After more than four decades in the same location, Villages Calgary, a fair-trade non-profit retail store, is preparing for a move as city infrastructure plans progress.
Alex Ferguson, Chair of the Board at Villages Calgary, said the relocation has been under discussion for several years due to the City of Calgary’s proposed expansion of the nearby Crowchild Trail.
“We’ve been talking about a move for quite a while—even before my time,” said Ferguson, who has served as board chair for just over a year. “They’re talking about expanding what I call the ‘super highway’ right at our doorstep.”
Photo: Villages Calgary
Villages Calgary has operated from the same building—an old house on the edge of Kensington—for 41 years. Originally, the upstairs served as an apartment for the store manager while the ground floor was used for retail. The building was purchased by the non-profit society years ago, a move Ferguson described as “smart,” as it enabled them to benefit from property tax breaks as a registered non-profit.
Though no specific timeline has been given for the city’s plans, Ferguson said the organization is actively searching for a new home. The store’s leadership team, along with commercial realtors, is currently exploring new locations, including one in Inglewood.
“We’ll find something,” said Ferguson. “It’s not a huge rush. The city has been really good to deal with.”
According to Ferguson, a customer survey conducted in 2019-2020 identified traffic access as a significant challenge. “Getting on and off that highway is always a bit of a challenge. If you’re heading south on Crowchild, you can’t turn left—you have to go all the way around,” he said. “Our kind of store needs foot traffic.”
Founded as a fair-trade certified retail outlet, Villages Calgary offers products from countries including Rwanda and Vietnam. Ferguson said roughly 80 per cent of the store’s inventory is certified fair trade.
“These are products that are certified to be providing benefits to local artisans and communities in some of these countries that don’t have another market for their products,” he said.
Originally independent, Villages Calgary later operated under the umbrella of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), which provided administrative support including HR policies and payroll. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MCC shuttered all of its own brick-and-mortar stores, allowing society-owned outlets like Villages Calgary to decide whether to continue independently.
Photo: Villages Calgary
“I think most of the independent ones stayed viable,” said Ferguson. “We’ve survived the last five to seven years probably more by collaborating with our sister stores.”
Store managers across the country hold monthly calls to share insights and support, a network Ferguson credits with helping them remain sustainable.
“The whole imperative is to maintain a market for products that come in from countries where we’re supporting local artisans and communities,” he said. “It’s probably a labour of love more than anything else.”
Despite the looming relocation, Ferguson said the organization is focused on ensuring the new space reflects the store’s identity and mission.
“There were a few mall locations identified, but the culture of our store is not really a mall-type situation,” he said. “We’ll do a lot of good work to make sure we’re in a good location.”
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Amazon says it is enhancing its Career Choice education benefit, enabling eligible employees across its various businesses and facilities, including fulfilment centres, delivery stations, and sortation centres, to learn new skills for career success.
The company now pre-pays 100% of program tuition, up to a yearly maximum, eliminating the 5% employee contribution requirement and removing the cost barrier to higher education. Amazon has also expedited the eligibility period for employees to participate in the program from one year of employment to 90 days, said the company.
Chuck Cummings
“Amazon’s increased investments in the Career Choice program reflect our continued commitment to providing career growth opportunities for employees,” said Chuck Cummings, Director of Customer Fulfilment, Amazon Canada. “Amazon is proud to have offered Career Choice in Canada for the past 11 years. By removing cost and eligibility barriers, we’re taking our most significant step to help employees build new skills and pursue new careers at Amazon and beyond.”
Employees enrolled in Career Choice may pursue a certificate or diploma in qualified fields of study. Eighteen educational institutions across Canada are partnered with Career Choice, including Sheridan College, Algonquin College, Western Community College, and the Toronto Truck Driving School, said Amazon.
“Since Career Choice launched in 2014, close to 12,000 employees in Canada have participated in the program. The most popular programs include Truck Driving, Data Analytics, and Cybersecurity,” it said.
Photo: AmazonPhoto: Amazon
“Amazon’s increased investment in Career Choice comes as new research shows that cost is the leading barrier for more working Canadian adults to pursue postsecondary education to build new skills. An August 2025 Leger Omnibus study of Canadian adults working full-time showed that 60% of Canadian adults who are interested in returning to school cite cost as the most significant barrier. By pre-paying 100% of tuition for Career Choice participants, Amazon is encouraging more employees to pursue the training they need to grow their careers.”
Specsavers Canada and Chris Hadfield announce continued partnership aiming to change Canadians’ lives through better sight (CNW Group/Specsavers Canada)
Specsavers Canada has announced the continuation of its partnership with Canadian astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield in a national campaign aimed at encouraging Canadians to prioritize their vision through regular, comprehensive eye exams.
The campaign highlights the importance of preventive eyecare, particularly through the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT), an advanced 3D eye health scan that can detect early signs of serious conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
Catherine Walsh
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Col. Chris Hadfield, whose rare vantage point as an astronaut brings depth and authenticity to our eye health message,” said Catherine Walsh, vice-president of marketing and public relations at Specsavers Canada. “His trusted voice helps us connect with Canadians in a meaningful way, encouraging them to prioritize their vision through regular eye exams—before problems develop.”
The initiative blends Specsavers’ signature humour with Hadfield’s experience in space, emphasizing the strain eyes endure in both extraordinary and everyday environments, such as reading in dim lighting or prolonged screen time.
“I have been so lucky to see our whole, beautiful world from outer space. It reminds me that my eyes have gone through a lot, and how important sight is in daily life,” said Hadfield. “That’s why I get a detailed eye exam every year, including OCT. Everyone should – your vision is precious.”
Chris Hadfield
Specsavers Canada equips all its locations with OCT technology to ensure it is available as part of every comprehensive exam. The company stresses that many eye conditions progress without symptoms, making routine exams crucial for early detection and prevention of long-term vision problems.
Founded in the United Kingdom more than 40 years ago, Specsavers entered the Canadian market in 2021. The optometrist-owned company has since opened over 165 locations across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba. It plans to open more than 100 additional stores by the end of 2025, expanding into five new provinces and one territory.
Export Navigator has launched a new program offering British Columbia exporters up to $5,000 in non-repayable matching funds to support compliance with the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
The CUSMA Compliance Advisory Services Initiative (CCASI) reimburses 50 per cent of eligible costs for services such as trade consultation, legal advice, and customs support. Approved businesses can access the funds after completing work with qualified providers in Canada or the United States.
“As businesses help establish B.C. as Canada’s economic powerhouse, initiatives like Export Navigator provide essential support for CUSMA compliance so B.C. businesses can navigate the uncertainty of unjustified U.S. tariffs and grow. Congratulations to Export Navigator for launching this initiative which will provide great support to our exporters in becoming CUSMA compliant.”
The program is administered by Export Navigator through Community Futures BC, with funding from Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan). It runs until March 2026 or until funds are fully allocated.
“To qualify, businesses must be registered in British Columbia and have exported to the U.S. within the past 12 months,” Export Navigator said in a news release. “For businesses already seeking CUSMA compliance, eligible costs can occur on or after April 1, 2025.”
“We see some B.C. businesses struggle with rules-of-origin, documentation and supplier declarations,” said Kath Britton, director of Export Navigator. “CCASI lowers the cost barrier so businesses can get expert guidance, strengthen compliance and focus on growth.”
“When B.C. innovators and entrepreneurs have the tools they need to thrive, local economic growth and prosperity is unlocked,” said Robertson.
“By partnering with Export Navigator, PacifiCan is empowering B.C. businesses to tap into new markets, adapt to evolving global conditions, and contribute to one strong Canadian economy.”
Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Details on eligibility and covered costs are available at exportnavigator.ca/ccasi.
The runways, museum halls, and neighbourhood venues of Montreal are alive this week with creative energy, as Montreal Fashion Week opened its fifth edition on Tuesday, September 23. Running until September 30, 2025, the event has quickly become a fixture on the city’s cultural calendar, drawing designers, retailers, and the public together in celebration of Quebec’s style.
Presented by La Vie en Rose, in collaboration with Kronenbourg 1664 and supported by Clin d’œil, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Parc Jean-Drapeau, and Olay, Montreal Fashion Week is more than a seasonal showcase. Organizers describe it as a platform designed to unite the industry under a shared vision of creativity, responsibility, and inclusion.
Image: Montreal Fashion Week
Since its relaunch in 2021 by the industry cluster mmode, Montreal Fashion Week has steadily expanded its reach. The fifth edition, now underway, is seen by organizers as proof of both resilience and ambition.
“On this 5th anniversary, we embody the vitality of our industry more than ever and reaffirm our commitment to building a fashion ecosystem that is responsible, inclusive, and sustainable in Quebec,” said Mathieu St-Arnaud Lavoie, executive director of mmode and Montreal Fashion Week.
Homegrown Talent at the Forefront
To mark this milestone year, the organizers have tapped Laurence Fortin-Côté as spokesperson. The Montreal-based entrepreneur and founder of Rholend embodies the spirit of this anniversary edition, bringing her background in fashion and social media to the role.
The schedule, now in motion, features six signature events. Among them is the long-awaited runway return of designer Eliza Faulkner, a show that has already generated attention. Maison Marie Saint Pierre, one of Quebec’s most celebrated fashion houses, is unveiling a new chapter in its story, while MRKNTN, a rising brand, is presenting a daring proposal that reflects the next generation.
Cultural programming is also underway. The McCord Stewart Museum has opened Afrique Mode, an exhibition tracing the connections between African heritage and contemporary fashion. Jewellery designer Anne-Marie Chagnon has launched a showcase of her latest creations, while “Lignes de Fuite,” an immersive runway event from three emerging designers, debuted with an unconventional presentation.
This year’s edition reflects the event’s growing scale. More than 100 organizations are participating, with nearly 100 activations spread across 14 neighbourhoods. From boutiques to museums, the city has taken on the spirit of Montreal Fashion Week.
Organizers expect 20,000 people to attend before the week concludes. Industry professionals, students, and fashion enthusiasts have already begun filling venues, confirming the week’s reputation as both an economic and cultural force.
Image: Montreal Fashion Week
Fashion as a Sustainable Practice
As in past years, sustainability remains at the center of the programming. Already, Core Fabrics and Collective Détour have hosted a Lunch and Learn session on responsible sourcing and production. Later this week, the ReMode festival, presented by Fashion Takes Action, will debut in Montreal, bringing conferences, a specialized market, and a large-scale clothing swap.
Workshops are also emphasizing circularity. On Thursday, designer Charles Hulin will lead participants in transforming upcycled fabrics into unique pieces, continuing the message that fashion can balance creativity with responsibility.
Laurence Fortin-Côté stressed that this focus is not a passing theme. “Behind every garment lies expertise, stories, and materials that deserve respect. As spokesperson for this anniversary edition, I am proud to see Montreal Fashion Week spotlight initiatives that prove fashion can be as inspiring as it is sustainable,” she said.
The anniversary edition also highlights the role of fashion as a form of social connection. Partnerships with Concertation MTL, Atelier PROMO 21, The Shoebox Project, and Le Chaînon thrift store are underway, reinforcing the idea that fashion can also be a vehicle for inclusion and solidarity.
Five Years of Building Momentum
Since its 2021 revival, Montreal Fashion Week has demonstrated adaptability and growth. Each year has seen new formats, broader participation, and a stronger emphasis on sustainability. The fifth edition, now in progress, underscores how far it has come.
Organizers say that the growth mirrors shifts in the global industry, where responsibility and inclusivity are as important as design. Yet Montreal’s approach remains rooted in its own identity, with an emphasis on collective energy and cultural connection.
The full schedule, running through September 30, is available at en.semainemodemtl.com. Organizers emphasize accessibility, inviting not only industry insiders but also the public to attend.
Turo has announced a new partnership with the AIR MILES® Reward Program™, allowing Canadian travellers to earn Miles when booking vehicles through the peer-to-peer car sharing platform.
The agreement enables AIR MILES collectors to earn one Mile for every $15 spent on Turo rentals after linking their accounts. New users will also receive 200 Bonus Miles upon completing their first trip.
“With AIR MILES’ nearly 10 million active collectors across the country, this partnership represents a powerful new way for Canadians to earn rewards while accessing the thousands of cars available to rent on Turo nationwide,” the company stated in a news release.
The collaboration aims to enhance travel rewards by giving customers access to Turo’s selection of vehicles, which includes hatchbacks, SUVs, electric vehicles and convertibles.
“We’re thrilled to deepen our partnership with Turo, a brand that continues to resonate strongly with our collectors and enrich our growing coalition,” said Jason Beales, chief strategy and commercial officer at AIR MILES. “With this expanded collaboration, collectors can now earn Miles not just on their first Turo booking, but on every booking moving forward – driving more value and sustained loyalty.”
Turo differentiates itself from traditional rental services by allowing users to select specific makes and models. The platform also offers flexible delivery to airports, hotels or doorsteps, and add-ons such as camping gear or car seats.
Bassem El-Rahimy
“As costs continue to rise, Canadians are looking for smarter, more cost-effective ways to travel,” said Bassem El-Rahimy, vice-president of Turo Canada. “Starting today, Turo trips become even more rewarding. Our partnership with AIR MILES makes it easier for travellers to enjoy the perfect car for their journey while earning Miles they can later redeem for merchandise, travel, events and attractions, or instantly on everyday essentials, in-store or online, through AIR MILES® Cash.”
Turo recently expanded to Yukon and now operates in most provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
Whether we like it or not, TikTok has become one of the most powerful engines of consumer influence, especially in the food sector. What used to be shaped by advertising budgets and lifestyle magazines is now often determined by a few seconds of user-generated video. Even mainstream news outlets increasingly rely on TikTok clips for entertainment value, giving them additional visibility and reach.
The scale is extraordinary. Over the past few years, we have seen countless foods enjoy their “TikTok moment.” Recipes and products like baked feta pasta, the Grimace Shake, Chipotle menu hacks, pink sauce, cucumber water, and matcha lattes have all dominated online conversation at different points. Each of these moments reached hundreds of millions—sometimes billions—of viewers. Most of the trends were short-lived, but they captured the imagination of consumers and, crucially, influenced what they bought.
Perhaps the most iconic of all TikTok food moments happened five years ago this week, when Nathan Apodaca uploaded a simple video of himself skateboarding down a highway with a bottle of Ocean Spray cranberry juice in hand, singing “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac. The clip was viewed more than two billion times, inspiring billions of additional recreations. Context mattered. The video was released after months of lockdowns around the world. People saw a random man, without a mask or even a helmet, gliding freely down the road. It was simple, soothing, and liberating. Even Mick Fleetwood recreated the video, giving it an intergenerational stamp of approval.
For Ocean Spray, the impact was priceless. Although the company never disclosed the sales effect, industry estimates suggest a significant boost. Ocean Spray gave Apodaca a new truck and a lifetime supply of juice, which was a modest investment compared to the marketing value generated. In fact, that single TikTok may have been one of the most cost-effective advertising campaigns in the company’s history.
From an economist’s perspective, these episodes reflect the changing dynamics of food marketing. Commodity boards and food companies have long invested heavily to capture consumer attention. TikTok, by contrast, delivers instant, global visibility without traditional costs. The challenge lies in the unpredictability of virality. While every food company would love to engineer a TikTok moment, most cannot. Trends arrive without warning, capture attention for a brief window, and then vanish, leaving companies scrambling to keep up.
The generational divide around TikTok is also worth noting. Older consumers often dismiss the platform as frivolous or dangerous, especially given ongoing debates over data security and privacy. Yet younger consumers treat it as both entertainment and education. They discover recipes, explore new food products, and even take nutrition advice from TikTok. In other words, it is shaping not just what people buy but how they learn about food.
For the food sector, the lesson is unavoidable. TikTok is no longer a sideshow. It is part of the demand signal, one that can occasionally redirect entire categories of consumer spending. Companies that understand this dynamic, and that prepare for the volatility and opportunity that come with it, will be far better positioned to thrive in tomorrow’s food economy.
Retail Insider is streamlining its Canadian retail news from around the web to include a handful of top news stories that can be viewed quickly during the day. Here are the top stories from the past 24 hours.
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Buffalo David Bitton storefront rendering at Vaughan Mills. Image: LODA Design
Buffalo David Bitton is making a renewed push into the Canadian retail market, launching a new store concept aimed at reconnecting with a loyal customer base while introducing the brand to a new generation of denim shoppers. Under the stewardship of licensee Centric Brands, the first location opened several weeks ago at Toronto Premium Outlets in Halton Hills, followed by an upcoming September opening at Vaughan Mills north of Toronto.
The expansion is being executed in partnership with Toronto-based J2 Retail Management, which is providing retail operations support, visual merchandising, and store setup expertise.
“We want to walk before we run,” said Brent Unger, President of the Lifestyle Division at Centric Brands. “We’re reconnecting with the consumer who has been with us for so long, and once we feel that connection point is strong, we can start to scale and amplify the brand’s presence in Canada.”
Brent Unger, President of the Lifestyle Division at Centric Brands
A Strategic Return to Direct-to-Consumer Retail
Buffalo David Bitton has long been a prominent name in Canadian denim. Founded in France in 1972 and later establishing a strong foothold in Montreal, the brand built a reputation for stylish, well-fitting denim with European flair and North American accessibility.
For years, the brand was heavily distributed through major retailers, including Hudson’s Bay, where Buffalo achieved significant market share. In menswear, it ranked as the department store’s number two denim brand, while in womenswear it climbed into the top seven brands by sales.
With the changing retail landscape, and the decline of many multi-brand mall denim retailers such as Jean Machine, Bootlegger, and Below the Belt, Buffalo Jeans sees opportunity in controlling its own retail destiny.
“We wanted to be in control of our destiny,” Unger explained. “Some wholesale partners are constrained on space and risk tolerance. By opening our own stores, we can offer a broader assortment and create an experience that fully represents the brand.”
Buffalo David Bitton store interior rendering at Vaughan Mills. Image: LODA Design
Why Outlet Centres Are the Starting Point
The choice to debut the new Buffalo concept in outlet centres is deliberate. The Toronto Premium Outlets store blends value-driven assortments with a hybrid of outlet and mainline product, offering both men’s and women’s collections.
According to Unger, this approach allows the brand to test customer response without the financial pressures of premium full-price mall rents, which he describes as a challenge for Buffalo’s target price point of $100–$125 for denim.
“If we were selling $225 premium jeans, maybe those rents would make sense,” said Unger. “But we know who we are, and we want to offer great value to our customer without being priced out of the best locations.”
The Vaughan Mills store will differ from the first, with a larger investment in creating an immersive brand experience. “Toronto Premium Outlets was about letting the product stand on its own,” said Unger. “At Vaughan Mills, we’re building more of a brand story, what Buffalo stands for and where it’s going.”
Buffalo David Bitton store interior at Vaughan Mills. Image: J2 Retail Management
Product Evolution: Modernizing the Brand While Honouring Its Roots
Buffalo’s new retail direction coincides with an evolution in its product offering. The brand is moving from the minimalist styles popular during the pandemic to a more expressive, fashion-forward approach, while retaining its core commitment to fit, fabric, and wash.
“We’ve modernized our aesthetics,” said Unger. “Fits that were popular 15 years ago, like looser and wider men’s jeans or barrel-leg women’s jeans, are coming back in updated forms. We’re balancing trend relevance with our most commercially viable fits.”
Beyond denim, the new stores will showcase Buffalo’s growing range of apparel and accessories, including knitwear, dresses, footwear, sunglasses, and winter accessories. This broader assortment reflects a vision to become more of a full lifestyle brand.
Buffalo David Bitton store interior rendering at Vaughan Mills. Image: LODA Design
National Expansion Plans — But with a Measured Pace
While the initial rollout is focused on Ontario, Centric Brands has a roadmap for expanding Buffalo nationwide over the next three to five years. The plan calls for strategically placed stores in suburban centres across Canada, but Unger emphasizes that the timing will depend on getting the retail experience right.
“We have one chance to make the right impression,” he said. “We believe there’s a big void for our product in Canada, and the relationship with our customers has been there for 50 years. We want to tap into that, but we’ll do it in a way that ensures long-term success.”
Tariff changes, shifts in Canadian retail real estate, and the exit of certain competitors have affected the pace of expansion. Nonetheless, Centric remains confident in Buffalo Jeans’ potential to grow its direct-to-consumer presence.
Buffalo David Bitton store interior at Vaughan Mills. Image: J2 Retail Management
The Role of J2 Retail Management
J2 Retail Management’s involvement is central to the rollout’s execution. Founded in Toronto in 2012 by Jodie Wolfe and Brian Le Saux, J2 specializes in turnkey retail services for apparel and lifestyle brands, including logistics, merchandising, store setup, and staffing.
“We could try to build all the retail muscle ourselves, but why not work with experts?” said Unger. “J2 brings the operational intelligence we need to bridge the gap between making great product and delivering great retail experiences.”
J2’s track record includes working with major global brands on Canadian and US retail launches, providing both the creative and operational backbone for successful openings.
Buffalo David Bitton store interior rendering at Vaughan Mills. Image: LODA Design
Centric Brands’ Wider Portfolio in Canada
Buffalo David Bitton is part of Centric Brands’ lifestyle division, which also manages several other major apparel licenses in Canada. These include Loft, IZOD, Dockers, Caterpillar workwear, Merrell, and the recently signed Esprit.
While Buffalo is the current retail focus, Unger noted that the company’s broader brand portfolio offers other candidates for future direct-to-consumer expansion in Canada.
Heritage Meets the Next 50 Years
Buffalo’s retail revival is built on five decades of brand heritage, a loyal Canadian customer base, and a clear-eyed understanding of its market position. The expansion comes at a time when many apparel brands are rethinking their retail strategies to better connect with consumers directly.
“We’re doubling down on what we want Buffalo to look like in our next three-year plan,” said Unger. “We’re reimagining our denim and our customer experience. We have 50 years of heritage to build on, and we’re modernizing for the next 50.”
