Buy Now, Pay Later Tire Financing (CNW Group/TireSet.ca)
TireSet.ca, a Toronto-based online tire and wheel retailer, is officially open for business across Canada. The company offers Buy Now, Pay Later financing with credit approvals starting at just 550, plus free nationwide shipping on all orders.
Created with Canadian drivers in mind, TireSet.ca provides a wide selection of new passenger and light truck tires, custom wheels, and a growing inventory of commercial tires. With flexible payment plans through iFinance Canada, customers can order the tires they need now and pay over time—no hard credit checks initially required, it said.
Katie Marsh
“We launched TireSet.ca to give Canadians more access and less stress when it comes to buying tires,” said Katie Marsh, Co-Founder of TireSet.ca. “Credit-challenged customers often get left out—so we’ve built a platform that includes them.”
The company said the website is designed for convenience and accessibility, offering a smooth shopping experience and fast delivery across all provinces and territories. Every product ships directly from the warehouse closest to the customer’s address, with no added shipping fees, it said.
The website features a built-in English/French language toggle, making it easy to browse, search, and check out in either language.
Key Features of TireSet.ca:
Buy Now, Pay Later financing with approvals starting at 550
Free shipping across Canada
Tires for passenger vehicles, light trucks, and select commercial use
Custom wheels for added style and performance
Bilingual website toggle for English and French users
Temu, the global e-commerce platform, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the FITI Testing & Research Institute as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen product quality oversight.
Under the agreement, FITI will provide third-party testing services for textile and apparel products offered on Temu. This collaboration adds an additional layer of independent verification to Temu’s existing quality assurance framework, helping ensure compliance with technical standards and supporting sellers in improving product consistency and reliability, said the company in a news release.
FITI joins a growing network of global testing and certification partners supporting Temu in verifying that products sold on the platform meet relevant safety and regulatory standards. The collaboration also reflects Temu’s commitment to deepening trust among Korean consumers, it said.
“Through this collaboration with Temu, FITI’s expertise in testing and certification is expected to play a key role in ensuring consumer safety and product reliability throughout the global distribution process,” said Yoon Joo-kyung, President of FITI Testing & Research Institute. “We will continue to provide independent and fair testing and certification services that meet international standards, contributing to a safer consumer environment for customers in Korea and beyond.”
Founded in 1965, FITI is Korea’s first internationally accredited testing agency under KOLAS, the national accreditation body recognized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The institute has long provided testing, inspection, and certification services across a wide range of sectors including textiles, consumer goods, and the environment—in Korea as well as in markets such as China and Vietnam, said Temu.
This partnership between Temu and FITI has been ongoing since last year, and is now been officially announced following the establishment of practical, multi-faceted cooperation measures. It reflects Temu’s ongoing efforts to build a robust quality management system through strategic partnerships with leading Korean testing and certification institutions, it said.
“Our collaboration with FITI represents another step forward in reinforcing our quality control system and creating a trustworthy e-commerce environment,” said a Temu spokesperson. “We will continue expanding partnerships with credible institutions to ensure that Korean consumers—and consumers around the world—can shop with confidence at affordable prices.”
Temu operates in more than 90 markets worldwide.
Since launching in Korea in July 2023, Temu said it has provided access to a broad selection of competitively priced merchandise across more than 600 categories, offered by independent third-party sellers through its platform. In May 2024, Temu also voluntarily entered into a Product Safety Agreement with the Korea Fair Trade Commission, demonstrating its strong commitment to consumer protection.
“The company’s growing presence in Korea reflects its mission to widen consumer access to quality products at affordable prices through a trusted online marketplace. Earlier this year, Temu fully opened its platform to local sellers in Korea, offering them a low-cost, scalable channel to reach millions of new customers.”
If you care about value, timeline, and design flexibility,Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) cabinetsare worth serious consideration. They’ve moved far beyond their old reputation as “cheap starter cabinets.” Today, many homeowners, small-scale developers, and community projects choose RTA because they balance affordability with real quality. Below are five detailed reasons why they continue to make sense — with practical tips so you know exactly what to expect.
1) Real Value Without Painful Compromises
The main reason most homeowners look at RTA cabinets is cost. By eliminating retail middle layers and simplifying shipping, RTA cabinets save hundreds — sometimes thousands — compared to pre-assembled or custom lines.
But lower cost doesn’t always mean lower quality. Many RTA manufacturers now offer boxes made from durable plywood, soft-close hinges, and drawer glides that rival name brands. Instead of paying for hidden markups or inflated showrooms, you’re paying for materials and construction that actually matter.
This is especially important for homeowners balancing multiple project expenses — countertops, appliances, flooring, and lighting all add up quickly. By saving intelligently on the cabinet framework, you free your budget to invest in finishes that elevate the overall kitchen. A quartz countertop, modern pendant lighting, or upgraded faucet will give you more visible impact than overspending on cabinet shells.
2) Know What to Insist On — Materials and Hardware
RTA cabinets aren’t all equal. Some online sellers use low-grade particleboard or shortcuts on joinery that won’t stand up to daily use. To make sure you’re investing wisely, focus on these specs:
Box construction: Look for plywood over particleboard.
Drawers: Dovetail joinery lasts longer than staples or glue.
Hardware: Full-extension, soft-close slides and concealed hinges make daily use smoother.
Finish quality: Multi-step painting or staining processes resist chipping and fading better than single-spray finishes.
Doing this homework upfront saves you headaches later. And if you want a quick checklist of what matters most, theRTA Cabinets FAQ guide is a reliable reference. It covers common questions like wood types, assembly steps, warranty issues, and how to compare vendors fairly. Bookmark it before you start making calls — it helps you ask sharper, more informed questions.
3) Save Money Smartly — Where to Cut and Where to Invest
RTA cabinets already provide savings, but the smartest homeowners know how to take it further without cutting corners where it matters.
Spend here:
Sturdy cabinet boxes
Durable hinges and drawer slides
A timeless door style you won’t want to replace in five years
Save here:
Decorative moldings, corbels, or unnecessary trim
Ornate, trendy finishes that might not age well
Factory add-ons you could install later yourself, like pull-out organizers
One cost-effective trick is “door swapping.” If your cabinet boxes are strong, you can refresh the look down the line by only changing the doors. This way, the heart of your kitchen stays intact while you update its appearance affordably.
By thinking strategically, you can build a kitchen that looks higher-end while leaving room in the budget for other upgrades — like better appliances or eco-friendly lighting.
4) Design Choices That Keep Homes Desirable and Timeless
Cabinet style can make or break a remodel. Since RTA cabinets come in a wide variety of finishes and door profiles, choosing wisely helps your kitchen stay appealing for years.
Shaker-style cabinets remain the most popular because they blend seamlessly with modern, transitional, and even farmhouse aesthetics. White and gray tones photograph beautifully for real estate listings and keep resale value strong.
Want personality? Consider adding it selectively — a bold navy island, matte black hardware, or a splash of open shelving. These accents create visual impact while keeping the main cabinet run neutral. This way, the next homeowner can easily adapt the kitchen to their taste without a full remodel.
Remember: trends come and go, but clean lines and classic colors stand the test of time.
5) Logistics, Installation, and Warranty — Control the Project
One of the hidden advantages of RTA is speed. Unlike custom cabinetry that may take 8–12 weeks, many RTA orders ship in a fraction of that time. For projects on a tight timeline — a rental flip, community renovation, or urgent remodel — this can make the difference between meeting deadlines or not.
But with faster shipping comes responsibility. Always:
Inspect deliveries immediately for damage
Verify part counts before scheduling installation
Clarify return or replacement policies in writing
Decide upfront how you’ll handle assembly. Some homeowners enjoy DIY assembly, which saves even more. Others prefer to hire a local installer to handle boxes while they focus on the bigger design picture. Either way, factor in labor costs when comparing “savings” across cabinet options.
Finally, don’t forget about warranty and spare-part policies. A solid warranty shows the company stands behind its product, while easy access to replacement doors or hinges ensures your kitchen stays functional long-term.
Closing Note — A Smart First Step
Before committing, order a door sample and drawer box sample. Hold them under your actual lighting and next to your countertops. The look and feel of materials in your own space will tell you more than any photo.
Then, request itemized quotes from two or three RTA suppliers. Compare them line by line — box material, door style, finish process, hardware brand, and shipping terms. Use the RTA Cabinets FAQ guide as your checklist to avoid surprises.
With a bit of upfront research, RTA cabinets give you the balance of cost efficiency, durability, and design flexibility that homeowners and project managers need. Whether you’re upgrading your forever home or prepping a property for sale, this option delivers a kitchen that feels modern, lasts for years, and leaves room in the budget for life’s other priorities.
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.
“We are pleased by our improved performance in this first quarter of the new fiscal year. Across our network, we are reporting positive same store sales, which includes our U.S. market for the first time in several quarters. This progress is propelled by our focus on providing compelling value and ease, especially in our food and beverage offers, to win our customers who continue to watch their spendings. In our fuel business, we had overall good results, especially in Canada and our larger European markets, while in North America, fuel margins remained aligned with previous quarters. We were also proud to close this quarter on 270 sites operating under the GetGo Café + Market brand, and we are already working closely with those teams to learn more about GetGo’s popular food and loyalty programs as we start to grow together,” said Alex Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Filipe Da Silva
“We are encouraged by our first quarter results, which were partly driven by an enhanced gross profit margin resulting from better food program execution and reduced spoilage. Combined with our disciplined cost control and a sharp focus on efficiency keeping expense growth below the rate of inflation, we are optimistic about our operational priorities. Our TotalEnergies assets once again produced solid sequential performance, with synergy delivery tracking ahead of plan. With our share repurchase program now in full motion, we view it as another way to create sustainable long-term shareholder value while optimizing our balance sheet,” said Filipe Da Silva, Chief Financial Officer.
Quarterly Highlights according to the company:
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation were $782.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 compared with $790.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation were approximately $737.0 million compared with $790.0 million for the corresponding quarter of last year, representing a decrease of 6.7%.
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation were $0.82 per diluted share for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 compared with $0.83 per diluted share for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Adjusted diluted net earnings per sharewere $0.78, representing a decrease of 6.0% from $0.83 for the corresponding quarter of last year.
Total merchandise and service revenues of $4.7 billion, an increase of 4.5%. Same-store merchandise revenues increased by 0.4% in the United States, by 3.8% in Europe and other regions, and by 4.1% in Canada.
Merchandise and service gross margin increased by 0.9% in the United States to 34.6%, while it decreased by 0.9% in Europe and other regions to 38.9%, and by 0.9% in Canada to 33.9%.
Same-store road transportation fuel volumes decreased by 0.9% in the United States, and by 1.3% in Europe and other regions, while it increased by 2.2% in Canada.
Road transportation fuel gross margin of 44.00¢ per gallon in the United States, a decrease of 4.13¢ per gallon, US 11.41¢ per liter in Europe and other regions, an increase of US 2.73¢ per liter, and CA 14.21¢ per liter in Canada, an increase of CA 1.10¢ per liter.
In June, the company closed the acquisition of 270 company-owned and operated convenience retail and fuel sites operating under the GetGo Café + Market brand from supermarket retailer Giant Eagle Inc., for a purchase price of $1.6 billion, subject to post-closing adjustments. The acquisition also included surplus properties. GetGo sites are located in the states of Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, in the United States. The transaction was financed using our available cash and existing credit facilities, including our United States Commercial Paper Program, it said.
“We completed the construction of 10 stores and the relocation or reconstruction of 3 stores, reaching a total of 13 stores since the beginning of fiscal 2026. As of July 20, 2025, another 63 stores were under construction and should open in the upcoming quarters,” added the company.
Couche-Tard is a global leader in convenience and mobility, operating in 29 countries and territories, with close to 17,300 stores, of which approximately 13,200 offer road transportation fuel. With its well-known Couche-Tard and Circle K banners, it is one of the largest independent convenience store operators in the United States and it is a leader in the convenience store industry and road transportation fuel retail in Canada, Scandinavia, the Baltics, Belgium, as well as in Ireland. It also has an important presence in Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, as well as in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Approximately 149,500 people are employed throughout its network.
In a time when ecommerce and omnichannel strategy are not just competitive advantages but survival tools, the question is no longer if retail leaders should evolve — it’s how fast. For Canadian brands and retailers, the answer might be found at the upcoming eTail Toronto 2025, taking place October 7–8, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Toronto.
Billed as the country’s most senior-level ecommerce and omnichannel conference, eTail Canada has become the go-to forum for industry decision-makers looking to accelerate their digital transformation. And this year’s edition promises to be its most impactful yet.
A Community Built for Leaders
More than just another tradeshow or panel-heavy event, eTail Canada is a curated gathering of 500+ retail and brand professionals, from CEOs and CMOs to Heads of Ecommerce and Digital Marketing. Over two days, participants will dive into high-value content designed specifically for leaders navigating the complexities of modern retail.
What sets eTail apart is its sharp focus on real-world strategies and actionable takeaways. The sessions are led by 65+ senior executives from across the retail spectrum, from fashion, beauty, electronics, lifestyle, and more, sharing not just what’s trending, but what’s working. This isn’t theory. It’s strategy in motion.
Less Hype, More Value
Every year, attendees return to eTail for one reason: value. The agenda doesn’t waste time on buzzwords. Instead, it zeroes in on the practical insights executives need to optimize performance and drive growth.
Topics range from:
Personalization at scale using AI and data,
Seamless omnichannel fulfilment and supply chain agility,
Building brand loyalty through next-gen CX,
Attribution, performance marketing, and customer acquisition ROI,
And navigating digital disruption in the Canadian market.
These are the topics keeping retail leaders up at night—and eTail Canada delivers answers.
Designed for Meaningful Connections
Unlike massive trade expos where quality connections are lost in the crowd, eTail Canada is designed to foster deep, peer-level networking. Attendees can pre-book one-on-one meetings, join interactive roundtables, and participate in curated networking sessions that go beyond small talk.
In an industry where collaboration is becoming essential, this type of engagement is priceless.
What to Expect: Event Details at a Glance
Event Name: eTail Toronto 2025
Dates: October 7–8, 2025
Location: Hyatt Regency Toronto, Ontario
Audience: 500–600+ attendees from Canada’s leading retailers, brands, and service providers
Format: Executive keynotes, tactical breakouts, live Q&As, networking, and innovation showcases
Who Should Be There?
If you’re a retail leader responsible for growth, digital transformation, or customer experience, this is your room. Executives in ecommerce, marketing, omnichannel, supply chain, and loyalty—across both enterprise and fast-growing DTC brands—will all find a seat at the table.
And for technology providers, media firms, and retail consultancies, eTail Canada offers unmatched access to the industry’s most engaged buyers.
Hotel Rates and Perks
For those traveling from outside Toronto, organizers have secured a preferred rate of ~$359 CAD/night (plus taxes) at the host hotel, the Hyatt Regency Toronto. Staying on-site means you’re never far from the action—and more importantly, the connections that could reshape your strategy.
Sponsorship and Thought Leadership Opportunities
For vendors and solution providers, eTail Canada offers more than booth space—it delivers visibility among real decision-makers. With customizable sponsorship options, executive branding opportunities, and intimate networking formats, the event is designed to help partners build meaningful pipelines.
Why It Matters Now
The Canadian retail market is facing a tipping point. Evolving shopper expectations, rising operational costs, and digital disruption are forcing every brand, regardless of size, to think differently. eTail Canada isn’t just a chance to catch up; it’s a chance to get ahead.
In the words of past attendees:
“eTail Canada is where the industry gets real. No fluff, no noise—just leaders sharing the truth about what it takes to win.”
If you’re serious about reshaping your retail future, then this is where your next chapter begins.
Register Now
Don’t wait for innovation to come to you—go where the innovators are.
Register today at etailcanada.wbresearch.com to secure your spot, take advantage of early-bird pricing, and
reserve your room.
Toronto. October. Strategy. Innovation. Community. This is eTail Canada / Toronto 2025.
Yves Veggie Cuisine, the Canadian brand that helped define the meat-free movement for decades, will disappear from grocery aisles this year. Its parent company, Hain Celestial Group, announced that production will wind down, ending a 40-year presence in the country’s food landscape.
The company confirmed that Yves Veggie Cuisine will not be sold to another operator. Instead, products will remain available on store shelves until fall and into early winter 2026, as inventory is gradually depleted.
“This decision was not made lightly. The meat-free category has been declining for several years, which led to the business becoming increasingly challenging and difficult to sustain,” a spokesperson for Hain Celestial said in a statement.
A Founding Vision in Vancouver
Yves Veggie Cuisine was founded in 1985 by chef and entrepreneur Yves Potvin in Vancouver. At the time, vegetarianism was still a niche lifestyle, and vegan products were virtually nonexistent in mainstream supermarkets. Potvin, who later became known for his innovations in food technology, introduced what would become one of North America’s first veggie hot dogs, a product that quickly captured the attention of consumers seeking alternatives to traditional meat.
Originally launched as Yves Fine Foods, the company rebranded as Yves Veggie Cuisine in 1992. By the late 1990s, it was producing hundreds of thousands of plant-based items each week, including deli slices, veggie bacon, burger patties, and ground round. Potvin was widely credited with inventing the veggie wiener, a product that came to symbolize the brand’s role as a pioneer in plant-based eating.
Rise of a Household Staple
For many Canadian families, Yves Veggie Cuisine became a reliable fixture in the fridge. Known for its soy-based deli meats including ham, turkey, and salami, the brand also offered veggie burgers, meatballs, and hot dogs that were easy to prepare.
Photo: Yves Veggie Cuisine
The company targeted not only vegetarians and vegans but also “flexitarians,” consumers who reduced their meat intake without eliminating it completely. That group, which grew steadily during the 1990s and early 2000s, helped fuel demand for products that were convenient, nutritious, and affordable.
By 2002, the company reported annual revenue of roughly $35 million. That same year, it supplied a soy-based burger to McDonald’s Canada, marking a breakthrough into mainstream fast food.
Acquisition and Expansion
In 2002, Yves Veggie Cuisine was acquired by the Hain Celestial Group, a U.S.-based company specializing in natural and organic products. The deal allowed the brand to expand its reach across North America, securing distribution in major grocery chains.
Hain Celestial continued to market Yves Veggie Cuisine as a leader in the plant-based space, emphasizing its role in everyday meals and its commitment to better-for-you products. The brand became a trusted name in Canadian households, frequently promoted as a healthier alternative to conventional meat.
Accolades followed. In 2018, BrandSpark International named Yves Veggie Cuisine the most trusted vegan brand in Canada, a recognition of both its longevity and its consumer loyalty.
Decline of a Category
Despite its historic success, Yves Veggie Cuisine’s fortunes shifted in recent years. While plant-based eating continues to attract headlines and investment, the category has experienced uneven consumer demand. Sales of meat alternatives have slowed in both Canada and the United States, leaving legacy brands under pressure.
Hain Celestial pointed to those challenges in its announcement, saying that declining demand made the business increasingly unsustainable.
On social media, Yves Veggie Cuisine confirmed the move. “Unfortunately, we are announcing that Yves will begin its farewell from store shelves,” the brand posted. “While we’re still producing for now, you’ll continue to find our products through fall and into early winter 2026.”
Photo: Yves Veggie Cuisine
Consumer Reaction
The announcement triggered an outpouring of responses from longtime customers. Many described the brand as a staple of their kitchens, praising its reliability in providing meat-free options long before plant-based eating became mainstream.
“We recognize that this announcement may be disappointing to many loyal consumers who have supported Yves over the years,” the company said in a follow-up statement. “We are deeply grateful for their trust and commitment to the brand.”
On Instagram, shoppers lamented the news, sharing memories of incorporating Yves Veggie Cuisine into family meals and school lunches. Some expressed frustration that no comparable brand exists in the Canadian market, leaving them with fewer choices.
Legacy and Impact
Yves Veggie Cuisine’s discontinuation underscores the volatility of the plant-based food sector, even as consumer awareness of vegetarian and vegan diets has never been higher. The brand’s contributions remain significant: it helped normalize meat alternatives in grocery stores, offered innovation in product development, and influenced a generation of flexitarian consumers.
Founder Yves Potvin has continued to shape the food industry, launching new ventures in plant-based protein after selling his company. His role in developing the veggie wiener and other staples is often cited as foundational in the evolution of the industry.
Though the brand will soon vanish from shelves, its impact remains. Yves Veggie Cuisine’s 40-year history stands as a reminder of both the challenges and opportunities in plant-based food production.
Kit and Ace at Bayview Village in Toronto. Photo: Kit and Ace
Canadian apparel brand Kit and Ace continued its retail growth over the weekend with the opening of a new pop-up store at Toronto’s Bayview Village Shopping Centre and the reopening of its storefront at CF Market Mall in Calgary. The moves reflect the brand’s ongoing national expansion strategy, which has gathered momentum in 2025 under the leadership of CEO David Lui and Unity Brands.
The Bayview Village, the brand’s 12th location, spans 2,448 square feet and is designed to reflect Kit and Ace’s evolving retail philosophy. In Calgary, the 3,700-square-foot CF Market Mall store has reopened following a complete renovation that gives it a cleaner and more elevated aesthetic.
Bayview Village Pop-Up: A Full Brand Expression
While the Bayview Village store is a temporary lease, Lui emphasized in earlier discussions with Retail Insider that Kit and Ace never treats its short-term stores like watered-down pop-ups. The store includes blue walls, modern lighting, warm-toned hangers, and mannequins displayed in dynamic, movement-based poses that reflect the brand’s “for people on the move” philosophy.
Women’s apparel, which has been gaining ground within the assortment, now accounts for nearly half of total sales. This marks a significant shift for Kit and Ace, which in earlier years leaned more heavily toward menswear.
Bayview Village itself is undergoing a transformation. Landlord QuadReal is completing a major renovation of the centre’s common areas, which will include new stylized marble flooring and refreshed design elements intended to enhance the mall’s boutique-hotel-like atmosphere. Renovations are expected to wrap up by the end of 2025.
Kit and Ace at Bayview Village in Toronto. Photo: Kit and Ace
CF Market Mall Reopening in Calgary
The Calgary reopening underscores Kit and Ace’s investment in strong regional markets. CF Market Mall is one of the city’s largest shopping destinations, drawing from affluent neighbourhoods in the northwest. The new store design emphasizes a more polished presentation aligned with the brand’s repositioning under Unity Brands.
The large store offers ample space to showcase Kit and Ace’s men’s and women’s technical fashion collections. It also underscores the company’s preference for high-traffic centres that attract a broad demographic of shoppers seeking elevated yet functional apparel.
Kit and Ace at CF Market Mall in Calgary. Photo: Kit and Ace
Expansion Across Canada Continues
The Bayview Village and Calgary openings add to a steady stream of new Kit and Ace stores launched in 2025. In July, the company debuted its largest location to date at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, spanning 4,100 square feet. That followed a May opening at The Well in downtown Toronto and a June launch at Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby, British Columbia.
Looking ahead, Lui confirmed that a permanent store will open in November at Park Royal in West Vancouver. He also noted that the company is carefully considering additional Canadian locations as part of its national rollout. “We are not rushing to open dozens of stores,” Lui said previously. “Each opportunity is being evaluated carefully on a case-by-case basis.”
Kit and Ace at CF Market Mall in Calgary. Photo: Kit and Ace
New Product Categories on the Horizon
Beyond real estate, Kit and Ace is preparing to broaden its product offering. Lui said the brand plans to launch new categories with selected partners at a future date, though further details have yet to be announced.
The expansion of categories comes as Kit and Ace positions itself more firmly as a lifestyle brand rooted in technical fashion. This shift represents a continuation of its evolution from its early technical cashmere beginnings to a broader, fabric-driven approach that emphasizes comfort, versatility, and relevance.
Kit and Ace at Bayview Village in Toronto. Photo: Kit and Ace
Staying Focused on the Canadian Market
Although Lui acknowledged that Kit and Ace has received interest from U.S. landlords, he confirmed that the company’s priority remains Canada for now. The decision reflects the brand’s measured approach to expansion and its intent to solidify its home market presence before considering international growth.
Founded in 2014 by Shannon and JJ Wilson, Kit and Ace initially pursued a rapid global expansion that ultimately proved unsustainable. After retrenching in 2017, the brand has rebuilt under new leadership, with Unity Brands taking ownership in 2023. Today, it is regaining prominence by targeting high-traffic shopping centres and lifestyle-driven neighbourhoods across Canada.
Lui has been clear that Kit and Ace is not attempting to chase fleeting trends. Instead, the brand is positioning itself as on-trend—fashionable, functional, and aligned with the realities of modern living. “Our goal is to make clothes that people can live in, travel in, and work in,” Lui explained. Comfort, versatility, and ease remain at the core of the company’s design philosophy.
Retail site located in Quebec City, sold to Costco (CNW Group/Leyad)
Leyad, a Montréal-based real estate investment and development firm focused on acquiring and repositioning underutilized assets across Canada, has announced the successful sale of a retail site in Québec City to Costco Wholesale Corporation.
The transaction reflects its continued focus on strategic asset repositioning and its ability to execute high-impact deals with leading national tenants, said the company.
Since acquiring the property, Leyad implemented a focused value-add strategy to enhance the site’s appeal and long-term viability. The result was a well-positioned asset that attracted one of North America’s most respected retail brands, it said.
Henry Zavriyev
“This deal exemplifies Leyad’s ability to identify opportunity, act decisively, and create value through strategic execution,” said Henry Zavriyev, President of Leyad. “We are proud to have transacted with Costco and look forward to continuing to grow our presence in the Canadian retail market.”
The Québec City sale supports Leyad’s broader strategy of acquiring high-potential assets, unlocking their value, and pursuing timely dispositions. The company remains active across Canada and is currently evaluating new retail investment opportunities, added the company.
The site is at Mega Centre Lebourgneuf, located at 5600 Boul des Gradins in Quebec City.
Giant Tiger Stores Limited is launching its fourth-year partnership with national Indigenous charity Indspire to create an exclusive orange shirt and raise awareness for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Featuring a one-of-a-kind design by Two-Spirit Ojibwe artist Patrick Hunter, the shirt is available now at select Giant Tiger stores and GiantTiger.com, with 100% of profits raised from the sale of this shirt being donated to Indspire in support of the Learning from the Past Fund. This fund provides bursaries to Indigenous post-secondary students pursuing an education in Indigenous Studies and Languages, said the retailer.
Featuring author and activist Phyllis Webstad, Hunter, and Indspire Laureates, click HERE to watch how the partnership is driving education, awareness, and support through the Learning from the Past Fund.
“Huy tseep q\’u Indspire and Giant Tiger. I’ve been able to accomplish so much, through this bursary and through the award. I’m very, very grateful,” said Learning from the Past Fund bursary recipient Zoe George, Tsleil-Waututh & Squamish Nation.
Mike DeGagné
“Our ongoing collaboration with Giant Tiger is a powerful example of what reconciliation in action looks like,” said Mike DeGagné, President & CEO of Indspire. “The proceeds from the Orange Shirt Campaign help create lasting change by supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students as they pursue education rooted in their languages, cultures, and communities. We are proud to work with partners like Giant Tiger who share our vision for a future shaped by strong Indigenous voices.”
Gabrielle Hargrove
“We’re proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Indspire. Through the sale of this shirt, we’ve proudly raised over $1.3 million to date, an extraordinary milestone that’s making a real difference for Indigenous post-secondary students,” said Gabrielle Hargrove, Senior Vice President and Human Resources Officer at Giant Tiger Stores Limited. “This initiative shows the incredible impact our stores and customers can make together. Every shirt sold helps shape a student’s future and create meaningful change in the communities we’re so proud to serve.”
Giant Tiger said it is proud to be a longstanding partner of Indspire, supporting programs that help Indigenous students graduate and become the leaders of tomorrow. Through the sale of the shirts, it has raised more than $1.3 million to date, in support of the Learning from the Past Fund, funding bursaries for Indigenous post-secondary students pursuing studies in Indigenous languages and culture.
For more information on the partnership with Indspire, visit gianttiger.com/pages/truth-and-reconciliation.
Hunter is a Two-Spirit Ojibwe artist originally from Red Lake, Ont. He specializes in acrylic paintings and digital designs, inspired by his Ojibwe roots. He creates with the intention of bringing more joy into the world, while increasing the awareness of Indigenous cultures and iconography.
Indspire is a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families, communities, and Canada. With the support of its funding partners, Indspire provides financial awards, delivers programs, and shares resources to help Indigenous students achieve their highest potential. In 2024-25, Indspire provided more than $31.6 million through over 8,800 bursaries and scholarships to Indigenous students across Canada.
Giant Tiger is a privately held company with over 260 locations across Canada.
