State & Main indoor dining space. Image: State & Main
Calgary’s dining scene welcomed a new addition this week as State & Main Kitchen + Bar opened its third location in the city. The restaurant, located in the fast-growing Uxborough neighbourhood, began serving guests on September 1 and features a spacious patio that accommodates 116 diners.
The opening underscores the brand’s commitment to establishing community-focused restaurants in suburban markets while still offering the elevated atmosphere it is known for. The location is a short distance from McMahon Stadium, Foothills Medical Centre, and the University of Calgary, positioning it as a convenient destination for students, professionals, families, and sports fans.
Downtown Experience, Suburban Convenience
The company says the Uxborough outpost was designed to replicate the energy of downtown dining without requiring a commute into the city core. “This location is designed to be the go-to destination for anyone who wants the downtown experience without the hassle of venturing downtown,” Richard Homer-Dixon, Vice President and State & Main Brand Leader, said in a statement.
He added that the restaurant aims to become a flexible choice for the community. “Whether it’s a casual lunch, a pre-game gathering, or a night out with friends, we’re looking forward to serving our signature dishes and cocktails to both longtime fans of the brand and first-time guests.”
Comfort Food With a Twist
Guests at State & Main Uxborough will find a menu that blends classic comfort food with contemporary updates. The offering includes steaks, burgers, handhelds, and bowls, all prepared with what the company calls “an elevated twist.” The brand also emphasizes affordability, highlighting weekday food and drink specials, as well as a happy hour menu available twice daily.
Weekend brunch service, available on Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays, adds another layer of versatility. The focus on brunch aligns with broader industry trends that have seen Canadian restaurants expand their weekend offerings to capture additional traffic.
State & Main Uxborough’s spacious patio. Image: State & Main
Part of a Growing Calgary Footprint
The Uxborough location joins State & Main’s two other Calgary restaurants in Nolan Hill and Mahogany, reflecting steady demand for the brand in Alberta. The new restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. at 24 Uxborough Place NW.
State & Main currently operates more than 25 restaurants across Canada, with many clustered in Ontario and Alberta. The company has grown steadily since its founding, often targeting high-traffic suburban neighbourhoods where it can draw families, professionals, and groups looking for a casual but stylish dining experience.
A Canadian Brand With National Reach
Founded in 2012 by Calgary-based Franworks Group of Companies, State & Main entered the Canadian casual dining landscape with a vision to offer an approachable but slightly upscale alternative to traditional bar-and-grill chains. The company quickly expanded in Western Canada and entered Ontario in 2014, opening its first location in Guelph.
By 2016, Franworks sold a majority stake in its brands, including State & Main, to Recipe Unlimited, Canada’s largest full-service restaurant company. That move provided access to deeper operational resources and helped accelerate national growth.
Today, State & Main continues to refine its positioning in a competitive market by leaning into a mix of scratch-made dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and a relaxed yet modern setting. The brand’s consistent emphasis on neighbourhood integration, placing restaurants in suburban communities rather than exclusively in downtown cores, has become a hallmark of its expansion strategy.
Toronto-based startup SELLIT9 Trade is quickly establishing itself as a major innovator in Canada’s growing circular economy, offering consumers a way to turn idle household items into immediate value. The company’s digital platform enables shoppers to trade in electronics and other goods directly in the customer journey, receiving instant discounts or gift cards that can be applied to new purchases.
Co-founder and CEO Josh Guttman describes the service as a consumer-friendly alternative to debt-driven payment options like Affirm and Klarna. “We provide a way for people to unlock value from items they already own without taking on more debt,” he explained in an interview with Retail Insider. “It’s about making purchases more affordable while keeping products in circulation and out of landfills.”
Oswaldo Alvarez, left, with Josh Guttman. Photo supplied
Originally branded SELLIT9 Pay, the startup pivoted in spring 2025 to emphasize its role in issuing instant trade-in credits. The rebrand to SELLIT9 Trade reflects its integration into the heart of the shopping journey.
Guttman noted that feedback from retailers and customers highlighted friction when the service was positioned at checkout. “We realized that by the time customers were at the payment rails, they didn’t want to search their homes for items. But by presenting the trade-in option earlier, we could show them the savings immediately. It builds confidence in their purchase and often leads them to add more to their cart.”
Real-Life Trades Show Impact
The company has already facilitated more than 2,000 trades, with transaction volumes now reaching close to $100,000 per month. One story illustrates the impact of the platform: an 18-year-old customer who had been saving for years to buy a gaming PC was able to trade in his old PlayStation and instantly receive nearly $300 toward the purchase.
“He told us it allowed him to finally buy the computer he had dreamed of,” said Guttman. “That’s the type of outcome that keeps us motivated—helping people reach their goals in a financially sustainable way.”
Other trades have included Apple Watches, older iPhones, and laptops that customers applied toward cameras, refurbished electronics, and other items.
SELLIT9 Trade has timed its growth with a period of heightened consumer stress. Back-to-school shopping is traditionally costly for Canadian families, and with inflation eroding purchasing power, affordability has become a critical issue.
Partnering with merchants like Qnovum, which sells refurbished electronics, the startup allows parents and students to trade in older devices for instant discounts on laptops and other school essentials. “When you think about a student needing a reliable laptop, they can purchase a high-quality refurbished model and offset the cost further by trading in an older device,” said Guttman. “It’s a solution that fits both the financial and sustainability needs of the moment.”
Potential value among items stored in a residential garage. Image: SELLIT9
Supporting the Circular Economy, Expanding Categories
Beyond affordability, the platform contributes to Canada’s circular economy. Items traded through SELLIT9 are routed to a network of refurbishers who restore and resell them. This reduces waste and supplies inventory to the growing second-hand market, which Canadians have increasingly embraced.
“The inspiration came from my own garage,” Guttman recalled. “I had items piling up, and most ended up in landfill because selling them was too difficult. It was bad for the environment and a missed financial opportunity. With SELLIT9 Trade, people can get instant value and give their items a second life.”
Although electronics remain the core focus, SELLIT9 is rapidly expanding into new product areas. One of the most promising is e-mobility, with scooters being added to the trade-in network.
“We’re working with a Canadian scooter brand to launch an upgrade and trade-in program,” Guttman revealed. “Scooters are expensive, and many people only use them part of the year in places like Toronto. Refurbishers are eager to resell them at lower prices, so this creates access for new buyers while reducing waste.”
Future categories under evaluation include appliances, small furniture, and potentially loyalty program tie-ins such as airline tickets.
Competing With Buy Now, Pay Later
While buy now, pay later (BNPL) services have become mainstream, rising debt levels across North America are causing concern. According to U.S. data, 41 per cent of BNPL customers paid late in 2025, up from 34 per cent the year before. Household debt is also climbing to record highs.
“Our goal isn’t to replace Affirm or Klarna,” said Guttman. “But when debt levels are already high, people need alternatives. We want to be as ubiquitous as BNPL, but with a sustainable model that helps people afford what they need without financial strain.”
In January 2025, SELLIT9 secured a $1.45 million CAD pre-seed funding round, led by Drive Capital and Northside Ventures. The investment has supported its expansion into new categories and retailers. The company is live with five stores, with another four confirmed and a fifth nearing launch.
SELLIT9 currently operates in Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, and London, with plans for broader Canadian rollout and eventual expansion into the U.S., South America, and overseas.
SELLIT9 was co-founded in 2024 by Josh Guttman, Chief Executive Officer, and Oswaldo Alvarez, Chief Technology Officer. Guttman leads the company’s retail and partnership strategy, while Alvarez directs the platform’s technology and integration with merchant systems. Together, they combine business insight and technical expertise to deliver a seamless solution for both retailers and consumers.
The founding team is small but ambitious, reflecting the scale of their mission. By aligning commerce, technology, and sustainability, Guttman and Alvarez have positioned SELLIT9 as one of the most promising startups in Canada’s re-commerce sector.
From Clutter to Currency
The startup’s tagline, “From Clutter to Currency,” captures its mission: to empower households to convert unused possessions into immediate financial relief. As Canadian consumers face reduced purchasing power—Bank of Canada data shows the dollar has lost 41 per cent of its buying power since 2000—the model offers an alternative to stretching household budgets.
“It’s about two things,” Guttman summarized. “First, supporting the circular economy by keeping items out of landfill. Second, making life more affordable for people at a time when every dollar matters.”
With 2,000 trades completed and nearly $100,000 flowing through the platform each month, SELLIT9 is still in its early stages. But Guttman and Alvarez are thinking big. “We want to be on every store, every loyalty program, every airline,” said Guttman. “This is a Canadian company with global ambitions.”
As national Hunger Action Month kicks off in September, Chick-fil-A, Inc. announced Wednesday it will reach a major milestone in addressing community hunger, donating the equivalent of more than 200 million meals across Canada and the U.S. to communities in need since 2020.
“This milestone reflects the collective efforts of local owner-operators, restaurant team members, Chick-fil-A, Inc. and community partners within the communities we serve,” said the company.
Chick-fil-A’s efforts to fight hunger include:
Over 192K meals have been created in Canada by Chick-fil-A Shared Table™, a program that allows local restaurants to donate surplus food to hunger-fighting non-profit organizations. All restaurants in Canada participate in Shared Table, donating leftover food and prepared items to local non-profits through Second Harvest who incorporate it into meals for the community.
Since 2020, the company has donated about C$2 million (US$1.46 million) to celebrate new restaurant openings in Canada.
Investing in the future: It is investing an additional C$300K in 2026 to support hunger relief efforts across Canada. This includes donations to Second Harvest for additional meals and awarding grants to help local non-profit organizations support hunger relief efforts.
Brent Fielder
“Every Chick-fil-A restaurant in Canada has stepped up to serve their communities through Chick-fil-A Shared Table, donating thousands of meals collectively,” said Brent Fielder, Vice President of Global Impact at Chick-fil-A, Inc. “As food insecurity continues to rise, Chick-fil-A Shared Table is a powerful reminder that when we come together with purpose, generosity multiplies, and lives are impacted.”
The Big Picture:
Hunger is on the rise with over 295 million people experiencing food insecurity – an increase of almost 14 million people compared to 2023.
8.7 million Canadians live in food-insecure households, according to the University of Toronto.
2.1 million children in Canada live in households where food is not always available or affordable, according to Second Harvest.
Lori Nikkel
“Access to wholesome, fresh food is a fundamental right for everyone, yet the reality of food insecurity is starkly visible. It impacts millions within our communities who, like all of us, simply desire the opportunity to flourish,” said Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest. “I deeply appreciate Chick-fil-A’s ongoing commitment to our shared goal of eliminating hunger in our communities.”
The brand said its commitment also includes diverting food from landfills, with more than 87K kilograms of food waste diverted in Canada since 2019.
For more information about the company’s global impact programs and sustainability initiatives: Chick-fil-A.com/global-impact.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the United States. More than 200,000 Team Members are employed by local Owner-Operators in more than 3,000 restaurants across Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico. It opened its first restaurant in the UK in early 2025 with the goal of launching five locations across the UK within the next two years. The first Singapore restaurant is set to open in late 2025, marking the brand’s entry into Asia. The family-owned and privately held company was founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy.
Queen’s Cross Food Hall at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Cadillac Fairview)
Despite economic uncertainty and cautious consumer sentiment, Canada’s commercial foodservice industry has posted strong growth in the first half of 2025, continuing a recovery trend that began in mid-2021. According to new data from Circana LLC, traffic across the sector rose 3.2% in the first half of the year, while consumer spending increased by 5.7%.
The performance underscores both the resilience of Canadian foodservice and the evolving dining habits of Canadians, who continue to prioritize local experiences and social outings even as household budgets remain stretched.
Quick-Service and Retail Foodservice Outperform
The strongest gains have come from quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and retail foodservice. QSRs posted a 4.3% increase in traffic during the most recent quarter, while retail foodservice matched that figure with its best growth in years.
Retail foodservice, which includes fully prepared meals and beverages purchased from grocery stores, convenience stores, and warehouse clubs for immediate consumption, has emerged as a particularly dynamic segment. As Vince Sgabellone, Foodservice Industry Analyst at Circana, explained, this reflects consumer preference for convenience and affordability.
Vince Sgabellone
“We like experiences, and we all eat,” he said in an interview. “Even if it’s a five-dollar coffee a day, that adds up quickly. People still want the experience, even if they’re saving money elsewhere.”
Full-service restaurants, by contrast, saw a 0.7% decline in traffic, as Canadians increasingly chose lower-cost formats that require less tipping and tax. The trade-down trend is being reinforced by rising meal prices and a growing appetite for value-driven promotions.
Independent Restaurants Outpace Large Chains
One of the most notable shifts in the market is the success of independent and small-chain operators. These restaurants are growing faster than their large-chain counterparts, benefitting from both consumer interest in supporting local businesses and Canada’s rapidly diversifying population.
“The shop local movement that started during the pandemic still has legs,” said Sgabellone. “People are discovering a whole world of small operators offering authentic food from cultural communities across the country. These independents and smaller chains are growing faster than the legacy brands.”
This momentum has been reinforced by immigration-driven population growth. Canada has added more than five million people since 2019, many of whom bring diverse culinary traditions. “People want the food they’re familiar with, and they won’t necessarily find it at a legacy chain,” Sgabellone noted. “That creates opportunities for local entrepreneurs.”
Value-Driven Promotions Keep Consumers Engaged
Deals are playing an increasingly important role in attracting diners. According to Circana’s CREST foodservice data, non-deal occasions have flattened, while deal-driven visits continue to grow.
“Consumers are stretched, but they’re still going out,” said Sgabellone. “The growth is coming from deal occasions, whether it’s a buy-one-get-one offer, a combo deal, or digital coupons.”
Digital adoption has accelerated this trend, with half of all coupons now delivered through mobile apps or online platforms. “Almost half of all digital orders include some sort of a deal,” Sgabellone added. “Operators are using apps to push promotions, reward loyalty, and drive frequency.”
Digital ordering continues to expand at double-digit rates, a trend that has persisted over the past three quarters. Delivery alone surged 13% in the last quarter, as consumers embraced convenience despite the added costs.
“What goes hand in hand with digital ordering is deals,” Sgabellone explained. “Operators are competing aggressively in this space, using apps to encourage larger orders or offering free delivery thresholds.”
For younger Canadians, delivery has become especially important. Many urban Gen Z consumers do not own cars, making drive-thru less accessible. “Staying home and ordering in may be more expensive than picking it up yourself,” Sgabellone observed, “but it’s still cheaper than going out to a full-service restaurant.”
Le Central – Photo: André Rainville (@villedepluie) via lecentral.ca
Lunch Leading the Way as Work Patterns Shift
Changing work patterns are reshaping demand across different dayparts. Lunch has become the fastest-growing segment of the day, supported by the gradual return to office work. With more Canadians commuting again, workplace-adjacent QSRs and cafés are benefitting from increased traffic.
Coffee and beverage occasions remain steady, but consumers are more price-conscious in their choices. “During the inflationary spike in 2022 and 2023, average spend only grew by two to three percent, not the eight to ten percent we saw with inflation,” said Sgabellone. “People adjusted by trading down, skipping extras, or choosing lower-cost formats. They preserved the experience, but made small sacrifices.”
Dining as an Experience
Beyond price sensitivity, dining out remains driven by the social and experiential value of foodservice. Circana’s consumer sentiment research finds that Canadians continue to prioritize restaurants as spaces to socialize, try new flavours, and enjoy time away from home.
“It’s not necessarily about hunger,” said Sgabellone. “It’s about getting out, trying something new, or just sitting in a coffee shop watching the world go by. That social and experiential factor is what keeps people coming back.”
Younger consumers are especially willing to splurge on experiences. “Gen Zers living at home may have fewer financial responsibilities but are earning incomes,” he added. “They’ll spend $200 on a special meal out, not every day, but for the experience.”
Food as a Retail Anchor
The expansion of foodservice is visible across Canada’s retail landscape, where restaurants and food halls are increasingly serving as anchors for shopping centres. Malls such as Toronto’s CF Fairview have repositioned around large food precincts, while concepts like Eataly demonstrate the power of food to draw repeat visits and animate retail environments.
“There are fewer restaurants in Canada today than there were in 2019, even with five million more people,” Sgabellone noted. “That means demand is being absorbed by those who are operating, and new entrants see opportunity. For international chains, the Canadian market looks attractive because of available retail real estate and continued population growth.”
Top performing food court in Canada. Photo provided by Vaughan Mills.
Domestic Travel Fuelling Local Experiences
Reduced international travel is also shaping consumer spending. Many Canadians have scaled back or cancelled expensive vacations abroad, choosing instead to reallocate discretionary dollars to local activities.
“Money that had been put aside for vacations is now available,” Sgabellone explained. “People are spending locally, whether that’s restaurants, movies, or weekend trips. It’s very much a Canadian version of the ‘lipstick effect.’ You can’t afford Disney, but you can afford a new lipstick or a $7 latte.”
This reallocation of spending has benefitted QSRs, retail foodservice, and independent restaurants alike, reinforcing the industry’s resilience.
Outlook for the Next 18 Months
Looking ahead, Circana expects growth in Canada’s commercial foodservice industry to moderate in the near term. Broader economic forecasts point to slowing population growth, weaker housing starts, and a flattening economy.
“We are predicting the growth curve is going to flatten,” said Sgabellone. “We’re not forecasting declines, but we expect very low single-digit growth, likely in the one to two percent range over the next six to eighteen months.”
While the boom period of rapid recovery appears to be over, the industry remains on stronger footing than many other consumer categories. “Foodservice has that experiential component, and that keeps us slightly ahead,” Sgabellone added.
A Sector Positioned for Resilience
The first half of 2025 has reaffirmed that Canada’s commercial foodservice industry remains adaptable, innovative, and deeply tied to Canadian lifestyles. The sector’s ability to embrace digital tools, deliver value-driven promotions, and reflect Canada’s cultural diversity has fuelled growth in the face of inflation and cautious consumer sentiment.
For independents, immigrants, and entrepreneurs, opportunities continue to emerge, while international chains eye Canada as an expanding market with real estate availability and growing demand.
As Sgabellone summarized, “Canadians still want the experience. Whether it’s a five-dollar coffee, a local shawarma shop, or a digital deal from a QSR, foodservice continues to deliver what people are looking for — a sense of connection, indulgence, and everyday enjoyment.”
Toronto-based jewelry studio ATTIC is celebrating 10 years in business, offering a distinct take on jewelry retail with a showroom and workspace that brings customers into the heart of the design and manufacturing process.
“We’ve been in our current location in Toronto for eight years now just east of downtown at Sherbourne and Adelaide,” says Melissa Gobeil, Co-founder of ATTIC. “We just have the one spot. It’s a studio and showroom.
ATTIC first launched in Guelph, Ontario, in what Gobeil describes as a more informal beginning.
“Our very first showroom and studio actually opened in Guelph, strangely enough — which is actually where I currently still live. It wasn’t an official store at that point, more of a rough studio space in an old industrial building in Guelph, kind of a mixed-use setup.”
Once they proved the concept, a move to Toronto was the logical next step.
“We knew we would need to move it to Toronto,” she says. “So we started looking for a place, and we’ve now been in our current Toronto location for eight years.”
The studio reflects ATTIC’s collaborative and transparent approach. “Now the studio is by appointment. That was always the dream — to have a studio space where we could collaborate directly with clients on custom jewelry.”
Melissa Gobeil and Susan Shaw
Founded by Gobeil and Susan Shaw, her long-time business partner, ATTIC was built on a shared vision. “We met actually at goldsmithing school, me and my business partner Susan, many, many years ago,” says Gobeil. “We knew we were wanting to make those kind of classic everyday pieces that people were having a hard time finding at the time.”
“We were best buds as of day one of school.”
Today, the studio/showroom offers a unique experience where clients meet one-on-one with designers who are also trained goldsmiths. “It’s both a showroom and a workspace. Clients can come in, and they get a behind-the-scenes look at the process,” says Gobeil. “We do a lot of manufacturing on-site, and also work with other craftspeople in the area.”
“It’s a very different experience compared to a typical retail jewelry environment. You can hear the tools in the background, see into the workshop. It’s immersive.”
In 2024, ATTIC redesigned its space to reflect its growth and evolving needs. “It used to be completely open, with clients sitting right in the middle of the activity,” she explains. “But as the team grew, we needed more separation. So we worked with a Toronto designer to completely redesign the space.”
“The result was a beautiful showroom with windows into the work area, so clients can still peek in and see what’s going on. We collaborated with local makers and craftspeople for custom lighting, stools, and other elements. It was an amazing experience, especially as designers ourselves, to go through that design process.”
All of ATTIC’s staff, including Gobeil and Susan, trained at George Brown College, a school known for its goldsmithing program. “There are a lot of graduates from that program, especially in Ontario. Our two staff members are also George Brown grads, so everyone on our team is a trained goldsmith,” she says. “When clients sit down with us for a custom piece, whether it’s with me or someone on our team, they’re working directly with a goldsmith. That’s a different experience for most people.”
While ATTIC primarily operates on a direct-to-consumer model, it does have one retail partnership. “We have one retail partner, Souvenir Studios on College Street in Toronto,” says Gobeil. “That’s our only retail partnership.”
Photo: ATTIC
Gobeil notes that industry shifts, including the rise of lab-grown diamonds, have changed the landscape, but not ATTIC’s philosophy. “The last little while has seen a real shift in the industry because lab diamonds kind of came into the market a handful of years ago,” she says. “We work strictly with natural materials so we’re kind of an outlier.”
“There are lots and lots of clients who are shopping for lab diamonds. That’s a new offering. It’s a technology, though, right? So the price of that material, for a retailer to sell or to purchase, has really come down exponentially. That’s changed the climate.”
ATTIC instead focuses on unique natural diamonds with personality. “What we have clients coming to us for are those pieces that are a little bit different and unique,” says Gobeil. “We work with diamonds that might have a bit of colour in them, some imperfection, or some big chunks of uncrystallized carbon. There’s kind of a couple of camps: people shopping for lab diamonds, and people looking for more unique, natural pieces.”
She adds that rising gold prices have added to the pressure. “The price of gold has gone up. That’s a change. It’s just going up and up and up always.”
But ATTIC’s local production and small supplier network have helped insulate it from many of the supply chain challenges facing the broader industry. “We’ve been less impacted by the changes overall because we do all of our own manufacturing right in Toronto,” says Gobeil. “We only work with a very, very small selection of suppliers for our gemstones, who are Canadian suppliers. Thankfully, we haven’t been too impacted when it comes to U.S. markets.”
Gobeil points to a recent example when they pivoted entirely on a design due to importation concerns. “We were considering importing Italian chains from a U.S. company, but when everything happened, we decided to put a pin in it. We regrouped and decided to make the chain by hand, which isn’t very common.”
“We sourced our own recycled gold from our refinery here in Ontario, and then hand-fabricated all the links in our studio, right in downtown Toronto. Then we sourced a local closure and added a little bead set with Canadian origin diamonds.”
“Because we have the capacity to do a lot of manufacturing ourselves,” she adds, “we were able to pivot completely around that design concept.”
With eight years behind them in Toronto, Gobeil is proud of what ATTIC has built and excited for what’s next.
Photo: ATTIC
“In our 10 years, we’ve never strayed from our ethos of quiet, responsible luxury,” adds Gobeil. “As a boutique brand, this milestone feels especially meaningful. It’s a testament to ATTIC’s values and an opportunity to reaffirm our creative vision.”
In October, ATTIC will debut a limited edition anniversary collection in collaboration with Misfit Diamonds, featuring all Canadian, mine-to-market stones.
Gobeil and Shaw personally selected the rough diamonds to be custom cut and set into ATTIC’s signature silhouettes. The light champagne stones will take shape in antique-inspired cuts, heart, moval, pear, with modern settings designed to accentuate the essence of each unique stone.
“We’ve always collaborated with Misfit and incorporated Canadian diamonds into our work, but this is the first time we’ve been part of the custom diamond-cutting process,” says Shaw. “We’ve selected classic yet uncommon shapes to evoke a soft, vintage feel, each one uniquely suited to our signature ATTIC aesthetic.”
All ATTIC pieces are hand-made in Toronto from solid gold, using 100% recycled gold whenever possible, and conflict-free stones.
Canadian wholesale leader CTG Brands Inc. has completed its acquisition of Toronto-based Giftcraft, a storied supplier in the home décor, lifestyle, and gifting sectors. The transaction, finalized on September 2, 2025, sees Giftcraft integrated into CTG’s portfolio through its affiliated company Giftcraft 2025 Inc. The deal represents a pivotal moment for Canadian retail distribution, strengthening CTG’s role as a major player in North American wholesale.
“We’ve been supporting local retailers for over 40 years, and Giftcraft brings a 75-year legacy of innovation and excellence,” said Grant Pittam, President of CTG Brands. “This acquisition reflects our long-term commitment to growing alongside our partners and delivering meaningful value to retailers, consumers, and vendors.”
Complementary Strengths
Founded in 1945, Giftcraft has supplied more than 10,000 retailers across North America, ranging from independent stores to global chains such as Costco, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Canadian Tire, and Loblaw. Its broad assortment of decorative accessories, kitchenware, wellness items, and garden gifts has earned it a loyal customer base.
Giftcraft’s strength lies in its U.S. presence, which makes up roughly 80 percent of its business. CTG Brands, meanwhile, has historically been more Canada-focused, with about 95 percent of its operations rooted domestically. This balance makes the acquisition highly complementary.
As Bin Wang, Executive Vice President, Operations and Finance at CTG Brands, explained in an interview, “We see a very strategic fit. As a Canadian corporation, we are acquiring Giftcraft from U.S. private equity and bringing the business back to Canada. That means creating more Canadian jobs and contributing more tax here, while still expanding our U.S. operations.”
Giftcraft booth. Image supplied
A Return to Canadian Hands
Giftcraft had been acquired by a U.S. private equity group in 2021, a move that eventually led to overleveraging and financial distress. By early 2025, the company was struggling with debt totalling more than $54 million CAD, including loans owed to RBC. It entered receivership after breaching liquidity covenants, scaling back operations, and losing momentum in some product lines, notably its Ripskirt brand, which faced challenges under U.S. trade tariffs.
For CTG, the acquisition was structured as a clean asset deal. “This is an asset acquisition, so we’re not acquiring liabilities,” said Wang. “It gives us a solid foundation to rebuild the brand and accelerate its return to full operations.”
Operational Integration, Separate Identities
Although Giftcraft will benefit from CTG’s infrastructure, the companies will maintain distinct identities. Giftcraft is expected to relocate operations but will not be merged into CTG’s main Vaughan facility.
“Our vision is to run them separately because both companies have very distinct cultures,” noted Wang. “Certain operational departments like warehousing, IT, and customer service will be shared, but for the most part, the two companies will continue independently.”
This approach preserves the integrity of Giftcraft’s long-standing brand while giving CTG efficiencies in distribution. Giftcraft products will move into CTG’s warehouses in Ontario and British Columbia, creating economies of scale for logistics across Canada and into the U.S.
Navigating Cross-Border Trade
The deal also carries implications for cross-border trade. Giftcraft’s deep U.S. customer base allows CTG to expand in ways that were previously limited.
“Having Giftcraft in our portfolio gives us much larger buying power,” Wang explained. “We can negotiate better with suppliers and ship more efficiently across the border. That means larger shipments, better pricing, and improved service for both Canadian and U.S. retailers.”
While tariffs and trade policies remain unpredictable, CTG’s dual presence offers resilience. By consolidating shipments in Canada before distributing into the U.S., the company aims to optimize costs and secure a stronger foothold in the American market.
CTG Booth. Image supplied
Growth Strategy and Industry Context
The Giftcraft acquisition marks the fourth significant deal for CTG in recent years. Previous moves include:
2020: Acquisition of AZ Home’s décor business.
2021: Acquisition of personal care brand Pure Passion.
2023: Acquisition of Malinda Distributors, a de-alcoholized wine supplier.
2025: Strategic partnership with Kitchen Stuff Plus, granting CTG exclusive U.S. distribution rights for the Canadian retailer’s branded products.
Together, these acquisitions demonstrate a clear growth trajectory. CTG has steadily diversified from home décor and giftware into lifestyle, beauty, and even food categories, creating a broader value proposition for retailers.
“We already see opportunity on both sides,” Wang said. “Giftcraft’s customers are beginning to buy CTG products, and CTG’s customers are showing interest in Giftcraft’s more design-driven offerings. Year one will be about stabilization, but year two will be more aggressive growth.”
Supporting Canadian Retailers
CTG has positioned itself as a steadfast supporter of Canadian retail. Its 14,000-product catalogue is supplied to over 3,000 retail customers across Canada and beyond. With distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver and showrooms in Toronto, Vancouver, and Atlanta, the company has built strong ties with independents and chains alike.
Bringing Giftcraft back under Canadian ownership is seen as a point of pride for the company. “This stimulates the Canadian economy at a time when conditions are challenging,” said Wang. “We’re creating more Canadian jobs and building more capacity here, even as we strengthen our U.S. presence.”
What began as a homemade baby food side hustle is now growing into a full-scale children’s brand. Bellybees, a Canadian company founded by Ro Wijewickrama, is expanding beyond the baby aisle with a brand-new line of screen-free learning kits, storybooks, craft sets, puzzles, and flashcards—designed for children from birth to 12 years old.
Rooted in early childhood development and meaningful parent-child connection, Bellybees aims to bring magic, creativity, and calm to everyday routines.
The new product line includes:
Starter + Back-to-School Kits – Age-tailored kits packed with tools and activities that support milestones and school readiness.
Craft Kits – Creative, hands-on fun designed to build fine motor skills and spark imagination.
Storybooks – Heartfelt, inclusive stories that encourages children to read and build imagination.
Puzzles & Games – A new category focused on logic-building, screen-free play for all ages.
Expanded Flashcard Range – New themes and age levels to encourage learning through play from babyhood to the tween years.
“This next chapter is about more than just products—it’s about creating meaningful moments between parents and kids,” said Wijewickrama. “We want to make childhood magical, manageable, and deeply connected.”
Bellybees said it continues to support families from baby’s first bites to big kid milestones with tools that blend fun and learning into everyday life. Whether it’s a story before bed or a puzzle on a rainy afternoon, Bellybees encourages joyful, hands-on discovery.
Buy Now, Pay Later Tire Financing (CNW Group/TireSet.ca)
TireSet.ca, a Toronto-based online tire and wheel retailer, is officially open for business across Canada. The company offers Buy Now, Pay Later financing with credit approvals starting at just 550, plus free nationwide shipping on all orders.
Created with Canadian drivers in mind, TireSet.ca provides a wide selection of new passenger and light truck tires, custom wheels, and a growing inventory of commercial tires. With flexible payment plans through iFinance Canada, customers can order the tires they need now and pay over time—no hard credit checks initially required, it said.
Katie Marsh
“We launched TireSet.ca to give Canadians more access and less stress when it comes to buying tires,” said Katie Marsh, Co-Founder of TireSet.ca. “Credit-challenged customers often get left out—so we’ve built a platform that includes them.”
The company said the website is designed for convenience and accessibility, offering a smooth shopping experience and fast delivery across all provinces and territories. Every product ships directly from the warehouse closest to the customer’s address, with no added shipping fees, it said.
The website features a built-in English/French language toggle, making it easy to browse, search, and check out in either language.
Key Features of TireSet.ca:
Buy Now, Pay Later financing with approvals starting at 550
Free shipping across Canada
Tires for passenger vehicles, light trucks, and select commercial use
Custom wheels for added style and performance
Bilingual website toggle for English and French users
Temu, the global e-commerce platform, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the FITI Testing & Research Institute as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen product quality oversight.
Under the agreement, FITI will provide third-party testing services for textile and apparel products offered on Temu. This collaboration adds an additional layer of independent verification to Temu’s existing quality assurance framework, helping ensure compliance with technical standards and supporting sellers in improving product consistency and reliability, said the company in a news release.
FITI joins a growing network of global testing and certification partners supporting Temu in verifying that products sold on the platform meet relevant safety and regulatory standards. The collaboration also reflects Temu’s commitment to deepening trust among Korean consumers, it said.
“Through this collaboration with Temu, FITI’s expertise in testing and certification is expected to play a key role in ensuring consumer safety and product reliability throughout the global distribution process,” said Yoon Joo-kyung, President of FITI Testing & Research Institute. “We will continue to provide independent and fair testing and certification services that meet international standards, contributing to a safer consumer environment for customers in Korea and beyond.”
Founded in 1965, FITI is Korea’s first internationally accredited testing agency under KOLAS, the national accreditation body recognized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The institute has long provided testing, inspection, and certification services across a wide range of sectors including textiles, consumer goods, and the environment—in Korea as well as in markets such as China and Vietnam, said Temu.
This partnership between Temu and FITI has been ongoing since last year, and is now been officially announced following the establishment of practical, multi-faceted cooperation measures. It reflects Temu’s ongoing efforts to build a robust quality management system through strategic partnerships with leading Korean testing and certification institutions, it said.
“Our collaboration with FITI represents another step forward in reinforcing our quality control system and creating a trustworthy e-commerce environment,” said a Temu spokesperson. “We will continue expanding partnerships with credible institutions to ensure that Korean consumers—and consumers around the world—can shop with confidence at affordable prices.”
Temu operates in more than 90 markets worldwide.
Since launching in Korea in July 2023, Temu said it has provided access to a broad selection of competitively priced merchandise across more than 600 categories, offered by independent third-party sellers through its platform. In May 2024, Temu also voluntarily entered into a Product Safety Agreement with the Korea Fair Trade Commission, demonstrating its strong commitment to consumer protection.
“The company’s growing presence in Korea reflects its mission to widen consumer access to quality products at affordable prices through a trusted online marketplace. Earlier this year, Temu fully opened its platform to local sellers in Korea, offering them a low-cost, scalable channel to reach millions of new customers.”
If you care about value, timeline, and design flexibility,Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) cabinetsare worth serious consideration. They’ve moved far beyond their old reputation as “cheap starter cabinets.” Today, many homeowners, small-scale developers, and community projects choose RTA because they balance affordability with real quality. Below are five detailed reasons why they continue to make sense — with practical tips so you know exactly what to expect.
1) Real Value Without Painful Compromises
The main reason most homeowners look at RTA cabinets is cost. By eliminating retail middle layers and simplifying shipping, RTA cabinets save hundreds — sometimes thousands — compared to pre-assembled or custom lines.
But lower cost doesn’t always mean lower quality. Many RTA manufacturers now offer boxes made from durable plywood, soft-close hinges, and drawer glides that rival name brands. Instead of paying for hidden markups or inflated showrooms, you’re paying for materials and construction that actually matter.
This is especially important for homeowners balancing multiple project expenses — countertops, appliances, flooring, and lighting all add up quickly. By saving intelligently on the cabinet framework, you free your budget to invest in finishes that elevate the overall kitchen. A quartz countertop, modern pendant lighting, or upgraded faucet will give you more visible impact than overspending on cabinet shells.
2) Know What to Insist On — Materials and Hardware
RTA cabinets aren’t all equal. Some online sellers use low-grade particleboard or shortcuts on joinery that won’t stand up to daily use. To make sure you’re investing wisely, focus on these specs:
Box construction: Look for plywood over particleboard.
Drawers: Dovetail joinery lasts longer than staples or glue.
Hardware: Full-extension, soft-close slides and concealed hinges make daily use smoother.
Finish quality: Multi-step painting or staining processes resist chipping and fading better than single-spray finishes.
Doing this homework upfront saves you headaches later. And if you want a quick checklist of what matters most, theRTA Cabinets FAQ guide is a reliable reference. It covers common questions like wood types, assembly steps, warranty issues, and how to compare vendors fairly. Bookmark it before you start making calls — it helps you ask sharper, more informed questions.
3) Save Money Smartly — Where to Cut and Where to Invest
RTA cabinets already provide savings, but the smartest homeowners know how to take it further without cutting corners where it matters.
Spend here:
Sturdy cabinet boxes
Durable hinges and drawer slides
A timeless door style you won’t want to replace in five years
Save here:
Decorative moldings, corbels, or unnecessary trim
Ornate, trendy finishes that might not age well
Factory add-ons you could install later yourself, like pull-out organizers
One cost-effective trick is “door swapping.” If your cabinet boxes are strong, you can refresh the look down the line by only changing the doors. This way, the heart of your kitchen stays intact while you update its appearance affordably.
By thinking strategically, you can build a kitchen that looks higher-end while leaving room in the budget for other upgrades — like better appliances or eco-friendly lighting.
4) Design Choices That Keep Homes Desirable and Timeless
Cabinet style can make or break a remodel. Since RTA cabinets come in a wide variety of finishes and door profiles, choosing wisely helps your kitchen stay appealing for years.
Shaker-style cabinets remain the most popular because they blend seamlessly with modern, transitional, and even farmhouse aesthetics. White and gray tones photograph beautifully for real estate listings and keep resale value strong.
Want personality? Consider adding it selectively — a bold navy island, matte black hardware, or a splash of open shelving. These accents create visual impact while keeping the main cabinet run neutral. This way, the next homeowner can easily adapt the kitchen to their taste without a full remodel.
Remember: trends come and go, but clean lines and classic colors stand the test of time.
5) Logistics, Installation, and Warranty — Control the Project
One of the hidden advantages of RTA is speed. Unlike custom cabinetry that may take 8–12 weeks, many RTA orders ship in a fraction of that time. For projects on a tight timeline — a rental flip, community renovation, or urgent remodel — this can make the difference between meeting deadlines or not.
But with faster shipping comes responsibility. Always:
Inspect deliveries immediately for damage
Verify part counts before scheduling installation
Clarify return or replacement policies in writing
Decide upfront how you’ll handle assembly. Some homeowners enjoy DIY assembly, which saves even more. Others prefer to hire a local installer to handle boxes while they focus on the bigger design picture. Either way, factor in labor costs when comparing “savings” across cabinet options.
Finally, don’t forget about warranty and spare-part policies. A solid warranty shows the company stands behind its product, while easy access to replacement doors or hinges ensures your kitchen stays functional long-term.
Closing Note — A Smart First Step
Before committing, order a door sample and drawer box sample. Hold them under your actual lighting and next to your countertops. The look and feel of materials in your own space will tell you more than any photo.
Then, request itemized quotes from two or three RTA suppliers. Compare them line by line — box material, door style, finish process, hardware brand, and shipping terms. Use the RTA Cabinets FAQ guide as your checklist to avoid surprises.
With a bit of upfront research, RTA cabinets give you the balance of cost efficiency, durability, and design flexibility that homeowners and project managers need. Whether you’re upgrading your forever home or prepping a property for sale, this option delivers a kitchen that feels modern, lasts for years, and leaves room in the budget for life’s other priorities.
