Tourism drove $8.8 billion into Toronto’s economy last year, the highest level of visitor spending ever recorded in the city, according to the year-end report Toronto’s Visitor Economy: 2024 Market Performance Highlights published Monday by Destination Toronto. The nine million overnight visitors to Toronto last year are the most since the pandemic, though still 600,000 fewer than the number of visitors welcomed in 2019, said the report.
Andrew Weir
“Toronto’s visitor economy is proving once again to be an engine for the city, drawing almost 9 billion dollars of new money into our economy from across Canada, across the border and around the world,” said Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto.
“The tax revenue generated by visitors last year was greater than $2 billion. In fact, without tourism, every family in Toronto would have had to pay $1,850 more just to maintain the same levels of government services across all three levels of government.”
While the domestic market has essentially fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, travel from international markets is progressing steadily and driving disproportionate value; international visitors tend to stay longer and spend more than domestic visitors. Toronto welcomed 2.7 million international visitors in 2024—a 7 per cent increase over the previous year—with strong performance from the U.S., the U.K. and Germany. International travellers accounted for 30 per cent of total visitors and 38 per cent of all visitor spending in 2024, said the organization.
Olivia Chow
“Toronto is the most diverse city in the world—with hundreds of vibrant, thriving neighbourhoods. In 2024, we welcomed Taylor Swift, the NHL All-Star Game and of course every year, TIFF, the largest film festival in North America. With hundreds of conferences, events, festivals and visitors bringing almost $9 billion, tourism is enormously valuable for our city. Come visit Toronto!” said Mayor Olivia Chow in a statement.
Destination Toronto said visitor spending continues to recirculate throughout Toronto’s economy, producing an overall economic impact of $13 billion in 2024. Last year’s study Economic Impact of Visitors in Toronto traced the full impact of visitor spending, including induced and indirect spending across industries like finance, insurance and real estate, utilities and health care.
“Major meetings and events (multi-day events with more than 1,000 attendees) brought nearly 250,000 visitors in 2024, including the NHL All-Star Game, Pediatric Academic Societies, World Water Congress and Exhibition, and MedTech Conference. In 2025, major meetings and events are projected to draw 300,000 visitors, with attendees coming to the city for the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, ACM SIGKDD International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining, American Bar Association Annual Meeting and more. In 2024, Destination Toronto and its partners secured new business that will bring more than 365,000 visitors in the coming years, explained the organization.
Looking Ahead
The outlook for 2025 is positive, with growth in the visitor economy expected to maintain momentum and a number of openings, developments and anniversaries planned, added Destination Toronto.
Developments: A new roller coaster AlpenFuryis opening at Canada’s Wonderland, Rogers Stadium is set to open at the former Downsview Airport Lands, the Gardiner Museum will unveil its reimagined space, and the Port Lands will continue its transformation including Ookwemin Minising.
Airports: U.S. pre-clearance is coming toBilly Bishop City Airport to allow U.S.-bound travellers to clear U.S. Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture inspection before takeoff.
Canadian consumer confidence continues its upward trend, with discretionary spending intentions reaching the highest level in seven quarters, according to a recent survey by Stifel. The survey, which polled 300 Canadians aged 18 and older, highlights a 200 basis points (bps) sequential increase in spending intentions for discretionary items, with 56% of respondents indicating plans to increase spending in this category. This marks the second consecutive reading above 50%, signalling ongoing expansionary intentions.
The data reveals a significant driver of this growth: respondents earning less than $75,000 annually. While higher-income respondents remained flat sequentially, lower-income Canadians showed a robust 300bps improvement in spending intentions. Analysts attribute this optimism to reduced inflation rates and declining interest rates compared to the previous year.
However, headlines surrounding export tariffs may have tempered confidence among higher-income earners, potentially dampening overall growth momentum.
Apparel Spending Slows: A Concern for Aritzia and Groupe Dynamite
Despite the overall uptick in discretionary spending, intentions for clothing and apparel have decreased sequentially, with 51% of respondents planning to increase spending in this category over the next 12 months. This marks a 400bps drop from the previous quarter and the lowest reading in four quarters.
Notably, the decline is more pronounced among higher-income respondents—key customers for premium brands such as Aritzia. This shift may be influenced by external factors such as increased global economic uncertainty, rising costs of luxury goods, or a shift in spending priorities towards experiences like travel. Younger consumers aged 18 to 34, a critical demographic for Groupe Dynamite, also showed weaker intentions, potentially due to inflationary pressures affecting disposable income. These results could signal a potential slowdown for these brands, which rely heavily on these segments.
Dollar Stores Benefit from Value-Seeking Trends
In contrast to apparel, dollar stores continue to thrive as value-seeking behaviour remains prevalent among Canadian shoppers. Spending intentions in this category climbed for the fourth consecutive quarter, with 74% of respondents planning to increase their spending over the next year.
The surge was primarily driven by lower-income respondents, while spending intentions among higher-income Canadians remained steady. Dollarama, a leader in the discount retail sector, stands to benefit significantly from this sustained growth. Recent financial reports from Dollarama have shown consistent same-store sales growth, bolstered by an expanded product assortment and strong performance during the holiday season. Additionally, the discount retailer has been strategically opening new locations to capture more market share, further solidifying its dominance in the value retail space.
Pet Valu Ottawa (Image: Fox Contracting)
Pet Spending Intentions Decline Slightly But Remain Strong
The pet industry saw a 300bps sequential decline in spending intentions, with 71% of respondents indicating plans to increase their spending on pet food and accessories. Despite the dip, the category remains robust, with intentions still 300bps higher than the six-quarter average.
Interestingly, female respondents demonstrated the highest spending intentions, with 74% planning to increase their expenditures—marking the strongest reading in six quarters. Pet Valu remains well-positioned to capture this demand, though the slight decline warrants close monitoring.
Toys Category Rebounds, Boosting Prospects for Spin Master
The toy category saw a significant rebound, with 59% of respondents planning to increase their spending on toys in the next 12 months. This marks the highest level in five surveys, reversing a concerning dip below 50% in the previous quarter.
Parents aged 18-54 were a key driver, with 64% indicating increased spending intentions. Contributing factors may include the rising popularity of educational and tech-integrated toys, as well as increased marketing efforts by major toy brands. Spin Master, a Canadian toy and entertainment company, is poised to benefit from this resurgence in consumer interest.
Furniture Spending Intentions Steady but Regional Weakness Emerges
Spending intentions for furniture and appliances remain in expansionary territory, with 55% of respondents planning purchases in the next 12 months. Younger consumers aged 18-54 showed particularly strong intentions at 65%, reflecting their tendency to replace furniture more frequently than older generations.
However, regional disparities persist. In Western Canada, only 47% of respondents indicated plans to increase spending, underscoring a potential area of weakness for national retailers like Leon’s Furniture.
Flat Results for Powersports Vehicles
The powersports category, which includes vehicles like ATVs and snowmobiles, remains stagnant. Only 7% of respondents expressed a strong likelihood of purchasing or upgrading a powersports vehicle in the next year, consistent with results from the past two years.
While the industry enjoyed a brief rebound in mid-2024, current spending intentions suggest continued challenges for brands like BRP.
Kits at Yew and Cornwall in Vancouver, BC (Image: Kits.ca)
KITS Eyecare Sees Rising Brand Awareness
One standout from the survey is Vancouver-based KITS Eyecare, which recorded a 36% increase in brand awareness since February 2024. Now familiar to 12% of respondents, KITS has made notable strides in a competitive online eyewear market.
Although the company ranked sixth among seven surveyed online eyewear retailers, its recent growth underscores a strong runway for future expansion.
Key Takeaways for Canadian Retailers
This quarterly survey by Stifel offers valuable insights into Canadian consumer spending trends across key retail categories:
Discretionary Spending: Rising confidence among lower-income Canadians is driving overall growth.
Apparel: A decline in spending intentions highlights challenges for premium brands like Aritzia.
Dollar Stores: Continued strength in this category reflects persistent value-seeking behaviour.
Pets and Toys: Elevated spending intentions point to opportunities for Pet Valu and Spin Master, respectively.
Furniture: Regional disparities could pose challenges for national players.
Powersports: Flat results highlight ongoing struggles in this niche market.
As inflation moderates and interest rates remain favourable, Canadian retailers should adapt their strategies to capitalize on evolving consumer preferences. Brands focusing on value, affordability, and category-specific trends stand to gain the most in this dynamic retail environment.
Businesses in Canada are contending with a complex regulatory landscape, which not only presents significant challenges to their daily operations, but also carries a total cost of $51 billion annually across all businesses, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in its annual Canada’s Red Tape Report: The cost of regulation to small business.
“This pressure is evident as nearly half (44%) of owners rank government regulation and paper burden as a top concern, second only to taxes and operational expenses such as labour and general costs These combined pressures make it increasingly difficult for businesses to remain financially viable, as they struggle to balance rising operating costs with the added burden of regulatory compliance. This financial strain also affects the cost of goods and services, ultimately impacting consumers. Moreover, these regulatory demands shape how entrepreneurs view the business climate and even influence the advice they would give to aspiring business owners. Only one in five (18%) would recommend starting a business right now,” said the report which was released on Monday.
“The weight of the regulatory burden ─ cited by 62% as a major deterrent to starting a business ─ extends beyond financial costs, consuming time and energy that is critical for growth and innovation. Instead of focusing on expansion or improving their offerings, many business owners find themselves bogged down by paperwork, permits, and a seemingly endless stream of compliance requirements.”
In 2024, red tape accounted for 35% of business regulations. The share attributed to red tape decreases as business size increases.
In 2024, the average business spent 735 hours (92 days) on regulation, 256 hours (32 days) of which was spent on red tape. This marks a 58-hour (8.6%) increase from CFIB’s 2020 estimate of 677 hours.
87% of small business owners think that excessive government regulation significantly reduces their business’s productivity and ability to grow. Financial cost of regulation
The annual cost of regulation in 2024 reached $51.5 billion, with $17.9 billion attributed specifically to red tape. This marks a $5 billion (13.5%) increase from CFIB’s 2020 estimate of $45.4 billion.
For smaller businesses, most of the regulation cost per employee is attributable to wage costs. Burden on smaller businesses
Smaller businesses tend to spend more time complying with government regulation per employee than larger businesses.
The annual cost of regulation per employee is higher for smaller businesses.
Marvin Cruz
“Business owners lose an entire month’s worth of productivity to filling out lengthy or redundant forms, navigating mazes of government websites, and deciphering government jargon. That is crucial time that could be better spent on activities like training staff, planning business expansions, serving customers or even spending time with family,” said Marvin Cruz, CFIB director of research. “As governments at all levels look for solutions to Canada’s productivity problem, eliminating regulatory barriers and giving small business owners their time back needs to be a top priority.”
Laure-Anna Bomal
“Small business owners don’t get into business to be government compliance experts. Red tape discourages entrepreneurship, stagnates economic growth and overall, is a lose-lose situation for businesses and consumers alike. Eliminating unnecessary regulatory compliance would free up over 200 million hours across the economy for more productive activities,” said Laure-Anna Bomal, CFIB economist and report co-author. “Imagine what an entrepreneur could do if they got just over a month back. If Canada wants to improve its productivity and economic competitiveness, it must put a renewed focus on cutting red tape.”
Rising regulatory costs:
In 2024, Canadian businesses faced $51.5 billion in regulatory costs—a 13.5% increase from 2020. Higher wages and professional fees, along with an increase in the time spent on compliance, are driving the rise in costs.
In 2024, businesses with fewer than five employees paid $10,208 per employee in regulatory costs—over five times the cost for businesses with 100+ employees.
Increasing compliance time: In 2024, business owners spent an average of 735 hours on regulatory compliance—up 8.6% from 677 hours in 2020. Of these, 256 hours were dedicated to red tape.
In 2024, businesses with fewer than five employees spent 198 hours per employee on compliance, versus eight hours for those with 100+ employees.
Reducing red tape: Business owners believe a 35% reduction in the regulatory burden—equivalent to $17.9 billion—could be achieved without compromising public interest. This reduction would also free up 268 million hours (about 137,000 full-time jobs) for more productive and growth-focused activities.
Stress of compliance: 90% of small business owners report high stress from excessive regulation, often requiring long hours and harming work-life balance.
Discouraging entrepreneurship: Due to the regulatory burden, 68% of owners would not recommend entrepreneurship to the next generation, posing a threat to innovation and economic growth.
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 several days.
Peavey Mart in Red Deer, Alberta (Image: Peavey Mart)
Sources have confirmed to Retail Insider that Peavey Mart, a Canadian retail chain known for its agricultural supplies, hardware, and home improvement products, is closing all of its stores nationwide. Liquidation sales began on the weekend. The store closures include the flagship location in Red Deer, Alberta, where the company’s headquarters are also based. This marks a significant and surprising turn of events for a company with deep roots in Canadian retail, dating back to its establishment in Winnipeg in 1967.
Peavey Mart has long been a staple for rural and small-town communities, catering to farmers, ranchers, and homeowners. Over the years, the company expanded from its Western Canada base into Ontario and other regions, particularly following its acquisition of TSC Stores in 2016. That move helped establish Peavey Mart as a household name in Ontario, diversifying its reach and bolstering its product offerings. It was also a huge expense.
In 2020, the company further broadened its scope by acquiring the Canadian master license for Ace Hardware from Lowe’s-owned RONA Inc., adding 107 Ace Hardware locations to its portfolio. This strategic acquisition was part of Peavey Industries’ efforts to compete in the hardware and home improvement sector against larger rivals like Home Depot and Canadian Tire.
However, Peavey’s relationship with Ace Hardware International came to an end in 2024, following the announcement that the partnership would cease on December 31, 2024. This decision marked a turning point for the company, forcing it to refocus on its Peavey Mart and MainStreet Hardware brands.
Financial Struggles and Early Signs of Trouble
Last week, Peavey Industries announced plans to shutter 22 underperforming Peavey Mart locations in Ontario and Nova Scotia by the end of April. At the time, the closures were presented as part of an organizational restructuring aimed at stabilizing the business and positioning it for future growth.
Doug Anderson, President and CEO of Peavey Industries, addressed the challenges in a previous statement:
“The Canadian retail environment has undergone significant disruptions in recent years, and Peavey has not been immune to these challenges. These closures are a challenging yet necessary step to stabilize and position our business for future growth.”
Despite these efforts, it now appears the company’s financial difficulties have proven insurmountable, leading to the closure of all 90+ stores across Canada.
Liquidation signs at Peavey Mart’s Red Deer store on Saturday, January 25. Photo: Joel Graham via Facebook
Financing and Restructuring Efforts Fall Short
In its bid to remain viable, Peavey Industries had secured a CAD $155 million financing package from Gordon Brothers. The package included a $105 million revolving credit facility, a $30 million term loan, and a $20 million consignment program. This financial injection was intended to facilitate restructuring efforts, support ongoing operations, and provide a lifeline to the struggling retailer.
Additionally, Peavey Industries collaborated with Gordon Brothers to ensure a smooth transition for affected employees and communities. However, these measures were ultimately insufficient to save the business.
Impact on Communities and Employees
The closure of Peavey Mart will leave a significant void in the Canadian retail landscape, particularly in rural and small-town markets where the chain has long been a trusted resource for agricultural and home improvement needs. The closures are also a major blow to the company’s workforce across the country.
While Peavey Industries initially expressed a commitment to supporting its employees during the transition, the abrupt announcement of a full shutdown leaves many workers and communities grappling with uncertainty.
Image: Peavey MartImage: Peavey Mart
A message from the Peace River Manager
In a heartfelt statement shared on Facebook, the manager of the Peace River, Alberta, Peavey Mart location expressed regret about the closures. The post sheds light on the situation and offers a glimpse into the company’s struggles over recent years. The manager wrote:
“Peace River Community,
It is with regret that I inform you of the upcoming closure of Peace River Peavey Mart, along with all other Peavey Mart locations across Canada. While many details are being kept confidential, I will keep you updated as we receive more information from the corporate team. At this time, I do not have a time frame; my best guess is 3 to 6 months.
Until an official statement is released by the company, I can only offer my personal perspective on the situation. Since 2016, Peavey Mart has expanded rapidly, acquiring over 70 stores in Eastern Canada, opening new stores, and acquiring several other businesses. However, growth was met with challenges, including a decline in business levels and rising interest rates. Unfortunately, many of the acquired stores did not prove profitable, and the company’s efforts to adjust did not have the desired results.
As a last resort, Peavey partnered with Gordon Brothers, an American investment firm, which I believe now holds a majority stake in the company and are making all decisions going forward. It appears the current plan may be to liquidate and close all locations, with potential rebranding, though which stores will remain open is still uncertain.
Please note that this is my personal opinion, and I am sharing it to help clarify the situation for our valued customers. I kindly ask that you direct any concerns toward our corporate offices, as these decisions are beyond the control of the staff here in the store.
We have worked diligently to serve you, and we appreciate your understanding during this time. It’s difficult to come to terms with the closure of so many profitable locations in Western Canada, with Peace River being one of the most notable. The Peace River location recently achieved top sales growth company-wide, consistently delivering a healthy profit despite Peavey’s constant inventory challenges.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of our customers. It has been a pleasure serving the Peace River community, and I will miss it when our time here comes to an end. If you have any questions, please feel free to visit the store, and I will do my best to provide answers. At the current moment, the company has told us they are not ready to make a statement yet.”
Update: Press Release from Peavey Industries
Peavey Industries confirmed Monday evening that all Peavey Mart stores will be closing. The following is the press release that was forwarded by email to Canadian media sources:
“Red Deer, Alberta – January 27, 2025 – Peavey Industries LP (“Peavey” or “the Company”), Canada’s largest farm and ranch retail chain, announced today that it has sought and obtained an Initial Order for creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) from the Court of King’s Bench Alberta.
Following the recently announced closures of 22 stores in Ontario and Nova Scotia, the Company will now begin store closing sales at all remaining locations across Canada. This includes 90 Peavey Mart stores and six MainStreet Hardware locations. The closures and liquidation efforts will commence immediately.
The decision to seek creditor protection and close all stores was made after thorough evaluation of available options, in consultation with legal and financial advisors. The Canadian retail industry is experiencing unprecedented challenges, including record-low consumer confidence, inflationary pressures, rising operating costs, and ongoing supply disruptions along with a difficult regulatory environment. These factors have created significant obstacles for businesses like Peavey.
“This was a profoundly difficult decision, but one that allows us to explore the best possible alternatives for the future of the Company,” said Doug Anderson, President and CEO of Peavey Industries LP. “For nearly six decades, our customers’ loyalty, employees’ dedication, and the resilience of the communities we serve have been the cornerstone of our business. We remain focused on working with our partners and stakeholders to preserve the Peavey brand and the value it represents.”
The Company’s immediate priority is to generate liquidity through the closure process while continuing to work with funders, partners, and stakeholders to explore potential opportunities to preserve the brand.
Peavey Industries LP is committed to providing regular updates as the situation develops.”
Lightspeed Commerce Inc., the Montréal-based global leader in commerce technology, has unveiled a suite of innovations aimed at transforming operations for retailers, restauranteurs, and golf course operators. These new features, launched during the latest quarter, focus on improving efficiency, enhancing customer experiences, and driving business growth across multiple industries.
Dax Dasilva, Founder and CEO of Lightspeed, emphasized the impact of the company’s recent advancements. “Q3 brought about some significant product innovations designed to help customers realize real value in their day-to-day business operations,” said Dasilva. “From Selling on Scanner to our Kitchen Display System, we’re bringing solutions that empower merchants and restauranteurs to surprise and delight their customers.”
Dax Dasilva, CEO, Lightspeed
Retail Innovations to Streamline Operations
Lightspeed has introduced several new tools designed to improve retail operations and create a seamless shopping experience. One of the highlights is the expansion of the Lightspeed Scanner app, which now allows retailers to process purchases directly from the sales floor using an iPhone. This mobile selling feature addresses common pain points such as long checkout lines, giving customers a faster, more convenient shopping experience.
Retailers also benefit from enhanced promotional tools that enable them to run unified campaigns across physical and online stores. With these tools, businesses can target promotions based on factors like inventory levels and purchase history, offering more personalized incentives such as free shipping or custom discounts.
Additionally, the Lightspeed Supplier Network has grown significantly, now featuring over one million products. This expansion simplifies inventory management and helps retailers provide tailored product selections in key categories like home and garden, pet supplies, and golf.
To further improve operations, Lightspeed has integrated its timeclock feature with Homebase, a workforce management platform. This integration streamlines employee scheduling and helps reduce overtime, missed shifts, and time-tracking errors. Inventory management has also been enhanced through a partnership with Cin7 Core, offering automated, real-time stock control for retailers.
Other updates include new tools to manage special order fulfillment, making it easier for retailers to handle transactions involving multiple delivery methods. Meanwhile, improvements to online storefronts allow merchants to create detailed product catalogs with subcategory navigation, making it easier for customers to find what they need.
Hospitality Features Modernize Restaurant Operations
For the hospitality industry, Lightspeed introduced tools designed to optimize restaurant operations and enhance the customer experience.
The new Kitchen Display System (KDS) connects front-of-house operations with the kitchen, ensuring orders are executed efficiently. By seamlessly routing orders from point-of-sale systems to kitchen staff, KDS streamlines workflows even during busy periods.
Another major update is Lightspeed’s multi-location reporting tools, which enable restaurant operators to monitor performance metrics across all their locations in real time. These insights help businesses make informed decisions and maintain operational consistency.
To address cash flow challenges, Lightspeed Payments now offers Instant Payouts, allowing restaurants to access funds within 30 minutes—even on weekends and holidays. This feature ensures smoother operations and faster access to capital.
Restaurant operators also gain access to real-time insights through Lightspeed Pulse, a mobile app that provides performance metrics and actionable data on the go. This tool is designed to help operators make quick, informed decisions from anywhere.
An expanded partnership with workforce management platform 7shifts offers restaurants a streamlined approach to payroll processing, team scheduling, and labour cost management, further simplifying operations.
Transforming Golf Course Management
Golf operators are also benefiting from Lightspeed’s latest innovations. The new Lightspeed Scheduling tool allows clubs to manage bookings for a variety of services, from simulator bays to pickleball courts and golf lessons. This integrated solution helps maximize revenue opportunities and enhances customer satisfaction.
In addition, Lightspeed renewed its partnership with Landscapes Golf Management, which oversees more than 60 properties. The collaboration equips golf operators with advanced tools for tee time management, integrated point-of-sale systems, and actionable insights to improve workflows and drive growth.
Supporting Businesses Globally
Lightspeed continues to power some of the world’s most renowned businesses, including Taverne Atlantic in Montréal, Alinea Group in Chicago, and L’Occitane in New Zealand. With its headquarters in Montréal and operations across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, the company serves customers in over 100 countries.
“The government has no legal right to enforce this tax hike because it has not received legislative approval by Parliament,” said Devin Drover, CTF General Counsel. “This tax grab violates the fundamental principle of no taxation without representation. That’s why we are asking the courts to put an immediate stop to this bureaucratic overreach.”
The CTF said it is representing Debbie Vorsteveld, a resident of Mapleton, Ontario.
“Last year, she and her husband, Willem, sold a property that included a secondary home. They had rented the secondary home to their adult children, but had to sell it when their kids were ready to move on. The CRA says the Vorstevelds must pay higher capital gains taxes under the proposed capital gains increase or face financial penalties,” said the CTF.
The CTF said it is seeking urgent relief from the Federal Court to block the CRA’s enforcement of the proposed tax increase. In its application, the CTF argues the tax increase violates the rule of law and is unconstitutional.
The government passed a ways and means motion for the tax increase last year but failed to introduce, debate, pass, or proclaim the necessary legislation into law, said the national organization.
Parliament is now prorogued until March 24, 2025, and opposition parties have all pledged to bring down the Liberal government. As a result, there is no realistic chance the legislation will pass before the next election. Despite this, the CRA is pushing ahead with enforcement of the tax as if it is already law, it said.
A new reportfrom the C.D. Howe Institute shows the capital gains tax increase will result in 414,000 fewer jobs and shrink Canada’s GDP by nearly $90 billion, explained the CTF.
Franco Terrazzano
“The undemocratic capital gains tax hike will blow a huge hole in Canada’s economy and punishes people saving for their retirement, entrepreneurs, doctors and Canadian workers,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “It’s Parliament’s responsibility to approve tax increases before they’re imposed, not unelected government bureaucrats.
“The CRA must immediately halt its plans to enforce this unapproved tax hike, which threatens to undemocratically take billions from Canadians and cripple our economy.”
London Drugs at Brentwood Village Mall in Calgary. Photo by Mario Toneguzzi
London Drugs celebrated on Friday the grand re-opening of its Brentwood Village Mall location in Calgary, with a new fresh, open-concept design.
And it is poised to deliver two other new store concepts in 2025 under its DaVinci initiative as well as launching its technological systems Galileo initiative.
The Calgary Brentwood location is part of its strategy to renovate existing stores when the opportunity comes up.
Blending wellness, technology, and convenience into one space, customers can explore modernized departments like TECH and PhotoLab, enjoy personalized care in private consultation rooms, and experience a full-service Canada Post outlet. The renovated space reflects London Drugs’ commitment to wellness, customer care, and innovation with community-centred services, said the company of the Brentwood Village Mall location in Calgary.
Clint Mahlman, President/COO of London Drugs at the Brentwood Village Mall location in Calgary. Photo by Mario Toneguzzi
“This is one of our older stores in Calgary,” said Mahlman on Friday at the grand re-opening of the Brentwood Village location. “Close to the university. An opportunity came up to refreshen it. What it does have is some elements of our stores that have been relatively recent. What we used to call our promotional, our seasonal aisle, is now called Market Central. It gives a little bit better display capability of what people love about London Drugs which is the treasure hunt and exciting seasonal products.
“One of the biggest differences is in our pharmacy. Our pharmacy is quite busy and we’ve been expanding our professional services. So we now have two consultation rooms to have customers’ needs met in a more professional and elaborate way. Being the first pharmacy in Canada to introduce private counselling booths, we just keep evolving that concept. That’s different and a much more refreshed and open design.
“Probably the biggest change is on the tech side. We have adopted what we call an open layout. Before, historically, a lot of technology liked to be sold in individual areas. So for example an AV room, a computer room. But the technology has converged and it’s really hard to tell how people use it for different use cases. We’ve opened it up so it’s just one section that allows a customer and our staff to interplay between the different technologies that they may be using it.”
Just prior to the renovation, the brand also introduced a Canada Post location within the store.
“That’s been really exciting. Customers are really thrilled with that especially with the ongoing increase in ecommerce. Not only does London Drugs have more space to accommodate ecommerce parcel pickup but Canada Post has brought a lot of people that are both dropping off and picking up their ecommerce parcels.”
Clint Mahlman, President/COO of London Drugs at the Brentwood Village Mall location in Calgary. Photo by Mario Toneguzzi
London Drugs began in 1945 with a small 1,000-square-foot community drug store on Main Street in Vancouver. There are now 80 London Drugs locations in more than 35 major markets throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Mahlman said Calgary is the company’s third oldest market and many of the stores were built in the early 1980s.
“So working with the landlords when we renegotiate a lease we always like to try and make sure we update the store to offer our best and present it in that way. This is a really solid market for us. And the Brentwood area, close to the university, lots of traditional customers that have been loyal to us for a long time. So it’s important to us that we upgrade the store and that there’s new and fresh offerings all the time,” he said.
“We’ve had two big initiatives over the last several years we’ve been working on behind the scenes,” explained Mahlman. “The first is called the Galileo initiative. We’ve been working in refreshing all our systems to take advantage of the digital age and AI. The first of the big go-live happens in a couple of weeks when we transfer our finance system over to the new location – a whole new Point of Sale experience by the end of the year. It’s very big. It’s not necessarily something that the customers see but they’ll feel in the years to come when we’re able to offer better information right at the Point of Sale and allow to connect for marketing, communications, all those things. And a lot of efficiency initiatives that will happen behind the scenes.
“The more customer facing one is called the DaVinci initiative. We’ll see two of those stores that we plan and test for the future. One is in the Brentwood mall in British Columbia. It’s a little bit smaller store mainly because of the mall renovation but it has just a different feel and look. When we looked at that we asked ourselves what does a customer expect of a retail store in 2035. Retail has changed so much. The difference of ecommerce. Like every retailer, you struggle between the absolute cutting-edge design you would love to see, but customers also don’t like a lot of change. So it’s important you don’t scare them off or they feel it’s a different location. That’s the first store.
“And we’re opening a new store in the (CF) Polo Park mall in Winnipeg, which is our second store in Winnipeg. That will also have the DaVinci design with a few tweaks to the test to see how the customers respond in two different markets. And that template will allow us to get that feedback and start to continue to evolve our design.”
Mahlman said when an opportunity comes up to renovate an existing store the company will do that. There will also be a couple of relocations this year that he can’t disclose right now.
London Drugs at Brentwood Village Mall in Calgary. Photo by Mario Toneguzzi London Drugs at Brentwood Village Mall in Calgary. Photo by Mario Toneguzzi London Drugs at Brentwood Village Mall in Calgary. Photo by Mario Toneguzzi London Drugs at Brentwood Village Mall in Calgary. Photo by Mario Toneguzzi London Drugs at Brentwood Village Mall in Calgary. Photo by Mario Toneguzzi
Following an overall sluggish 2024, the Canadian economy is poised for a stronger performance this year, as lower borrowing costs encourage consumer spending and business investment to pick up, according to new research from The Conference Board of Canada.
Canada’s GDP is forecast to increase by 1.5 per cent in 2025 before increasing a further 1.9 per cent in 2026.
“Weak population growth will have wide ranging impacts and re-exacerbate labour challenges, reducing the governments’ tax base.”
The Conference Board said housing affordability remains a pressing issue, but the federal government’s sharp reduction in immigration targets will provide some relief. Falling household formations, combined with efforts by provincial governments to support residential construction, are also expected to help ease supply pressures in the housing market over the coming years.
“In the United States, after a year of unexpectedly strong economic growth, the economy is projected to cool in 2025. Employment growth picked up in the final quarter of 2024, though the labour market is set to moderate. Export prospects are a bright spot, but policy unpredictability under the Trump administration poses significant downside risks. The U.S. economy is forecast to expand by 2.0 per cent in 2025,” said the Conference Board.
“A weaker Canadian dollar and strong demand from the U.S. should provide a positive environment for exporters, however, the threat of a 25 per cent in tariffs makes the outlook for trade highly uncertain.
“The sudden slowdown in population growth will have significant impacts on Canada’s labour market. A steep decline in labour force growth, combined with a strong demand for labour, will push Canada’s unemployment rate lower and cause labour shortages to re-emerge. Employment growth is projected to remain subdued in the near term.”
The Conference Board said declining interest rates will help stimulate investment in 2025. However, with rates still above neutral levels, the recovery in business investment is projected to be only partial. Investor caution is being amplified by Trump’s tariff threats. Despite these challenges, there are some areas of optimism, particularly within Canada’s growing electric vehicle sector.
Vancouver-based PetParker Canada, a leader in pet safety and hospitality, is set to expand its footprint nationwide in 2025 following an exceptional first year of operation.
With an estimated 38% of Canadian households including at least one dog, the company aims to enhance accessibility and convenience for pet owners by increasing its presence in retail, hospitality, and public venues across Canada, said the company.
PetParker Canada provides and operates a network of innovative, secure, and app-accessible pet hospitality stations for retail, hospitality, and public spaces where pet owners visit, shop, and dine. By promoting a safe and trusted alternative to unsupervised pets on sidewalks, at building entrances, and inside vehicles, PetParker is leading the way in creating pet-friendly communities that are welcoming and safe for all, explained the company.
Adi Kabazo
“We have made significant investments to adapt this proven solution to meet Canadian standards and deliver exemplary service to our stakeholders. Our goal is to transform how pet guardians are accommodated in public spaces and to help businesses and venues embrace the understanding that for many shoppers and guests, pets are family. As we enter our second year, we are exploring partnerships and investments to unlock growth opportunities across Canada and support the global expansion of the PetParker network to the U.S. and other parts of the world,” said Adi Kabazo, CEO of PetParker Canada.
PetParker said its first year included testing at nearly two dozen Metro Vancouver locations spanning grocery stores, shopping centres, a community centre, and other facilities.
“PetParker has significantly enhanced the experiences of thousands of pet owners. The service provides a safe and convenient solution that improves accessibility for consumers while reducing the risk of animal-related conflicts and accidents. A survey conducted in late 2024 revealed that 95% of PetParker users reported greater flexibility in combining activities with their daily walks. PetParker’s app-operated and monitored pet safety stations allow pet owners to shop and run errands with peace of mind, knowing their companions are secure and comfortable,” noted the company.
It said the survey results also highlighted several key advantages for businesses that offer the free PetParker amenity:
Enhanced reputation: 93% of pet owners view these locations as more community-oriented; 94% consider them pet-friendly.
Loyalty boost: 89% of pet owners include these venues in planned visits; 93% incorporate them in spontaneous stops.
Transformed experiences: Numerous users have shared personal stories illustrating how PetParker has enhanced their experiences, influenced their shopping preferences, and increased visit frequency. These testimonials are available on the company’s website.
PetParker said a notable achievement was its successful eight-month pilot program at Granville Island, a Vancouver landmark. The pilot program reduced pet-related safety concerns and improved visitor accessibility. The service’s renewal for 2025 underscores its role in enhancing safety and accessibility for locals and visitors shopping at the iconic Public Market and Net Loft Shops, it said.
“PetParker unlocks a new emotional dimension for customer loyalty in retail, especially with the rise of pet ownership and the evolving roles of pets in Canadian households. Consumers want to engage with businesses that value their companions and prioritize safety and inclusivity,” said Andrew Sharpe, Chief Executive Storyteller at Brandspank, a boutique retail consultancy firm. “Pet owners form a tightly connected market segment that shares information. Shopping destinations accommodating these needs will likely benefit from positive word of mouth, increased loyalty, longer dwell times, and higher spending.”
