“Over the past 12 months, Happy Belly has experienced significant growth, both organically and through accretive acquisitions, across its portfolio of emerging brands and restaurant operations. To support this continued expansion, we are thrilled to announce the appointment of John Delutis as our new Vice President of Restaurant Operations,” said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly.
“In his new role, John will collaborate closely with brand managers, franchisees, and corporate teams to align operational strategies with our growth objectives, ensuring scalability, profitability, and the high standards that define Happy Belly.
John Delutis, Vice President of Restaurant Operations, Happy Belly
“I am super excited to be putting the band back together. John joined us at Extreme Brandz to oversee Mucho Burrito at restaurant #17 and was with us all the way until Mucho Burrito was acquired by MTY Food Group. John joined me at MTY post acquisition and continued to lead Mucho Burrito with well over 100 locations until 2023. As our brands start to scale, they will certainly benefit from having John help and guide them in their growth.”
Black said Delutis will focus on driving operational efficiency, enhancing guest experience, and supporting the ongoing expansion of its brands across both franchised and corporate-owned locations. He will implement and execute on strategies to strengthen and accelerate growth across existing stores and upcoming openings.
Prior to Mucho Burrito, Delutis was with both Tim Hortons and Second Cup.
“John brings a wealth of expertise that will help elevate our teams and scale operations across our emerging brands portfolio, ensuring they are well-supported during our ongoing accelerated growth. He is an excellent cultural fit, embodying an entrepreneurial spirit and a hands-on approach, working closely with our brand operators, financial teams, and partners. His experience in the coffee sector will also be invaluable as we continue executing our strategic roadmap for 2024-2025. John’s energy and prideful attitude align perfectly with our values at Happy Belly. We are confident in his leadership as we continue driving growth through disciplined organic expansion and accretive M&A initiatives,” added Black.
Happy Belly Food Group Inc. is a leading consolidator of emerging food brands.
Amazon is hiring thousands of people for the holiday season. Photo courtesy of Amazon
Amazon is hiring 9,000 employees across its Canadian operations network in full-time, part-time and seasonal roles for the holiday season.
It also announced it is opening five new AMZL delivery stations in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. It is ramping up its last mile network to get products to customers at the fastest speeds ever.
Jobs include stowing, picking, packing, sorting, and shipping customer orders at the company’s fulfilment centres, sortation centres and delivery stations. A seasonal role can be the start of future career opportunities at the company, added the company.
“I started at Amazon as a seasonal frontline employee, and 11 years later, I am the site leader at one of Canada’s first fulfilment centres dedicated to managing extra-large products,” said Amandeep Chouhan, site leader at YGK1, an Amazon AMXL fulfilment centre in Belleville, Ontario.
“Thanks to the support of my leaders, what I thought would be a temporary job became the journey of a lifetime, with roles that allowed me to build skills and take on new responsibilities. Amazon is one of the only companies where you can grow a long-term career with endless possibilities.”
“It is always a great sign when retailers are hiring and investing. Good things usually follow. We also need the wage growth mentioned as well to drive the purchasing power of consumers to offset recent bouts of inflation.
“To me, this also talks to Amazon’s commitment to ensuring Canadian’s get gifts faster by fortifying their supply chain. We need more companies to invest in Canada if we are to grow and improve productivity.”
$100 million invested in additional frontline employee pay
“Amazon’s seasonal hiring comes as the company makes its highest-ever investment in employee compensation. This year alone, Amazon is investing more than $100 million (CAD) toward pay increases for customer fulfillment and middle and last mile logistics employees Canada, a 54 per cent increase over its 2023 total investment in compensation,” it said.
“This investment brings Amazon’s average hourly base wage to $22.25 per hour—up from close to $20.80 in 2023. Through Amazon’s step plan compensation model, eligible hourly full- and part-time employees can count on planned pay increases every six months until their 24-month anniversary, and then they receive another increase at month 36. Referral bonuses are available.
“In addition to competitive pay, Amazon provides eligible regular employees with leading benefits, including medical, vision and dental coverage and a group RRSP plan. Amazon’s Career Choice program is a paid benefit that allows eligible employees to grow their careers by building the skills needed for today’s most in-demand fields. The program is in partnership with more than 20 educational institutions across Canada. Regular employees can now take advantage of Amazon Career Choice language classes from day one of employment.”
Amazon ramps up last mile network
In a new release it said it will open five new last mile delivery stations across Canada by the end of October. The company said delivery stations are localized facilities focusing on the last mile delivery process, connecting products to customers in a particular region. Employees sort, scan and prepare customer packages before they are loaded onto delivery vehicles.
The new delivery stations will be located in Burnaby, BC (Riverbend Business Park); Calgary, AB (Rocky View County); Windsor, ON (Dodge Drive); Ottawa, ON (Ottawa East) and Richmond Hill, ON (Vogell Road).
In addition to the five new delivery stations, it is opening two ‘exchange point’ package depots in Sarnia and Cornwall before the end of 2025. Local third-party Amazon Delivery Service Partners operate the facilities using the company’s logistics technology. At these facilities, packages from nearby Amazon delivery stations will arrive pre-sorted for pickup by drivers from the Delivery Service Partners, who will then deliver them to local customers.
Jasmin Begagic, Director, Canada Operations, at Amazon Logistics
“Amazon’s last mile network plays a critical role in helping us continue to deliver safely at the fastest speeds ever. The new Amazon delivery stations and exchange points bring us closer to customers while allowing us to invest in local communities and create good jobs,” said Jasmin Begagic, Director, Canada Operations, at Amazon Logistics.
With the opening of these new delivery stations, Amazon’s current footprint in Canada now encompasses more than 65 different logistics sites, from Victoria to Halifax.
To learn more, apply for a job, or sign up for job alerts, visit hiring.amazon.ca.
BMW Canada headquarters in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Photo: BMW Canada.
BMW Group Canada, encompassing both the BMW and MINI brands, has reported a third-quarter sales total of 7,799 vehicles for 2024, marking a 13% decline compared to the same period in 2023. Year-to-date, the company has sold 24,863 vehicles across Canada, reflecting a 6.3% decrease from last year’s performance.
Andrew Scott, President and CEO of BMW Group Canada, acknowledged the difficulties faced during the third quarter, emphasizing the vital role of BMW’s retail partners in maintaining strong customer support.
“Despite an extremely challenging environment in the third quarter, our retail partners did an outstanding job of supporting our customers with their mobility needs,” Scott stated. He further expressed gratitude for the retailers’ dedication, saying, “Their efforts in overcoming issues and their commitment to client satisfaction are very much appreciated.”
Looking ahead, Scott highlighted the upcoming launch of the 2025 BMW X3, expected to boost performance in the Canadian market during the fourth quarter. “The fourth generation of this popular Sport Utility Vehicle is sure to impress BMW fans and enthusiasts. With its new design language, improved efficiency, and dynamic performance, I’m sure it will continue as a perennial favourite in the Canadian market,” he added.
025 BMW X3, photo: BMW Canada
BMW Brand Performance
The BMW brand experienced a decrease in sales, with 7,070 vehicles sold in Q3 2024, down 11% from the same quarter last year. Despite this, there were several bright spots within specific segments:
Sales of purely electric BMW vehicles saw a modest increase of 3% year-over-year.
High-performance BMW M models also experienced growth, with a 1% increase compared to Q3 2023.
The upper-luxury segment showed notable strength, with the BMW 8 Series registering a 31% rise in sales during the third quarter.
MINI Struggles in Q3 2024
MINI’s performance lagged behind its parent brand, with Q3 sales dropping by 28.1% year-over-year, totalling 729 units. However, the company says that the MINI brand continues to innovate and adapt, having recently launched the all-new MINI Countryman SE and the MINI Cooper 5 door in September.
The introduction of the first all-electric MINI Countryman, with an all-wheel-drive system, marks a significant step for MINI as it evolves its product lineup.
Despite the overall decrease, sales of the MINI Countryman grew by 3% compared to Q3 2023, a promising sign for the brand as it refreshes its entire model lineup with new designs, enhanced technology, and upgraded driver assistance systems.
Cooper ALL4, Photo: MINI
BMW Motorrad Achieves Strong Growth
In contrast to the declines seen in the automotive segment, BMW Motorrad, the brand’s motorcycle division, recorded a 15.1% year-over-year sales increase for the third quarter, with 625 units sold. This marks a significant improvement compared to the same period in 2023.
Among the top-selling motorcycle models were the S 1000 RR and the R 1300 GS. Enthusiasts can look forward to the release of the highly anticipated R 1300 GSA, which will be available in Canada starting October 24th.
BMW Motorrad. Photo: BMW Canada
Looking Ahead
As BMW Group Canada navigates a difficult sales environment, the upcoming launch of new models such as the 2025 BMW X3 and continued innovation within the MINI and Motorrad brands offer optimism for the future. The company remains focused on customer satisfaction and adapting to market demands, with an eye on improving its performance in the final quarter of 2024.
Table 1: New Vehicle Sales BMW Group Canada, Q3 2024
Brand
Q3 2024
Q3 2023
YoY %
2024 YTD
2023 YTD
YoY %
BMW Brand
7,070
7,946
-11.0%
21,905
23,188
-5.5%
BMW Passenger Cars
2,233
2,254
-0.9%
6,735
6,933
-2.9%
BMW Light Trucks
4,837
5,692
-15.0%
15,170
16,255
-6.7%
MINI
729
1,014
-28.1%
2,958
3,342
-11.5%
Total Group
7,799
8,960
-13.0%
24,863
26,530
-6.3%
Table 2: Motorcycle Sales BMW Group Canada, Q3 2024
Category
Q3 2024
Q3 2023
YoY %
2024 YTD
2023 YTD
YoY %
BMW Motorcycles
625
543
+15.1%
2,278
2,452
-7.1%
About BMW Group Canada
BMW Group Canada, headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, is a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW AG. It is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. The company also operates BMW Group Financial Services Canada, which provides retail financing and leasing programs across Canada. With a network of 51 BMW automobile retail centres, 26 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 31 MINI retailers, BMW Group Canada serves customers from coast to coast.
The province of Alberta has announced that it will not change its retail model to allow the sale of alcohol in grocery and convenience stores, citing concerns over the potential impact on the existing private retail system.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Alberta government explained that an MLA advisory committee tasked with examining the issue recommended against expanding liquor sales beyond the current system.
Premier Danielle Smith and Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally supported the decision, stating that the current model offers a broad selection of products at competitive prices compared to other Canadian provinces. “I am pleased to accept those recommendations and ensure Alberta continues to uphold our current model, which is one of the most open in Canada,” Smith said in the release.
Scott Sinclair, MLA for Lesser Slave Lake and a member of the advisory committee, emphasized the potential harm that expanding alcohol sales could inflict on the province’s private retail sector. “Our review determined that such a move would significantly harm small businesses and could ultimately lead to widespread closures, job losses, and diminished selection for consumers,” he said.
Alberta’s liquor retail market is one of the most open in the country, with over 1,600 liquor stores offering more than 36,000 products. The decision to maintain the status quo follows a review launched in April after Ontario announced its decision to allow alcohol sales in grocery and convenience stores. Ontario’s policy came into effect in July, expanding liquor availability beyond public liquor stores and private outlets.
Although Alberta’s decision contrasts with Ontario’s approach, the province has seen some shifts in alcohol retailing. Convenience store chain 7-Eleven has begun selling alcohol at several locations in Edmonton, Calgary, and smaller municipalities in Alberta, but it does so under a restaurant license, rather than as a traditional convenience store.
Club Kitchen in Yaletown, downtown Vancouver. Photo: Club Kitchen
The unique Club Kitchen concept in downtown Vancouver has become a popular option for foodservice operators with its move-ready kitchen space operating under a single roof. It’s also proven popular with locals who are frequenting Club Kitchen’s operators regularly.
Club Kitchen is a delivery and takeout-focused restaurant concept with dine-in, designed to help restaurateurs expand their businesses to a premier location in Vancouver’s Yaletown with minimized risks and maximized profits.
Currently, eight restaurant brands are operating out of Club Kitchen with limited additional spaces available for foodservice operations.
Pick-up/dine-in area at Club Kitchen in Yaletown, downtown Vancouver. Photo: Club Kitchen
“It’s a shared space consisting of 13 kitchens under one roof, sharing a communal storefront with dine-in seating available,” said JJ Fraser, Operations Manager of Club Kitchen Management Inc. “The idea is that each of these kitchens are private spaces that are fully turnkey and ready to operate.
“We take care of everything including the tenant build out, the makeup air, the mechanical infrastructure, and we provide equipment. The idea is that the restaurant operators can just come in and cook.”
“The shared element of Club Kitchen is the front house operation. We provide staff at the front to handle customer interaction, hand off orders for delivery drivers and customers, and then facility maintenance and service is managed by Club Kitchen as well.”
Ordering at Club Kitchen in Yaletown, downtown Vancouver. Photo: Club Kitchen
Club Kitchen is in an exceptionally ideal place for foodservice operators with access to more than 100,000 potential customers within a three-kilometre radius which includes high-rise residential towers, mixed-use commercial buildings with retail and office, community buildings and parks, and large event venues such as BC Place and Rogers Arena. “It’s a premium, high traffic location,” said Fraser. “It has high visibility, as well as a considerable amount of foot traffic from the residences that are around us. We’re in the base of the Arc building, which has about 1,000 units within a two minute walk. Some residents will come down sometimes two, three, even four times a day to order at Club Kitchen, building a great sense of community here.”
“The other reason we chose Club Kitchen’s location is accessibility in and access out. A lot of the transactions at Club Kitchen are happening from delivery drivers and third-party partner channels like Uber. It’s easy to get across the entire city from where we’re located.”
Club Kitchen is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays some of the brands stay open until midnight.
Fraser said the remaining spaces available in Club Kitchen are about 300 square feet. Each kitchen is unique in its layout. One is a show kitchen right up at the front with extra visibility and visible through the concierge area. All the kitchens are also visible from the outside on the street.
Shanon Thornley, Senior Director, Commercial Leasing at Concord Pacific Developments Corp., said the concept is targeting healthy food, burgers, Mediterranean, tacos and coffee to fill the remaining spaces.
Besides its location, she said that the Club Kitchen advantage includes allowing businesses to launch for less while cutting down on monthly expenses with shared operating costs for essentials like maintenance, front-of-house staffing, and more.
The Club Kitchen concept also makes sense for foodservice operators considering the challenges they face:
60 per cent of restaurants fail within one year of starting up and nearly 80 per cent close before their fifth anniversary;
It takes most restaurants three to five years to become profitable because of high startup costs and tight margins; and
Poor location is the number one reason they fail because the best locations entail higher rent costs and more barriers to entry.
“My belief is this is a much more cost-effective and lower risk opportunity compared to opening your own restaurant, especially in downtown Vancouver,” said Fraser. “It has lower up-front costs. It’s not a traditional lease, and there is less commitment. You’re not tied into a five or 10-year lease, also offering flexibility.
“There is also the speed of starting up. Club Kitchen has already passed the health inspection, and we’ve already passed the occupancy permits. Thai Away Home is our most recent tenant to join. From signing the agreement to selling their first dish, it only took Thai Away Home three weeks to open at Club Kitchen. And the tenant made equipment changes, so they could have even opened a week sooner if they had left the equipment as it was.”
Fraser said being part of a larger group allows Club Kitchen to negotiate better service contracts, better trade agreements, and partnerships in the industry.
“There are nuances that being part of a collective allows us to go negotiate on behalf of the licensees,” he said.
“It’s a first-to-market concept in Vancouver,” said Shanon Thornley.
“We see this as a viable opportunity not only for Club Kitchen but the partners we’ve brought on and the future partners we’ll bring on and if it’s as successful as it has been and continues to be, we’ll want to replicate that in other markets,” added Fraser.
There’s a couple of different ways that customers can place an order for food at Club Kitchen. They can walk in and order from a kiosk. They can order for a single restaurant or multiple restaurants on single checkout. Orders can be placed outside the location, or it can be delivered through the website. All the brands are also available on various third-party delivery services.
Yonge Street in Toronto has seen a wave of new businesses, such as Shake Shack’s recent opening at Yonge and Dundas. Pauline Larsen, executive director and chief operating officer at Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area, discusses the current state of downtown and what consumers can expect going forward.
“We have really seen the emergence of our immediate residential market being really important and growing significantly. And then the other one is this kind of combination of shopping and entertainment. We are seeing more and more tenants coming into the area offering a mixture of eating, games, activities, or entertainment of some kind. So those are two things we are seeing at the moment that are really interesting and exciting,” says Pauline Larsen.
New retailers – Value Village, Ballroom Bowl, Hard Rock Cafe, and more!
Shake Shack and The Tenor at 10 Dundas St. W. Photo: Dustin Fuhs
Yonge Street is seeing a variety of new retailers moving in, including Shake Shack which has recently opened.
“The Shake Shack you have probably heard about has opened right on Yonge and Dundas, and had some pretty significant views when they opened – it was really cool to see. It is activating the street in a really positive way. The lines and cues generate excitement and curiosity.”
The Hard Rock Cafe, a high-profile retailer, will be reopening. Larsen says the Hard Rock Cafe, known for its blend of dining and entertainment, will enhance the neighbourhood’s recreational experiences.
“This Hard Rock Cafe is reopening inside the Tenor on the northeast side of Yonge and Dundas. It will be upstairs and it will be a new concept Hard Rock Cafe.”
Hard Rock Cafe’s opening date is unknown, and will likely be in 2025.
Future Value Village on Edward Street in downtown Toronto. Photo: Dustin Fuhs
Value Village
In addition to entertainment-driven businesses, Larsen says Value Village will be opening a location on Edward Street, directly across from the Toronto Metropolitan University. This new location is serving the growing demand for second-hand shopping as thrifting becomes popular among youths.
“It is interesting, because when I start to think about it, you don’t usually see a Value Village in downtown Toronto, especially in this kind of location. But with the economic situation and environmental concerns, thrifting is a huge trend at the moment. With over 100,000 students and faculty nearby – it makes perfect sense.”
The Ballroom Bowl Yorkville (Image: The Ballroom Bowl)
The Ballroom Bowl
Larsen says The Ballroom Bowl is also expected to open a location in the Tenor building on Yonge Street. It is expected to open either before the holiday season or early in 2025.
“The Ballroom Bowl is another great example that will generate a lot of curiosity and interest. It will bring people out of their homes and into the neighbourhood for recreational activities.”
Eataly and a Nike flagship store will be opening at CF Toronto Eaton Centre next year along with La Maison Simons, and the T&T Supermarket on Edward Street is expected to open next year as well.
Intersection of Yonge and Dundas, photo: Dustin Fuhs
Key highlights in the area
Residential growth
The local residential market is continuously growing. Larsen says the BIA has projections estimating a 30 per cent increase in population from 2023 to 2033.
“Many of these new residents are young professionals between the ages of 20 to 35 who would rather walk or take transit than drive in the city,” says Larsen. “We are seeing that people who walk, cycle, and take transit to shop are increasing. With around 22 per cent of residents walking to work, the neighbourhood is becoming increasingly pedestrian friendly.”
Corner of Queen and Yonge Streets in Toronto. Photo: Intersection of Yonge and Dundas, photo: Dustin Fuhs
Entertainment and spending habits
Larsen is seeing a shift towards entertainment as tenants are combining shopping with entertainment. Larsen says the demographic in this area is actually spending more on recreational activities than on clothing.
“We do have information on their spending habits, and one of the things that aligns with what we are saying about recreational activities and entertainment is that, on average, the annual spending habit of this population looks like about five thousand dollars a year on recreation. It is more than what they spend on clothing.”
Larsen says she has been seeing an increase in foot traffic and a growing need for in-person activities.
“We have certainly seen support for events as they have tracked higher and higher. For instance, we did a drag roller derby that was ten per cent higher in foot traffic than the roller derby we had in June last year; that is a significant increase when you are looking at thousands of people. So we are definitely seeing people wanting to go out and about and be active and engaged – which is fantastic for the neighbourhood.”
Construction at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in the former Nordstrom space. La Maison Simons, Nike and Eataly are currently under construction, and will replace it. Photo: Dustin Fuhs
The future of Yonge Street
Looking ahead, Larsen says the neighbourhood will continue to evolve to match the needs of consumers.
With multiple developments happening downtown, such as the Ontario Line, Larsen says it will elevate Yonge Street and will attract more retailers and shoppers.
“There is a lot of construction and activity happening in the neighbourhood that are very much once-in-a-lifetime developments.”
One of the biggest projects Larsen says is the yongeTOmorrow redevelopment, which will bring significant changes including replacing outdated infrastructure. Within the next few years this development will start and will make the streets more pedestrian friendly and accessible.
“Yonge Street is being ripped up from the lake up to Davenport in stages. We don’t have a start date for that yet, but the design aspect is currently being finalized.”
Darrell Jones, the well-known face of Save-On-Foods and president of the Pattison Food Group, is set to retire on February 28, 2025, marking the end of a remarkable 48-year career. Jones, recognized for his approachable style and his frequent appearances in TV commercials promoting “Darrell’s Deals,” leaves behind an enduring legacy that has shaped the Canadian grocery industry.
Jones began his career at the company in 1976, starting as a grocery bagger in Cranbrook, B.C., before working his way up the ranks. He became president of what was then known as the Overwaitea Food Group in 2012, and his leadership saw the group expand significantly, doubling the number of stores and extending its reach across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
Pattison Food Group’s Growth Under Jones
Now the largest grocery retailer in Western Canada, the Pattison Food Group includes banners such as Save-On-Foods, Nesters Market, Buy-Low Foods, and Choices Market. It operates nearly 300 stores and employs close to 30,000 people. Under Jones’ leadership, Save-On-Foods became synonymous with customer-first service, driving the company’s reputation as one of the most trusted brands in British Columbia, where it consistently ranks at the top.
Jones was also instrumental in the group’s innovations, launching Save-On-Foods’ eCommerce platform, and overseeing the rebranding of Overwaitea stores to Save-On-Foods, which significantly bolstered the brand’s trust and market presence. His efforts in expanding into new regions, including the Yukon and Saskatchewan, further solidified the company’s standing.
Jamie Nelson. Photo: Pattison Food Group
Jamie Nelson to Take Over in 2025
Succeeding Jones is Jamie Nelson, the current Chief Operating Officer of the Pattison Food Group, who will step into the role of president on March 1, 2025. Like Jones, Nelson has a long history with the company, having started as a retail clerk at an Overwaitea Foods store over 44 years ago.
Nelson is widely respected within the industry and is known for his leadership in operations, making him well-positioned to guide the company into the future.
Industry Recognition and Legacy
Throughout his career, Jones has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the grocery sector. In 2017, he was awarded the prestigious Golden Pencil Award, the highest honour in Canada’s grocery industry.
Earlier this year, he was named Canadian Business Leader of the Year by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, underscoring his impact on the retail landscape.
Annie MacInnis, Executive Director of the Kensington Business Improvement Area
Annie MacInnis has been Executive Director of the Kensington BIA (Business Improvement Area) in Calgary for more than 20 years.
She is retiring from her role.
MacInnis says BIA’s play an important role in the success of local businesses across Canada.
Annie MacInnis, Executive Director of the Kensington Business Improvement Area
The Kensington Business Improvement Area (BIA) is responsible for the beautification, event planning and marketing of the shopping district and is financed through a portion of business taxes from our member businesses. The BIA role, as defined by the City of Calgary, is to:
Enhance the economic development of an area through promotion and marketing.
Improve the physical environment of public spaces in commercial areas.
Develop, improve and maintain public parking.
Work collaboratively with The City in delivery of municipal services in their zones.
Advocate for policies and practices that support economic vitality in their zones.
Its current Strategic Plan
Branding and marketing initiatives
Events planning
Membership engagement
Development of new revenue streams
City Liaison and City stakeholder participation on several committees
Website expansion and new technology implementation
Italian luxury brand Gucci has opened its first standalone store in Quebec at Montreal’s Royalmount development. Spanning over 8,700 square feet, it marks a new design for the brand led by Gucci’s new creative director.
Located on the ‘luxury row’ at Royalmount, Gucci’s new store offers a wide selection of products, including men’s and women’s handbags, accessories, shoes, and ready-to-wear collections. Exotic and precious skins are carried in Quebec for the first time, including a set of black crocodile men’s bags brought in especially for the Royalmount opening (one duffle bag is priced at $90,000), and even a crocodile backgammon set. The boutique also features items from Gucci Beautym and the Gucci Valigeria travel collection, and a range of home and pet items.
Gucci at Royalmount in Montreal. Photo: Gucci Gucci at Royalmount in Montreal. Photo: Gucci
A striking brushed stainless steel and marble façade elegantly frames the Gucci logo. The interior features optical marble flooring that draws inspiration from antique historical designs. The store’s clean lines and understated palette are meant to evoke a refined look, according to Gucci. It’s a new concept for Gucci under new creative director Sabato De Sarno in North America — similar designs were recently showcased in Gucci’s Milan and London stores.
Inside, the store showcases a mix of built-in displays that resemble walk-in closets, designed to enhance the shopping experience. Custom stainless steel racks hold various product categories, while the space features high-end Italian furnishings from renowned designers like Cassina, B&B, and Minotti.
Gucci at Royalmount in Montreal. Photo: GucciGucci at Royalmount in Montreal. Photo: Gucci
Colour is an important part of the experience — vibrant hues of rosso ancora, acid green, and acid yellow in the furniture reflect the contemporary aesthetic of Gucci’s Creative Director, creating a cohesive and engaging atmosphere that pairs with the latest collections.
The new store highlights Gucci’s dedication to sustainability. In line with the brand’s global efforts, the location was designed following LEED guidelines to ensure energy efficiency, reflecting Royalmount’s commitment to becoming a 100% carbon-neutral mixed-use development. This sustainable approach also aligns with Royalmount’s broader vision, which includes being one of the largest LEED Gold retail projects in Canada.
Design-build firm SAJO brought the Gucci space to life, with construction recently completed on the beautiful new store.
Gucci at Royalmount in Montreal. Photo: Gucci Gucci at Royalmount in Montreal. Photo: Gucci
Gucci’s other retail presence in Montreal includes a concession presence at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy in the city’s downtown core. The Holt Renfrew Ogilvy store features a main floor Gucci boutique for handbags and accessories, while upstairs ready-to-wear concessions carry women’s and men’s clothing.
The opening of Gucci’s first Quebec boutique adds to the brand’s growing presence in Canada. The luxury house operates several standalone boutiques across major Canadian cities:
Toronto: Gucci has two stores in the city, including its flagship at 130 Bloor Street West and a large ‘world of’ concession in Holt Renfrew at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Gucci also has a concession presence downtown at Holt Renfrew.
Vancouver: Gucci’s Vancouver location is situated at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, offering a comprehensive range of products in a recently expanded space. Gucci also has a concession presence downtown at Holt Renfrew.
Calgary: A boutique inside Holt Renfrew at The CORE Shopping Centre brings the Gucci experience to Alberta.
Gucci at Royalmount in Montreal. Photo: Gucci Gucci at Royalmount in Montreal. Photo: Gucci
The report, which analyzes over 21.7 billion retail payment transactions amounting to $11.9 trillion in 2023, highlights an overall growth in payment volume and the increasing adoption of digital payment methods across Canada. The data reflects a 6% rise in transaction volume and a modest 1% increase in transaction value compared to the previous year, emphasizing Canadians’ preference for more convenient and tech-driven payment options.
According to the report, digital payments now make up an overwhelming 86% of total payment volume, with contactless payments accounting for 53% of transactions in 2023. Meanwhile, cash usage, though still declining in the long term, saw an unexpected increase in 2023, with a 15% rise in transaction volume compared to 2022.
Susan Hawkins, President and CEO of Payments Canada, said, “This is an exciting time for payment innovation in Canada, fuelled by Canadians’ desire for payment options that make their lives easier,” Hawkins noted. “Evolving technologies, regulations, and the modernization of our payment systems will continue to expand the options available to consumers and businesses alike.”
Photo: iStock
Key Trends in Payment Methods
Among the notable findings, credit and debit cards maintained their dominance, representing 63% of total payment volume in 2023, with credit cards accounting for 33% and debit cards for 30%. Meanwhile, prepaid cards emerged as the fastest-growing payment option, seeing a 10% rise in transaction value. Canadians increasingly prefer prepaid cards for quick payments, loyalty rewards, and spending control.
Online transfers such as Interac e-Transfers and PayPal continue to gain traction, particularly in business payments, where they have now surpassed cheques in volume for the first time. In terms of growth, online transfers saw a 14% increase in volume and a 20% increase in value, solidifying their role as a preferred method for both personal and business transactions.
Interestingly, despite the rise of digital options, cash still holds a significant place in the Canadian payment ecosystem. Cash transaction volume increased by 15% year-over-year, even as its overall share of transactions continues to decline. Nearly half of Canadians (49%) reported frequent cash use in 2023, though the average cash transaction value fell slightly to $26.
E-commerce and Mobile Payments Surge
E-commerce continues to be a critical growth area in the Canadian market. Online purchases totalled $71.6 billion in 2023, representing 5.7% of all retail sales—up 5.5% from the previous year. Top categories for online purchases included clothing, restaurants, fast food, and electronics, while travel and entertainment saw notable growth as pandemic restrictions fully lifted.
Another area of significant growth was the use of wearables and smart devices for payments. In 2023, wearables such as fitness trackers and smartwatches were used for 44 million transactions, worth a total of $1.1 billion. Mobile contactless payments, including tap-to-pay via smartphones, increased by 42%, now making up 23% of all contactless payments.
For the first time, more than one in ten Canadians (13%) reported using smart home devices or social media platforms to make purchases, highlighting a growing trend toward integrating payments into everyday technology. Platforms such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and even social media sites like Instagram and Facebook have seen an increase in transaction activity.
International Money Transfers and Generative AI Adoption
One of the standout findings in the report was the sharp rise in international money transfers. One in five Canadians (20%) sent money abroad in 2023, a 33% increase from 2022. The average transaction value for these payments was $1,125. Despite this growth, high transaction fees and hidden charges remain significant pain points for many Canadians sending money internationally.
In addition, the report highlights the growing interest in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) among Canadian businesses. Nearly half (49%) of businesses plan to implement GenAI to enhance operational efficiency, particularly in areas like fraud detection, automated payment processing, and personalized customer experiences.
Canadians’ Mixed Views on Cashless Society and Cryptocurrency
Despite the surge in digital payment methods, the report reveals that a majority of Canadians (55%) are not ready to go fully cashless. Additionally, there is growing interest in a potential digital Canadian dollar, with 36% of respondents expressing interest, although 30% remain opposed to the concept.
The report also sheds light on the state of cryptocurrency ownership in Canada. In 2023, only 10% of Canadians held cryptocurrency, down from 13% in 2022. The decline may be attributed to ongoing market volatility and regulatory uncertainty, though the primary drivers for holding cryptocurrency remain speculative investment and the potential for higher returns compared to traditional savings.
Jon Purther, Director of Research at Payments Canada, remarked, “Canadians have made it clear that when it comes to payments, convenience, efficiency, security, privacy, and low cost are vital to them. While we continue to see payment innovation in a digital era, Canadians also want access to legacy payment options due to their ease of use and dependability.”
