“Canadian consumers remain resilient but selective, clearly prioritizing value, but not at the expense of quality products and shopping experiences. Our True North strategy has us squarely focused on modernizing around those needs.”
Greg Hicks
FIRST-QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Consolidated Comparable sales were down 1.0%, with growth at SportChek and Mark’s offset by a decline at CTR.
CTR Comparable sales were down 2.3%. Fixing categories grew, while Seasonal and Gardening led the decline. Western Canada outperformed, with seasonal weakness impacting Ontario and Quebec. Automotive retail sales were up for the 23rd consecutive quarter.
SportChek Comparable sales were up 3.3%, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of sales growth. The quarter saw strong performance from fanwear, athletic footwear and hard goods.
Mark’s Comparable sales were up 1.2% on higher casualwear sales. New-concept Bigger Bolder Better (BBB) stores remained a key driver.
Loyalty sales outpaced non-loyalty sales, reflecting growth in active Triangle Rewards members, including increasing contributions from the Company’s loyalty partnerships with RBC and WestJet launched in Q1.
Retail Revenue growth was strong, up 2.9% or 5.0% excluding Petroleum, reflecting higher shipments to support the Q2 spring/summer season and replenishment at CTR.
Consolidated Income before income taxes (IBT) was $169.1 million, up $117.5 million, mainly reflecting prior year restructuring expense, and up $3.4 million on a normalized basis. Retail IBT of $50.9 million was stable year-on-year on a normalized basis; Retail gross margin dollars increased on higher Retail Revenue, offset by higher IT and variable compensation expenses.
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited is a group of companies that includes a Retail segment, a Financial Services division and CT REIT. The retail segment includes Mark’s, SportChek, Sports Experts, Pro Hockey Life, Hockey Experts, and Atmosphere. The company has over 1,600 retail and gasoline outlets.
From May 16th to 17th, Canadians putting up with mediocre buns at gatherings can claim free freshly-baked COBS Bread Gourmet Buns, via delivery or local pickup. (CNW Group/BD Canada Ltd. (COBS Bread))
COBS Breadis launching a two-day promotion ahead of the May long weekend offering Canadians free hamburger and hot dog buns through delivery or in-store pickup in select markets across the country.
The company said the “Save My Buns” campaign will run May 16 and 17 and is aimed at consumers preparing for backyard barbecues and gatherings during the unofficial start of the summer season. Customers reporting what the company describes as a “bun-mergency” through the campaign website can receive either home delivery in select cities or a digital coupon redeemable at participating bakeries.
The Vancouver-based bakery franchise said the program is intended to increase access to its Gourmet Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns during one of the busiest barbecue weekends of the year.
“We believe that Canadians deserve better than ‘just okay’ bread, so we’re stepping in to prevent your next bun-mergency with our freshly baked Gourmet Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns.”
Aaron Gillespie
The company said customers in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton who fall within designated delivery zones will be eligible for home delivery during the campaign period, while customers outside those areas can obtain a digital coupon for pickup at a local bakery.
The digital coupons are available nationally to members of the company’s COBS Club loyalty program. Consumers not already enrolled can register through the campaign website to receive access to the offer.
COBS Bread said the promotion is limited to one delivery or coupon per person and will be available while daily quantities last. Coupons can be redeemed between May 16 and 18 for either a six-pack of Gourmet Hamburger Buns or Gourmet Hot Dog Buns.
The company said no purchase is required and the promotion cannot be combined with other offers.
COBS Bread operates more than 180 bakery franchise locations across Canada. The company said its bakeries prepare products fresh daily and donate unsold items to local charities at the end of each day.
Lush Cosmetics and Animal Alliance of Canada have launched a national campaign calling for stronger legislation to prohibit the use of dogs and cats in research and testing in Canada.
The campaign, called Paws Off Our Pets, includes public advocacy efforts, fundraising initiatives and a push for provincial legislation aimed at protecting companion animals from being used in experiments. The organizations say Canada remains the only G7 country without federal legislation governing the use of animals in science.
The campaign launch comes as debate continues in Ontario over Bill 75, legislation introduced in November 2025 that would prohibit invasive medical research on dogs and cats. Animal Alliance of Canada said it is seeking amendments to strengthen the proposed law.
Toronto activation highlights campaign
As part of the campaign, Lush held a one-day public activation in Toronto on May 12 featuring a glass cube filled with hundreds of pet collars intended to represent the number of cats and dogs used in Ontario research between 2018 and 2022, according to a news release.
The organizations are also encouraging Canadians to sign a petition supporting legislative changes and are selling a limited-edition soap product, with 75 per cent of the purchase price before taxes directed toward organizations working to end animal testing and promote alternatives.
“These animals are not research tools. They are companions. Using former pets in experiments is a moral failure, plain and simple. We are hurting them, then throwing them away,” said Lia Laskaris, CEO of Animal Alliance of Canada.
Lia Laskaris
“Ontario has an opportunity to finally close this cruel pipeline for good by passing meaningful protections that truly keep dogs and cats who are in municipal pounds and shelters from being acquired by researchers.”
Statistics and legislative focus
According to figures cited in the release from the Canadian Council on Animal Care, more than 77,751 cats and dogs were used for testing, research and teaching purposes in Canada between 2020 and 2024. The release said the figures do not include facilities not registered with the council.
The release also said Ontario is the only province in Canada that legislates the acquisition of pet dogs and cats for research and the only province where the practice is mandated. Between 2018 and 2022, more than 22,000 dogs and cats were used in Ontario research, according to the organizations.
Researchers can acquire dogs for as little as $6 and cats for $2, the release said.
“After years of campaigning, we celebrated Canada’s ban on cosmetic animal testing in 2023, but our work is far from over,” he said.
“Dogs and cats are still being subjected to painful and often fatal experiments in Canadian labs. This campaign is our commitment to making Canada a global leader in ethical, human-relevant science and to holding governments and research institutions accountable until every companion animal is protected.”
Seth Laxman
The campaign also contributed to political pressure that preceded the Ontario government’s introduction of Bill 75, the organizations said.
Animal Alliance of Canada said it has worked on issues related to animal experimentation and legislative reform since 1991. Lush, founded in 1995, operates in 50 countries with more than 850 stores globally.
FoodHero is expanding its food waste reduction platform to independent food retailers across Canada as the Montreal-based company broadens its operations beyond major grocery chains.
The company said the expansion will allow independent grocers, bakeries, produce shops, cafés and restaurants to use the platform to sell surplus food that would otherwise go unsold, marking what it described as a new phase of growth.
The move widens the company’s reach at a time when food retailers are looking for ways to manage unsold inventory and consumers continue to seek lower-cost food options.
FoodHero said the platform had previously focused exclusively on large grocery chains. With the latest expansion, neighbourhood food businesses will also be able to participate in the service, which connects retailers with consumers through a mobile application designed to help move surplus food.
The company said a significant amount of food waste occurs at the retail level, where edible products are removed from shelves before being sold. It added that unsold inventory represents a direct revenue loss for retailers.
FoodHero said the expansion is intended to provide smaller businesses with a way to generate revenue from surplus inventory while giving consumers access to discounted food from local retailers.
The company launched a pilot project in Montreal in the fall of 2025 involving independent food retailers. FoodHero said the early results showed interest from both merchants and consumers, with participating businesses viewing the platform as a way to attract customers and generate revenue from unsold products.
Renaud LeBlanc
“The results we’ve seen from our pilot with independent retailers over the past few months have been very encouraging. They confirm there is a real need, both among businesses and consumers, and that this approach aligns with our vision of better valuing surplus food. In a context of rising grocery prices, these surplus items also represent a concrete opportunity for households to reduce their food expenses,” said Renaud LeBlanc, president of FoodHero.
The company also recently presented the initiative at the annual conference of the Quebec association of commercial development corporations, known as RSDCQ, where FoodHero served as the official presenting partner on May 6 and 7.
FoodHero said the initiative generated interest from local business stakeholders and that the company plans to accelerate its rollout across Quebec.
Founded in Montreal by Jonathan Defoy, FoodHero operates a mobile application that connects food retailers with consumers to help reduce food waste. The company said it is now present in more than 1,100 grocery stores across Canada.
One year after opening its doors at Royalmount, Maison Territo is marking an important milestone shaped by luxury interiors, curated design, and a distinctive approach to the showroom experience. Since its debut, the Montréal design destination has established itself as a space where furniture, materials, craftsmanship, and artistic expression come together to create immersive environments for architects, interior designers, and private clients.
To celebrate its first anniversary, Maison Territo will host a special event on May 19, reflecting on a year defined by creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to elevated interior design.
A Year Defined by Curated Design
Over the past year, Maison Territo has built its identity around carefully selected collections and an experiential approach to luxury interiors. Located within Royalmount, the 11,000-square-foot showroom presents internationally recognized brands including Fendi Casa, Versace Home, Dolce & Gabbana Casa, and Bentley Home, many available exclusively through Maison Territo in Canada.
The showroom was conceived as a destination where visitors could experience design through atmosphere, texture, scale, and craftsmanship. Furniture, lighting, surfaces, and décor are presented within immersive settings that encourage exploration and inspiration.
This approach has positioned Maison Territo within Montréal’s growing design landscape, serving both professionals and private clients seeking refined and globally influenced interiors.
Fendi Casa at Maison Territo in Montreal
Craftsmanship, Storytelling, and Sensory Experience
Central to Maison Territo’s philosophy is the idea that interiors should create emotional resonance as much as visual impact. Throughout its first year, the showroom has emphasized collections that combine craftsmanship with storytelling, allowing materials and design details to shape the experience of a space.
From sculptural furniture pieces to richly layered finishes and curated accessories, the showroom encourages visitors to engage with interiors beyond aesthetics alone. This sensory approach reflects a broader vision of luxury design, where comfort, atmosphere, and individuality work together to create spaces that feel memorable and personal.
Looking Ahead to the Future of Luxury Interiors
While the anniversary marks an opportunity to reflect on Maison Territo’s first year, it also signals the company’s continued focus on innovation and evolving design experiences. The showroom continues to expand its collaborations, curated collections, and creative programming as it strengthens its role within Montréal’s luxury design community.
By combining internationally recognized brands with immersive presentation and personalized service, Maison Territo aims to continue shaping conversations around contemporary interiors and elevated living environments.
Versace Home at Maison Territo in Montreal
Join Maison Territo’s Anniversary Celebration
Maison Territo’s first-anniversary celebration will take place on May 19, bringing together members of the design community, clients, and guests for an evening reflecting the showroom’s creative identity and vision for the future.
The Retail Council of Canada has named Deb Craven as the 2026 Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year, recognizing her leadership during a period of significant growth and transformation for Longo’s and the broader grocery retail sector.
The award honours retail leaders who demonstrate business success, innovation, industry leadership, and community involvement. Craven will receive the honour at the Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala during RCCSTORE26, Retail Council of Canada’s annual retail conference taking place June 2-3 at the Toronto Congress Centre.
Craven joined Longo’s in 2019 as Chief Financial Officer before becoming Chief Operating Officer and later President in May 2023. Her appointment marked a milestone for the company, as she became the first woman and first non-family member to lead the family-founded Ontario grocery chain.
Before joining Longo’s, Craven held senior leadership positions with Purolator, Nike, and Canadian Tire Corporation, building experience across retail operations, logistics, and brand management.
Longo’s Expansion and Grocery Transformation
Longo’s has undergone substantial operational growth in recent years as grocery retailers continue adapting to evolving consumer expectations, digital commerce, and supply chain pressures. The company, which operates stores across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, has also expanded its e-commerce capabilities through its relationship with Empire Company Limited, which acquired a majority stake in Longo’s in 2021.
According to Retail Council of Canada, Longo’s has achieved significant milestones under Craven’s leadership, including new store openings, the doubling of its distribution centre capacity, and the transition of Grocery Gateway customers to the Voilà online grocery platform.
“Deb Craven is the kind of leader who makes everyone around her better,” said Kim Furlong in the announcement. “She brought financial leadership and operational excellence to Longo’s at a pivotal moment in the company’s history, and she has led it through a period of remarkable growth.”
Retail Council of Canada also highlighted Craven’s involvement in community and non-profit organizations. She has served on the boards of The Learning Partnership, Sagesse, and Kids Help Phone, and currently serves as a board member of The Grocery Foundation.
Recognition at Canada’s Largest Retail Conference
The Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala is one of the Canadian retail industry’s highest-profile annual events and forms part of RCCSTORE26, which will bring together retail executives, brands, and industry leaders from across North America.
The Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year award has previously been presented to leaders including George Soleas, Greg Hicks, and Paul Wood.
Craven’s recognition comes at a time when Canadian grocery retailers continue investing heavily in store modernization, digital fulfillment, and operational efficiency as competition intensifies across the sector. For Longo’s, the award also reflects the company’s ongoing evolution from a regional family grocer into a modern retail business with growing digital and operational scale.
Princess Auto announced the opening of a first-of-its-kind 100,000-square-foot flagship store at 500 Panet Rd. in Winnipeg. (CNW Group/Princess Auto)
Princess Auto says it is opening a 100,000-square-foot flagship store in Winnipeg next month as the privately-owned retailer shifts toward a more experiential retail model focused on community engagement and hands-on customer experiences.
The company said the store at 500 Panet Rd. will open June 2 and represents what it described as a new phase in its retail strategy. The Winnipeg location will serve as a testing ground for concepts the company may expand to other Canadian markets.
The flagship store introduces several features not currently found in other Princess Auto locations, including an expanded assortment of recreation, hardware, electrical and plumbing products, after-hours support for emergency and time-sensitive trades work, and a dedicated in-store workspace called The Shop where customers can test equipment and work on projects.
The company said the new format is intended to better serve industrial, trade, agricultural and do-it-yourself customers while strengthening customer loyalty through community-focused programming and hands-on experiences.
“This flagship allows us to re-imagine what a Princess Auto store can be,” said Ken Larson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Princess Auto. “What we are building in Winnipeg is rooted in this community, but also part of a broader vision for the company. The learnings and successes from this model will help us bring the best of this experience to other markets across Canada.”
Ken Larson
Princess Auto said the project was designed by Winnipeg-based architects and built by local construction workers and tradespeople. The retailer said the development reflects a broader local investment effort tied to the company’s Winnipeg roots.
“This isn’t just a Princess Auto project, this opening represents a truly Winnipeg community effort,” added Larson. “This store represents the strength of meaningful partnerships. We are grateful for the support of local partners and of the City of Winnipeg throughout this process and look forward to celebrating with the community.”
The Panet Road location will become the 59th store in the Princess Auto network and the 14th store opened under third-generation owners Matthew Tallman and Marc Tallman.
Princess Auto said the new flagship is intended to evolve beyond a traditional retail format by combining shopping, demonstrations, workshops and community events in one location.
Opening celebrations are scheduled throughout June and will include motocross shows, a Transcona tailgate party featuring an appearance by the Grey Cup, and two ticketed concerts featuring Gord Bamford and Crash Test Dummies. The company said proceeds from the concerts will go to the Princess Auto Foundation.
Princess Auto is headquartered in Winnipeg and employs more than 3,500 people across Canada. The company operates 59 stores, a national call centre and an online retail business serving tradespeople, farmers, industrial workers and other customers.
As homeowners continue to invest in comfortable and thoughtfully designed interiors, promotional events remain an opportunity to refresh key living spaces while benefiting from added value. Beginning May 14, Casavogue is introducing a new promotion designed to simplify the shopping experience for customers furnishing their homes.
Under the showroom’s new “We Pay Both Taxes” offer, Casavogue will cover both taxes on qualifying purchases, meaning the displayed prices already include them. The promotion applies across a selection of featured furniture collections, giving customers a more straightforward way to plan and budget for home upgrades.
Kalla + Magic dining set
A Simpler Way to Shop for the Home
For many customers, furnishing a home involves balancing design preferences with practical considerations such as budgeting and long-term value. By incorporating the taxes directly into the displayed price, Casavogue’s latest promotion provides greater pricing clarity while reducing the complexity often associated with larger furniture purchases.
The event also creates an opportunity for customers to refresh multiple rooms throughout the home, from living spaces to bedrooms and dining areas.
Featured Collections
Among the collections highlighted during the promotion are Nator, Choco Magic, and Kalla + Magic, each offering a distinct approach to comfort, functionality, and contemporary design.
The featured pieces reflect Casavogue’s broader focus on high-end furniture that combines quality craftsmanship with everyday practicality. Whether customers are searching for updated seating, multifunctional furniture, or statement pieces for the home, the promotion provides access to a curated selection at tax-included pricing.
Choco Magic Living Room
A Long-Standing Montréal Furniture Destination
Founded in 1972, Casavogue has spent more than five decades serving Montréal customers through its 38,000-square-foot showroom. The family-founded business continues to offer a curated mix of Canadian, Italian, and international furniture brands across living room, dining room, and bedroom categories.
Over the years, the showroom has built a reputation for combining personalized service with a wide assortment of furniture styles, ranging from contemporary and modern to more classic and transitional aesthetics.
Visit Casavogue Beginning May 14
Customers interested in the “We Pay Both Taxes” promotion are encouraged to visit the showroom beginning May 14 to explore the featured collections and learn more about the offer.
Welcome to the Daily Synopsis by Retail Insider. We published 11 articles today exploring key Canadian retail developments, including new store openings and Q1 financial updates.
lululemon opened a flagship store on Montreal’s Sainte-Catherine Street West featuring a larger, design-focused space. Cavallo Custom Clothing launched an appointment-only showroom in Toronto’s Etobicoke emphasizing bespoke service. Happy Belly Food Group reported $19.3 million in Q1 system-wide QSR sales, marking an 80.4% year-over-year increase associated with a growing franchise network.
Former Zara store at 341 Queen Street West in Toronto on Sunday, November 24, 2024. Photo: Dustin Fuhs
A major former Zara storefront on Toronto’s Queen Street West is set to be temporarily reactivated later this month as SHEIN continues expanding its physical retail presence across Canada through immersive short-term activations.
The four-day Toronto pop-up will operate from May 28 to May 31 at 341 Queen Street West, the prominent multi-level location that housed Zara for roughly two decades before the retailer closed the store in late 2024. The highly visible corner space, known for its expansive street frontage and heavy pedestrian traffic, has long been one of the corridor’s most recognizable international fashion retail locations.
Retail Insider previously reported on Zara’s departure from the site amid broader changes unfolding across Queen Street West, including evolving shopping patterns, rising operating costs, and ongoing disruption connected to Ontario Line subway construction. Less than two years later, the space is returning to retail use through a very different type of fashion concept.
While Zara helped define an earlier generation of fast fashion expansion built around large permanent urban stores, SHEIN represents a newer retail model shaped by e-commerce, algorithm-driven merchandising, social commerce, and rapid trend responsiveness. Rather than committing to long-term flagship locations, the company has increasingly relied on temporary experiential activations that blend shopping, entertainment, and digital engagement.
SHEIN pop-up on Queen St. in Toronto, May 2026. Photo: Dustin Fuhs/6ix Retail
Physical Retail Becomes an Extension of Digital Commerce
Although SHEIN built its global business as an online-first retailer, the company has steadily increased its presence in physical environments through temporary concepts designed to create urgency, visibility, and social-media engagement.
Unlike conventional apparel stores focused primarily on inventory depth and transactional shopping, SHEIN’s activations typically function as curated brand environments centred on discovery and interaction. The Toronto pop-up will feature rotating assortments across women’s and men’s apparel, curve fashion, accessories, beauty, home décor, and pet products, alongside themed summer trend installations designed for social sharing and customer engagement.
According to materials distributed ahead of the opening, merchandise assortments will refresh daily throughout the four-day engagement. The strategy mirrors the fast-moving product turnover and constant stream of newness that helped propel SHEIN’s rise online, where the company became known for rapidly responding to emerging fashion trends and consumer behaviour.
The Toronto activation will also feature multiple themed retail environments tied to summer fashion aesthetics, continuing the company’s broader approach of transforming physical retail into an extension of its digital ecosystem.
Increasingly, digitally native retailers are using storefronts less as permanent transactional spaces and more as temporary marketing platforms capable of generating online visibility, customer acquisition, and social-media amplification. In some cases, short-term activations can create more attention and engagement than traditional long-term stores.
Former SHEIN pop-up at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Image: SHEIN
SHEIN Expands Canadian Pop-Up Strategy
The Queen Street West concept is part of a growing pattern of Canadian activations for SHEIN over the past two years.
From Vancouver to Toronto to Montreal, the company has steadily expanded its physical footprint through temporary retail engagements in major urban markets. In April 2026, SHEIN launched a Spring/Summer activation at Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby featuring multiple trend installations and interactive experiences. Earlier this year, the retailer also operated a pop-up at CF Toronto Eaton Centre centred on brands including Dazy and SHEGLAM.
Additional Canadian concepts have included a Vancouver pop-up on Granville Street that reportedly drew large crowds in 2024, a holiday-focused activation at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga, an Ottawa event tied to activewear and lifestyle merchandise, and a multi-level Montreal pop-up.
Across the various Canadian markets, the company has maintained a relatively consistent operating approach built around limited-time engagements, rotating merchandise assortments, exclusive in-person promotions, and strong integration with TikTok and Instagram-driven marketing strategies.
The frequency and scale of the activations suggest Canada is becoming an increasingly important market within SHEIN’s broader North American growth and visibility strategy.
Queen Street West Continues Its Retail Transformation
SHEIN’s arrival at the former Zara location also reflects the continuing evolution of Queen Street West and other major urban shopping corridors.
For years, the area was defined by large-format international retailers operating traditional flagship stores designed around long-term occupancy, substantial inventory, and steady downtown foot traffic. Today, many retailers are reassessing those models as e-commerce competition, shifting consumer behaviour, and changing downtown dynamics reshape urban retail economics.
At the same time, temporary retail concepts have become increasingly attractive for brands seeking flexibility and visibility without the long-term commitments associated with permanent storefronts. Pop-ups now frequently function as marketing vehicles, media backdrops, and experiential brand environments alongside their retail purpose.
The contrast between Zara’s former long-term presence and SHEIN’s temporary activation highlights how quickly the retail landscape continues to evolve. Physical retail spaces are increasingly being designed not only for commerce, but also for content creation, community engagement, and digital amplification.
For Queen Street West, the activation offers another glimpse into how prominent retail spaces may continue adapting during a period of significant transition for Toronto’s downtown shopping environment.
SHEIN’s Toronto Summer Trends Pop-Up will open to the public from May 28 to May 31 at 341 Queen Street West.
