How Retailers Can Boost Sales with Affiliate Marketing Programs

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July 25, 2025

Your customers are bombarded with ads in every inbox check and social media scroll. Cutting through that noise alone can be tough.

That’s why smart retailers collaborate with partners who’ve already built trust with the right audience. A quick recommendation from a blogger or email pro sometimes can do more than dozens of ads.

Affiliate marketers often have an affiliate marketing email list or blog, allowing them to promote your products, targeting customers who already have an interest in similar products. Let’s examine how such collaboration can improve your sales with minimal investments.

How Does a Retail Affiliate Program Work?

Retail affiliate programs help brands reach new clients through the trusted voices of influencers, niche bloggers, and email publishers. As the first step, the brand sets up an affiliate program with unique and trackable links.

Publishers then join the program and gain access to ready-to-use marketing assets and tools. Later, they promote those links on their platforms, while advertisers pay only for the results outlined in a program’s terms.

6 Tips To Improve Retail Affiliate Programs

There’s no shortcut to real growth. It takes patience to succeed in affiliate marketing, even for advertisers with a massive budget. The strategies below can help you form effective collaborations that increase your revenue.

Choose the Right Affiliate Partners

Your affiliate program is only as strong as the people behind it. No machine can substitute real human interaction, even if it happens online. So, the first thing that you need to do as the advertiser is to clearly set the rules of your affiliate campaign and wisely choose publishers who have applied to it.

It’s better to collaborate with multiple small-to-mid affiliates who are credible in your niche, rather than working with a single huge blogger who doesn’t suit you. If you are a beauty brand, it’s better to collaborate with 10 affiliate email marketing partners in a beauty niche that have approximately 150K followers each rather than with a blogger with 1,5M but from a totally different niche, such as car reviews.

Affiliates act as retranslators of your brand values. Ensure that they work in the same niche and have values similar to yours.

Don’t be afraid to diversify your publishers’ base, mixing different types of content creators, affiliate email marketing professionals, community leaders, or collaborating with coupon sites and loyalty platforms.

Provide High-Quality Creative Assets

Give affiliates ready-to-use, high-quality materials to ensure their promos deliver results while matching your brand’s style:

Product images
Banners and display ads
Text examples, such as guidelines for social media posts or affiliate marketing email templates

Update creatives in your retail affiliate programs regularly to reflect new launches, seasonal promotions, and branding changes. Publishers aren’t designers, so the better your visuals, the more likely they’ll use them. Well-designed, tested creative assets can boost click-through rates (CTR) and your retail sales.

Offer Competitive Commissions

Affiliates are more likely to promote businesses that give them the highest possible commissions. But at the same time, you need to determine what the maximum possible amount of incentives you can provide to them is.

In fashion, retail affiliate programs typically list commissions from 3% to 20% commission, advertisers in electronics may offer 1–5% due to lower margins, while digital products or subscriptions usually give affiliates 15-25% from each sale.

The rule of thumb states that the best performers should receive the highest possible commissions

Reward the best performers with higher commissions once they have reached certain milestones to motivate them for long-term engagement. Temporary commission upgrades in your retail email program boost affiliates during launches or sales.

Focus on Mobile-Friendly Design

More than 60% of global traffic comes from mobile. So, there are high chances that most traffic from affiliates to your website will be from phones and tablets. Both users and Google favor platforms that are fast, easy to navigate, and meet the following criteria:

Fast load time: Aim for under 3 seconds, compress images, minimize code, and use caching.
Responsive design: Your site should adjust smoothly across screen sizes (phones, tablets, etc.).
Mobile-friendly navigation: Your site/web app should have Clear menus, large touch targets, and no hidden buttons.
Streamlined checkout: Ensure that it has the 2-3 steps from the launching platform to the actual purchase, with enabled auto-fill and mobile payment options. Avoid forced account creation by offering guest checkout.

Be Transparent About Terms and Conditions

Clarity attracts high-quality affiliates, since they’ll know that your program is worthy of trust. To become as transparent as possible in your retail affiliate programs, ensure that you provide:

Commission structure, where you describe whether you give commission percentage or fixed amount, what your tiered rates are, and examples of commissionable and non-commissionable items
Cookie window, how long it lasts, and its attribution model
Payout details, including minimum threshold, payment schedule, and available payment methods
Promotional restrictions apply to prohibited channels, as well as rules for organic and paid ads
Branding guidelines with explicit instructions
Return and refund policies
Legal questions and compliance

Misunderstandings and even compliance issues often arise when businesses fail to set their expectations clearly. Clearly defined terms and conditions help prevent confusion.

Regularly Analyze Campaign Performance

Scaling blindly is a recipe for wasted time and money. That’s why you must track what affiliate campaigns bring you the most results. Use data analytics tools to get actual insights from this data, so you can suggest campaign modifications for current partners and write highly specific guidelines for future affiliates.

While there are dozens of crucial metrics, there are 5 key point indicators (KPIs) that fit any retailer, regardless of the niche:

Click-through rate (CTR)
Conversion rate
Average order value (AOV)
Earnings per click (EPC)
Customer lifetime value (CLTV)

You can track those metrics for digital ads, SMS campaigns, and mixed promotions.

Final Thoughts

Your success in affiliate marketing depends on consistent analysis and thoughtful collaborations. Choose aligned partners, regularly review their performance, and be ready to change your programs and guidelines. It helps you to achieve the highest possible results in your affiliate marketing collaborations.

Canadian Grocers Under Fire for Maple-Washing

By

Sylvain Charlebois

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July 25, 2025

IMG_8327 (1) — Shop Canadian/Made in Canada/shop local at a grocery store. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

In recent months, Canadian grocery stores have often felt like a year-round Canada Day celebration. Maple leaves were everywhere—on packaging, displays, and promotional signage. But beneath this patriotic imagery, a deeper and more important question emerged: Where is our food really coming from?

This growing consumer curiosity has sparked a remarkable rise in public awareness around food origin labelling. Canadians are becoming more familiar with the legal distinctions between “Product of Canada,” “Made in Canada,” and “Prepared in Canada.” According to the Food and Drugs Act, all food labels in this country must be truthful and not misleading or likely to create a false impression. The rules are clear. “Product of Canada” requires that at least 98% of the ingredients and processing be Canadian. “Made in Canada” means the last substantial transformation took place here, and “Prepared in Canada” refers to food that was processed, packaged, or handled domestically—regardless of where the ingredients originated. This clarity has helped consumers make more informed choices, which is a step in the right direction.

This heightened vigilance has also coincided with a wave of consumer nationalism, fueled in part by geopolitical tensions and anti-American sentiment. Despite the dominance of U.S.-owned retailers like Walmart, Costco, and Amazon in our marketplace, many Canadian consumers made a conscious effort to avoid American food products. The impact was real. According to the latest data from NielsenIQ, the volume of American food products sold in Canada fell by 8.5% over just a few months. In the retail food sector, that kind of shift is massive and rarely seen outside of crisis events.

The speed and scale of this transformation left many grocers scrambling. Procurement strategies that once relied heavily on U.S. supply chains were suddenly under pressure, and origin labelling at store level became noticeably inconsistent. At first, some of the missteps—such as maple leaf symbols displayed next to imported goods—were attributed to logistical oversight. Given the time lag between promotional planning and in-store execution, some leeway was understandable.

But six months on, excuses no longer hold. The persistence of misleading displays and inaccurate origin claims has crossed the line from error into misrepresentation. Instances such as almonds or oranges being labeled as Canadian products—and price adjustments happening swiftly after customer complaints—raise serious concerns. This is textbook “maple-washing”: the act of invoking national symbols or language to imply domestic origin, even when the product clearly isn’t Canadian.

And Canadians are increasingly calling it out. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) received 97 complaints related to product origin claims between November 2024 and mid-July 2025. It conducted 91 investigations and confirmed 29 violations. That is an unusually high level of regulatory activity in such a short span, and it signals a growing lack of tolerance for deceptive marketing in the grocery sector.

Retailers must recognize that this isn’t business as usual. Canadians have shown tremendous solidarity in supporting homegrown products during a time of economic strain and heightened food insecurity. The least the industry can do in return is uphold rigorous standards in product labelling and merchandising. This is not about nationalism—it’s about trust. In a market increasingly driven by transparency and authenticity, misleading your customers is not just unethical; it’s bad economics.

Consumers who encounter questionable food origin claims should report them directly to the CFIA or to the retailer’s customer service. The CFIA typically investigates documented complaints within 30 days. But the onus should not be on shoppers to police the aisles. It’s time for grocers to meet the moment with the same accountability they now expect from suppliers, regulators, and consumers alike.

After months of consumer-led vigilance, the burden now falls squarely on retailers to stop maple-washing once and for all.

More from Retail Insider:

Canadian Retail Sales Show Shifts in Consumer Behaviour

By

Retail Insider

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July 25, 2025

IMG_3538 (3) — Bay Street entrance to the former Hudson's Bay flagship department store in downtown Toronto on May 31, 2025. Photo: Craig Patterson

By J.C. Williams Group

Canadian retail sales in May paint an intriguing picture of consumer behaviour and economic trends, with All Stores rising 4.4% YOY, and All Stores Less Automotive, Food, and Pharmacies, growth was an even more robust 7.1% YOY. This performance comes against the backdrop of significant shifts in the retail landscape, including the closure of the last Hudson’s Bay stores on June 1, which may have drawn nostalgic shoppers and increased traffic in surrounding areas. Meanwhile, the ongoing conversation on tariff tensions continues to loom over consumer sentiment.

Supermarkets and other Grocery Stores saw a healthy 6.9% YOY increase, with Loblaw’s reporting particularly strong Q2 results, including a 5.4% rise in revenue and 3.5% same-store sales growth. This performance is notable given that May 1, 2024, marked the start of a Loblaw’s boycott. Ironically, the boycott may have inadvertently boosted YOY comparisons, as consumers returned to normal shopping patterns this year. It’s also possible that inflationary pressures and higher food prices contributed to the revenue growth, though this isn’t necessarily a sign of increased consumer purchasing power.

Conversely, Convenience Stores continue to struggle, with sales down -7.7% YOY and -5.6% YTD. Changing consumer behaviour is at the heart of this decline. Reports suggest that sales of traditional convenience store staples like tobacco and lottery tickets are falling, which, while positive from a public health perspective, presents challenges for the businesses reliant on these categories. Additionally, inflation has made convenience store pricing less attractive compared to larger retailers. As consumers tighten their belts, they appear to be prioritizing value over convenience.

The standout performer in May was the Jewellery, Luggage, and Leather Goods category, which soared 20.4% YOY. While this growth is eye-catching, it’s likely inflated by the addition of new retailers or operators to the category, rather than a genuine surge in consumer spending. Given the economic uncertainty and the post-pandemic travel boom that already occurred, it’s hard to imagine consumers suddenly splurging on these discretionary items.

In fact, current travel trends may be dampening demand for luggage. With ongoing travel boycotts to the U.S. and rising costs of international travel, many Canadians are opting for domestic vacations or canceling trips altogether. This would naturally limit the need for new luggage. The growth in this category, therefore, raises questions on whether it reflects structural changes in the retail landscape rather than true consumer behaviour.

As we proceed into the final month of summer, several questions come to mind for the retail sector and for JCWG:

What impact will vacant Hudson’s Bay spaces have on foot traffic in shopping centres?
What innovative experiences can shoppers expect from the new Ruby Liu stores?
Will the trend of summer staycations continue to drive growth in Canadian retail?
How are YOU adapting to the challenges of major anchor tenant vacancies in shopping centres?

Retail Sales by Product Category, Same Month Comparison

Sales for the Month of May	May-25	May-24	YOY
All Stores	76,479,464	73,246,319	4.41%
Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers	22,027,393	21,105,126	4.37%
Gasoline Stations	6,322,578	7,022,737	-9.97%
All Stores Less Automotive	48,129,493	45,118,456	6.67%
Food and Beverage Stores	14,041,424	13,420,965	4.62%
Supermarkets and Other Grocery Stores*	10,089,075	9,448,356	6.78%
Convenience Stores	722,890	783,489	-7.73%
Specialty Food Stores	988,608	929,333	6.38%
Beer, Wine and Liquor Stores	2,240,852	2,259,787	-0.84%
Health and Personal Care Stores	6,210,307	5,658,393	9.75%
All Stores Less Automotive, Food, and Pharmacies	27,877,762	26,039,098	7.06%
General Merchandise Stores	10,386,334	9,846,684	5.48%
Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronic and Appliance Stores	3,782,880	3,495,373	8.23%
Furniture Stores	1,322,693	1,175,700	12.50%
Home Furnishings Stores	774,949	742,438	4.38%
Electronics and Appliance Stores	1,685,238	1,577,235	6.85%
Clothing and Accessories Stores	4,009,893	3,630,648	10.45%
Clothing Stores	3,072,312	2,775,750	10.68%
Shoe Stores	457,251	455,778	0.32%
Jewellery, Luggage and Leather Goods Stores	480,330	399,120	20.35%
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book and Music Stores	4,321,478	3,963,343	9.04%
Building Material and Garden Equipment	5,377,178	5,103,049	5.37%
Miscellaneous Store Retailers	2,915,920	2,613,910	11.55%
Cannabis Retailers	485,421	434,457	11.73%

Retail Sales by Store Category, Year to Date Comparison

Year-to-Date Sales Ending May	May-25	May-24	YTD
All Stores	330,709,784	315,940,862	4.67%
Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers	94,802,869	87,995,661	7.74%
Gasoline Stations	30,217,886	31,304,219	-3.47%
All Stores Less Automotive	205,689,029	196,640,982	4.60%
Food and Beverage Stores	63,148,214	61,291,202	3.03%
Supermarkets and Other Grocery Stores*	46,001,282	44,288,741	3.87%
Convenience Stores	3,244,778	3,436,543	-5.58%
Specialty Food Stores	4,388,177	4,081,272	7.52%
Beer, Wine and Liquor Stores	9,513,979	9,484,647	0.31%
Health and Personal Care Stores	29,407,635	27,265,792	7.86%
All Stores Less Automotive, Food, and Pharmacies	113,133,180	108,083,988	4.67%
General Merchandise Stores	43,462,130	41,776,547	4.03%
Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronic and Appliance Stores	17,306,980	16,660,422	3.88%
Furniture Stores	5,687,236	5,443,787	4.47%
Home Furnishings Stores	3,445,259	3,266,877	5.46%
Electronics and Appliance Stores	8,174,486	7,949,759	2.83%
Clothing and Accessories Stores	16,132,855	14,775,239	9.19%
Clothing Stores	12,488,028	11,393,246	9.61%
Shoe Stores	1,717,197	1,732,090	-0.86%
Jewellery, Luggage and Leather Goods Stores	1,927,628	1,649,902	16.83%
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book and Music Stores	18,269,675	17,028,757	7.29%
Building Material and Garden Equipment	17,961,540	17,843,021	0.66%
Miscellaneous Store Retailers	12,356,918	11,055,400	11.77%
Cannabis Retailers	2,203,530	2,040,590	7.98%

Ecommerce Sales

	May-25	May-24
Ecommerce Sales, YTD	19,696,136	18,158,138	8.47%
Ecommerce Sales, YOY	4,443,984	4,144,997	7.21%

Regional Sales, Year to Date Comparison

Region	Year-to-Date, 2025	Year-to-Date, 2024	YTD
British Columbia	45,551,640	42,777,341	6.49%
Vancouver	23,291,223	21,549,603	8.08%
Alberta	43,111,567	40,830,068	5.59%
Prairies*	22,131,907	20,894,908	5.92%
Ontario	122,965,009	118,355,499	3.89%
Toronto	54,495,262	53,635,315	1.60%
Québec	73,214,061	70,490,472	3.86%
Montréal	36,491,370	35,123,032	3.90%
Atlantic Canada	22,521,635	21,457,502	4.96%
Territories	1,213,968	1,135,074	6.95%

NATIONAL RETAIL BULLETIN

Thank you J.C. Williams Group for this report.

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St. Laurent Shopping Centre transforming the retail experience in Ottawa

By

Mario Toneguzzi

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July 25, 2025

St. Laurent Shopping Centre in Ottawa (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

Morguard has announced a series of revitalization efforts, new store openings, and digital enhancements at Ottawa’s St. Laurent Shopping Centre, which are set to roll out throughout 2025.

As one of Ottawa’s premier retail destinations, these updates reflect Morguard’s commitment to in-person shopping, community connection, and delivering a dynamic experience for visitors, said the real estate company.

In early August, Sephora will launch an impressive new build in the Centre’s fashion corridor. Adding to the excitement, St. Laurent will introduce a first-to-Ottawa flagship concept that combines Bikini Village and La Vie en Rose into a newly renovated and integrated dual-storefront space. This innovative layout will bring a modern and seamless shopping experience to local consumers. The opening of the flagship store concept is slated for August, it said.

Later this fall, H&M will open a brand-new large-format store offering both home and fashion collections. These additions join a diverse tenant mix that already includes popular retailers such as Browns, Lush, Bath & Body Works, Aldo, Roots, and more, added Morguard.

“As brands continue to invest in physical retail, we are proud to bring new concepts and elevated experiences to the community,” said Amy Rozario, General Manager, St. Laurent Shopping Centre. “This transformation goes beyond retail and reflects our broader strategy to create an energetic destination for the Ottawa community while offering a variety of experiences.”

To further enhance the experience, Morguard said St. Laurent is expanding its digital presence with web features such as: The ShopList, an AI-driven guided product discovery tool that enhances the way shoppers search for local products along with the installation of large-format media screens throughout the property. A new screen at Entrance 1 will anchor the upgrades, offering vibrant promotional displays and community-focused content.

Morguard said St. Laurent will continue its investment in local partnerships. Collaborations with Atlético Ottawa soccer team, Ottawa Festivals, and other community organizations will bring engaging programs and events to the Centre throughout the year. With free parking and a convenient central location, St. Laurent remains a key destination for residents and visitors, it said.

“St. Laurent Centre has long played an important role in our portfolio, and we are pleased to see its ongoing growth and innovation,” said John Ginis, Vice President, Asset Management, Morguard. “As we continue to develop, own and manage a wide range of properties in Ottawa and across the country, these investments into enhancing the Centre will elevate it as a vibrant community hub and priority destination.”

Centrally located in Ottawa with visibility and direct access onto Highway 417, Ottawa’s major east-west route, St. Laurent is an approximately 870,000 square foot regional shopping centre which welcomes 7.5 million visitors annually. St. Laurent has over 175 stores.

Morguard Corporation is a major North American real estate and property management company. It has extensive retail, office, industrial, hotel and residential holdings owned directly and through its investment in Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust and Morguard North American Residential REIT. Morguard also provides real estate management services to institutional and other investors. Morguard’s owned and managed portfolio of assets is valued at $18.7 billion.

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Restaurants Canada backs Premiers’ call for faster work permits for asylum seekers, immigration reform

By

Mario Toneguzzi

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July 25, 2025

Restaurants Canada says it welcomes and supports the collective call by Canada’s Premiers at this week’s Council of the Federation meeting for a more regionally responsive, transparent, and effective immigration system.

“Labour shortages are having a devastating impact on the foodservice industry in Canada. Our sector employs 1.2 million Canadians, many of whom are youth, but those jobs are at risk if hard-to-fill and skilled positions, like cooks, remain vacant,” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO, Restaurants Canada.

“We urge the federal government to respond to the premiers’ call to reinstate Provincial and Territorial Nominee Program (PTNP) allocations to ensure access to economic migrants. With more than 78,000 job vacancies, current immigration levels threaten the viability of many restaurants, particularly in rural, remote and tourist areas. It is essential that foodservice be permitted to provide jobs for newcomers.

“As Canada continues to welcome a significant number of asylum seekers, Restaurants Canada supports automatically granting work permits to them so that they can fully contribute to society and the Canadian economy while their claims are processed. As a major employer of newcomers across the country we have the ability to ensure a smooth transition into employment for asylum seekers. We also share the concerns of the premiers that processing times not just for asylum seekers, but for all immigration streams need to be faster.

Higginson said a collaborative federal-provincial framework that is responsive to regional realities is essential.

“We look forward to continuing this conversation with all levels of government,” she said.

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Arlington’s $450M Vision and the 17th Avenue SW Revival: A Street Transformed (Images)

By

Mario Toneguzzi

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July 25, 2025

Calgary’s 17th Avenue SW is in the midst of a major transformation—one driven by bold private investment, visionary planning, and a renewed push toward a vibrant mix of retail, residential, and services.

At the heart of it all is Arlington Street Investments. CEO Frank Lonardelli isn’t shy about his ambitions.

“We’ve got a bunch of stuff going on,” he said.

The company’s latest completed project is Enzo, where occupancy was granted a few weeks ago, and residents began moving in shortly thereafter. “We opened Chipotle, and then we’ve got Running Room, Anian, and Silk and Snow,” Lonardelli said.

Anian, he explained, is a Vancouver-based competitor to DUER jeans, while Silk and Snow is owned by Sleep Country, part of Prem Watsa’s Fairfax empire. “Chipotle is the second-largest quick-service restaurant in the world. Running Room has been around for a long time, and Anian is a strong retail brand.”

But Enzo is just one part of a much broader strategy.

Four Developments, One Bold Vision

Lonardelli laid out Arlington’s real estate footprint along 17th Avenue:

“The four projects are: Fifth (our first, right across from my office), Francesco (the old Fishman’s Dry Cleaning site), Enzo, and then Sentinel at 17th Avenue and 14th Street SW which is the biggest assembly in the Beltline at 66,000 square feet.”

By the numbers:

743 residential units across the portfolio
60,000 square feet of retail across all sites
25 new retailers introduced
$450+ million in construction enterprise value

“Fifth is complete,” he continued. “Francesco will be the first 16-storey concrete building on the 17th Avenue corridor. It’ll have 209 rental units, 12,000 square feet of retail, and a public amenity with public art.”

Enzo, which is also complete, has 70 residential units and 8,500 square feet of retail.

Completion of Francesco is targeted for Q4 2026, with the building topping off before Christmas this year. “You’ll see a 16-storey building with a podium setback. It’s going to look spectacular,” Lonardelli said.

Sentinel, Arlington’s most ambitious project yet, breaks ground in the near future.

The scope?

312 rental units
13,000 square feet of retail
Completion: Q3 2027

“Technically it’s one building but designed in three sections with a courtyard and interior amenity space.”

The Philosophy Behind the Billions

“We’ve been at this for eight years. People thought I was nuts,” said Lonardelli. “But I’ve always believed every great city has a great street. For Calgary, 17th Avenue has that potential—to be a live-work-play-shop environment.”

Back in their first CBC feature almost a decade ago, Arlington made a bold claim: buy 42 buildings, create eight development sites, and generate $1 billion in enterprise value. “People thought I was crazy—some said worse. But here we are.”

The transformation is evident. “There are new restaurants, retail, and more density. People are moving in. The city feels safer when it’s activated..”

Lonardelli added, “Once 17th is punched through into the Entertainment District (connected through Calgary Stampede Park), the street becomes even more important. It’s the coolest street in the city, no doubt.”

A Retail Bellwether: Lululemon Moves In

One high-profile new arrival: Lululemon.

“It’s going to be a flagship location,” said Tulene Steiestol, Executive Director of the 17th Avenue Business Improvement Area (BIA). “It’s significantly larger than their current store on 4th Street.

“Retail is always good. The trend that we’re seeing for 2025 is that there are more retailers that are coming on the avenue.”

Lonardelli agrees. “It’s a serious data point—a bellwether of confidence from the retail market. And as a Canadian success story, it’s great to see them investing here.”

Steiestol noted the corridor’s shift toward a more retail-oriented mix. “In 2025 alone, 33 new businesses have opened, and the majority are retail.

“There’s an energy that’s here.”

Construction taking place on site where lululemon will open. Photo by Mario Toneguzzi

Building a Safer, More Vibrant Street

The BIA, now 41 years old and home to 730 businesses across 40+ blocks, is committed to safety, cleanliness, and vibrancy.

“We want to be the safest, the cleanest, and the most welcoming of the BIAs,” said Steiestol. “When we host events or programming, we ensure it’s welcoming for families and everyone else who comes down here.”

Programs like Summer on 17th and the Extended Patio Program are aimed at enhancing street-level energy. “We run free programming every weekend from June through September—live music, performances, and more,” she added.

The patios—red-railed extensions now common along the street—are BIA-funded. “We wanted to ensure patios were accessible for everyone, especially those with mobility challenges.”

Still, challenges remain.

“It’s definitely the unhoused population,” Steiestol acknowledged. “There aren’t enough services, especially daytime services. We try to be respectful and inclusive, but it’s a fine balance.”

Also a recent survey indicated support for closing a part of 17th Avenue from vehicle traffic – a topic that has been discussed for years.

The site where the Sentinel is to be built.Photo by Mario Toneguzzi

Sentinel’s Role in the Western Revival

Much of 17th’s buzz traditionally centered around the stretch from the Ship and Anchor to Mount Royal Village. But with Sentinel coming to the corner of 14th Street, that’s about to change.

“A hundred per cent, it’s going to be a huge catalyst,” said Lonardelli. “When the buildings come down, people will realize how massive that 66,000 square feet site really is.”

He pointed out the area’s complexity—flanked by affluent neighborhoods like Scarboro and Lower Mount Royal, but historically less vibrant than the eastern stretch.

“Sentinel will be the anchor that transforms that entire corridor. Our hope is others between 8th and 14th follow suit, turning over buildings and creating a cohesive stretch.”

Steiestol echoed the sentiment. “Right now, if you look online, there are multiple development permits for small buildings to be demolished and replaced with mixed-use developments. Our eyes are definitely on the west side.”

The Enzo has brought four new retailers to the area. Photo by Mario Toneguzzi

The Future of 17th

Despite economic pressures, shifting demographics, and urban challenges, Calgary’s 17th Avenue is experiencing a retail and residential resurgence like never before.

“This is the time,” Lonardelli said. “The energy is back, and we’re proud to be part of building something iconic.”

For Steiestol and the BIA, it’s about keeping that momentum going: “We ask, how do we keep the neighbourhood relevant, safe, and clean so businesses stay—and new ones come in?”

If the past few years are any indication, 17th Avenue’s best chapters are still being written.

Michael Kehoe, Broker of Record, Fairfield Commercial Real Estate, said the densification of Calgary’s inner city districts continues at an unprecedented rate with many new mixed-use development and redevelopments.

“Numerous mixed-use projects along 17^th Avenue SW are under construction or in the final planning stages which have retail as a key component to the building’s infrastructure. The owners of these mixed-use projects are adding retailers and food service operators who will flourish in this successful pedestrian-oriented environment,” he said.

“Inner-city retail space is in high demand in Calgary and commands premium rents with high levels of occupancy. One of the current hotbeds for retail development and redevelopment in Calgary is 17^th Avenue SW often referred to as the Red Mile in homage to the NHL Calgary Flames.

“There seems to be a universal longing to find and recapture that special place – the main street – in many North American urban markets. 17th Avenue SW in Calgary is an excellent example of this process at work where all the elements of a vibrant main street have come together. The Red Mile is a retail and entertainment focused pedestrian oasis . . . 17^th Avenue SW has a human scale, it is a pedestrian-oriented place with a diversity of uses and users. It’s not a formula place but it is definitely the unique place that you will find in every Canadian city where the merchants, the bars and restaurants are unique. This is the street level, public realm where people come together and the diversity of people, buildings, retailers, restaurants, signage, sights and sounds truly create the special place called main street. It’s a seven day a week, 15 to 18 hour day environment where the abundance of coffee of shops add to the street dynamics by creating motion and energy.“

As a retail real estate broker, Kehoe said he sees renewed interest in urban business districts such as 17th Avenue SW.

Related Retail Insider stories:

Enzo: Image courtesy of Arlington Street

Fifth: Image courtesy of Arlington Street

Francesco: Image courtesy of Arlington Street

National: Image courtesy of Arlington Street

Sentinel: Image courtesy of Arlington Street

From Bartender to Beauty Franchise Powerhouse: The Entrepreneurial Rise of Kyla Dufresne and Foxy Box

By

Mario Toneguzzi

-

July 25, 2025

When Kyla Dufresne first launched Foxy Box Laser & Wax Bars, she didn’t have a storefront or a polished business plan. What she did have was a massage table in her dining room, four skeptical roommates, and a vision that’s now grown into 24 locations across Canada.

“I used to give my customers a shot of tequila or whiskey to make them relax while I practiced doing Brazilians on them,” Dufresne recalls with a laugh. That was back in 2012, when she first saw a gap in the waxing market while bartending in Victoria.

“Back then the only places to get waxed were either you found someone awesome that worked out of their home, or you would go to a high-end spa and you’d be in a room with someone who probably didn’t want to be there, and spend over a hundred bucks and not get a very good job… or the back of a nail salon, which probably didn’t have the best hygienic standards.”

From those humble beginnings—working out of her home and then the back of a jewelry store—Dufresne has grown Foxy Box into a national franchise.

“Technically I started Foxy Box back in 2012, I had a little room in the back of a jewelry store and then I was only there for maybe three or four months before I knew I needed a bigger space.”

Of the 24 current locations, Dufresne owns two. “I have owned five. I’ve since sold three of them off to franchisees. It’s good for me to own corporate stores because then we get to test out things before we roll them out to the system.”

But Foxy Box wasn’t her first entrepreneurial venture. “My first business I owned a T-shirt line,” she says. “I put like funny music sayings on T-shirts. And then I sold them at music festivals and at markets.” That venture, while creatively fulfilling, didn’t prove scalable. “I was probably just breaking even with the amount of time that I was putting into it.”

Still, it was part of a larger pattern. “I guess I’ve always been like a hustler,” she says. “I dropped out in grade 10 and started working full-time… I wanted to become a mental health worker, and so I needed some credits to upgrade.”

She did eventually earn her high school diploma, became certified, and worked with youth with behavioural disorders for nearly a year. “I loved the boys and they were the best behaviour with me. But it was stressful… It wasn’t my forever game.”

Now living in Mill Bay on Vancouver Island, Dufresne juggles her role as CEO with life as a mother of three—including a toddler. “I have a one and a half year old boy as well and lots of nephews,” she says. Her stepsons are 14 and 17.

So how does she balance the demands of motherhood with a growing business?

“I don’t like the word balance,” she says. “You have to find your flow… Nothing has changed for me. I just now have a baby on my hip.” She even signed a lease for a new store in Vancouver two days before giving birth. “We built out that store over in Vancouver while he was just a few months old.”

The key, she says, is support and structure. “I have childcare two days a week… That’s when I schedule all my meetings, like back to back. And then in between, I’m checking my email or working while he naps.” She adds, jokingly: “The way that you run a successful growing company is—you hire people that don’t have kids.”

Dufresne credits her Chief Operating Officer, Cheryl (Laing), with helping run the day-to-day. “She’s been my business partner for a long time… She doesn’t want to have kids. She’s the best in the whole world and she’s just got time and is focused on Foxy Box.”

As for advice to young people uncertain about their path? Dufresne keeps it simple: “It doesn’t matter what you do, you just got to try shit. Just try it and if you don’t like it, then try something else… Everything is a learning experience.”

She brings the same philosophy into her leadership style. “Fun. Have fun,” she says. “As soon as we’re not having fun, I don’t think I want to do it anymore.”

Her approach combines fun with radical transparency. “We share all the weekly KPIs with all 24 locations every week with the entire system because we believe we can lean on each other and learn from one another.”

Two core values guide the company: “Humour is critical,” and “Don’t beat around the bush.” Dufresne elaborates: “Transparency is everything to me… We own it and we put it out right away.”

From dropping out of high school to leading a Canada-wide beauty brand, Kyla Dufresne’s story is a testament to entrepreneurial grit, creative vision, and staying true to your values—even if that means bringing your baby to a boardroom.

As she puts it, “If I were to look back, it would be really challenging to start this with a one and a half year old… But I built up the infrastructure to support the system. And then had Bronson.”

And what a system it’s become.

In a LinkedIn post, Dufresne said she didn’t grow up thinking she would be a CEO.

“I just knew I never wanted to settle.I watched my mom run a bakery for 12 years. She worked hard, day and night, and still struggled to get ahead. That lit something in me. Not just to build something of my own…But to build something that lifts other women with me. Entrepreneurship gave me freedom, confidence, and a way to rewrite the rules. Not just for myself but for every woman who’s ever thought, “Can I really do this?”

“Here’s what I’ve learned:

✅ You don’t need perfect. You need momentum.

✅ Failure isn’t a red flag. It’s part of the process.

✅ The goal isn’t just profit—it’s purpose, power, and potential.”

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Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For July 25, 2025

By

Retail Insider

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July 24, 2025

News at a Glance

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

Statistics Canada reports May retail sales down 1.1 per cent at $69.2 billion (CityNews)

Loblaw’s Q2 profit rises as shoppers continue to flock to discount (The Canadian Press)

CBC investigation finds some big grocers promoting imported food with Canadian branding (CBC)

Cadillac Fairview “Resolutely Opposed” To Selling HBC Leases To Central Walk (Storeys)

New car sales tumble in Canada as trade war bites, new data shows – National (Global)

Walmart opens its first western Canada pharmacy clinic in South Edmonton Common (CityNews)

Shoplifting on the rise in B.C., but one group says stores have given up reporting (Global)

Strong Vancouver data helps B.C. top Canada for retail sales growth (Western Investor)

‘There’s no foot traffic’: Downtown comic shop set to close its doors (Edmonton Journal)

B.C. convenience store becomes global sensation with social media (CCentral)

Thieves steal thousands worth of high-end Scotch from LCBO (Orillia Matters)

Vancouver boutique reimagines what’s old with reworked vintage collection (Vancouver Sun)

Roots and Canada Dry Launch Limited-Edition Summer Capsule

By

Craig Patterson

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July 24, 2025

image - 2025-07-24T112927.992 — Image: Roots

Two iconic Canadian brands, Roots and Canada Dry, have partnered to release a limited-edition summer capsule collection designed to celebrate the spirit of Canadian summers. The collaboration blends nostalgia, style, and tradition with apparel crafted for comfort and inspired by the outdoors.

The goal of the collaboration is to capture the feeling of connection and carefree relaxation associated with summer in Canada. “For over a century, Canada Dry has provided Canadians with moments of refreshment and been a staple of Canadian summers, so we’re thrilled to be coming together with another iconic brand for this one-of-a-kind collaboration,” said Ruben Beltran, Senior Brand Manager at Canada Dry.

Roots echoed that sentiment. “Roots and Canada Dry are two iconic brands woven into the fabric of Canadian life,” noted Leslie Golts, Chief Marketing Officer at Roots. “This partnership is more than just style and refreshment; it is about capturing the feeling of summer and nostalgia that has brought people together for generations.”

Design Elements Inspired by Vintage Summers

The collection’s visual identity combines design details from both brands. The most notable feature is a playful logo mash-up merging the Roots beaver with the crown from Canada Dry’s emblem. Inspired by vintage advertisements, the capsule incorporates retro-themed prints featuring classic Canadian imagery, including a green car, custom license plate, and a “Welcome To Canada Dry Country” sign. Each graphic captures a different part of the country, highlighting the East and West in equal measure.

The capsule includes two hero pieces:

A hoodie made from organic cotton fibres with the collaborative logo, priced at $138 CAD.
Two soft, graphic T-shirts featuring vintage-inspired artwork, priced at $54 CAD each.

Both are gender-free, designed for a relaxed fit, and made in Canada, reflecting a commitment to comfort and sustainability.

The Well in downtown Toronto. Photo: The Well

Celebrating Canadian Heritage

Canada Dry began in 1904 when founder John J. McLaughlin developed a lighter version of the ginger ale popular at the time. Marketed as “the champagne of soda,” it quickly gained popularity and became a mainstay during Prohibition for its versatility as a mixer. Today, Canada Dry remains a trusted household brand under the Keurig Dr Pepper portfolio.

Roots’ story started in 1973 in a small Ontario cabin and has evolved into a globally recognized lifestyle brand with over 100 corporate stores in Canada and an expanding international presence. Known for premium leather goods, relaxed apparel, and timeless style, Roots continues to celebrate craftsmanship and the natural Canadian aesthetic.

Where to Shop the Collection

The Limited-Edition Canada Dry x Roots Summer Collection will launch on July 25 at Roots.com. For shoppers in Toronto, the brands will host a pop-up at The Well from July 25 to 27, offering an immersive experience inspired by Canadian summers, complete with complimentary Canada Dry Ginger Ale.

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Simons to open 1st Toronto store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre on August 14

By

Mario Toneguzzi

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July 24, 2025

La Maison Simons-Simons to Open First Urban Toronto Store - York — Rendering of the Simons Yorkdale Shopping Centre location, set to open to the public on August 14, 2025 (CNW Group/La Maison Simons)

Simons, the oldest private, family-run business in Canada, announced Thursday its highly anticipated Yorkdale Shopping Centre store will officially open its doors to the public August 14 at 10 a.m. EST. The store will occupy two levels of the mall’s former Nordstrom store.

The first of two new urban Toronto locations opening this year, the Yorkdale store will span more than 118,000 square feet across two floors and feature labels exclusive to Simons, international designers, as well as local brands and artists to be revealed at the opening. True to Simons’ uniquely Canadian approach and inspired by natural elements, the structure will leverage architecture by Lemay-Michaud Architecture, and interior design by Toronto-based Gensler Design, said the retailer.

“At Simons, serving our customers is our greatest privilege,” said Bernard Leblanc, President and CEO of Simons. “On August 14, we’re proud to open our doors at Yorkdale Shopping Centre and invite Torontonians to discover the distinctive blend of fashion, art, and design that defines Simons. Our history and success have always been rooted in exceptional service — a commitment to our customers, our employees, and our partners — and we can’t wait to share it with Toronto firsthand.”

As Simons’ 18^th coast-to-coast location, the opening marks a major milestone in the brand’s continued national expansion and reaffirms its investment in the Greater Toronto Area and the future of Canadian retail, said the company.

The retailer was founded in 1840 by John Simons in Quebec City. Originally a dry goods store, the family company is known today for accessible and inspired fashion. It is committed to cultivating creativity and building meaningful relationships with its staff, partners, and clientele. The company cares about the environment and about the communities in which it does business, it said.

“Simons is recognized as a fashion authority with an original shopping concept. The company offers an extensive array of avant-garde fashions and exclusive private collections for men and women, complemented by a selection of nationally recognized brands and top designer names. Simons also carries home fashions for the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen.”

There are 17 Simons stores – 10 in Quebec, including the company’s head office in Quebec City; three in Alberta; one in British Columbia; one in Nova Scotia; and soon four in Ontario.

The second Toronto Simons store will open in September at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. The 110,000 square foot multi-level store will also occupy space in the mall’s former Nordstrom, alongside Eataly and Nike. Simons also has a store in the GTA at Square One in Mississauga, which opened in 2016.

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Retail InsiderCanada's Most-Read Online Retail Industry Publication.

How Retailers Can Boost Sales with Affiliate Marketing Programs

How Does a Retail Affiliate Program Work?

Retail affiliate programs help brands reach new clients through the trusted voices of influencers, niche bloggers, and email publishers. As the first step, the brand sets up an affiliate program with unique and trackable links.

Publishers then join the program and gain access to ready-to-use marketing assets and tools. Later, they promote those links on their platforms, while advertisers pay only for the results outlined in a program’s terms.

6 Tips To Improve Retail Affiliate Programs

Choose the Right Affiliate Partners

Provide High-Quality Creative Assets

Offer Competitive Commissions

Focus on Mobile-Friendly Design

Be Transparent About Terms and Conditions

Regularly Analyze Campaign Performance

Final Thoughts

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Arlington’s $450M Vision and the 17th Avenue SW Revival: A Street Transformed (Images)

From Bartender to Beauty Franchise Powerhouse: The Entrepreneurial Rise of Kyla Dufresne and Foxy Box

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For July 25, 2025

News at a Glance

Roots and Canada Dry Launch Limited-Edition Summer Capsule

Design Elements Inspired by Vintage Summers

Celebrating Canadian Heritage

Where to Shop the Collection

More from Retail Insider:

Simons to open 1st Toronto store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre on August 14

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