King Street restaurants in Toronto. Photo: Destination Toronto
The United States is once again trying to put an end to the ritual of changing the clocks twice a year. The House of Representatives has passed legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent, leaving the Senate to decide whether Americans should remain on summer time throughout the year. What looks like a simple adjustment to the clock could have consequences reaching well beyond sleep schedules. It could also change when, where and how people buy and consume food—and Canada cannot afford to treat the debate as someone else’s problem.
Ontario has been waiting for this moment. In 2020, the province passed legislation permitting permanent daylight time, but made implementation dependent on coordination with Quebec and New York. That caution was justified. Ontario’s food economy is deeply integrated with both jurisdictions. Trucks carrying produce, meat and processed foods cross borders according to tightly managed delivery appointments. Warehouses, processing plants, grocery stores and restaurants operate on synchronized schedules. A one-hour difference may sound trivial, but in a perishable supply chain, small complications multiply quickly.
If Washington ultimately adopts permanent daylight time, political pressure on Ontario and Quebec to follow will intensify. The immediate supply-chain implications should be manageable if the major jurisdictions move together. The more interesting question is what an additional hour of evening daylight during winter would do to food consumption.
It would not necessarily make people eat more. It would, however, likely change where and when they eat. Brighter evenings encourage people to remain outside, shop after work and participate in leisure activities. That creates opportunities for restaurants, cafés, takeout operators, convenience stores and entertainment districts. Some food spending now occurring at grocery stores could migrate toward food service. Total demand may barely change, while the commercial destination of that demand shifts considerably.
Meal timing could change as well. If people stay active later, dinner may be delayed and evening snacking could become more common. Researchers have already found that the spring clock change can temporarily increase consumption of packaged snacks, apparently because lost sleep and disrupted routines influence self-control. Eliminating the clock change would remove that semi-annual disruption, but permanent daylight time could create a different challenge: darker winter mornings and a lasting misalignment between social schedules and natural light. The long-term dietary consequences remain uncertain, which is precisely why claims that permanent daylight time will automatically improve public health should be treated cautiously.
Then there is farming, where one of the most persistent myths about daylight saving time continues to survive. The system was not created for farmers. It was promoted during wartime largely as an energy-conservation measure. Farmers were often among its strongest opponents because crops, livestock and weather do not recognize government clocks. Cows do not adjust their biological routines because legislators move the hour hand. Dew does not disappear earlier because a statute says it is later. Agriculture follows sunlight; the modern food chain follows schedules.
That distinction still matters. Today’s farms are connected to processors, milk pickups, livestock transporters, distribution centres and labour shifts governed by clock time. Permanent daylight time would not create an additional hour of sunlight or improve crop yields. It would simply relabel an existing hour, transferring usable clock daylight from the morning to the evening. For farm operations starting before sunrise, winter mornings would become darker. The burden would be operational rather than biological.
For consumers, the most visible winners could be restaurants and other businesses that benefit from evening activity. For grocery retailers, the effect could be mixed: more after-work shopping, but potentially greater competition from food service. For supply chains, the determining factor would be coordination. Ontario moving with Quebec and New York would be an adjustment. Ontario moving alone would be an avoidable logistical nuisance.
Changing the clock will not change the amount of daylight, solve food inflation or transform agricultural productivity. But clocks organize markets, and food is perhaps the most time-sensitive market of all. Permanent daylight time could subtly redistribute food spending, alter meal schedules and reshape evening demand. Before governments declare the debate merely a matter of convenience, they should recognize that even time has a supply chain.
Retailers are increasingly turning to AI-driven creative tools and cross-platform analytics to compete in a landscape where video content and real-time data have become essential to reaching consumers.
The retail marketing playbook has changed dramatically over the past 18 months. Where once static banner ads and email blasts formed the backbone of digital campaigns, today’s leading retailers — from DTC brands to legacy department stores — are investing heavily in AI-powered video production and integrated e-commerce analytics to keep pace with shifting consumer behaviour.
According to a recent report from the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), over 67% of Canadian retailers now allocate more than a quarter of their digital marketing budgets to video content, up from just 38% in 2024. The shift reflects a broader North American trend: consumers increasingly discover and evaluate products through short-form video on platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts before making purchase decisions — both online and in-store.
“Video is no longer a nice-to-have for retailers. It’s the primary way younger consumers interact with brands,” said Dr. Sarah Chen, Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. “What’s changed in 2026 is the accessibility. AI tools have collapsed the cost and timeline of video production to a point where even small retailers can produce professional content daily.”
The AI Video Revolution in Retail
The emergence of generative AI video models — including technologies like Sora, Seedance, Kling, and Veo — has fundamentally altered the economics of retail content creation. Tasks that previously required production crews, studios, and weeks of post-production can now be completed in minutes through AI-powered platforms.
For Canadian retailers, this shift is particularly significant. Many operate with leaner marketing teams than their American counterparts and have historically struggled to produce the volume of content needed to compete effectively on social commerce platforms. AI video tools have levelled the playing field.
“We were spending $15,000 to $20,000 per product video shoot,” said the marketing director at a mid-sized Canadian fashion retailer who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Now we generate 30 to 40 video variations per product in a single afternoon, test them across platforms, and iterate based on real performance data. Our cost per video has dropped by roughly 90%.”
Platforms like Topview AI’s Marketing Studio exemplify this new generation of tools. Rather than offering a single AI model, Marketing Studio aggregates multiple video generation engines alongside image creation, talking avatar production, and voice synthesis — providing retailers with a unified creative workspace that covers the full spectrum of content needs.
Beyond Creation: The Data Integration Imperative
But the more consequential shift may not be in content creation itself — it’s in how retailers are connecting creative output to commerce data.
Historically, retail marketing teams operated in silos: the creative team produced assets, the media team ran campaigns, and the analytics team reported results weeks later. AI marketing platforms are collapsing these silos by integrating directly with e-commerce platforms like Amazon, TikTok Shop, and Shopify, allowing marketers to tie specific creative assets to real-time sales performance.
This capability is proving especially valuable for Canadian retailers selling cross-border on Amazon.com or through TikTok Shop, which launched in Canada in late 2025. The ability to see which video creative is driving actual conversions — not just clicks or views — in near real-time allows for rapid optimization that was previously impossible without dedicated data science resources.
Marketing Studio, for instance, now offers direct integrations with TikTok and Amazon analytics, pulling performance data into the same workspace where creatives are produced. The platform can also autonomously install and configure new analytical capabilities — a modular “skills” system that adapts to specific retailer workflows — and generates shareable HTML reports with trend analysis and performance visualizations.
“The retailers winning right now aren’t just the ones making more content,” noted Lisa Park, a retail technology consultant based in Vancouver. “They’re the ones who’ve closed the feedback loop between creation and performance. When you can see within hours that Version B of a product video is driving 3x the conversions of Version A on TikTok Shop, and you can instantly scale that winner — that’s a fundamentally different competitive position.”
Canadian Retail Adoption: Early but Accelerating
Canadian adoption of AI marketing tools has lagged the U.S. by roughly 6 to 12 months, according to analysts, but the pace is accelerating. Several factors are driving faster uptake:
Cross-border competition. Canadian retailers increasingly compete with American brands that have already adopted AI creative workflows. As U.S.-based DTC brands expand into Canadian markets through platforms like Amazon.ca and TikTok, domestic retailers face pressure to match their content velocity and personalization capabilities.
Labour market constraints. Canada’s retail sector continues to face challenges in hiring skilled digital marketing talent, particularly outside of Toronto and Vancouver. AI tools that reduce the need for specialized video production and data analysis skills are attractive to retailers operating in smaller markets.
Social commerce growth. Statistics Canada data shows that social commerce transactions grew 43% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026, with TikTok Shop and Instagram Checkout driving the majority of new volume. Retailers without a robust video content pipeline are being left behind on these platforms.
“Canadian retailers have always been resourceful out of necessity,” said Dr. Chen. “The AI tools available today play to that strength. A four-person marketing team in Calgary can now produce content at a quality and volume that would have required a 20-person team and a six-figure production budget three years ago.”
The Multichannel Content Challenge
One area where AI tools are proving particularly valuable is in the production of localized and multilingual content — a persistent challenge for Canadian retailers who must serve both English and French-speaking markets, and increasingly, diverse multilingual communities in major urban centres.
Traditional localization workflows required separate production runs or expensive dubbing and translation services. AI-powered platforms now offer automated dubbing, voice cloning, and multi-language text generation that can produce French-language versions of English video content in minutes rather than days.
For retailers operating nationally across Canada’s linguistically diverse landscape, this capability alone can justify the investment in AI creative tools. Several major Canadian grocery and pharmacy chains have reportedly begun using AI dubbing tools to produce bilingual social media content at scale, dramatically reducing the time and cost of meeting federal bilingual marketing requirements.
What Retailers Should Watch
Industry observers point to several emerging trends that will shape AI-driven retail marketing through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027:
AI-generated UGC at scale. User-generated content remains the highest-converting format in social commerce. AI avatar and talking-head video tools allow retailers to produce UGC-style content featuring diverse, realistic presenters without the logistical complexity and cost of working with large creator networks. Expect this to become standard practice in retail marketing within 12 months.
Real-time creative optimization. The integration of creative tools with live e-commerce data will enable automated A/B testing cycles that run continuously, with AI systems generating new creative variations based on what’s converting. Early adopters report 25-40% improvements in return on ad spend (ROAS) within the first 90 days of implementation.
Personalized video at the individual level. As AI video generation costs continue to fall, the possibility of producing personalized product recommendation videos for individual customers — based on browsing history, purchase behaviour, and demographic data — is moving from theoretical to practical. Several retail technology providers are actively developing this capability.
Regulatory scrutiny. As AI-generated content becomes ubiquitous in retail marketing, expect increased regulatory attention from bodies like the Competition Bureau of Canada. Retailers should proactively develop disclosure policies for AI-generated content, particularly AI-created testimonials and product demonstrations, to stay ahead of potential regulatory requirements.
The Bottom Line
The convergence of AI video generation, cross-platform data analytics, and social commerce is creating a new paradigm for retail marketing in North America. For Canadian retailers, these tools represent both an opportunity and an imperative: an opportunity to compete more effectively with larger, better-resourced competitors, and an imperative to adopt before the capability gap widens further.
The retailers most likely to benefit are those who approach AI not just as a content production shortcut, but as a strategic capability that connects creative output to commercial outcomes. Tools that unify creation, distribution, and analytics — like the emerging class of AI marketing studios — offer the clearest path to that integration.
As Dr. Chen put it: “The question for retailers is no longer whether to adopt AI marketing tools. It’s how quickly they can integrate these capabilities into their existing workflows without disrupting what’s already working. The technology is ready. The gap is organizational.”
Americans filed about 1.72 million business applications in the 12 months to June that the U.S. Census Bureau identifies as most likely to become employer businesses, roughly 31% above the 2019 level and still edging higher.
The figure comes from an analysis of Census Bureau Business Formation Statistics by Mandoe Media, a digital signage supplier that works with restaurants, retailers and gyms. It points to a pipeline of genuine new premises that has stayed full well after the pandemic-era spike, and one that matters to anyone selling into retail and hospitality.
The headline number is what the Census Bureau calls high-propensity applications, the filings its model treats as the closest read on businesses likely to hire and open premises. That measure is anchored in consumer-facing sectors: accommodation and food services and retail are among the industries that qualify an application as high-propensity. In the latest single month of industry detail, retail trade drew about 77,200 applications and accommodation and food services about 26,800, two of the larger categories.
There is a second story underneath the first. Applications of every kind ran at about 6.02 million over the same 12 months, up almost 15% year over year and about 72% above 2019. But the share of that total classed as high-propensity has fallen, from 37.6% in 2019 to 28.6% now. The raw count has climbed faster than the part of it likely to become a staffed storefront, which is why the 1.72 million figure carries more signal for suppliers than the headline six million does.
“The number that matters to anyone selling to retailers is the share of applications likely to actually open premises and hire, and that has held up even as the raw filing count has run ahead of it,” said Paul Madden at Mandoe Media. “A storefront that opens this year is competing for attention from its first day, and how it presents prices and offers at the door is part of that.”
Growth in the likely-employer pipeline has not stalled. High-propensity applications rose 2.3% on the prior 12 months, and the run rate now averages roughly 143,700 likely-employer filings a month.
Mandoe Media compiled the finding from public Census Bureau Business Formation Statistics retrieved through the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. No private data was used. The Census Bureau publishes industry detail at national level and geographic detail as a total across all industries, so a clean state-by-sector ranking of restaurants or shops is not available from the series.
Inventory is a large investment for most retailers – Managing spending is necessary for profitability and growth. While businesses often focus on sales, controlling inventory expenses is also important for financial performance. Purchasing decisions, supplier payments, storage costs and transportation expenses affect the cost of maintaining stock. When these expenses are not visible, retailers may spend too much, hold unnecessary stock or have limited cash flow.
Better expense tracking provides retailers with accurate financial information for inventory decisions. Businesses can see where money is spent plus how those expenses influence inventory performance – this visibility allows companies to lower waste, create better purchasing agreements and invest in products that provide high returns.
Understanding Inventory Related Expenses
Many retailers focus on the purchase price of products but may overlook other costs. Freight charges, storage fees, insurance, packaging materials, handling costs, returns processing and seasonal promotions are part of the total investment. Tracking these expenses individually helps businesses understand the actual cost of every product.
Accurate expense tracking also reveals spending patterns – Retailers can identify recurring charges that increase operating costs or suppliers whose pricing is high. By recognizing the trends early, businesses can make informed decisions before expenses lower profitability.
Improving Purchasing Decisions
Retailers with detailed expense records are able to make informed purchasing decisions. They can evaluate the financial impact of each purchase instead of relying only on historical sales or supplier suggestions – this evaluation includes shipping costs, warehouse capacity, turnover but also seasonal demand.
Expense management software also assists in negotiations with suppliers – Financial data is useful when discussing pricing, delivery schedules or discounts. Retailers that understand how supplier expenses affect operations are in a position to negotiate agreements that lower costs and maintain product availability.
Reducing Overstock & Understock Problems
Financial issues often come from purchasing incorrect amounts of inventory. Overstocking uses capital, increases storage expenses and creates a risk of unsold goods. Understocking leads to missed sales, unhappy customers as well as expensive emergency purchases.
Expense tracking helps retailers identify the financial results of both situations. By reviewing spending and inventory performance, businesses can determine which purchasing patterns are most effective – this approach encourages inventory levels that meet customer demand without creating financial pressure.
Strengthening Cash Flow Management
Cash flow is critical for retail operations – Businesses can experience difficulties if inventory purchases use available cash before sales occur. Tracking inventory expenses allows retailers to forecast financial obligations and prepare for purchasing cycles.
With financial visibility, retailers can schedule purchases strategically instead of making large orders that strain resources – this approach supports cash reserves or ensures products are available for customers. Better cash flow management also creates flexibility for market changes or new opportunities.
Using Technology To Improve Accuracy
Technology improves the accuracy and efficiency of expense tracking. Digital accounting systems, inventory management platforms and reporting tools record transactions next to lower manual errors – these systems provide real time financial information for fast decision making.
Many retailers integrate expense management software with accounting and inventory systems – this integration simplifies reporting and reduces administrative tasks. Managers can review reports that connect inventory purchases with operational expenses for effective financial analysis.
Improving Inventory Forecasting Accuracy
Retailers can forecast inventory levels more precisely when they track expenses – this practice provides clear information about how customers purchase items and how the business spends money. When a company knows the costs for products, storage and shipping, it can predict future demand with greater accuracy. The business is less likely to hold excess stock or have insufficient supplies during busy periods.
Correct forecasts are also helpful when a company decides how to distribute its budget. Businesses can determine which products are successful – comparing previous costs with sales data – this analysis shows which items are profitable plus which items require less financial support. Such a method is beneficial because it keeps inventory at balanced levels and ensures the business uses its money and tools efficiently.
Monitoring Supplier Performance
Expense tracking provides insight into supplier performance – Retailers can evaluate delivery reliability, shipping consistency, product quality, return rates plus service costs. A vendor with low prices is expensive if delays or quality problems increase operating costs.
Regular financial reviews encourage supplier accountability – Retailers with detailed records can identify suppliers who meet expectations – these insights help businesses work with dependable partners and lower inventory expenses.
Supporting Better Financial Planning
Long-term planning depends on accurate expense information – Retailers need historical data to estimate inventory investments, seasonal requirements and operating expenses. Better expense tracking provides the information necessary for realistic financial forecasts.
Accurate data also allows retailers to evaluate expansion opportunities. When opening locations, introducing products or increasing warehouse capacity, businesses can estimate the financial impact using actual spending patterns – this improves budgeting but also reduces uncertainty during growth.
Establishing Consistent Spending Practices
Consistent procedures help retailers control inventory spending. Employees responsible for purchasing or managing suppliers should follow standard processes so that expenses are accurate and reviewed regularly. Documentation reduces confusion and supports financial accountability.
A business expense policy establishes expectations for approvals, documentation as well as oversight. When employees understand how to manage inventory expenses, businesses lower the risk of unauthorized spending and improve financial records.
Measuring Inventory Performance
Expense tracking is valuable when combined with inventory performance measurements. Retailers can compare carrying costs, turnover rates, profit margins and sales performance to see if purchasing decisions are successful – these measurements show which products contribute to profitability.
Ongoing reviews encourage improvement – As retailers monitor data, they can identify successful strategies, stop inefficient practices or adjust investments based on customer demand. Small improvements generate savings and support long term financial performance.
Conclusion
Improving inventory spending involves more than reducing purchase costs. Retailers have better financial results when they understand the expenses for acquiring, storing and selling inventory. Better expense tracking provides visibility for purchasing decisions, cash flow management, supplier relationships next to financial planning.
As markets change, businesses that prioritize expense tracking are prepared for customer demand and economic conditions. By using financial oversight and inventory management, retailers can lower spending, improve efficiency plus build a foundation for profitability.
Canadian retail technology is entering a new phase as artificial intelligence, payments, loyalty programs and commerce platforms become increasingly interconnected rather than operating as standalone solutions.
The report examines two closely connected segments of the retail industry. Retail Technology covers technologies enabling Canadian retail, including POS systems, artificial intelligence, ecommerce platforms, retail software, customer engagement, loyalty technology, cybersecurity, automation and digital innovation. Payments & POS focuses on payment technologies, point-of-sale systems, fintech, digital wallets, payment processing, checkout innovation, fraud prevention and retail financial technology.
General Themes
AI becomes core infrastructure — Artificial intelligence is moving beyond experimentation into merchandising, inventory planning, customer engagement and operational decision-making.
Integrated commerce ecosystems — Retailers increasingly want connected platforms that unify payments, loyalty, customer data, marketing and operations.
Loyalty grows in strategic importance — Loyalty programs and first-party customer data are becoming foundational business assets rather than simple rewards programs.
Convenience becomes expected — Delivery, click-and-collect and fulfillment capabilities are increasingly viewed as baseline customer expectations.
Agentic commerce emerges — AI-powered shopping agents are beginning to influence how retailers may eventually sell products and engage consumers.
People remain critical — Technology investments continue to outpace workforce readiness, making implementation and organizational capability key competitive factors.
Cross-border commerce improves — Technology continues to reduce friction for international retail, even as tariffs, regulation and geopolitical issues remain challenges.
Retail Insider Coverage
The report draws extensively on Retail Insider’s coverage of technology investments, payment innovation and evolving commerce platforms across Canada’s retail industry. Among the developments examined are Loblaw’s ChatGPT grocery integration, Rogers’ launch of POS and payment solutions for small businesses, Skip’s expanded grocery partnership with Loblaw, DoorDash’s grocery expansion with Empire, and SumUp’s entry into the Canadian market.
Retail Insider’s reporting also captures broader technology trends affecting retailers, including AWS’s AI shopping assistant for retailers, Canadian Tire’s continued use of AI and data-driven merchandising, loyalty initiatives such as Cascadia Liquor’s new program, and research examining workforce readiness, cross-border commerce and consumer attitudes toward AI-powered shopping. Together, these developments illustrate how technology is increasingly supporting every stage of the retail value chain rather than isolated business functions.
Broader Industry Coverage
The report suggests Canadian retail is entering an era in which competitive advantage depends less on adopting individual technologies than on connecting them into cohesive operating platforms. Artificial intelligence, payments, customer data, loyalty, fulfillment and marketing are increasingly converging into integrated commerce infrastructure that supports both customer experience and operational efficiency.
The findings also point toward a future where many of the most important retail technology investments are largely invisible to consumers. As payment experiences become more seamless, loyalty ecosystems expand, fulfillment networks mature and AI becomes embedded across retail operations, the technology itself becomes less visible while its influence on retail performance continues to grow. Emerging concepts such as agentic commerce suggest retailers may also need to prepare for AI participating directly in purchasing decisions alongside human shoppers.
Editor’s Take
The report argues that Canadian retail has moved beyond viewing technology as a collection of tools. Artificial intelligence, payments, loyalty, commerce platforms and operational systems are increasingly becoming interconnected infrastructure that supports nearly every aspect of retail. Retailers that can successfully integrate these capabilities alongside investments in people and organizational readiness are likely to be better positioned than those pursuing isolated technology initiatives.
Mercedes-Benz showroom on the street level of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz has opened an evolving automotive and lifestyle destination inside Holt Renfrew’s Toronto flagship, bringing vehicles together with fashion, product customization, hospitality and cultural programming.
Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto occupies approximately 3,000 square feet on the main floor of the department store at 50 Bloor Street West. Opened June 26, the Studio will be redesigned twice more during 2026, with each version introducing a new creative concept, automotive presentation, fashion residency and merchandise assortment.
The inaugural summer installation is centred on Mercedes-AMG, performance and tennis culture. It features the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 4MATIC+ Roadster, a residency by Vancouver-founded Reigning Champ, tennis-related collectibles, an embroidery station and a café program inspired by major international tournaments.
At the rear of the Studio, the MANUFAKTUR Atelier presents a more permanent exploration of Mercedes-Benz craftsmanship and personalization. Visitors can examine exterior colours, upholstery, interior materials and trim selections in a workshop-inspired setting that demonstrates how a vehicle can be configured around individual preferences.
The Studio gives Mercedes-Benz a presence beyond the traditional dealership and places the automotive brand directly within Toronto’s principal luxury shopping district. For Holt Renfrew, it creates a changing main-floor attraction intended to encourage discovery, interaction and repeat visits throughout the year.
“Through our partnership with Holt Renfrew, we’ve created an inviting, design-led space where customers can experience Mercedes-Benz beyond the vehicle,” said Alex Matthews, Vice President, Digital, PR and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Canada.
Matthews said the Studio reflects the breadth of the Mercedes-Benz portfolio, ranging from AMG performance and the S-Class to electric vehicles and the craftsmanship offered through MANUFAKTUR.
Mercedes-Benz showroom on the street level of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada
Inside Holt Renfrew’s Canadian Flagship
Holt Renfrew’s Bloor Street flagship spans more than 150,000 square feet of retail space across multiple levels, with expansive frontage along Bloor Street. Its Yorkville location places the Mercedes-Benz Studio within Canada’s most concentrated luxury retail district and directly in front of customers already engaging with premium fashion, beauty, accessories and personal service.
The prominent main-floor location allows Mercedes-Benz to meet customers in a setting that is less formal than a dealership. Visitors can move between Holt Renfrew’s fashion departments, the Studio’s merchandise, the vehicles and the MANUFAKTUR material displays without beginning with an automotive sales appointment.
Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto functions as a vehicle showcase, fashion shop, customization space and cultural installation. Merchandise is available for purchase, while test drives offered on selected dates create a pathway from the in-store presentation to direct engagement with Mercedes-AMG vehicles.
The space is divided into two principal portions. The front section will change with each creative refresh, while the MANUFAKTUR Atelier will remain in place throughout the activation. The summer concept will be replaced by a new presentation in September, followed by another transformation in November. The three phases will explore sport, timeless creativity and the holiday season.
The rotating model gives the Studio a cadence associated with fashion retail, where new collections, collaborations and visual presentations provide customers with reasons to return.
During a walkthrough, Retail Insider observed a space built around participation as much as presentation. Visitors can shop, examine the vehicles, explore materials, customize apparel and engage with programming tied to the summer tennis concept.
Mercedes-Benz showroom on the street level of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada
Reigning Champ Leads the First Fashion Residency
The Studio’s first residency features Reigning Champ, with a curated assortment of premium athletic apparel and products developed in collaboration with Holt Renfrew.
The presentation includes clothing bearing custom Holt Renfrew and Reigning Champ graphics, with certain products created specifically for the Toronto installation. The limited availability gives the residency an element of exclusivity that extends beyond the vehicles on display.
The apparel is joined by tennis-related objects curated through Pro Shop, a concept created by artist and photographer Vicente Muñoz. Vintage magazines, rackets, tennis balls, prints and ceramic works are displayed throughout the space, with several one-of-one pieces available for purchase.
Muñoz’s work draws from the culture, imagery and material history of tennis, providing a bridge between performance, fashion, design and collecting.
The summer program has also included racket-stringing sessions, allowing visitors to observe the technical process and have equipment restrung according to their preferred tension. An embroidery station offers further customization for selected merchandise, including Mercedes-Benz and Reigning Champ branding and personal initials.
These elements make participation part of the retail proposition. Customers can purchase a product, take part in its customization and leave with something individualized, an approach increasingly visible across luxury fashion, footwear, jewellery and accessories.
A café component adds another layer, with refreshments inspired by the traditions surrounding major tennis tournaments. Together, the retail, food, vehicles and programming create a destination designed to be explored over time.
The tennis theme also gives the global Mercedes-Benz Studios concept a local connection. Mercedes-Benz has relationships involving the WTA, Tennis Canada and the National Bank Open, which is held annually in Toronto and Montreal.
Mercedes-Benz showroom on the street level of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada
Customizing a Vehicle Like a Luxury Product
The MANUFAKTUR Atelier provides the clearest connection between automotive design and the shopping experience elsewhere inside Holt Renfrew.
Exterior paint samples, interior colours, upholstery, fabrics and trim options are displayed in an environment where customers can see and touch the materials used to personalize a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. The process is presented in a manner similar to selecting a made-to-order garment, accessory or piece of furniture.
That comparison becomes especially visible inside a luxury department store. Customers accustomed to making decisions around colour, fabrication, craftsmanship and personal style can apply a similar mindset to configuring a vehicle.
The Atelier remains in place while the front of the Studio changes, creating continuity across the three creative concepts. The merchandise customization station reinforces the same broader idea: giving customers a role in shaping the final product.
The Studio also has a commercial function beyond brand awareness. Visitors can explore vehicles, materials and design choices in a lower-pressure setting before arranging a test drive or continuing the conversation through the Mercedes-Benz dealer network.
Mercedes-Benz showroom on the street level of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada
A New Use for a Former Luxury Concession
The Mercedes-Benz Studio has introduced a new use for one of Holt Renfrew’s most visible former luxury concessions.
The approximately 3,000-square-foot space previously housed Saint Laurent, which operated a comprehensive concession with its own entrance along Bloor Street. It closed after the French fashion house opened a substantially larger standalone flagship a short distance west at 110 Bloor Street West.
The newer Saint Laurent store spans approximately 10,400 square feet and formed part of a broader wave of expanded international luxury flagships along Bloor Street.
The transition illustrates how the relationship between department stores and global luxury brands is evolving. Some major fashion houses are establishing larger standalone locations where they can control the full assortment, environment and customer journey. Department stores, meanwhile, are introducing rotating partnerships, cultural programming and categories beyond conventional fashion concessions to animate prominent space.
In this case, a relatively static branded boutique has been replaced by an installation expected to transform three times within approximately six months. The vehicles, merchandise, fashion partners and creative treatment will change, while the Mercedes-Benz presence and MANUFAKTUR Atelier provide continuity.
For Holt Renfrew, the model introduces a new category to the main floor and creates an attraction that can be repeatedly remerchandised. Mercedes-Benz gains access to the department store’s customer base, luxury positioning and central Yorkville location.
Mercedes-Benz showroom on the street level of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada
Automotive Retail Moves Into Yorkville
Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto forms part of an international initiative spanning more than 10 cities across four continents. Although the Studios share a broad framework, each is adapted through local design, partnerships and cultural programming.
Toronto’s version draws from Yorkville’s concentration of luxury retailers, the seasonal importance of the National Bank Open and the presence of a Canadian performance-wear company through Reigning Champ.
“Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto brings our brand directly into Yorkville, the city’s most prestigious neighbourhood,” Matthews said.
Mercedes-Benz Canada operates through 57 authorized dealerships and sold 37,382 vehicles in Canada in 2025. The Studio does not replace those dealerships. It creates another point of entry into the brand, reaching people who may be shopping or spending time in Yorkville without actively seeking an automotive showroom.
Automotive brands have long displayed vehicles in shopping centres and other high-traffic environments, but the Toronto Studio is structured as a longer-term retail and cultural residency. Its product releases, fashion partnerships, food service and rotating concepts position it closer to a branded flagship or gallery than a temporary vehicle display.
“At Holts, we curate the best of the world’s brands and experiences in our stores for our customers,” said Jerry Wu, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Holt Renfrew.
Wu said the Studio will continue to transform throughout its time at the flagship, introducing further innovation and partnerships.
Expanding the Role of the Luxury Department Store
The Studio arrives as department stores continue to reconsider the role of their largest physical locations.
Holt Renfrew remains an important Canadian distribution platform for international fashion and beauty brands, while its stores also bring together products, services, collaborations and programming that are difficult to reproduce through online shopping.
That role is particularly relevant on Bloor Street, where global luxury brands have invested in larger and increasingly elaborate standalone flagships. Holt Renfrew operates alongside those boutiques while seeking distinct reasons for customers to enter and move through its store.
Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto broadens the definition of what can occupy prime department-store space. Vehicles, performance apparel, collectible objects, customization services and food and beverage have been assembled within one changing environment, connected through a narrative built around performance and design.
For Mercedes-Benz, the Studio presents its vehicles and materials through the language of luxury retail. For Holt Renfrew, it replaces a departed fashion concession with a concept capable of generating newness several times during the year.
Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto is expected to remain at Holt Renfrew through the end of 2026 and into the period immediately following the holiday season. The current Mercedes-AMG and tennis installation will be followed by two additional versions, extending the concept across automotive design, fashion and experiential retail.
Vusion, a global leader in digitalization solutions for physical retail, says that Decathlon reached the milestone of 700 stores equipped with its digital solutions during the second quarter 2026. The deployment now spans 54 countries across three continents (Europe, South America, and Asia-Pacific), making the sporting goods retailer Vusion’s most internationally deployed customer to date, it noted.
“Voted France’s Most Attractive Retailer in 2026 and widely recognized for its outstanding customer experience, Decathlon relies on Vusion’s platform to automate price management. With instant, synchronized price updates on the electronic shelf labels (ESL), store teams are freed from the time-consuming task of manually replacing paper price tags. As a result, associates can dedicate more time to what lies at the essence of their job: welcoming customers, delivering personalized advice and service to sports enthusiast customers,” according to a news release.
“Beyond the productivity gains for store teams, digital shelf management ensures an excellent level of pricing accuracy. Discrepancies between the shelf price and the price charged at checkout are nearly eliminated. This perfect transparency reinforces customer trust and directly contributes to higher customer satisfaction across the Decathlon network.”
“Thanks to ESLs, we have further enhanced the in-store experience while improving our operational efficiency. Deploying connected shelf labels at scale enables us to focus on our core mission: advising and supporting our sports customers. This project delivers immediate, tangible benefits for both our store teams and consumers,”said Xavier Dété, VP Innovation, Decathlon.
“We are particularly proud to support Decathlon, a global retail leader highly valued by its customers and recognized for both the strength of its brand and its commitment to sustainability. This large-scale partnership demonstrates our ability to support leading global retailers and industrialize our cutting-edge solutions in the demanding sporting goods sector–a high-potential market where Vusion continues to strengthen its leadership position,” added Sébastien Fourcy, SEVP EMEA, Vusion.
From a technical perspective, Decathlon leverages Vusion’s cloud platform. The electronic shelf labels connect natively and securely to the retailer’s existing Cisco Meraki network infrastructure, enabling a seamless deployment without requiring any additional networking hardware, said the news release.
METRO Inc. and FGF Brands (FGF), a Canadian company and a North American leader in bakery products, have announced a strategic partnership for the commercial bakery manufacturing operations of Première Moisson Group Inc., a subsidiary of METRO. As part of the transaction, FGF will acquire Première Moisson Group’s production facility located in Baie-D’Urfé for $90 million.
This transaction reflects METRO’s ongoing commitment to focus its investments and resources on its core food and pharmaceutical retail and distribution operations, while simplifying its operating model through the support of a specialized partner, said METRO.
Upon closing of the transaction, FGF will manufacture and distribute Première Moisson products sold in food stores. This agreement will allow METRO to continue offering Première Moisson products to customers throughout its Québec and Ontario food store network while leveraging FGF’s manufacturing expertise, innovation capabilities and operational scale, it said.
Première Moisson Group will remain a subsidiary of METRO and will retain ownership of the Première Moisson brand, its network of 25 retail bakeries across Québec, its artisanal in-store production operations, and its French pastry production facility in Vaudreuil-Dorion, which exclusively supplies its bakery network, it explained.
The agreement with FGF provides for the continued production and manufacturing of all Première Moisson products. All impacted employees will be transferred to FGF upon closing of the transaction; METRO and FGF will work with the union representing unionized employees as part of the transition, according to the companies.
“This transaction is consistent with our focus on our core food and pharmaceutical retail and distribution activities, while preserving the strength of the Première Moisson brand. By partnering with a company recognized for its manufacturing expertise, we will continue to offer customers the Première Moisson products they enjoy while benefiting from enhanced innovation, product development capabilities and a more efficient operating structure.” said Marc Giroux, Chief Operating Officer, METRO.
Marc Giroux
“We are pleased to bring our baking expertise to METRO and in particular to Première Moisson, a brand renowned for the quality of its products and craftsmanship. This partnership allows us to leverage our manufacturing and innovation capabilities to support the growth of Première Moisson’s grocery offering while continuing to provide consumers with high-quality products,” said Ojus Ajmera and Tejus Ajmera, Co-Chief Executive Officers and Co-Founders of FGF.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions for transactions of this nature. It is expected to close during METRO Inc.’s fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, which ends on September 26.
With annual sales of more than $22 billion, METRO Inc. is a food and pharmacy leader in Québec and Ontario, providing employment to more than 97,000 people. As a retailer, franchisor, distributor, manufacturer, and provider of eCommerce services, the company operates or services a network of some 1,000 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C, Food Basics, Adonis and Première Moisson, and some 640 pharmacies primarily under the Jean Coutu, Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Food Basics Pharmacy banners.
FGF Brands is a Canadian, family-owned private bakery company founded in 2004. The FGF Group of Companies is Canada’s largest industrial baker and one of the world’s fastest-growing producers of bakery and snack foods. Headquartered in Toronto, FGF supplies a broad range of branded and private-label products to leading retailers and foodservice partners across the globe.
Red Apple Stores will host four grand openings on Friday, August 14 across the country: Esterhazy, SK, where the former Bargain! Shop has both converted to Red Apple and undergone a full renovation, and Revelstoke, BC, Blind River, ON, and Fort Nelson, BC, where newly renovated stores are ready to welcome shoppers back.
“Four grand openings on one day is a great way to show how much momentum we’ve got going right now,” said Jim Hreljac, President, Red Apple Stores. “Esterhazy customers are getting a double transformation – a new name and a completely refreshed store. In Revelstoke, Blind River and Fort Nelson, shoppers are walking back into stores they already love, now with a brand-new look. Either way, August 14 is a great day to shop.”
Grand Opening Day Highlights, August 14
A FREE $10 shopping card and laundry basket for the first 100 customers
A FREE shopping bag, while quantities last
Entry to win a $1,000 shopping spree
Two-day flyer deals available August 14
A 25% off coupon for every customer, valid on a future purchase
“A renovation is a great opportunity to take a fresh look at what’s on the shelves, and that’s exactly what we did for these four stores,” said Barry Fisler, Senior Vice President of Merchandising, Red Apple Stores. “Customers are going to find a strong mix of fashion, home and everyday essentials waiting for them.”
In Esterhazy, the transformation is twofold: the store has officially converted from The Bargain! Shop to Red Apple and has come out of a full renovation at the same time. Customers will find a familiar location now carrying the Red Apple name, with a brighter, more open layout to match, said Red Apple.
All four stores, Esterhazy, Revelstoke, Blind River and Fort Nelson have undergone the same kind of renovation: a brighter, more open layout, refreshed signage, and displays designed to make deals easier to find, including the new CandyWorks™ section, a colourful candy destination for treat lovers of all ages, it said.
“There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to pull off four store transformations at the same time,” said David Johnson, Vice President of Store Operations, Red Apple Stores. “Our store teams made sure customers never lost access to the products and service they rely on, even while the work was happening around them. Seeing all four stores open together on August 14 makes it all worth it.”
There is a particular shade of blue that seems to return with every Mediterranean summer. It appears in the sea beneath a clear afternoon sky, across hand-painted ceramics, against whitewashed façades, and in weathered shutters overlooking quiet harbours. It is a colour shaped by sunlight, water, and architecture, one that has become inseparable from the enduring beauty of the Mediterranean coastline.
Known as Blu Mediterraneo, Dolce & Gabbana‘s signature decorative motif draws inspiration from the landscapes, architecture, craftsmanship, and lifestyle of the Mediterranean. Defined by its distinctive blue-and-white palette, the collection evokes places such as the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Saint-Tropez, and the Greek islands through imagery and craftsmanship that celebrate coastal living.
At Royalmount, Maison Territo embraces this timeless aesthetic through curated furniture and interior collections that celebrate craftsmanship, texture, and refined living. The 11,000-square-foot showroom presents internationally recognized brands including Fendi Casa, Versace Home, Dolce & Gabbana Casa, and Bentley Home, creating immersive environments where global design influences come to life.
Dolce & Gabbana Blu Mediterraneo
A Design Language That Endures
Blu Mediterraneo is expressed through azure ceramics, limestone, linen textiles, woven natural fibres, light woods, and handcrafted details that reflect generations of Mediterranean artisans. Together, these materials create interiors that feel calm, welcoming, and deeply connected to their surroundings.
Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to balance sophistication with simplicity. While design trends evolve from season to season, Blu Mediterraneo continues to influence luxury interiors through an aesthetic that feels both timeless and unmistakably Mediterranean.
Craftsmanship at the Centre
Authentic materials and skilled craftsmanship remain central to the Blu Mediterraneo philosophy. Hand-finished ceramics, natural stone, carefully woven textiles, and thoughtfully crafted furnishings create spaces with warmth, texture, and character.
This appreciation for craftsmanship aligns closely with Maison Territo’s approach to interior design. Throughout the showroom, carefully curated collections demonstrate how exceptional materials and thoughtful design can create interiors that are elegant, personal, and enduring.
Madonna’s 2026 short film Confessions II – The Film, produced in partnership with Dolce & Gabbana, luminous fabrics, expressive shades of blue, and the interplay of light and reflection.
Beyond the World of Interiors
The influence of Blu Mediterraneo extends beyond architecture and interior design into fashion and contemporary culture. In Madonna’s 2026 short film Confessions II – The Film, produced in partnership with Dolce & Gabbana, luminous fabrics, expressive shades of blue, and the interplay of light and reflection evoke many of the same sensory qualities associated with Mediterranean summers.
While distinct from the Blu Mediterraneo concept itself, these visual elements demonstrate how this timeless palette continues to inspire creative expression across multiple disciplines.
Experience Blu Mediterraneo at Maison Territo
For architects, interior designers, and private clients alike, Blu Mediterraneo offers an enduring source of inspiration where colour, craftsmanship, and natural materials come together in harmonious interiors.
Maison Territo invites visitors to experience this Mediterranean design language firsthand through its curated collections and immersive showroom environments, where timeless design traditions continue to inspire contemporary living.
