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Destination Canada and Economic Developers Association of Canada unite to advance tourism

Andre Furtado photo
Andre Furtado photo

Destination Canada, a Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada, and the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration between tourism and economic development leaders across Canada, helping communities advance tourism investment, attract visitors and unlock long-term economic growth.

Tourism is a major economic engine for Canada, and Destination Canada’s latest Outlook Report shows growth that will far outpace the general economy. The sector generated $140.5 billion in direct visitor spending in 2025. Tourism GDP grew at 2.5%, outpacing the national economy, which grew at 1.7%. Destination Canada’s forecast shows that annual tourism revenue is projected to grow by 6% in 2026. It supports 280,010 businesses in 5,000 communities; 1 in 10 jobs in Canada relies on tourism. Tourism is one of Canada’s largest service exports, contributing $34.9 billion in export revenues last year, said the corporation.

Stronger collaboration between tourism and economic development leaders advances Destination Canada’s strategy Tourism 2030: A World of Opportunity by positioning tourism as a high growth economic driver offering fast returns, while strongly supporting the government’s goals of doubling non-US exports by $300 Billion by 2035 and unlocking $1 trillion in investment over five years, it added.  

Meaghan Ferrigno
Meaghan Ferrigno

“Tourism supports communities across Canada by diversifying economic activity, creating immediate jobs, improving local amenities, and attracting investment,” said Meaghan Ferrigno, Interim President and CEO of Destination Canada. “By partnering with the Economic Developers Association of Canada, we are strengthening connections between professionals in tourism and economic development to help communities position tourism as a catalyst for investment and long-term growth.”

“Economic developers play a critical role in shaping vibrant, resilient communities,” said John Perrott, Executive Director of EDAC. “This collaboration with Destination Canada will help equip our members with new insights, tools and partnerships to integrate tourism into economic development strategies and unlock opportunities for communities across Canada.”

John Perrott
John Perrott

Destination Canada said the collaboration will focus on knowledge sharing and strengthening investment readiness between the tourism and economic development sectors, including:

  • Promoting the economic value of tourism to economic development professionals and municipal leaders
  • Sharing research, data and best practices related to tourism development and investment attraction
  • Delivering workshops and webinars that build tourism investment literacy among economic development professionals
  • Integrating tourism-focused content into EDAC’s Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D) curriculum
  • Participating in conferences and joint communications initiatives that strengthen collaboration between tourism and economic development organizations

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration over the next three years, enabling both organizations to advance initiatives that support tourism growth, strengthen investment attraction and create new economic opportunities for communities across Canada, it said.

To learn more about how Canada’s tourism sector is positioned for growth, including market fundamentals, demand drivers, priority growth corridors, and opportunities to align capital with destination development, visit www.investintourism.ca. 

In 2025, tourism generated $133 billion in visitor spending, supporting over 280,000 businesses in 5,000 communities. With revenues projected to grow to $177B by 2030, tourism is a key economic driver and Canada’s second-largest service export, with the potential to contribute up to 10% to Canada’s $300B trade diversification goal, said Destination Canada.

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Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada Appoints Renée St-Jean as New Chair

The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (Neighbourhood Pharmacies) has appointed Renée St-Jean, Vice President, Enterprise Operations Governance – Pharmacy and Pharmacovigilance at Cencora, as Chair of the Association’s Board of Directors for a two-year term. she most recently served as Vice Chair of the Board, having been appointed to the role in 2025.

Marie-Claude Vézina
Marie-Claude Vézina

A bilingual pharmacist with more than 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare, she has dedicated her career to advancing pharmacy practice and improving patient care in Canada. She has held senior leadership roles across specialty pharmacy, hospital and community pharmacy, regulatory consulting, and pharmacy operations. She holds an MBA from the University of Ottawa and is a strong advocate for integrated, patient-centreed care, believing the best health outcomes are achieved through collaboration across health system partners, said the Association.

She succeeds Marie-Claude Vézina, Senior Vice President and Chief Network Officer at Metro Inc., who has completed a successful two-year term as Chair and will continue to support the Association as Past Chair for a one-year term, helping ensure a seamless leadership transition.

“Serving as Chair of Neighbourhood Pharmacies over the past two years has been a privilege. Together, our Board established a bold strategic direction for the Association through Prescription for Success – a roadmap that recognizes strong, sustainable pharmacy businesses as the foundation for expanding access to care and strengthening Canada’s health system. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made to strengthen the Association, elevate pharmacy’s voice with governments and partners, and position the sector for long-term success. On behalf of our Board, I want to congratulate Renée on her appointment as Chair. Renée brings tremendous experience, strategic insight, and a collaborative leadership style, and I know she will lead the Association with confidence as it enters its next chapter,” said Vezina.

Neighbourhood Pharmacies said it is now focused on executing the next phase of its strategy – strengthening its national advocacy, expanding the value it delivers to members and partners, and helping shape the future of community pharmacy in Canada.

“I am excited to welcome Renée as Chair and look forward to working alongside her as we continue advancing our vision for a thriving, sustainable pharmacy sector that delivers exceptional care while strengthening communities and Canada’s economy. Under Marie-Claude’s leadership, our Board established a strong strategic foundation and positioned the Association for its next phase of growth and impact. Today, Neighbourhood Pharmacies is exceptionally well positioned to build on that momentum by strengthening our advocacy, expanding the value we deliver to Members and Partners, and helping shape the future of pharmacy in Canada. I also want to thank Marie-Claude for her outstanding leadership, partnership, and lasting contributions to the Association over the past two years,” said Sandra Hanna, Chief Executive Officer of Neighbourhood Pharmacies.

Sandra Hanna
Sandra Hanna

Looking ahead to her term as Chair, St-Jean said: “I am honoured to assume the role of Chair of Neighbourhood Pharmacies at a pivotal time for pharmacy and the broader healthcare system. Across Canada, pharmacy teams are playing an increasingly important role in improving access to care and supporting better health outcomes. I look forward to working alongside our Board, Members, Partners, and the Neighbourhood Pharmacies team to advance policies and initiatives that strengthen pharmacy businesses, expand access to care, and demonstrate the value our sector delivers to patients, the healthcare system, and Canada’s economy.”

Neighbourhood Pharmacies represents Canada’s leading pharmacy organizations, including chain, banner, long-term care, specialty pharmacies, grocery chains, and mass merchandisers with pharmacies. It advocates for pharmacies’ role in caring for Canadians, both behind and in front of the counter. We aim to advance sustainable healthcare for all stakeholders by leveraging over 12,000 pharmacies located in virtually every community throughout the country.

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Internal trade improving on paper, but not yet in practice: CFIB (Video)

MART PRODUCTION photo
MART PRODUCTION photo

Governments across Canada are making progress on internal trade, but many small businesses are still not seeing improvements in their day-to-day operations, according to the 2026 State of Internal Trade: Interprovincial Cooperation Report Card released by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

The report shows clear improvement compared to previous years, with the federal government earning an A+ and 10 jurisdictions achieving an A. Much of this progress is tied to growing adoption of mutual recognition legislation, including a pan-Canadian agreement that will allow goods approved in one province to be sold in another without additional regulatory requirements, said the CFIB.

2026 State of Internal Trade report card grades are:

JurisdictionCanadian Free Trade
Agreement Exceptions
(40%)
Select Barriers
to Internal Trade
(20%)
Status of Items from
Reconciliation
Agreements (40%)
Mutual
Recognition
(Multiplier)
Overall
Score and
Grade
MB7.3C+5.4D9.6A99.8A
SK6.9C5.3D9.2A99.7A
NB5.9D6.4C-8.8A-99.7A
NS2.5F6.9C9.1A99.6A
QC0.0F5.0D9.6A99.5A
ON110A+6.1C-8.4B+59.3A
NT4.9D2.0F8.8A-89.2A
PEI3.3F4.3D8.8A-89.1A
AB8.0B4.9D9.5A59.0A
YT2.7F3.0F8.8 A-89.0A
BC7.6B-4.1D9.6A58.9A-
NU4.6D2.0F8.6B+16.1C-
NL*4.3D2.7F8.5B+1NANA
FED210A+9.7A1010.0A+
Notes:While “A+” is not currently included in the grading scale, Ontario and the federal government are awarded an A+ in the area of Canadian Free Trade Agreement Exceptions for having no exceptions.The federal government is scored on two areas: an economic impact score based on the procurement exceptions it maintains from the CFTA in 2025, and the implementation status of reconciliation agreements. Both areas are weighted equally (50% each), as the select barriers area was not available for this analysis.
*NL given an NA due to recent change in government.

The CFIB, which is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 103,000 members across every industry and region, said it applauds the significant progress made but cautions that these high scores reflect commitments more than actual progress felt on the ground. Nearly seven in 10 small businesses (69%) reported not noticing meaningful changes in doing business across Canada over the past 12 months, with 16% reporting it has become more difficult. Many continue to face challenges related to regulatory differences, certification requirements, and delays, all of which add costs. Awareness also remains an issue, with more than half (57%) of business owners not yet familiar with recent reforms.

Keyli Loeppky
Keyli Loeppky

“It’s encouraging to see governments achieving high grades and making further commitments to improve internal trade,” said Keyli Loeppky, CFIB’s senior director of interprovincial affairs. “But small businesses are still dealing with inconsistent rules, extra paperwork, and higher costs. Until announcements turn into barriers coming down in a meaningful way, progress on paper won’t translate into results for small businesses.”

Persistent barriers continue to affect key areas such as tax complexity, licensing and regulatory differences, and transportation and logistics. Restrictions on the movement of food and alcohol products also remain a source of frustration for many businesses, limiting market access and consumer choice. The CFIB said it will update its report card methodology for 2027 to better reflect the real-world experience of small businesses and the outcomes of internal trade reform.

“Internal trade progress has moved more in the last two years than in the last decade, and our methodology needs to keep pace,” said Loeppky. “We want to make sure we’re measuring what matters most to small businesses and highlighting where governments are making a real difference. We anticipate 2027 grades to be much lower than this year if governments don’t take implementation of agreements and MOUs seriously.”

CFIB noted it is calling on governments to turn commitments into measurable results by accelerating implementation and removing the most persistent internal trade barriers. That includes:

  • expanding mutual recognition to cover all the sale and use of all goods, services and labour (including food, alcohol, WCH and OHS);
  • reducing exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement and Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement;
  • delivering on the direct-to-consumer alcohol sales MOU
  • simplifying rules that add unnecessary cost and complexity for businesses operating across provincial and territorial borders.

“Governments have shown they can work together and make progress on internal trade — now they need to deliver,” said Loeppky. “Small businesses don’t need more announcements. They need fewer barriers, clearer rules, and real improvements they can see in the day to day. Canadian leaders have held enough press conferences and signed enough MOUs. If we want a stronger, more competitive economy, the focus now must be on implementation and results.”

Youtube video

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Daily Synopsis: Jul 16, 2026

Welcome to the Daily Synopsis by Retail Insider. We hope you enjoy the 10 articles we published covering key developments in Canadian retail.

Lululemon opened a one-million-square-foot automated distribution centre in Brampton featuring 525 robots to improve e-commerce fulfillment in Eastern Canada and the eastern U.S. Chrome Hearts acquired a building in Yorkville to launch its first Canadian standalone store, marking expansion into the luxury retail market. Nixit expanded its retail footprint into nearly 400 Canadian Loblaw locations and about 2,000 Walmart stores in the U.S., growing its presence in period care.

Splitsville Bowl plans to open a 34,000-square-foot flagship entertainment venue at CF Sherway Gardens in the mall’s former Nordstrom space, adding experiential retail. Foxy Box Laser & Wax Bar targets growth to 150 locations across Canada and international expansion. RioCan sold its 50% stake in FourFifty The Well to focus on core retail assets. The sector’s evolution includes a focus on AI-enhanced food safety risk communication in grocery retail. Economic outlooks show growth in GDP but a projected weakening in private investment. The Retail Insider Discount, Value and Off-Price Retail Report notes value retail’s growing significance in Canada.

🗞️ The Day’s Retail Insider Article List

🌐 Canadian Retail News From Around the Web

Food Safety Needs an AI Upgrade: Why Better Risk Communication Matters for Grocery Retail

A woman looks at lettuce in a grocery store. Photo: Unsplash/licensed

Every summer, Canadians are reminded that fresh produce, while essential to a healthy diet, can also pose food safety risks. This year’s Cyclospora outbreak in the United States has already sickened more than 1,600 people, making it one of the largest in recent memory. Yet despite its scale, investigators have not identified the specific fruit, vegetable, farm or supplier responsible. Canada’s food regulators have appropriately resisted calls to suspend produce imports because there is simply no scientific evidence pointing to a particular commodity or country of origin. From a regulatory standpoint, that is the right decision. From a communications standpoint, however, we have an opportunity to do much better.

Food safety agencies have become remarkably sophisticated at tracing pathogens through increasingly complex supply chains, but when it comes to communicating uncertainty, many are still relying on a model designed for another era. Press releases and media interviews remain the primary tools for informing the public, even though most Canadians now consume information through search engines, social media and increasingly through artificial intelligence. The way people seek answers has changed dramatically, but the way governments communicate risk has barely evolved.

Cyclospora presents a particularly difficult communication challenge because consumers have very little control over their own exposure. Unlike bacterial outbreaks involving foods that can be cooked, this parasite is commonly associated with fresh produce that is eaten raw. Washing leafy greens or herbs offers only limited protection, and by the time illnesses are reported, the contaminated products have usually disappeared from store shelves. Add an incubation period that often exceeds a week, and consumers are left trying to remember meals they barely recall eating. Public health officials therefore face a difficult balancing act. Warn too aggressively and consumers may avoid fresh produce altogether, unnecessarily harming growers, distributors and retailers. Say too little, and the public may conclude that authorities are withholding information.

One of the biggest shortcomings of current risk communication is its lack of precision. When headlines mention “leafy greens,” most consumers do not distinguish between romaine lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula or mixed salads. They simply avoid the entire category. Behavioural economists have long recognized this as a spillover effect: one product’s problem becomes everyone else’s problem. The result is collateral economic damage extending far beyond the actual source of contamination, often affecting producers who had absolutely nothing to do with the outbreak. This is precisely why communication matters as much as epidemiology.

Artificial intelligence offers an opportunity to fundamentally rethink how food safety information reaches consumers. Imagine asking your AI assistant whether spinach is implicated in the current outbreak and receiving a clear, evidence-based response explaining that no such link exists, while also describing what investigators do know and what remains uncertain. If a specific imported herb were eventually identified, consumers could receive targeted guidance immediately instead of vague warnings that leave them guessing. Rather than relying on generalized announcements that inevitably fuel confusion, regulators could provide personalized, real-time answers based on verified data, reducing unnecessary panic while improving public confidence.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has earned an international reputation for scientific excellence. Its inspectors, laboratories and traceability systems are among the best in the world. The next frontier is not simply improving detection; it is modernizing communication. Instead of issuing static recalls and occasional updates, regulators should develop dynamic, AI-ready information platforms capable of distinguishing between products that are confirmed sources of illness, products that remain under investigation and products for which there is no evidence of concern. Just as importantly, agencies should become more comfortable communicating uncertainty. Telling Canadians, “We don’t yet know, but here’s what we’re doing,” is far more credible than offering broad reassurances that can quickly unravel as new evidence emerges.

Food safety has always depended on science. Increasingly, it will also depend on trust. In an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming the public’s first source of information, regulators must ensure that trustworthy, evidence-based guidance reaches consumers before speculation and misinformation do. The future of food safety will not be defined solely by faster laboratory testing or more sophisticated traceback investigations. It will also be defined by our ability to communicate risk with the same precision as the science itself.

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VIDEO: Nixit expands retail footprint as Canadian period care brand targets North American growth

Canadian period care and sexual wellness company nixit is accelerating its retail expansion across North America as growing consumer demand for reusable and ingredient-conscious products fuels the brand’s next stage of growth.

Founder Rachael Newton said the company, launched after she sought to reduce household waste while living in the Caribbean with two young children, was created to offer sustainable products designed specifically with vaginal health in mind. She said the experience of seeing landfill waste firsthand prompted her to rethink disposable menstrual products after realizing the lifetime environmental impact of tampon use.

Newton said Nixit’s first product was a reusable menstrual disc, introduced as Canada’s first reusable menstrual disc. She said the product was designed as a one-size-fits-all, suction-free alternative intended to simplify the transition to reusable period care. Since then, the company has expanded into wash products and sexual wellness with water-based lubricant and condoms.

Initially launched as an online-only business, Newton said customer demand led the company into retail, beginning with natural food and wellness chains before expanding this year into nearly 400 Loblaw stores across Canada. She added that nixit’s condoms have also launched in nearly 2,000 Walmart locations in the United States.

Newton said the Loblaw rollout increased the company’s Canadian retail footprint by more than 50 per cent while reflecting broader consumer interest in products featuring organic ingredients and formulations designed to minimize irritation.

She said building the company has presented challenges, including navigating the regulatory requirements associated with medical devices, such as Health Canada authorization, FDA registration and certification standards.

Looking ahead, Newton said nixit plans to expand into additional retail locations across North America while continuing to develop new products. As a self-funded business, she said growth decisions are carefully balanced against available resources.

Newton also encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to invest in building strong professional networks, saying those connections can provide valuable support throughout the often-isolated journey of entrepreneurship.

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The Interior Design Trend Bringing More Personality Into Homes

In Canada, home design is evolving dramatically. The business maintained a strict route for a long time, emphasizing simple forms, neutral colours, and predictable patterns. With matching furniture sets that lacked any true personality, many houses ended up resembling product showrooms. That strategy is dwindling now. Today, personal style is more essential than ever, and people prefer living in locations that represent their hobbies and life experiences to ones that look like books. The idea is to make houses appear more authentic, warm, and helpful for daily living.

Creating a setting that reflects you is extremely crucial. People are increasingly assembling new and secondhand items instead of buying everything at once. They are displaying family treasures, travel mementos, and bespoke art to personalize each space. This design style fosters creativity rather than following rules. Adding sentimental artifacts and decorations may make a regular home seem like a private haven for you and your family.

Creating a powerful focal point on your walls is one of the most useful and efficient methods to add individuality. You may arrange a variety of objects that have particular personal significance on gallery walls. You don’t have to use matched frames or stick to a strict, uniform style. It looks better to mix and match different frame sizes, wood tones, and painting styles to give the impression of a natural, well-traveled style.

You can use canvas prints to display your own digital photography or custom artwork. This particular product gives the wall a polished, professional, and clean appearance that is not possible with regular poster material. Place your components on the ground before mounting any hardware. This enables you to make sure the arrangement is balanced in terms of size and colour before making holes in the wall. You may prevent seeming disorganized or cluttered by doing this preparatory step. Choose pieces that show off your interests, like beautiful family photos or scenery from your travels, to make the room look unique and appealing to the eye.

2. Adding Vintage and Heirloom Furniture

Brand-new furniture that is mass-produced often doesn’t have any style. In order to protect themselves, many Canadians are already putting old, used items in their homes. One piece with a clear past, like a well-made coffee table from the middle of the 20th century or a repaired wood trunk that was passed down from a previous family, adds a level of complexity that new items just can’t match.

In this case, the main goal is balance. To get the benefits, you don’t need to fill your house with old things. Just pick one or two strong things to be the room’s main draws. If the fabric on an old piece is worn out or out of style, you can easily restore it to make it fit in with your modern home. Putting old and new together keeps the house from looking like a stuffy antique shop while keeping the original’s spirit. The difference between your home and the other houses makes it seem like a permanent place to live instead of a temporary one.

3. Using Different Textures for Comfort

The arrangement of your furniture is not the only factor that affects how comfortable your home is. A space may seem chilly or sterile if there are too many smooth, uniform surfaces. This is a typical design problem. By purposefully adding layers of various textures, you may improve the atmosphere of any space. Try incorporating fabrics such as leather, wool, velvet, and linen into your primary living spaces.

The way you decorate flat surfaces, such as tables and shelves, is also influenced by layering. Don’t leave these surfaces barren or vacant. Stack things like books, ornamental bowls, or tiny, low-maintenance plants in them. A lived-in, human-centered appearance is produced by arranging objects at various heights. Instead of seeming like a staged snapshot in a magazine, these minute, tangible elements give a space the sensation of a true home. You are more likely to spend time in a room when it is physically pleasant, which is the main goal of a customized living space.

4. Setting Up Zones for Hobbies and Interests

Establishing designated “interest zones” has been a popular practice in recent years. This is designating a special space in a room to highlight a certain pastime or interest. If you read a lot, set aside a space with a complete bookcase, a comfortable chair, and enough lighting. Make a little garden with plants of different heights in a corner of the space if you like indoor plants.

Instead of keeping your hobby supplies hidden in a closet, these zones allow you to keep them out in the open, ready for use. Additionally, it makes it very evident to visitors what you value. For example, a musician may decide to store a carefully chosen collection of albums on a modest stand or hang their instrument on the wall. These objects cease to seem like clutter and begin to blend into your formal home design when you give them a permanent, purposeful place. With this method, your house becomes a true mirror of your everyday existence.

5. Using Raw Materials and Accepting Imperfection

The embrace of raw materials and natural wear is the last feature of this design movement. In the past, structural components like brick or raw wood were often covered with plasterboard or painted over. There is now a noticeable trend toward displaying raw materials. The distinctive patterns and natural texture of exposed brick, natural stone surfaces, and visible wood grains are being praised.

This also has to do with how you handle the upkeep of your house. A rug that has some wear and tear or a strong wood table with a minor blemish conveys a tale of everyday living and frequent usage. To have a lovely house, you don’t have to maintain everything in flawless, brand-new condition. This way of thinking makes a house much simpler for visitors to utilize and far less difficult for you to maintain. You can create a room that seems honest, long-lasting, and inviting by selecting materials that age well and embracing the little wear of everyday living.

Conclusion

Making your home truly show your style is a process that takes time and can’t be done right away. Do not worry about the newest dress trends in stores. Instead, focus on what makes you feel good. You can get away from general design by using custom prints as a focal point in your room, adding old things with history, using different textures, and leaving room for your own interests.

You should feel free to be yourself in this space. That is the goal. Whether you start with a single wall or by moving your furniture around, the update should show your past. People are more likely to use and like a house that looks like their own. Put your own hobbies ahead of what’s popular on social media at the moment. Not a camera, but your life should be on your mind when you build your house.

Retail Insider “Discount, Value & Off-Price Retail Report”: Value Retail Becomes a Defining Force in Canadian Retail

Value retail has moved well beyond serving budget-conscious shoppers. Retail Insider’s latest quarterly report finds that discount, value and off-price retail have become central to Canadian retail strategy, influencing consumer expectations, commercial real estate and retailer expansion decisions across the country.

Authored by Craig Patterson, Q2 2026 Canadian Discount, Value and Off-Price Retail: Shape of the Next Phase of Canadian Retail is part of the Retail Insider Reports series. Retail Insider Reports are designed to deliver executive-level insights across major retail sectors and can be accessed through the Retail Insider Report Hub.

The report examines Canada’s discount, value and off-price retail segments. Coverage includes retailers built around explicit low-price positioning, everyday affordability, efficient operations, private label, opportunistic merchandising and branded merchandise sold below traditional retail pricing, while exploring the consumer and commercial forces driving continued growth in these segments.

General Themes

  • Value Shopping Goes Mainstream — Shopping for value has expanded across income groups and become a lasting consumer behaviour rather than a temporary response to inflation.
  • Dollarama’s Growing Influence — The country’s largest dollar store chain continues to shape supplier relationships, consumer expectations and retail expansion strategies.
  • Discount Grocery Intensifies Competition — Grocery retailers are investing in discount banners, private label and regional expansion as affordability remains a competitive priority.
  • Real Estate Follows Value Retail — Landlords are increasingly looking to value-oriented retailers to fill large-format vacancies and generate consistent customer traffic.
  • Off-Price Retail Maintains Momentum — Treasure-hunt merchandising and branded merchandise at reduced prices continue attracting shoppers across demographics.
  • Affordable Discovery Creates New Demand — Retailers such as MINISO and Flying Tiger demonstrate that low prices combined with novelty and experience remain highly appealing.
  • Private Label Continues to Grow — Consumers remain comfortable trading down while expecting quality and stronger brand identity from store-owned products.
  • International and Regional Players Expand Opportunities — International entrants and established regional operators continue strengthening Canada’s diverse value retail landscape.

Retail Insider Coverage

Retail Insider’s reporting throughout the quarter documented many of the developments that underpin the report’s conclusions. Coverage included Dollarama surpassing 1,700 Canadian stores, its growing household penetration and supplier influence, Empire’s acquisition of Mayrand, FreshCo’s Atlantic Canada expansion, and Loblaw’s continued observations around consumer trading-down behaviour. The publication also followed Zellers’ new Toronto location, Flying Tiger’s Canadian launch, MINISO’s continued expansion, Peavey Mart’s relaunch strategy and Giant Tiger’s ongoing market presence.

The report also highlights commercial real estate developments involving Winners, JUMBO and other value-oriented retailers, illustrating how Retail Insider’s ongoing coverage extends beyond store openings to examine leasing strategies, adaptive reuse of large retail spaces and broader investment trends shaping Canada’s retail landscape.

Broader Industry Coverage

The report suggests that Canada’s value segment has entered a structural growth phase rather than a cyclical one. Consumers increasingly expect affordability alongside convenience, assortment, branded merchandise and enjoyable shopping experiences, changing how retailers compete across multiple categories.

These shifts also carry important implications for commercial real estate. As landlords reconsider tenant mixes and redevelopment strategies, discount, value and off-price retailers are increasingly viewed as reliable traffic generators capable of repurposing large-format vacancies. At the same time, continued investment by both domestic and international operators indicates confidence that Canada’s value-oriented retail market will remain attractive despite growing competition.

Editor’s Take

The strongest conclusion from this quarter’s report is that value has become a strategic position rather than simply a pricing strategy. Retailers succeeding in today’s market are not necessarily those offering the lowest prices, but those combining affordability with convenience, discovery, strong merchandising and operational efficiency. As consumer expectations continue to evolve, value-oriented retail is influencing everything from supplier relationships and expansion strategies to leasing decisions, making it one of the defining forces shaping the next phase of Canadian retail.

Conclusion

Readers interested in Canada’s evolving discount, value and off-price retail landscape can read the full Q2 2026 Canadian Discount, Value and Off-Price Retail: Shape of the Next Phase of Canadian Retail report by Craig Patterson through the Retail Insider Report Hub. The hub also provides access to Retail Insider’s growing library of executive-level reports covering Canada’s major retail sectors and the trends shaping the industry.

Splitsville Bowl to Open at CF Sherway Gardens in Former Nordstrom Space

Former CF Sherway Gardens Nordstrom (Image: Nordstrom)

One of the largest vacant retail spaces at CF Sherway Gardens has found a major new tenant, with Splitsville Bowl planning a 34,000-square-foot flagship entertainment venue inside part of the former Nordstrom store.

Scheduled to open in fall 2027, the venue will feature 22 lanes of 10-pin bowling, an interactive arcade, food and beverage offerings, and event spaces for social gatherings, celebrations and corporate functions. Cadillac Fairview announced the project through its social media channels, describing it as a flagship location for the entertainment operator.

The lease represents one of the first major permanent redevelopments announced for the former Nordstrom premises since the department store closed in 2023, beginning a new chapter for one of the shopping centre’s most prominent anchor spaces.

Splitsville to Occupy Part of Former Nordstrom Store

The new venue will occupy approximately 34,000 square feet within the former Nordstrom store, which spanned about 140,000 square feet before the retailer exited Canada.

Nordstrom opened at CF Sherway Gardens in September 2017 as the anchor of Cadillac Fairview’s major south-wing expansion. The store formed part of a significant redevelopment that strengthened the shopping centre’s position within the Greater Toronto Area’s retail market.

That chapter ended in June 2023 when Nordstrom closed all of its Canadian locations.

Cadillac Fairview has not publicly outlined plans for the balance of the former Nordstrom premises, leaving a substantial amount of space available for future redevelopment.

The property did not sit entirely dormant following Nordstrom’s departure. Portions of the former store later housed temporary Ontario Science Centre exhibitions after the closure of the institution’s Don Mills facility. Interactive experiences, including Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO Bricks, brought families into the space before the temporary attraction concluded earlier this year.

Splitsville Bowl, Source: splitsvillebowl.ca

CF Sherway Gardens Continues to Reshape Its Anchor Lineup

Nordstrom’s departure was followed by the loss of two more department store anchors.

Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue both closed at CF Sherway Gardens on June 1, 2025, as Hudson’s Bay Company completed the liquidation of its remaining Canadian stores. Within roughly two years, the shopping centre lost three department store anchors that had helped define the property for much of the past decade.

Those departures created an unusually large redevelopment opportunity at one of Canada’s leading regional shopping centres.

CF Sherway Gardens has continued to maintain a strong mix of fashion retailers, restaurants, luxury brands and services while Cadillac Fairview works to reposition the former anchor spaces.

Another significant redevelopment is already underway. T&T Supermarket is scheduled to open a roughly 40,000-square-foot store in 2027, occupying former Saks-related space on the lower level, including the area previously home to the Saks Food Hall by Pusateri’s.

Together, the T&T and Splitsville announcements begin to show how portions of the former department store footprint are being re-leased for new uses.

Large Retail Spaces Find New Uses

The arrival of Splitsville reflects a broader trend in Canadian shopping centres, where former department store premises are increasingly being adapted for multiple tenants.

Entertainment venues, grocery stores, restaurants, fitness operators and other large-format businesses have become practical successors to traditional department stores, particularly in prominent regional malls where expansive floorplates can accommodate a variety of concepts.

Splitsville’s flagship will introduce a new entertainment destination to CF Sherway Gardens while occupying only about one-quarter of the former Nordstrom store. T&T Supermarket will bring a grocery anchor to part of the former Saks premises.

Additional redevelopment plans for the remaining former department store space have yet to be announced.

Splitsville is also continuing to expand elsewhere in Canada. The company recently announced plans for a third Edmonton location at Manning Town Centre, adding to its growing network of entertainment venues.

T&T image
Future T&T Supermarket at CF Sherway Gardens in Toronto. Image: T&T Supermarkets

Looking Ahead

The arrival of Splitsville and T&T will make 2027 an important year for CF Sherway Gardens as new tenants begin opening in spaces once occupied by some of Canada’s best-known department stores.

For Splitsville, the project establishes a flagship location within one of the country’s leading shopping centres. For Cadillac Fairview, it represents another step in the long-term repositioning of a property whose anchor lineup has changed dramatically over the past two years.

As additional redevelopment plans emerge, the transformation of the former department store spaces at CF Sherway Gardens is likely to remain closely watched across Canada’s retail real estate industry.

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VIDEO: Foxy Box targets 150 locations as Canadian hair removal franchise prepares for next growth phase

Foxy Box Laser & Wax Bar is preparing for its next stage of expansion after growing from a home-based startup into a national franchise with 25 locations across four Canadian provinces, according to founder Kyla Dufresne.

Dufresne said the company, which specializes in hair removal services with a focus on Brazilian waxing, began 14 years ago in the dining room of her home after she identified a gap in the market for a convenient, affordable and approachable waxing experience. At the time, consumers were largely limited to expensive spas or salon back rooms, while online booking and dedicated waxing concepts were virtually nonexistent.

The company began franchising about six years ago and now operates 24 locations, with its 25th opening next month.

Dufresne said entrepreneurship came naturally, citing parents who both owned businesses and influenced her willingness to take risks. She said Foxy Box was conceived from the outset as a franchisable brand with national ambitions.

The company has built its identity around creating an upbeat customer experience designed to leave clients feeling confident and energized. Dufresne said humour is a core value that helps reduce the anxiety many first-time customers feel during hair removal treatments while also strengthening company culture across the franchise network.

She said Foxy Box takes a deliberate approach to franchising, emphasizing long-term partnerships over rapid expansion. The company carefully selects franchisees and prioritizes ongoing support, collaboration and shared learning through advisory committees and regular meetings.

Location selection also plays a key role in the company’s strategy. Dufresne said Foxy Box targets markets with sufficient population density and complementary neighbouring businesses, such as fitness centres, while avoiding oversaturated trade areas.

Looking ahead, Dufresne said the company’s long-term goal is to reach 150 locations. While expansion in Canada will continue, future growth is expected to include international markets, with the United Kingdom emerging as a priority due to favourable regulations and market opportunities. She added that the company is also investing in a brand refresh, new product offerings, expanded infrastructure and experienced leadership to support its next phase of growth.

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