

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Photo: Shapermint
Photo: Shapermint
Photo: Shapermint
Photo: Shapermint

Canadians to spend $9.3B this Black Friday and Cyber Monday

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Photo: Max Fischer
Photo: Max Fischer

Canadian consumers are expected to spend nearly $9.3 billion during Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) 2025, an increase of about $1.7 billion compared to last year, according to a survey by ecommerce marketing company Omnisend.

The survey found that the average Canadian plans to spend $319 on Black Friday and $242 on Cyber Monday. This represents an increase of $60 per person on Black Friday and $40 per person on Cyber Monday compared with 2024.

Marty Bauer
Marty Bauer

“Canadian consumers are trying to navigate financial pressures such as inflation and higher living costs,” said Marty Bauer, ecommerce and retail expert at Omnisend. “Yet instead of pulling back, many are leaning into Black Friday and Cyber Monday as a way to stretch their budgets, stock up on essentials, and save money over the long term.”

Most Canadian shoppers plan to spend between $100 and $499 on both days, with more Canadians expecting to increase spending (14–15 per cent) than decrease it (6–8 per cent). 

Bauer said this reflects a cautious but deliberate growth in holiday shopping budgets. “Even though wallets are tighter, Canadians are increasing their budgets. They are making fewer impulse buys and instead focusing on strategic purchases where they can get the most value.”

The survey also found that Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) remains niche in Canada. While 14–15 per cent of Canadians expect to use BNPL this BFCM, 53 per cent prefer to pay upfront, and 25 per cent might use BNPL for larger purchases. “BNPL is on the radar, but it hasn’t become mainstream in Canada,” Bauer said. “Canadians remain conservative in their payment preferences, valuing control and financial stability.”

Discounts and free shipping continue to drive purchases. Seventy-two per cent of Canadians prioritise discounts, and 55 per cent consider free shipping essential. Early access deals (26 per cent) and loyalty points (25 per cent) are less influential, while influencer promotions (10 per cent) and peer reviews (7 per cent) have minimal impact. “This data proves that the basics still win,” Bauer said. “Discounts and free shipping are what consumers want most, while loyalty programs and influencer campaigns play a much smaller role in driving actual purchase decisions.”

Amazon remains the leading shopping destination for Canadians at 79 per cent, followed by Walmart at 45 per cent. Emerging platforms include Temu (17 per cent) and Shein (15 per cent), while Etsy (6 per cent) and TikTok Shop (4 per cent) remain minor players. Bauer noted, “Amazon may lead, but Canadians are clearly experimenting with newer, lower-cost platforms like Temu and Shein. This reflects a growing appetite for affordability in today’s economy.”

Photo: Pavel Danilyuk
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk

Clothing and accessories are the most popular category for Black Friday, with 51 per cent of Canadians planning to buy apparel, followed by tech and electronics (42 per cent) and toys (24 per cent). Other categories include home décor (21 per cent), beauty (25 per cent), and food and drinks (18 per cent). “Fashion and tech are evergreen categories, but the rise of toys shows how parents are waiting until BFCM to stretch holiday budgets,” Bauer said.

Bauer advised retailers to focus on financial value when marketing BFCM deals. He suggested emphasising discounts and free shipping, offering tiered promotions, experimenting with emerging platforms, and using automation tools to target shoppers effectively. 

“Canadians are financially stretched but still determined to shop smart,” he said. “Retailers who connect their promotions to real value and savings will capture the strongest growth this BFCM.”

The survey was conducted in August 2025 by Cint on behalf of Omnisend, polling 1,200 Canadian consumers about their shopping plans for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Average spending estimates were extrapolated to the Canadian adult population of approximately 30 million.

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Samsung survey reveals tech issues in retail

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Photo: Andrea Piacquadio
Photo: Andrea Piacquadio

A national survey conducted by Samsung Canada and Leger, which surveyed 510 Canadian workers across construction, healthcare, energy, mining, retail, and public safety, found that retail workers in particular are feeling the impact of unreliable tech:

  • More than half (56%) have experienced physical device damage, cracked screens and broken ports are common
  • One in two have faced battery or power failures that stalled their work
  • Half said that when a device breaks, the entire delivery chain is disrupted

Nearly two-thirds of retail workers say mobile devices are essential to their job, yet most are still relying on consumer-grade tech that wasn’t designed for fast-paced, customer-facing environments.

What might seem like small issues, a scan that doesn’t work, a restock that’s delayed, can multiply across stores and teams, quietly chipping away at customer experience and business efficiency.

Doug Higgins
Doug Higgins

Doug Higgins, VP and Head of B2B at Samsung Electronics Canada, said what stood out most to him from the survey was just how critical mobile technology has become to retail operations, and how often it still falls short. 

“More than two-thirds of frontline retail workers (68%) say mobile devices are critical to their roles, whether that’s managing inventory, processing payments, or keeping customers informed. Yet 63% have experienced at least one device failure in the past year, such as cracked screens and dead batteries,” he said.

“That gap between reliance and reliability is striking. Retail workers are telling us, “We depend on these devices, but they’re not built for the pace and pressure of where we work.” For an industry built on speed and service, this disconnect shows that technology meant to empower employees can just as easily slow them down when it’s not designed for the environment.”

The survey found:

  • 64% of retail workers say mobile devices are essential to their job, with average use of 4 hours per day for sales, inventory, and customer service tasks.
  • 56% have experienced physical device damage, including 42% with cracked screens and 22% with broken buttons or ports.
  • 52% have faced battery or power failures, most often charging issues (44%) and dead batteries (24%).
  • Half (50%) say when a device breaks, the entire supply chain is disrupted, underscoring how critical device reliability is for retail operations.
  • Only 35% of retail workers are aware of rugged devices, yet 53% say rugged tech is very important to their work, a clear gap between awareness and need.

Higgins said many retailers assume consumer devices are good enough because they’re familiar and affordable. 

“In fact, 38% of frontline workers say a regular device “works just fine”, often because they haven’t been exposed to what rugged technology can offer. But when you look closer, 62% report ongoing issues like cracked screens or battery failures, which shows those consumer devices aren’t actually keeping up,” he said.

“Cost is the other major barrier, one in four workers (25%) think rugged devices are too expensive or hard to justify. Yet when you factor in the hidden costs of downtime, repairs, and lost sales, the math changes quickly. A single cracked screen can delay a transaction or idle an entire checkout lane. For many retailers, the real cost isn’t the device, it’s the disruption when that device fails.”

Device failures affect every part of a store’s operations, added Higgins. 

“Our survey data shows that 44% of retail workers face task delays when their devices break, and one in three experience communication breakdowns with their teams. When frontline technology falters, it impacts everything from restocking and customer service to point-of-sale transactions,” he explained.

“In retail, even a short delay adds up. Lost minutes become lost sales, and system downtime quickly strains staff and the customer experience. Reliable technology isn’t just about convenience; it’s the backbone of operational efficiency. When devices fail, the flow of the entire store can falter.”

Retail is becoming more mobile, connected, and data-driven, and the demands on frontline tech are rising with it. Right now, nearly half of retail workers (48%) are aware of rugged devices, but only about one in three (34%) say they or their teams actually use them, added Higgins.

Photo: Alexander Suhorucov
Photo: Alexander Suhorucov

“That awareness-to-adoption gap is the opportunity ahead. I see rugged and business-grade devices becoming the standard, not the exception. The

future of retail technology is about durability meeting intelligence, devices that can survive a drop, a spill, or a long shift, while seamlessly integrating with digital systems and analytics,” he said.

“At Samsung, we’re continuing to invest in technology that empowers workers, tools that perform reliably, stay secure, and give employees the confidence that their tech will work as hard as they do.”

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Dr. Phone Fix selected by Alberta Motor Association as exclusive cell phone repair partner

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Image: Dr. Phone Fix

Repairing broken cell phones and other personal electronics will be easier to afford for over a million Albertans thanks to a new partnership between Dr. Phone Fix and the Alberta Motor Association (AMA).

AMA members will be eligible for special discounts on phone repairs and accessories when they visit any Dr. Phone Fix location in Alberta.

Piyush Sawhney
Piyush Sawhney

“We are proud to be a partner with AMA.  We share a common goal of giving customers exceptional service and premium products. This collaboration allows us to extend exclusive value to AMA’s members while reinforcing Dr. Phone Fix’s commitment to quality repairs and premium accessories,” said Dr. Phone Fix founder and CEO Piyush Sawhney.

Jonas Haurdahl
Jonas Haurdahl

AMA’s Director of membership, Jonas Haurdahl said: “AMA members count on us to help make their lives easier and more affordable—and our new partnership . . . will do both.”

Haurdhal said cellphone company province-wide network of 22 locations will make it easier for AMA members to quickly and reliably get the help they need when their phone needs a little TLC. 

Founded in 2019, Dr. Phone Fix operates a nationwide network of 35 corporately owned cell phone and electronics repair stores across four Canadian provinces. In addition to its repair services, it sells certified pre-owned devices and a wide selection of accessories. The company has well-established networks to acquire and resell a wide variety of used and refurbished electronic devices from certified vendors. It was recently named to the Financial Times Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies 2025 list.  

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Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For November 11, 2025

By
Retail Insider
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Canadian Retail News From Around The Web

News at a Glance

Retail Insider is streamlining its Canadian retail news from around the web to include a handful of top news stories that can be viewed quickly during the day. Here are the top stories from the past 24 hours.

Cineplex’s surprise premieres ‘interesting business model’ that could boost revenue: retail analyst (CTV)

no name™ mobile expands to all Maxi® locations across Québec, powered by Bell’s wireless network (TV Eh)

Toys ‘R’ Us closing last London store, months after renovations (London Free Press)

Loblaw and partners launch hydrogen-powered grocery delivery truck (Grocery Business)

Vessi co-founder teases new Vancouver footwear launch (Vancouver Sun)

Real Canadian Superstore rolls out new holiday push: “The Invitation” (Grocery Business)

Competition from Maxi’s kosher aisle worries Hasidic community grocer (Montreal Gazette)

Cult Toronto brand Comrags is shutting down after 42 years in business (Toronto Life)

PayPal offers digital buy now, pay later service in Canada (Chain Store Age)

Interprovincial trade barriers continue to ‘stifle’ alcohol sales within Canada: report (CP24)

‘The mall is back,’ say small businesses setting up a shared shop at London’s White Oaks (CBC)

Canadian brand Garage to open debut UK store (Fashion Network)

Montreal’s Photo Service to shutter after 89 years in business (CTV)

Older and interesting: Post-mortem on the old Vancouver Eaton’s building: an interview with Cesar Pelli (ounodesign.com)

Big League Food Company announces major expansion, accelerating path to $100M revenue milestone

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Photo: Big League Food Company
Photo: Big League Food Company

Big League Food Company announced Monday a significant expansion across its portfolio of Dark Horse Espresso Bar, Village Juicery, and Dear Grain.

This accelerated growth demonstrates the power of BLFC’s platform strategy: acquiring beloved independent brands and providing the capital, infrastructure, and operational expertise to scale them into regional champions. This model allows brands to grow rapidly while maintaining strong financial performance and the deep community roots that customers value, said the company.

Max Daviau
Max Daviau

“Big League is proving that independent food brands, when supported by a best-in-class platform, can outperform larger international chains in our home market,” said Max Daviau, Co-Founder of Big League Food Company.

“Our mission is to preserve the soul of these brands while providing the infrastructure and expertise they need to scale into regional champions across the GTA.”

The Toronto-based company said its growth plan is focused on high-traffic, strategic locations that expand the reach of each brand.

  • Village Juicery (Targeting 9 Units in 2026): Building on its momentum in the wellness and functional food category, Village Juicery will open its first PATH location at First Canadian Place in Q2 2026.
  • Dark Horse Espresso Bar (Targeting 23 Units in 2026): Following successful openings in Hamilton Airport, Cambridge Centre, and Woodbridge, Dark Horse continues its rapid expansion. Six additional openings are slated through 2026 – including Barrie, 88 Bathurst, and several new GTA and downtown core sites – cementing its position as Southwestern Ontario’s largest third-wave cafe operator.
  • Dear Grain (Targeting 6 Units in 2026): After a highly successful debut on Roncesvalles, Dear Grain will expand further across Toronto with new locations in Summerhill (mid-2026), an additional downtown site (Q4 2026), as well as a second Hamilton location.

“This organic expansion will bring BLFC’s corporate-owned unit count to 38 stores and is projected to drive system-wide revenue to over $70 million. This performance puts the company firmly on track to achieve its $100 million revenue milestone by 2028,” it said.

“Alongside this organic growth, a core pillar of BLFC’s strategy is M&A. The company is actively pursuing acquisitions of other independent food brands across Ontario that are ready to scale and become category leaders.”

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Retail Leads Canadian Job Gains as Sector Rebounds from Layoffs

By
Craig Patterson
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Now Hiring sign in a store window. Photo: Unsplash/free use

Canada’s retail industry is once again leading the nation’s employment recovery, adding more jobs in October 2025 than any other sector. According to Statistics Canada, the wholesale and retail trade sector expanded by approximately 41,000 positions, a 1.4 percent increase month-over-month, marking a significant rebound after months of volatility.

While economists were caught off guard by the country’s 67,000 new jobs overall, Suzanne Sears, CEO of Best Retail Careers International Canada and Luxury Careers Canada, says that retail recruiters and insiders saw it coming.

“The results for October astounded everyone in the financial markets, except people in retail and recruiters,” Sears told Retail Insider. “We knew what the groundswell had been since the massive HBC layoff of 8,000-plus people. We saw not a retraction in hiring, but a slow and steady increase in the hiring rate.”

Suzanne Sears.

The October jobs report revealed that nearly two-thirds of Canada’s new jobs came from retail and related service industries. “This most recent labour report, 41,000 of the new 67,000 jobs, were retail jobs,” Sears explained. “That’s followed by transport and warehousing at around 30,000, which is closely tied to e-commerce activity.”

Sears said transportation and warehousing data can often serve as an early indicator of retail’s performance. “If you watch those numbers, you can predict reliably what retail hiring will look like two or three months later, because it all lands in the warehouse,” she said. “When warehouses fill up, it means retail orders are strong.”

The correlation highlights the ongoing integration between traditional retail and online shopping infrastructure, where logistics capacity directly mirrors consumer demand.

Retail Hiring No Longer Driven by the Holidays

While October’s surge coincides with the pre-holiday season, Sears emphasized that the gains are not primarily seasonal.

“The old concept of hiring thousands of people for the holidays pretty much vanished when the major department stores did,” she said. “There isn’t a huge surge of temporary bodies in stores anymore. Instead, what we’re seeing is that part-time work has become the job people actually want.”

Sears noted that part-time employment, which accounted for most of October’s job growth, is no longer viewed as a fallback. “These are desirable jobs,” she explained. “They offer flexibility, they pay comparably to full-time work in many cases, and they fit the lifestyle that many Canadians are looking for right now.”

That shift, she said, is also helping retailers fill roles that might otherwise remain vacant amid ongoing labour shortages and changing work expectations.

Local Spending, Global Shifts

Sears attributes part of the hiring momentum to a “stay-at-home, shop-at-home” mindset that’s strengthening local economies. “Every time you add a ten or twenty dollar charge to anything outside the home, whether it’s parking, event tickets, or travel , the multiplier effect catches up,” she said. “People are spending locally instead.”

She pointed to smaller markets as clear examples of this trend. “You have little shops in Niagara-on-the-Lake that always did relatively well, but they’re now exploding,” Sears observed. “They’re turning around and hiring one or two more people each.”

The U.S. added only 44,000 jobs in October, a stark contrast to Canada’s 67,000. “That’s a big story,” Sears added. “A lot of the reason for Canadian job growth is that Canadians are choosing to stay local and spend local.”

The Amazon Effect: Local Advantage Grows

Another key driver, Sears said, is that major online platforms are losing their price advantage. “Prices on Amazon have skyrocketed because tariffs are now built into nearly every product,” she noted. “A small steam cleaner that used to sell for $89 is now $139.”

“Fast and cheap might still be fast, but it’s no longer cheap,” she said. “There’s not a lot of incentive to shop that way anymore when local retailers are offering competitive prices and better service.”

As a result, Canadian retailers are benefiting from renewed consumer loyalty and improved digital capabilities. “They’re getting much better at e-commerce,” she said. “They can’t match the sheer scale of Amazon, but they’re competitive, and that’s a major shift.”

Retailer putting a hiring sign in a store window. Retail hiring. Photo: Retail Customer Experience

Retailers Regaining Confidence Amid Global Uncertainty

Sears also believes that international trade instability, including renewed U.S. tariffs, initially froze Canadian retailers’ hiring and investment decisions. “When the Trump tariffs came down, everyone was terrified to make a move,” she said. “If there was a decision to hire, lay off, or do nothing, most chose to do nothing.”

Now, she said, that hesitation is fading. “Executives are realizing this could last two or three more years. They’re saying, ‘We either go forward or we die.’”

Improved access to capital and more stable financing conditions are also encouraging retailers to reinvest in staff and operations. “I saw it starting in the summer,” Sears said. “Retailers were asking, ‘If you find anybody, let us know.’ By September they were actively interviewing. So there’s no question in my mind that they’d be hiring in October.”

Sears expects the upward trend to continue through the end of the year, adding that the proportion of Canadians seeking work is dropping as well. “We’ve gone from 7.1 percent to 6.9 percent unemployment,” she said. “There’s a high probability we’ll see that fall even further.”

Post-HBC Retirements Reshape the Retail Workforce

Sears also reflected on the lasting consequences of Hudson’s Bay Company’s mass layoffs earlier this year, noting that many experienced retail professionals simply walked away from the industry.

“People who were on the cusp of retiring just retired flat out,” she said. “Anyone over 50 said, ‘I’ve had enough of retail.’ The core staffing group from about 25 to 55 has been turned off by it.”

The loss of mid-career professionals, she explained, has deepened a generational divide. “Younger people are still studying retail. They’re going to university for it, and they still believe in it,” Sears said. “They see a better way forward, often combining store management with social media skills, but upper management hasn’t fully caught up yet.”

Sears said the industry now faces a critical question: how to restore trust among workers burned by corporate closures and instability. “There’s a bad taste,” she said. “People say, ‘I’ll do anything but not retail.’ If COVID didn’t burn them, HBC did. Many of them lost their benefits, and that left a scar.”

Balancing Optimism with Caution

Even with strong October numbers, Sears acknowledged that some may question whether this growth is sustainable. “That’s the first thing people will say,” she noted. “Yes, it’s good news, but is it sustainable?”

Retail remains Canada’s largest employer, representing about 15 percent of the national workforce. “When retail’s leading, it has a trickle-down effect that’s enormous,” Sears said. “It won’t offset the loss of factories or lumber mills, but it can stabilize communities.”

That stabilization, she argued, is already visible in provinces such as Ontario and British Columbia. “Retail is leading hiring even in Ontario, which has been beaten up badly,” she said. “That’s impressive.”

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