House of Braids, Midtown Plaza, Saskatoon. Photo: Mario Toneguzzi
The owner of House of Braids says expanding into Midtown Plaza has helped the long-running Saskatoon business grow, despite past challenges with relocation and theft.
Ngone Dione, who founded House of Braids in 1997 after moving from Montreal, said she opened the Midtown location a little over two years ago. It is the newest of her four Saskatoon stores, which include shops on Second Avenue, Confederation Mall and Cloud Nine.
She said she originally operated a small space in Confederation Mall for several years before opening a larger store there, but the expansion brought difficulties.
“We start having problems when we opened that big location. Then, it was a lot of shoplifting coming,” she said. The issues led her to downsize back into a smaller space.
Ngone Dione
Dione said she later discovered the vacant Midtown unit she now occupies.
“I’m like, Oh, let me see if I can rent this place to put my stuff here, and then see how it goes,” she said. After contacting mall management, she opened the location within three weeks.
The move allowed her to expand further. When a neighbouring salon closed, she took over the space, connected it to her existing store and created an area focused on clients experiencing hair loss.
“We opened that to be like a wig store, you know, for people with cancer, hair problems and stuff like that,” she said.
Although she later returned to a smaller unit when the lease expired, Dione said she remains satisfied with Midtown.
“So far it is good. I don’t mind. I really like the Midtown location,” she said.
Dione said House of Braids began with braiding and extensions, drawing on her training in Montreal and her observation that Saskatoon needed a specialized service. She said regulatory limits in Saskatchewan initially restricted her to braiding because she had not studied locally.
“Then I decided to go back to school,” she said, completing her training at MC College in 2007.
“We do everything, everything from extensions to cut to colour,” she said, noting she also works with people who have hair loss.
Ngone Dione
Dione said she has considered expanding to other cities, including Calgary, where some clients have encouraged her to open a location. But she said staffing remains a concern.
“My fear is not having somebody that can run it properly,” she said, adding she once tried operating a store in Prince Albert but found it difficult to manage from afar.
Despite those challenges, she said she is open to future growth. “Oh, yes, for sure,” she said of the idea of more locations, adding she has thought about franchising.
House of Braids, Midtown Plaza, Saskatoon. Photo: Mario Toneguzzi House of Braids, Midtown Plaza, Saskatoon. Photo: Mario Toneguzzi House of Braids, Midtown Plaza, Saskatoon. Photo: Mario Toneguzzi Ngone Dione
A sign encouraging shoppers to buy Canadian products at a liquor store in Vancouver on Feb. 2, 2025. Shoppers have been caught up in the buy Canadian fervour since U.S. President Donald Trump began threatening to apply tariffs on imports from Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Canadians are putting their loonies behind their “glowing hearts” this holiday season. According to a new survey released recently by technology company Square, 62% of Canadians said they plan to go “pro-Canada” this Black Friday – with 62% reporting they’ll allocate more of their holiday budgets to support locally-owned, neighbourhood retailers.
While Black Friday has long been a cross-border shopping moment, that tide is turning, added Square. The majority (61%) of Canadians believe their communities will focus on supporting local businesses this year, compared to previous years when 57% shopped interchangeably from U.S. and Canadian retailers.
Of those planning to allocate more of their holiday gifting and entertainment budgets to support Canadian-owned retailers this year, more than half (54%) are willing to pay up to 50% more to buy Canadian, said Square.
According to Square’s survey, the “Buy Canadian” movement is also playing out strongly in neighbourhood-based restaurants, cafés and bars:
66% of Canadians say they’re supporting more neighbourhood-owned restaurants than they did a year ago, and agree it “feels like a lasting, long-term change.”;
57% are making a special effort to meet friends and family at locally owned restaurants — a trend strongest among women (61%) and adults 35+ (59%);
82% say it simply “feels good” to support their neighbours and community-owned businesses;
7 in 10 Canadians report that local restaurants have a more homely feel (72%), are more likely to champion their communities (70%) and have friendlier staff (64%) who are “more likely to know my name” (53%).
Canadians will be able to see the power of local spending in real time beginning November 28 through Cyber Monday. Square and Afterpay will track Black Friday weekend transactions across its Canadian network, highlighting how communities nationwide support neighbourhood economies. To follow along, visit block.xyz.
Irvine said the momentum of consumers choosing to spend more of their holiday budgets at locally-owned, neighbourhood retailers “reflects a deep pride in supporting neighbourhood businesses and a growing recognition that every local purchase strengthens Canada’s economic backbone — its Main Streets.”
“Neighbourhoods are our North Star. When sellers thrive, neighbourhoods come alive and that’s the economy we’re excited to help build not just in Canada but around the world,” she said.
“Globally, we’re seeing a renewed movement toward neighbourhood commerce. Neighbourhood sellers want the same powerful tools as big enterprises — and Square’s role is to give them that competitive edge. From payments and payroll to marketing and analytics, we’re helping local entrepreneurs not just survive, but truly succeed by connecting them with their customers, staff and the community around them.
“This vision is shaping Square’s next chapter: deeper local investment in cities and neighbourhoods — ensuring every business, no matter their size, can compete on a global stage while staying rooted in their community.”
EMERGE is an e-commerce / omni-channel portfolio of premium brands. Its subscription, marketplace, and retail businesses provide members with access to offerings across its grocery and golf verticals. truLOCAL is its flagship Canadian meat and seafood subscription service, connecting local farmers with a health-conscious audience. Its golf vertical includes its discounted tee-times/ experiences brand, UnderPar, and its discounted golf apparel and equipment brands, JustGolfStuff and Tee 2 Green.
“Q3 was another statement quarter for EMERGE. We delivered 58% year-over-year revenue growth, our third consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA, and most importantly, exceptional cash flow generation, even in what is typically a more seasonal quarter for some of our brands,” said Ghassan Halazon, Founder and CEO, EMERGE.
Ghassan Halazon
“Both our grocery and golf verticals exhibited positive organic growth once again, and our cash position continued to strengthen, fueled by our overall sales growth as well as T2G’s cash-flow friendly deal structure. These results reflect the continued discipline of our team, Board, and partners. As we enter the peak Q4 holiday season, we remain focused on operational efficiency, profitable growth, and prudent capital management.”
Q3 2025 Financial Highlights compared to Q3 2024:
Revenue grew to $7.0M vs. $4.4M, an increase of 58% YoY, marking the 6th consecutive quarter of revenue growth. Both grocery and golf verticals achieved positive organic growth;
Gross profit grew to $2.4M vs. $1.8M. Excluding $167K fair value of inventory adjustment related to T2G, a non-cash item, gross margin would be approximately 37% vs. 40%;
Adj. EBITDA improved to $261K vs. Adj. EBITDA loss of $254K, an increase of $514K YoY, marking the 3rd consecutive quarter of positive Adj. EBITDA;
Net Income improved to $26K vs. net loss of $730K. Excluding $167K fair value of inventory adjustment related to T2G, a non-cash item, net income would be $193K;
Cash flow from operations of $919K vs. ($411K) in Q3 2024, an increase of $1.3M YoY;
Cash position grew to $4.1M (September 30, 2025) vs. $1.6M (September 30, 2024), a $2.5M increase YoY.
For Q4 2025, EMERGE said its management expects to achieve another quarter of strong YoY revenue growth, and positive Adjusted EBITDA.
“The Q4 holiday season is generally a high sales volume quarter, particularly attruLOCAL, including for B2B/ corporate gifting orders, as well as at UnderPar as golf courses introduce discounted pre-season (2026) offers,” said the company.
“EMERGE is now on track to achieve its full-year objectives of strong revenue growth, positive Adjusted EBITDA and positive cash flow for 2025.
“Building off our success in acquiring and accelerating T2G, which continued to perform exceptionally in Q3, EMERGE is selectively advancing accretive acquisition opportunities, specifically in grocery and golf verticals, as well as in adjacent B2B / e-commerce enablement technologies that can help super-charge the overall portfolio. EMERGE’s focus is exclusively on profitable acquisition candidates with $750K-$2M in Adj. EBITDA, with a long-standing track record of revenue stability and cash flow generation.”
Voilà, Sobeys’ online grocery home delivery service, recently launched its largest awareness campaign of the year, one that redefines what “value” means to Canadians in the grocery delivery space.
Rooted in deep consumer research, the campaign highlights Voilà’s most unique differentiator as the only online destination that brings together several of Canada’s most beloved grocery banners, including Sobeys, Farm Boy, and Longo’s in Ontario, and IGA in Quebec, under one seamless experience.
To bring this to life, an eye-catching creative concept was developed: where the Voilà delivery van acts as a digital portal, and an animated “delivery crew” representing each grocer jumps out alongside the driver, visually expressing the collaboration between brands in a fresh, engaging way – far beyond a traditional logo lineup. The message is simple yet powerful: Many of the most trusted grocery brands Canadians love live together in one seamless experience with Voilà, explained the company.
The comprehensive campaign rolled out across TV, online video, social, display, and OOH in the GTA and Montreal, and will run through the holiday season and into the New Year.
In addition to its creative storytelling, the company said the campaign reinforces Voilà’s leadership position in the market, ranked #1 for best overall value among all major Canadian grocery retailers in a 2024 price perception study.
This initiative was brought to life through close collaboration between Voilà’s in-house creative team, Sid Lee (creative production), and SHED (animation and character design), it said.
Mohit Grocer, SVP of e-commerce, Empire Company Limited, said the company’s research shows that Canadians define value as much more than just price, it’s about transparency, quality, and the overall shopping experience.
“At Sobeys, we’re committed to delivering that value by offering the same prices online as in-store, with no hidden fees and guaranteed freshness. This campaign reflects how Voilà continues to deliver on those priorities. By uniting trusted grocery brands like Sobeys, Farm Boy, Longo’s, and IGA under one seamless online experience, we’re offering Canadians a convenient, reliable way to shop their favourites without compromise,” he said.
Grover said what makes Voilà truly unique is its ability to bring multiple grocery banners together in a single, integrated platform, through close collaboration between brand teams and advanced technology.
“This is powered by a commitment to the same service standards
Canadians expect from each banner. Whether you’re shopping for Farm Boy’s fresh produce, Longo’s prepared meals, or Sobeys’ broad selection, Voilà delivers it all together, accurately, on time, and with the same pricing as in-store,” he said.
Grover added that the creative idea stemmed from wanting to visually capture what makes Voilà different, which is multiple trusted grocery brands working together in one place.
“The Voilà van became our “digital portal” that brings this to life in a fun and human way, with an animated delivery crew representing each grocer. The concept was developed by our in-house marketing and creative teams in collaboration with Sid Lee, who led production, and SHED, who brought the animation and character design to life,” he said.
“The end result is a fun, eye-catching campaign that celebrates how Voilà connects Canadians to all their favourite grocery brands in one seamless experience.”
Photo: Voilà
Grover said the company is incredibly proud of its #1 ranking for best overall value among major Canadian grocery retailers, based on a recent 2024 price perception study.
“This campaign builds on that momentum by reinforcing the service attributes our customers value most – transparency, freshness, and convenience. The grocery delivery space is constantly evolving, but that also presents opportunities. Our focus remains on consistency and trust and ensuring that every order lives up to the same high standards our customers expect,” he said.
“Voilà has become an integral part of the Empire family of brands, helping extend each banner’s experience into customers’ homes. As consumer expectations around delivery continue to evolve, our role is about deepening that connection – delivering the same trusted quality, freshness, and service Canadians expect from our stores, now through a seamless online experience.”
JLL, a global leader in real estate services, has released its annual Canada Retail Holiday Survey unveiling shopping preferences and trends across the country.
Canadian shoppers are planning to spend an average of $1,646 this holiday season across gifts, experiences, and non-gift items such as food and decorations. This represents an 8% increase from last year, amounting to roughly an additional $122 in holiday spending. Notably, the entire increase is driven by higher spending on experiences and non-gift items, underscoring a clear shift in how Canadians are choosing to celebrate, explained JLL.
When it comes to where they’re headed for holiday shopping and experiences, Canadians are turning to shopping centres, with 90% saying they’ll visit at least once this season, it said.
Paul Ferreira
“Holiday errands are turning into holiday outings with shopping centres being the focal point,” said Paul Ferreira, Senior Vice President, Retail, JLL Canada. “With experience budgets rising and gift spending tightening, shoppers are engaging with centres more intentionally, combining shopping, dining and entertainment in each visit.”
Here’s some highlights from the JLL survey:
Holiday spending shifts as self-gifting rises
Self-gifting is on the rise this season, with 56% of Canadians planning to treat themselves to clothing and shoes. Self-gifting has increased by 7% from last year, while gift-giving to others has fallen by 3%.
Experiences now account for 39% of holiday budgets, with spending in this category up 17% from last year as Canadians shift more spending toward dining out, entertainment and seasonal activities.
Spending on non-gift goods such as decorations and food has increased by 19% from last year, marking the largest rise among holiday spending categories.
How Canadians will shop and experience the holidays
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Canadians are planning to shop in a shopping centre.
87% of Canadians are planning to dine at a restaurant over the holidays, with 47% dining out 2–4 times.
60% of Canadians are planning to go to the movies, and 45% are planning to travel and stay at a hotel.
Black Friday’s grip on holiday spending
Black Friday remains the top holiday purchasing period, with 78% of Canadians planning to shop and 31% saying it will be their biggest spending day.
ROYALMOUNT, which bills itself as Montreal’s premier lifestyle destination, has just been recognized as a leader in design excellence, taking home the most awards of any nominee at the 2025 Interior Design Awards.
“Founded in 2007 in Montréal, a UNESCO City of Design, the GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Awards celebrate excellence, creativity, and innovation in design, architecture, and the built environment. Organized by Agence PID and presented on the INT.design platform, the competition was originally created to highlight the talent and exceptional achievements of Québec designers and architects. Over time, it has evolved into a prestigious international program, now open to professionals and firms from around the world,” according to officials.
Among ROYALMOUNT’s multiple wins, most notably, the property took home the “Award of the Year” for Inclusive Bathrooms(By: Borrallo Interiors + Chrome Design + Lemay). Focused on lived experience, Carbonleo, the developer behind ROYALMOUNT, considers green spaces and inclusivity as essential and relevant elements in contemporary Canadian society. This experience of inclusivity is extended as the main concept for the design of the public bathroom in ROYALMOUNT.
In addition to this top honour, several ROYALMOUNT tenants and collaborators were also recognized across categories, highlighting the site’s collective design excellence:
Birks (Aedifica Architectes) – Gold, Retail ≤ 1,600 sq. ft.
Dynamite (GDI Design) – Multiple Gold and Silver awards including Retail > 5,400 sq. ft., Lighting, Integration of Art, Collaboration, and Product Design.
Le Fou Fou (Lemay Michaud Architectes) – Gold, Food Court Design, Branding & Signage, Art Installation.
Together, these wins reinforce ROYALMOUNT’s position as a destination where art and design intersect to create a truly one-of-a-kind experience for visitors.
“The goal was to design a truly inclusive, human-centred environment that reflects the diversity, creativity, and sophistication of Montreal. Guided by principles of accessibility, connection, and timeless elegance, the design transforms every visitor touchpoint into an elevated experience that is both welcoming and inspiring,” she explained.
“This philosophy is exemplified in ROYALMOUNT’s award-winning all-gender washrooms, which received the Award of the Year at the INT Design Awards. Developed in close collaboration with Ana Borrallo, Chrome Design, and Lemay, these spaces redefine public amenity design by merging functionality, artistry, and emotion.
“At the heart of the space, a hand-themed art video installation by artist Cristina Mejías serves as a powerful metaphor for connection, empathy, and inclusivity reminding visitors that every gesture and interaction can bridge differences. This immersive piece, paired with the space’s carefully choreographed lighting, signature scent, and ambient soundtrack, transforms the washroom into a multisensory experience of calm and belonging.
“The design encourages privacy and comfort through individual enclosed stalls and a communal vanity island, while the materials, finishes, and acoustics evoke a sense of serenity and refinement. The result is a space that goes beyond function: a celebration of inclusivity, artistry, and human connection.”
Larochelle said Carbonleo’s emphasis on green spaces and inclusivity extends beyond the architecture to shape the entire visitor experience.
“The space was built with the intention of creating spaces for the community to enjoy. With over 77,000 square feet of landscaped public areas ROYALMOUNT stands as a true urban oasis – inviting guests to slow down, connect, and enjoy nature within a vibrant metropolitan setting. Featuring tree-lined promenades, abundant natural light, and a unique skybridge connecting the property to public transit, ensures the site remains welcoming, sustainable, and easily accessible,” she said.
Credit: Lemay – Photographer: Frederic Bouchard
“These international design recognitions reinforce ROYALMOUNT’s position as a world-class retail and lifestyle destination and elevate Montreal’s profile on the global design stage. Winning the INT Design Award of the Year for inclusive spaces underscores the project’s ability to blend innovation, empathy, and architectural sophistication – setting a new benchmark for inclusive, people-focused design in commercial environments.”
Behind this success lies a highly collaborative process between Carbonleo and its partners: including numerous talented design firms, architects, and tenant stakeholders, added Larochelle.
“From the earliest concept phase, Carbonleo’s internal design, tenant delivery, and construction teams worked hand in hand with these partners to translate the ROYALMOUNT’s vision into reality,” she noted.
Credit: Lemay – Photographer: Frederic Bouchard
“Through open dialogue, shared creative intent, and rigorous coordination, every element: from public spaces and façades to brand environments and interior details was carefully orchestrated to ensure design cohesion, technical precision, and experiential quality across the entire development.
“This seamless integration of vision and execution is what defines ROYALMOUNT: a project where collaboration, craftsmanship, and purpose converge to create a truly immersive and inclusive destination that reflects the best of Montreal’s design excellence.
“Looking ahead, these design recognitions both set the standard and inspire for the next phases of ROYALMOUNT and future Carbonleo projects. They reaffirm the company’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship as essential pillars of modern urban development, ensuring that each new addition continues to celebrate design as a catalyst for connection, sustainability, and meaningful human experience.”
Here are all the links to the Interior Design Award winners from ROYALMOUNT:
Time Out Market Vancouver has released the first group of chefs and restaurateurs who will anchor its food and cultural hall when it opens in Spring 2026 at Oakridge Park. The market, which spans 50,000 square feet and will offer nearly 1,000 seats, is positioned as a major new venue for dining and entertainment in the city. It will be the second Time Out Market in Canada, following the Montreal location that opened in 2019.
The concept, created by Time Out Group, centres on an editorially curated mix of local chefs, cultural programming and community-oriented experiences. Each market is designed to showcase the city it inhabits, bringing together notable culinary talent, rising chefs and beloved neighbourhood restaurants. The Vancouver roster introduced today reflects that intent, combining award-winning chefs with popular local favourites.
Six Chefs and Restaurateurs Join the Launch Roster
Chef Rob Feenie, one of Vancouver’s most recognized culinary figures, will open Feenie’s, a counter focused on gourmet burgers. Feenie is the Executive Chef and Partner of Le Crocodile and previously led Lumiere. His career includes a win on Iron Chef America and multiple victories on Iron Chef Canada. For the market, he will serve dishes such as his signature Classic Burger and a Time Out Market Burger made with house-ground wagyu and gruyere, inspired by the Burger De Maison at Le Crocodile.
Chef Chanthy Yen, winner of Top Chef Canada 2024, will introduce Mee Bar, a concept rooted in his Cambodian heritage. Yen has worked in respected kitchens across Canada and internationally for more than twenty years. His menu for the market will include Mee Kola, a rice noodle dish served with charcoal-grilled meat and seafood, Cambodian-style chicken wings with lime and Kampot pepper, and Nom Banh Chok, a traditional combination of curry broth, rice noodles and fresh herbs.
Lunch Lady will bring its well-known Vietnamese street food to the venue. Since opening in Vancouver in 2020, the restaurant has grown from a neighbourhood favourite into a Michelin-recognized name across North America. Created in partnership with Chef Nguyen Thi Thanh, the original Lunch Lady of Saigon street food fame, the concept will offer dishes such as Steak Luc Lac, Garlic Fried Noodles and other flavourful signatures.
Rendering of the Time Out Market at Oakridge Park in Vancouver. Image: QuadReal
Chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng of Baan Lao will launch MaKaam, a new concept created for Time Out Market Vancouver. Baan Lao was named Canada’s Best Restaurant at the World Culinary Awards in both 2024 and 2025 and ranked number twelve on the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list. MaKaam will present modern Thai cuisine with an artisanal approach, including a reimagined pad Thai prepared with aged tamarind and water buffalo milk gouda.
DownLow Chicken, founded by Doug Stephen and Lindsey Mann in 2018, will serve its Nashville hot chicken, which has become a local staple on East Hastings. The menu will include The OG Sando, signature macaroni and cheese and other dishes that helped build the restaurant’s following.
Barnacle by Bar Bravo, led by Head Chef Jonah Joffe, rounds out the first wave of vendors. Bar Bravo opened in 2023 and quickly earned Michelin recognition in 2024 and 2025. Its seafood program has received acclaim, including an award from Vancouver Magazine. Barnacle will offer a selection of raw and cooked seafood featuring local oysters, a Jonah crab cocktail and a seafood tower highlighting fresh and sustainable ingredients.
Oakridge Park. Image: QuadReal
A Curated Approach to Representing Vancouver’s Culinary Scene
Time Out Market’s model depends on local editorial expertise to identify restaurants and chefs who reflect the character of a city. The company develops a list of cuisines central to the region’s dining identity, then selects chefs who stand out within each category. The aim is to present a mix of established voices and new talent while representing a broad spectrum of culinary styles.
Julien Lavoie, General Manager of Time Out Market Vancouver, said the venue is intended to become a gathering place for both residents and visitors. He described the market as a destination that will feature outstanding culinary talent while remaining broadly accessible, offering dishes ranging from fine dining to casual favourites. He noted that the lineup announced today reflects the goal of showcasing both award-winning names and long-time local favourites.
In addition to food and drink, Time Out Market Vancouver will host cultural programming throughout the year. The concept draws from Time Out’s global editorial roots, which have focused on urban culture since the brand was founded in London in 1968. Markets typically feature live music, art installations, events and other activations designed to connect guests with the city’s creative community.
A Key Venue Within the Oakridge Park Redevelopment
Time Out Market Vancouver is opening inside Oakridge Park, one of the most significant redevelopment projects underway in North America. The site, co-developed by QuadReal Property Group and Westbank, covers more than five million square feet and combines residences, retail, offices, cultural institutions, a community centre, a library and a nine-acre public park. Once complete, the project will include more than 140 global brands across 650,000 square feet of retail space and will house more than 6,000 residents.
The market will be located at 650 West 41st Avenue, at the meeting point of West 41st and Cambie. Its design includes eighteen kitchens, a dessert counter, a coffee counter, three bars and several event spaces, along with a terrace overlooking the park. Communal seating and open kitchens are central to the layout, allowing guests to see chefs at work.
For Oakridge Park, the market is expected to serve as a core attraction that will draw steady foot traffic and support the development’s broader retail and cultural offerings. For chefs, it provides a prominent platform that allows them to reach new audiences.
Oakridge Park north Atrium — several luxury brands will operate flagships nearby. Rendering via QuadReal
A Global Network Continues to Expand
The Vancouver location joins a growing list of Time Out Markets around the world. The original market opened in Lisbon in 2014 inside the historic Mercado da Ribeira and quickly became one of the city’s most visited destinations. The company has since expanded to cities including New York, Montreal, Dubai, Cape Town, Osaka, Barcelona and Budapest.
Several additional markets are in development, including projects planned for Porto, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Prague and Riyadh. Time Out operates some of its markets directly while partnering with landlords for others through revenue-sharing or management agreements. The approach allows the brand to expand internationally while tailoring each site to the local culinary landscape.
Looking Ahead to Spring 2026
More vendors will be announced in the months leading up to opening, along with details on the market’s beverage program and cultural events. The first wave of chefs establishes a clear direction for the project, highlighting a mix of established names, rising talent and long-standing neighbourhood favourites.
When it opens next spring, Time Out Market Vancouver is expected to become a new centre for dining and entertainment within a rapidly changing part of the city. Its mix of curated food counters, cultural programming and communal design positions it as a large-scale addition to Vancouver’s evolving culinary scene.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
