GUESS at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto. Photo: Ryan Santos
GUESS is preparing to expand its product offering in Canada, with new licensed categories expected to begin reaching consumers later this year and a broader rollout planned by spring 2027.
Authentic Brands Group confirmed to Retail Insider that all five companies appointed to oversee new GUESS product categories across North America have Canada included within their territories. The partnerships are expected to bring expanded assortments and several new categories to Canadian consumers.
Some products could enter the market during the fourth quarter of 2026, although the partners are still determining launch schedules and individual assortments. Authentic said all of the newly announced categories are expected to be available by spring 2027.
The initiative will extend GUESS further into children’s apparel and footwear, men’s and women’s sleepwear, intimates, accessories and home products. The expansion is focused on licensed merchandise and does not represent a change to the fashion brand’s Canadian store strategy.
Five Partners Take on New GUESS Categories
Authentic announced the North American partner network following its acquisition of a controlling interest in substantially all of the GUESS intellectual property earlier this year.
Centric Brands has been appointed to oversee the largest group of categories, including children’s apparel and accessories, men’s underwear and sleepwear, belts, small leather goods and cold-weather accessories.
Authentic described Centric as one of its core operating partners, citing the company’s category expertise and relationships with leading retailers across multiple channels.
Centric manages a broad portfolio of licensed and owned consumer brands and works across design, sourcing, wholesale distribution and direct-to-consumer operations. Its scale could support the introduction of the new GUESS categories through a range of retail channels once assortments and distribution plans are finalized.
Vandale Industries will oversee women’s intimates and sleepwear. The company specializes in intimate apparel, foundations, sleepwear, activewear and shapewear, with experience producing national brands and private-label merchandise.
Orly Shoe Corporation has been assigned GUESS socks and slippers, while E.S. Originals will handle children’s footwear. Combined with Centric’s children’s apparel mandate, the E.S. Originals agreement could help GUESS develop a more complete offering for younger consumers.
No Canadian retail accounts have been identified for the new collections.
GUESS at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto. Photo: Ryan Santos
Centric Expands Its Role in Canada
Centric’s appointment comes as the company takes on a growing role in Canada’s apparel market, including through a developing relationship with Walmart Canada.
Earlier this year, Centric worked with Walmart and KnitWell Group to introduce Lane Bryant to the Canadian market. The plus-size women’s assortment launched online and in 320 Walmart stores, giving the U.S. brand its first major Canadian retail presence.
Centric was also involved in the recent return of Esprit to Canada through an exclusive Walmart collection. The initial assortment, available at select stores and through Walmart’s digital channels, includes knitwear, denim, layering pieces and everyday basics.
The two launches show how Centric can use its licensing, product-development and sourcing capabilities alongside the national distribution platform of a major retailer. Centric has previously indicated to Retail Insider that additional brands are expected to enter Walmart Canada, although the companies and launch timing have not been disclosed.
No similar distribution arrangement has been announced for the new GUESS categories. Authentic’s decision to give Centric several GUESS product lines does, however, place those categories with a partner that is already developing and distributing licensed apparel for the Canadian market.
GUESS Home Products Planned for Canada
One of the most significant additions will come through Creative Home Ideas/YMF, which will develop an extensive GUESS home and lifestyle collection.
The agreement covers bedding, bath products, home décor, rugs, lighting, kitchenware, outdoor accessories, hydration products, stationery and pet products.
Authentic confirmed that the home collection is planned for Canada and said Canadian consumers can expect a broad assortment. The range will take GUESS into areas of the market where the brand currently has a much smaller presence than it does in apparel and accessories.
The size of the Creative Home Ideas/YMF mandate also creates several potential avenues for distribution. Home merchandise could be suited to department stores, specialty retailers, e-commerce platforms and other wholesale channels, depending on the assortments developed and the accounts secured by the partner.
Authentic has not disclosed which Canadian retailers may carry the collection or whether all of the home categories will launch at the same time.
Canadian Rollout Begins Later This Year
The exact launch sequence remains under development. Authentic said certain categories are expected to enter the Canadian market during the fourth quarter of 2026, followed by the remaining categories by spring 2027. The company did not identify which products will arrive first.
The new merchandise could reach consumers through several channels. Authentic said the GUESS operating company may purchase selected products from the licensees for sale through GUESS stores and Guess.com.
That does not mean every new category will automatically appear in the company’s stores. The operating company will determine which licensed products fit its retail and online assortments.
The partners may also distribute the merchandise through their wholesale relationships, although no Canadian department stores, specialty chains, mass merchants or off-price retailers have been confirmed.
Licensing Strategy Separate from Retail Operations
The partner network reflects the ownership structure created when Authentic and a group of existing GUESS shareholders completed the company’s privatization.
Authentic acquired a 51 per cent interest in substantially all of the GUESS intellectual property, while continuing GUESS shareholders retained the remaining 49 per cent. GUESS management owns the operating company responsible for the brand’s stores and other operating activities.
The structure separates the ownership and licensing of the GUESS brand from the day-to-day operation of its retail business.
Authentic can appoint category specialists to design, source and distribute GUESS products, while the operating company continues to make decisions concerning stores, e-commerce and its merchandise mix.
Authentic confirmed that the newly announced partner network has no direct implications for GUESS’s Canadian store strategy. Its effect on the physical network will depend in part on whether the operating company chooses to carry products made by the new licensees.
The model gives the GUESS brand access to companies with established product-development capabilities and retailer relationships. It also allows GUESS to enter additional categories without requiring the operating company to develop each product division internally.
GUESS Maintains Broad Canadian Store Presence
GUESS continues to operate a sizeable Canadian retail network, although its physical presence is now weighted more heavily toward factory and outlet locations than conventional full-price stores.
The company’s official directories currently identify roughly 14 conventional GUESS stores in Canada, along with more than 30 GUESS Factory and factory-accessories locations. The precise total can vary because some accessories concepts are listed separately from nearby factory stores.
Ontario has the largest GUESS presence, followed by Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta. The brand also operates in Manitoba and maintains a factory location in Nova Scotia.
The conventional network includes locations at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga, Bramalea City Centre in Brampton, Scarborough Town Centre, CF Lime Ridge in Hamilton and Oshawa Centre.
In Quebec, full-price locations are listed in Anjou, Laval, Quebec City and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville. The brand also has conventional stores in Surrey and Kelowna in British Columbia, West Edmonton Mall in Alberta and CF Polo Park in Winnipeg.
Its factory business reaches a broader range of outlet and enclosed-mall properties, giving GUESS a substantial Canadian physical platform even as its conventional network has become more selective.
The newly licensed categories could add depth to that platform if the operating company elects to carry them. They could also reach consumers through channels outside the GUESS store network.
GUESS at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto. Photo: Ryan Santos
Toronto Locations Have Been Adjusted
GUESS has made several changes to its Toronto footprint in recent years. Its GUESS by Marciano store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre closed at the end of January 2024. The 5,474-square-foot location had operated on the mall’s third level.
The company’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre store also relocated and downsized in 2023, moving into the former Victoria’s Secret location beside Mango. Aritzia subsequently expanded into GUESS’s previous area as part of a larger store project at the shopping centre.
Yorkdale is now the only conventional GUESS store within the City of Toronto, according to the company’s official directory. Additional GUESS stores operate elsewhere in the Greater Toronto Area, including Brampton and Mississauga, while factory locations are found at several outlet properties.
The Toronto changes came amid a broader effort by GUESS to improve the productivity of its North American full-price portfolio before the privatization transaction.
The company had indicated that it planned to exit certain non-strategic or unprofitable locations as leases expired. GUESS reported 12 store closures across the Americas during its 2025 fiscal year, although it did not provide a Canada-specific breakdown.
The licensing expansion should not be characterized as a response to those closures. It does, however, create additional opportunities for the GUESS brand to grow in Canada without requiring a corresponding increase in company-operated stores.
Wholesale Provides Another Route to Market
GUESS also has an established wholesale business in Canada. Before becoming privately held, the company reported that its products were sold through approximately 1,600 major wholesale doors across the Americas, including hundreds of department-store shop-in-shops. Its wholesale organization included representatives in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
That infrastructure could become relevant as the new partners begin placing licensed products, particularly in categories that may not be carried widely across the GUESS store network.
Centric’s retail relationships were among the reasons cited by Authentic for selecting the company to oversee several of the new categories. The other partners bring specialized experience in home goods, intimates, footwear and accessories.
The appointment of multiple category specialists could allow GUESS products to appear in a wider range of retail environments, with assortments developed for different channels and customers.
The eventual Canadian distribution strategy will depend on decisions now being made by each partner, the GUESS operating company and prospective retail accounts.
Authentic said the partners are currently developing their assortments and rollout schedules. The first Canadian products are expected later in 2026, with the full group of newly announced categories scheduled to enter the market by spring 2027.
Pop Mart at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Image: Craig Patterson
Pop Mart is preparing a much larger presence at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, shortly after opening its first downtown Toronto location at the property.
Retail Insider has confirmed that the global character-based entertainment retailer will relocate from its current Level 1 pop-up into a significantly larger nearby space formerly occupied by Foot Locker Kids. Construction on the new store is expected to begin soon.
The move will nearly triple Pop Mart’s footprint at the downtown Toronto shopping centre. Lease plans reviewed by Retail Insider show the current pop-up in space A036B, the former Call It Spring location, at 1,728 square feet. The future location, space A049A, formerly occupied by Foot Locker Kids, is listed at 5,028 square feet.
Pop Mart opened its current CF Toronto Eaton Centre pop-up on Friday, July 3. Retail Insider visited the following day and observed customers lined up along the mall corridor waiting to enter the compact space, an early sign of the strong demand the brand has generated since entering the Canadian market.
The pop-up features the brand’s colourful character-led merchandising, including Labubu, MEGA SPACE MOLLY and The Monsters. During Retail Insider’s visit, the store included a central The Monsters FIFA World Cup 26 installation, illuminated perimeter displays, digital screens and branded queue stanchions used to manage customer entry.
Foot Locker Kids as the store closed earlier this month at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Pop Mart will open after a renovation. Photo: Dustin Fuhs/6ix Retail
Larger Store Planned Nearby
The larger future store will remain on Level 1, giving Pop Mart a more substantial platform within one of Canada’s busiest retail properties.
The move from 1,728 square feet to 5,028 square feet will give the retailer more room for merchandising, customer flow and experiential store design. It also suggests that CF Toronto Eaton Centre is being positioned as an important location within Pop Mart’s Canadian network.
The timing is notable. Pop Mart’s current pop-up had only just opened when the larger relocation was confirmed, underscoring how quickly the brand is scaling its physical retail presence in Canada.
Earlier in July Valen Tam, Head of Real Estate for Pop Mart in North America, told Retail Insider that demand at Pop Mart’s early Canadian stores has exceeded expectations.
“Canadian consumers have really shown out for Pop Mart, and we are truly humbled by their support,” Tam said in the earlier Retail Insider interview. “It is not easy to enter a new national market, but we have seen performance exceeding initial expectations at our physical stores, to the point of causing early allocation issues.”
Tam also confirmed in that interview that Pop Mart has 10 Canadian leases signed or committed as part of its expansion strategy.
Premium Mall Strategy
Pop Mart’s growth in Canada is being shaped around premium shopping centres where the company can execute its store design standards and experiential retail approach.
Cadillac Fairview has played a significant role in the brand’s early Canadian rollout. Pop Mart opened its first Canadian store at CF Richmond Centre in Metro Vancouver, and CF Toronto Eaton Centre now gives the retailer a prominent downtown Toronto location.
Tam previously described Cadillac Fairview as an important early partner for Pop Mart in Canada.
“The people there are what has made them a pleasure to partner with,” said Tam. “They have excellent leadership top-down who have been nothing but communicative, supportive and understanding.”
He added that Cadillac Fairview was one of the first Canadian landlords to proactively partner with Pop Mart.
“We opened our very first Canadian store at CF Richmond Centre,” Tam said. “As our landlord partner there, Cadillac Fairview was one of the first Canadian landlords to proactively partner with us, which is something we will always appreciate and hold dear.”
Pop Mart’s Canadian real estate rollout is being supported by Aurora Retail Group, whose Co-CEO Jeff Berkowitz has been involved in representing the brand as it expands into major Canadian shopping centres.
Current Pop Mart, CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Photo: Craig Patterson
Store Design and Customer Flow
The larger CF Toronto Eaton Centre space will give Pop Mart more room to execute the type of store environment it is known for globally.
The company follows strict global design standards across its physical retail network, with particular attention to lighting, millwork, visual merchandising and customer movement through the store.
“We uphold a very strict global design standard at Pop Mart,” Tam said in a previous interview. “We are meticulous with our store design, lighting, millwork and visual merchandising. Therefore, premium shopping centres, where this is expected of retailers, are natural homes for us.”
He said Pop Mart evaluates new locations based on whether the space can meet those standards and support the type of unobstructed customer journey the company wants to create.
The current CF Toronto Eaton Centre pop-up already demonstrates that approach in a compact footprint. During Retail Insider’s visit, product presentations were organized around different character worlds, with digital content and branded displays reinforcing the company’s broader positioning as a pop culture entertainment brand. A 5,028-square-foot store will allow for a more expansive execution at the same property, particularly as Pop Mart continues to build awareness around Labubu and its broader roster of character IP.
Former Foot Locker Kids as at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Pop Mart will open after a renovation. Photo: Dustin Fuhs/6ix Retail
CF Toronto Eaton Centre Sees Leasing Momentum
The larger Pop Mart store is emerging during a period of leasing activity and retail change at CF Toronto Eaton Centre.
Browns Shoes is building a new flagship at the property in a combined Level 2 space between Apple and Alo Yoga. Club Monaco is also returning to the shopping centre, with signage installed in its former Level 3 space, while LEGO construction hoarding has appeared for a downtown Toronto store. Retail Insider has also reported on RW&CO’s reimagined store concept at the centre, part of a broader effort by the Canadian apparel retailer to update its physical store experience.
The activity reinforces the ongoing importance of CF Toronto Eaton Centre as a high-profile retail platform in downtown Toronto, particularly for brands seeking national visibility.
Part of a Broader Canadian Expansion
The planned move at CF Toronto Eaton Centre comes as Pop Mart continues to scale in Canada.
In a recent Retail Insider interview, Tam said Canada has become a strong fit for the brand because of both consumer response and the country’s cultural diversity.
“By its very essence, Canada is a perfect home for Pop Mart,” Tam said. “It is a melting pot of cultures and its societal composition mirrors the many different characters in the Pop Mart collection who have come together under one umbrella, despite each having very distinct appearances, backgrounds, aspirations and stories.”
The company is looking at opportunities across the country, including Quebec, the Greater Toronto Area and Greater Vancouver. Tam said Quebec is a critical market for Pop Mart, while the GTA and Vancouver both have room for additional growth.
Plans for a long-awaited Costco warehouse in Belleville, Ontario, have moved a significant step closer to reality after Mayor Neil Ellis announced the project during a July 27 city council meeting.
Ellis said he had spoken with Louie Loberti, Director of Real Estate Development for Costco Wholesale Canada, regarding the development. Plans call for a warehouse measuring more than 167,000 square feet on Bell Boulevard, west of the Shorelines Casino and nearby hotel properties.
The development will also include an approximately 8,000-square-foot gas bar with 12 double-sided fuel pumps capable of serving 24 vehicles simultaneously. Construction of the warehouse and gas bar is valued at just over $37 million.
Site preparation is expected to begin this fall, followed by major construction in spring 2027. Completion is targeted for fall 2027.
The project adds Belleville to Costco’s growing Canadian development pipeline while bringing greater certainty to an initiative that has been anticipated locally for years.
A Long-Awaited Project Moves Forward
Plans for a Costco in Belleville first emerged publicly in 2019, when city council approved zoning changes for a Costco-anchored commercial development on Bell Boulevard.
The original proposal included a warehouse, gas bar and several additional commercial buildings. The city subsequently undertook infrastructure improvements along Bell Boulevard, including road widening and intersection upgrades intended to accommodate future growth and increased traffic.
The project later appeared to stall. By 2023, the proposed development lands had returned to the market, raising questions about whether Costco’s anticipated arrival in Belleville would proceed.
The plans now call for a larger warehouse than originally proposed. At more than 167,000 square feet, the Belleville location would exceed the size of Costco’s existing warehouses in Kingston and Peterborough, signalling renewed momentum for a project that had appeared uncertain only a few years ago.
The city has indicated that Costco has received a draft site-plan agreement for execution. Once that process is completed, the building permit can be finalized and issued.
Belleville Serves a Much Larger Regional Market
Although Belleville itself had a population of approximately 55,000 at the time of the 2021 census, the city functions as the commercial hub for a much broader regional market.
Located along the Highway 401 corridor, Belleville draws shoppers from Quinte West, Prince Edward County, Hastings County, Brighton, Greater Napanee and surrounding communities. The Belleville–Quinte West census metropolitan area has continued to grow, while the wider Bay of Quinte trade area extends well beyond the city’s municipal boundaries.
Costco’s site selection strategy is based on regional trade areas rather than municipal populations, making Belleville’s broader catchment area far more significant than the city’s population alone.
For many residents of the Bay of Quinte region, shopping at Costco has traditionally meant driving to Kingston or Peterborough. A Belleville warehouse would significantly shorten that trip for many members while providing the retailer with access to an established regional customer base.
The location also fills an important geographic gap between Costco’s existing eastern Ontario warehouses, strengthening the company’s presence along one of Canada’s busiest transportation corridors.
Canada Has Become One of Costco’s Strongest Markets
The Belleville project is also notable because Costco already has an exceptionally strong presence in Canada. The retailer currently operates 115 warehouses across the country, equating to approximately one location for every 360,000 residents. By comparison, Costco operates roughly one warehouse for every 540,000 people across the United States and Puerto Rico.
Few international markets have embraced Costco as enthusiastically as Canada. Relative to population, the company operates substantially more warehouses here than in its home market — a reflection of strong consumer demand, consistently high membership renewal rates and the warehouse chain’s enduring appeal to Canadian shoppers.
Many Canadian Costco locations serve expansive regional trade areas and rank among the busiest in the company’s global network. The Belleville development suggests Costco continues to see opportunities to deepen its Canadian footprint, particularly in regional markets that can support high-volume warehouse retailing.
Part of a Broader Canadian Growth Strategy
The Belleville project follows a series of warehouse developments that point to one of the busiest expansion periods in Costco Canada’s history.
Retail Insider recently reported that the company had at least 10 traditional warehouse projects planned, under construction or in development across the country. The pipeline includes communities such as Wasaga Beach, Thunder Bay and Lloydminster, alongside projects intended to increase capacity in rapidly growing suburban markets.
Belleville fits the regional-expansion side of that strategy. Its location along Highway 401, growing population and position between Kingston and Peterborough provide Costco with an opportunity to serve an established customer base from a more convenient location.
The company’s continued investment is particularly noteworthy given the maturity of its Canadian network. Rather than slowing expansion, Costco continues to identify regional markets where population growth, transportation access and consumer demand support additional long-term investment.
Potential Impact on the Local Retail Market
The arrival of Costco is expected to reinforce Belleville’s position as a regional shopping destination. The warehouse will introduce additional competition across grocery, pharmacy, fuel, electronics, furniture, household goods and numerous other merchandise categories. Its gas bar, designed to accommodate up to 24 vehicles simultaneously, could also influence fuel pricing and competition within the local market.
Costco warehouses frequently become anchors for surrounding commercial development, attracting restaurants, service businesses and complementary retailers while increasing traffic throughout nearby commercial districts.
The project may also reduce the need for Bay of Quinte residents to travel to Kingston or Peterborough for Costco shopping, keeping more consumer spending within the region.
Updated employment projections and broader economic-impact estimates have not yet been released for the current proposal. Earlier figures associated with the original 2019 development related to a substantially larger commercial project and should not be interpreted as forecasts for the newly announced warehouse.
With site preparation expected to begin later this year, the Belleville project has progressed well beyond the speculation that surrounded it for years. Beyond bringing a Costco warehouse to the Bay of Quinte region, the development illustrates how the retailer continues to expand one of the world’s most extensive warehouse networks on a per-capita basis.
Tim Hortons says it will introduce a Harry Potter-themed lineup of menu items, merchandise, packaging and promotional events across Canada beginning Aug. 12 as the restaurant chain marks the annual Back to Hogwarts celebration alongside the franchise’s 25th anniversary.
The limited-time campaign will add themed food and beverages, collectible merchandise, special packaging, an in-store trivia event and a national contest, expanding the company’s seasonal promotional offerings through collaborations tied to a major entertainment brand.
“Harry Potter has been a beloved part of so many of our guests’ lives for decades and we couldn’t be more excited for Canadians to discover the wizarding world at Tims restaurants,” said Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer for Tim Hortons. “We’re exclusively bringing the magic of Harry Potter to QSR in Canada in true Tims fashion – from donuts inspired by each Hogwarts House, to a Golden Snitch Timbit and Timbit holder, spellbinding Patronus and Forbidden Forest inspired drinks, and limited-edition merch that guests will want to collect and share.”
Hope BagozziTim Hortons photo
The menu will feature four Hogwarts House-inspired doughnuts: a Gryffindor Strawberry Cheesecake Donut, Slytherin Chocolate Pistachio Donut, Ravenclaw Blueberry Donut and Hufflepuff Lemon Meringue Donut. The chain will also offer Golden Snitch Caramel Timbits, which can be purchased in a limited-edition Golden Snitch Timbits Holder.
Tim Hortons will also introduce two themed cold beverages. Patronus Sparkling Quenchers will be served in temperature-activated cups that reveal Patronus images when filled with a cold drink. Customers will also be able to order Forbidden Forest Iced Tea Quenchers at participating restaurants that serve fountain beverages. The sparkling beverages can be customized with lemonade, a protein dairy beverage or ordered frozen.
The promotion also includes a range of Harry Potter-themed merchandise. Participating restaurants will offer a colour-changing Stir Wand that changes colour in cold beverages and limited-edition Harry Potter “25 Years of Magic” gift cards, alongside the Golden Snitch Timbits Holder.
The company said participating restaurants will host a Harry Potter Trivia Night on Aug. 28 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film and the annual Back to Hogwarts celebration. A list of participating restaurants and additional details will be released in the coming weeks.
Tim Hortons photo
Tim Hortons is also using the promotion to support its loyalty program. From Aug. 17 through Sept. 6, customers who place an order at a Tim Hortons restaurant, through the Tim Hortons app or on TimShop.ca and scan for Tims Rewards will be entered into a contest for a chance to win one of two grand prizes. Each prize includes a Harry Potter VIP experience for two in London, England.
The campaign will also extend to the chain’s packaging. While supplies last, participating restaurants will serve select products in limited-edition Harry Potter-themed single-doughnut boxes, multi-pack doughnut boxes, 10-pack and 20-pack Timbits boxes and cold beverage cups.
Powered by Walmart’s global retail technology, the platform introduces an auction-based buying model, enabling advertisers to set bids dynamically and align spend to real-time demand. Unlike traditional managed-service display, advertisers can now build and launch campaigns end-to-end within a single platform, accelerating speed to market while maintaining access to managed-service options.
Key capabilities include:
AI-powered optimization
Advanced targeting
Real-time forecasting and inventory visibility
On-demand reporting and conversion insights
To support adoption, Walmart Connect has also launched a new Onsite Display learning module within Walmart Connect Academy, available in English, French, and Mandarin.
This launch underscores Walmart Connect’s continued investment in expanding access to retail media, bringing greater control, transparency, and measurable performance to advertisers of all sizes.
Lesley ConwayWalmart Canada photo
“As retail media continues to evolve, advertisers are looking for more transparency in how they manage campaigns. Our Self-Serve Onsite Display Platform gives brands the flexibility to manage campaigns directly while continuing to benefit from Walmart’s trusted shopping environment and first-party insight,” said Lesley Conway, Head of Walmart Connect Canada, VP Walmart Media Group.
“This launch is part of our ongoing commitment to making Walmart Connect’s advertising ecosystem more accessible, scalable and performance driven. By leveraging Walmart’s retail technology, we’re providing advertisers with the insights and tools to better understand campaign performance throughout the shopping journey.”
Conway said the introduction of an auction-based buying model gives advertisers greater flexibility and control by allowing them to build, launch, and optimize campaigns directly within a single platform.
“Advertisers can adjust bids in real time based on campaign goals and market demand, while leveraging forecasting, inventory visibility, and on-demand reporting to monitor performance throughout the campaign lifecycle,” she said.
“For advertisers who prefer additional support, Walmart Connect’s managed-service offering remains available, giving advertisers the flexibility to choose the approach that best fits their needs.”
Conway said the platform is designed to support advertisers at every stage of their retail media journey.
“Larger brands can efficiently manage complex campaigns, while the intuitive self-serve experience lowers the barrier to entry for smaller advertisers looking to leverage Walmart Connect’s Onsite Display capabilities,” she said.
“To help advertisers get started, Walmart Connect Canada Academy offers a dedicated Onsite Display learning module in English, French and Mandarin, making it easier for brands of all sizes to build confidence and maximize platform value.”
Walmart Canada photo
Conway said these capabilities help advertisers maximize performance by providing greater visibility, insights, and control throughout the campaign lifecycle.
“AI-powered optimization automatically adjusts delivery toward campaign objectives, while advanced targeting helps brands connect with relevant audiences at key moments in the shopping journey,” she said.
“Combined with real-time forecasting, inventory visibility, and on-demand reporting, advertisers can monitor performance as it happens, adjust, and better evaluate the impact of their investment.”
At Walmart Connect, the focus is on helping advertisers reach shoppers when purchasing intent is high through solutions that are easy to use, measurable, and backed by Walmart’s retail expertise, added Conway.
“Our self-serve display platform gives advertisers greater choice and flexibility, supported by Walmart’s first-party insights and capabilities such as AI-powered optimization, advanced targeting, real-time forecasting, and transparent reporting – all within a single platform.”
BodyMods will expand into Alberta for the first time this year with the opening of two studios in Calgary, marking the Canadian company’s latest step in its Western Canadian growth strategy.
The company said its first Alberta location will open at CF Chinook Centre on Aug. 15, followed by a second studio at CF Market Mall on Oct. 1. The openings will bring BodyMods’ network to 12 locations and represent its first move beyond British Columbia.
On the company website it also said a studio is coming soon to Edmonton’s Southgate Mall.
Founded in 2002 by Sarah Bolton and Nathan Arnold, BodyMods said the Alberta expansion is part of a broader growth plan that includes establishing 12 additional studios by 2028. The company said it currently operates 10 locations across British Columbia specializing in body jewellery retail, professional piercing services and tattooing.
The Calgary studios will offer the company’s full range of body jewellery as well as professional piercing and tattoo services. Customers will also be able to receive jewellery styling advice and consult on custom tattoo work.
Arnold said the company’s growth reflects changes in public acceptance of body piercing and tattooing since it launched more than two decades ago.
“When we started BodyMods, body piercing and tattooing simply weren’t as widely accepted as they are today. We spent a lot of time convincing people that this industry could be professional, welcoming, and a natural fit for shopping centres,” said Arnold. “We believed in its potential long before it became part of the mainstream, and we set out to build a company that would help redefine what people could expect from body modifications. Bringing BodyMods to Alberta is another step in that journey, and we’re excited for what’s still to come.”
Nathan Arnold and Sarah BoltonBodyMods photo
The company said it was established after Bolton and Arnold identified what they saw as a gap in the market for a business focused on professional body piercing and tattoo services in what they described as a safe and inclusive environment.
According to the company, its expansion has coincided with broader acceptance of body piercing and tattooing as forms of personal expression among Canadians of different ages and backgrounds.
Bolton described the Calgary openings as a significant milestone for the business and its long-term growth.
“Opening in Calgary is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of. It’s an opportunity to introduce more Canadians to BodyMods and everything we’ve spent more than two decades building,” said Bolton. “Opening in two of Calgary’s premier shopping centres is a reminder of how far our industry has come. Over the past 20 years, BodyMods has helped shape the industry we see today, and we’re excited to be part of where it goes next.”
The Chinook Centre studio, identified by the company as Studio 9, will be located at 6455 Macleod Trail S.W. The Market Mall location, identified as Studio 10, will open at 3625 Shaganappi Trail N.W.
Longines construction site at 765 Burrard Street in Vancouver. Photo: Marcus & Millichap
Swiss watchmaker Longines will open its first Canadian boutique in downtown Vancouver, joining the city’s growing concentration of luxury watch and jewellery stores.
Construction is underway at 765 Burrard Street, where Longines-branded hoarding now covers the storefront. The corporately operated boutique will span just over 1,000 square feet within the commercial building commonly identified as 755 Burrard Street, at the intersection of Burrard and Alberni streets.
Trevor Thomas of JLL represented Longines in the lease transaction. Mario Negris and Martin Moriarty of Marcus & Millichap represented the landlord.
An opening date has not been announced.
Longines is already distributed nationally through authorized watch and jewellery retailers, with dozens of points of sale across Canada. The Vancouver store will be the brand’s first dedicated boutique in the country.
A Strategic Downtown Location
Longines has selected one of Vancouver’s most prominent luxury retail settings for its Canadian debut.
Cartier occupies the corner storefront in the same building, while Tiffany & Co. operates a large flagship across Alberni Street. Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Gucci are nearby, and Alberni Street extends west from the intersection through a dense collection of luxury fashion, watch and jewellery boutiques.
The location is immediately north of Robson Street, one of downtown Vancouver’s busiest and best-known shopping corridors. It gives Longines proximity to established luxury brands, along with the pedestrian traffic, hotels, offices and tourism activity concentrated around Burrard and Robson streets.
Retail Insider has long referred to the area surrounding Burrard, Alberni and Thurlow streets as Vancouver’s Luxury Zone. Longines will be positioned near its eastern entrance, where the broader downtown shopping district transitions into a concentrated collection of international luxury storefronts.
The setting places the boutique among some of the best-known names in jewellery and watchmaking while keeping it highly visible to shoppers moving between Robson, Burrard and Alberni streets.
Alberni Street at Burrard Street in Downtown Vancouver. Photo: Lee Rivett.
Joining a Growing Watch and Jewellery Cluster
The opening will add Longines to an increasingly significant cluster of dedicated watch boutiques in downtown Vancouver.
Rolex currently operates a boutique at 1119 Alberni Street, while Tudor and Chopard have neighbouring locations at 1106 and 1108 Alberni Street. The Tudor and Chopard boutiques were opened by local operator Global Watch Company as luxury retail activity expanded westward along Alberni.
Other watch houses on the same block as Longines include IWC Schaffhausen, Panerai, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin, forming one of Canada’s most concentrated collections of mono-brand watch boutiques.
Many of those brands are part of Swiss luxury group Richemont. Cartier, which occupies the corner of the 755 Burrard building, also belongs to Richemont in an owned space.
Longines is part of Swatch Group, whose portfolio includes Omega, Tissot, Blancpain, Breguet and Harry Winston. Its arrival will further diversify the ownership and pricing mix represented in the district.
The brand generally occupies a more accessible segment of the luxury watch market than some of the haute-horlogerie houses located farther west on Alberni. Its assortment spans dress watches, sports models, aviation-inspired timepieces and diving watches, giving the boutique broad appeal across the luxury market.
Its arrival expands the range of dedicated Swiss watch retail available downtown and strengthens the district’s appeal as a destination for watch shoppers.
A Swiss Watchmaker Dating to 1832
Longines was founded in 1832 in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, where the company remains based. It is recognized by its winged-hourglass emblem, described by Swatch Group as the oldest registered trademark still used in its original form.
The company built its reputation through precision timekeeping, technical innovation and longstanding associations with aviation, equestrian sport, alpine skiing and other timed competitions. Its current collections include Conquest, HydroConquest, Longines Spirit, the Master Collection, DolceVita and La Grande Classique.
Longines combines nearly two centuries of Swiss watchmaking history with pricing that is generally more attainable than that of many luxury watch houses operating nearby.
The brand appeals to mechanical-watch enthusiasts as well as customers seeking an established Swiss name for milestone purchases, gifts and formal occasions.
A dedicated boutique gives Longines greater control over the presentation of its history, collections and visual identity. It can also display a broader assortment than is typically available through an authorized multi-brand retailer and provide a customer experience centred entirely on the brand.
The Vancouver boutique will be corporately operated, representing a direct investment in the Canadian market.
Cartier store at 755 Burrard Street in downtown Vancouver. Photo: Lee Rivett
A Building With Deep Luxury-Retail Roots
The Longines boutique will become part of the history of 755 Burrard Street, a building that helped establish Vancouver’s modern luxury retail district in the early 1990s.
Chanel opened a roughly 1,300-square-foot boutique in the building in 1991. A Celine boutique operated next door through luxury retailer Collections International. The two stores helped establish Burrard Street as a destination for international luxury shopping before Alberni Street developed the concentration it has today.
Over the following decades, the building housed a changing collection of upscale retailers. Chanel and Celine were followed by tenants including Hermès, Coach and Wolford, while Cartier eventually established its current presence at the corner.
The former Chanel and Celine premises were later combined to accommodate Coach, which operated in the building for years before closing.
The former Coach space, immediately next to the future Longines boutique, is expected to welcome another upscale fashion tenant. The incoming brand has not been publicly announced.
Along with Cartier at the corner and Longines under construction, the latest leasing activity will strengthen the building’s luxury positioning.
The property’s longevity carries an architectural irony: the low-rise commercial building was originally conceived as a temporary development. More than three decades later, it remains at one of Vancouver’s most valuable and recognizable luxury retail intersections.
The building has adapted repeatedly as Vancouver’s luxury market has matured. Longines marks the beginning of its latest chapter.
Rolex and David Yurman at Oakridge Park in Vancouver. Photo: Craig Patterson
Downtown and Oakridge Develop Distinct Luxury Identities
The opening comes as Vancouver’s luxury retail market increasingly operates across two major destinations.
Downtown Vancouver’s Luxury Zone remains centred on Burrard, Alberni and Thurlow streets. It is characterized by street-facing boutiques, nearby luxury hotels and office towers, and a strong concentration of watch, jewellery and fashion brands.
Oakridge Park, located outside downtown on Vancouver’s west side, opened in May 2026 as a large mixed-use luxury shopping destination. Its retail offering includes international fashion houses, watch and jewellery brands, restaurants and extensive new residential development.
The two districts have developed different tenant mixes. Oakridge has attracted brands including Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari, Brunello Cucinelli and other global luxury names. Several major stores were still under construction when the project opened, including a large Chanel flagship.
Downtown retains a particularly strong concentration of brands belonging to Richemont and Kering. Richemont’s downtown presence includes Cartier and several specialist watch and jewellery houses. Kering brands also maintain a significant presence in the district. Neither group currently operates a comparable collection of open boutiques at Oakridge Park.
Vancouver now has two substantial luxury destinations with increasingly distinct identities.
Oakridge offers a purpose-built, enclosed shopping environment connected to a major residential redevelopment. Downtown offers an established street-retail ecosystem with a deeper concentration of mono-brand watch boutiques, luxury hotels and international tourism.
Longines’ decision to establish its first Canadian boutique downtown reinforces the continuing strength of the older district as investment and attention also flow toward Oakridge.
KINTON RAMEN has introduced a new children’s menu across participating Canadian locations as the restaurant chain looks to broaden its appeal to families through an interactive dining experience centred on Japanese cuisine.
The new Kids Menu combines a children’s meal with activities designed to introduce young diners to elements of Japanese language and culture while they eat. The offering is now available at participating locations, with the Kids Combo starting at $9.99.
The launch represents the company’s latest effort to strengthen its position among families by offering a menu tailored to younger customers while encouraging shared dining experiences.
The children’s menu includes an activity sheet featuring simple Japanese phrases, a noodle maze and food-matching games intended to engage children while introducing them to aspects of Japanese language, culture and cuisine.
The Kids Combo includes an Original Ramen made with pork broth and topped with corn, Naruto fish cake and take-style beef sausage, along with junior fries and a soft drink of the customer’s choice.
The company says the menu is intended to provide younger guests with an introduction to Japanese cuisine by combining familiar foods with items served at KINTON RAMEN restaurants.
Kinton Ramen photoImage: Kinton Ramen
“We’ve always believed in creating a ‘Bowl of Happiness’ for every guest, and we’re excited to extend that experience to families in a more meaningful way,” said De Luna. “As Japanese cuisine continues to grow as a Canadian favourite, more families are choosing KINTON RAMEN as a place to share new food experiences together. We want to make it easier for parents to introduce their children to Japanese flavours and culture in a way that feels fun, welcoming and approachable.”
The company says the launch is part of its continuing efforts to create dining experiences for families while expanding its presence in the Canadian market.
KINTON RAMEN was established in Toronto in May 2012 and operates under Foodtastic. The company says it was among the city’s first Japanese ramen restaurants and is led by Executive Chef Aki Urata and a team of ramen chefs.
Clutch has opened a new customer hub in Halifax, adding another physical location to support its online used-vehicle business as the company continues expanding its operations across Canada.
The Halifax facility, located at 219 Hobson Lake Dr., will serve as a pickup and drop-off point for customers buying or selling used vehicles through Clutch.ca. The company said the opening is its third new physical location this year, following expansions into British Columbia and Ottawa.
The new hub reflects Clutch’s continued investment in physical locations to support its digital business model by providing customers with in-person services alongside its online platform.
The Halifax site spans 11,000 square feet on a three-acre property and is intended to support customers completing vehicle transactions through the company’s website. Clutch said the location is designed to provide pickup and drop-off services, on-site customer assistance and guidance for buyers and sellers using its online marketplace.
Stephen SeibelDan Park
“Opening our new Halifax Customer Hub is an exciting milestone as we continue expanding our presence across Canada,” said Dan Park, CEO of Clutch. “We’ve seen how valuable physical locations are in giving customers more choice, whether they want to complete everything online or connect with our team in-person.”
The company said the Halifax hub will offer several customer services, including vehicle pickup and drop-off for purchases and sales completed through Clutch.ca, on-site staff to facilitate vehicle handoffs, and assistance for customers navigating the online buying and selling process.
Customers visiting the location will also be able to browse the company’s online vehicle inventory using in-store computers with assistance from staff. Clutch said employees will also help customers list vehicles online and receive an offer based on the vehicle’s value.
“Our Customer Hubs are designed to complement Clutch’s digital-first experience by giving customers another way to engage with us,” said Stephen Seibel, Founder of Clutch. “Whether someone is picking up a vehicle, selling their current one, or looking for guidance through the process, the Halifax team will provide the same seamless, customer-first experience that has helped us grow across the country.”
TORONTO – Clutch CEO Dan Park (left) and COO and Founder Steve Seibel are creating an end-to-end e-commerce experience for car buying in Canada. Clutch launched in 2016 in Halifax and entered the Toronto market earlier this year. Glenn Lowson photo (CNW Group/Clutch)
According to the company, services available at the Halifax hub include:
Vehicle pickup and drop-off for customers buying or selling vehicles through Clutch.ca.
On-site staff to assist with vehicle handoffs.
Access to the company’s online inventory through in-store computers with staff available to help customers navigate listings and compare vehicles.
Assistance with listing vehicles online and obtaining an offer based on the vehicle’s value.
In-person guidance on the online vehicle buying and selling process.
