Karrot is a trusted and verified neighbourhood-focused hyperlocal buy and sell platform
Second-hand marketplaces have become an increasingly favourable way to save money.
The 2024 Canadian Second-Hand Sentiment Survey found that more than 84 per cent of Canadians say cost savings is the biggest motivator when it comes to choosing second-hand shopping.
70 per cent of Canadians say they shop on second-hand marketplaces, and one-in-four say they shop for second-hand items monthly.
84 per cent of Canadians say cost savings is the biggest motivator for choosing second-hand over new items. Canadians ages 18-34 being most likely to shop second-hand to save money (93 per cent). Canadians 35-54 (83 per cent), and 55+ (78 per cent).
Holiday shopping trend
55 per centof Canadians are considering or are planning to shop on second-hand marketplaces during the upcoming holiday season. Those aged 18-54 being most likely (63 per cent).
Robert Kim, CEO of Karrot North America.
“At Karrot we are committed to bridging the gap between online and local communities,” said Robert Kim, CEO of Karrot North America. “These findings not only reinforce our mission but also highlight the increasing popularity of second-hand shopping as Canadian families are facing extremely difficult cost of living increases and are looking for alternatives.”
Founded in 2015 in Korea by Danggeun, Karrot connects neighbours to build closely-knit local communities. Now available in most cities across Canada, Karrot is a trusted and verified neighbourhood-focused hyperlocal buy and sell platform on a mission to bridge the gap between online and local communities. With over 1 million users in Canada, Karrot creates meaningful neighbourhood connections and fosters trust within communities, redefining local commerce and community engagement. Karrot currently operates in more than 560 regions across four countries: Canada, the US, the UK, and Japan.
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.
Concord Canada House, the final addition to the Concord CityPlace community in downtown Toronto, is now offering retail spaces for lease. Situated at the intersection of Spadina Avenue and Bremner Boulevard, the premier development features over 12,000 square feet of prime retail space across eight units.
Concord Canada House’s retail is located at the base of two iconic residential towers standing 79 and 81 stories tall. The retail units range in size from 591 to 2,968 square feet, with options for configurable layouts with flexibility. The spaces feature ceiling heights up to 21 feet, and retail frontages 22 feet up to 100 feet, with the opportunity to combine certain units.
Concord Canada House in Toronto. Rendering: Concord
The development will provide ample visibility and versatility for prospective tenants. The busy area features high-density residential towers housing thousands of residents. Concord Canada House itself will be notable with its towers featuring an illuminated maple leaf design, the largest of its kind in Canada, that will become a landmark for the city.
Isaac Chan, VP of Sales and Marketing at Concord Adex, said that Concord Canada House’s retail spaces have been designed to complement the upscale residential development. He noted that the surrounding community has been going through intensive transformation, including the addition of The WELL.
Concord Canada House in Toronto. Rendering: Concord
Concord is looking to establish and preserve a unified look across the retail facade of Concord Canada House, including signage and other best practices for retail space. All retail units will also have an optional patio space, providing an opportunity to animate the retail facade and create a year-round unified visual impact. Chan said that Concord will work with tenant partners on build-outs. “We are looking for unique tenants that will complement one another,” he said.
Chan noted that there will be a host of amenities offered at Concord Canada House, including dedicated underground commercial parking equipped with electric vehicle charging stations, a touchless carwash, and car-share spaces. Offering such amenities for a commercial development is rare in the city.
Concord Canada House in Toronto. Rendering: ConcordDedicated underground commercial parking equipped with electric vehicle charging stations, a touchless carwash, and car-share spaces. Rendering via Concord
The development is meant to be something of a jewel in the crown for the CityPlace development, according to Chan. Concord Adex has developed CityPlace over the past two decades into a neighbourhood featuring thousands of residents in a high-rise community that also features schools, parks and other amenities, as well as a mix of retail to serve the area. More than 32,000 people live within a kilometre of Concord Canada House, and there will be more in the future with new developments.
Concord Canada House is positioned near iconic landmarks such as the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and Ripley’s Aquarium, and is within walking distance of Toronto’s Entertainment and Financial Districts. This prime location ensures high foot traffic and accessibility, making it an ideal spot for upscale retail businesses.
Concord CityPlace in Toronto. Image: ConcordProposed lease plan for commercial spaces at Concord Canada House in Toronto. Image: Concord
The development’s strategic location also offers easy access to the Gardiner Expressway and Toronto’s extensive transit system, including Union Station.
With anticipated occupancy slated for 2025, the pre-leasing phase is now open, providing an opportunity for businesses to secure a spot in a remarkable Toronto development. Concord says it will provide ongoing support and fit-outs for its tenants, ensuring a seamless transition and optimal setup for retail operations.
Interested parties are encouraged to contact Anna Truong or Andrew Spears at Concord Adex Corp. for leasing inquiries at:
After 33 years of championing sustainable retail in Edmonton, Earth’s General Store has officially closed its doors. The store, a key fixture on Whyte Avenue since 1991, was known for its wide range of eco-friendly products, including bulk refillables, organic foods, fair trade goods, and reusable containers.
Despite a strong community presence and efforts to save it through crowdfunding, the store announced its closure in late September.
Founded by environmental advocate Michael Kalmanovitch, Earth’s General Store was more than just a retail outlet—it was a hub for eco-conscious living. Kalmanovitch opened the shop at a time when terms like “zero waste” and “fair trade” were still novel concepts in Edmonton.
Over the years, Earth’s General Store built a loyal customer base among the city’s environmentally conscious shoppers, offering products that aligned with sustainable values and reducing plastic waste.
In 2010, Kalmanovitch moved the store to a larger location at 9605 – 82 Avenue to accommodate its expanding inventory. This allowed the store to offer a broader selection of organic foods, bulk household products, and green living essentials. Earth’s General Store prided itself on being Edmonton’s premiere zero-waste retailer, offering over 475 bulk items and eliminating single-use plastics from its operations.
Photo: Earth’s General Store
Despite its success on Whyte Avenue, Earth’s General Store faced financial challenges over the years, particularly with the opening of a second location downtown in 2014. The downtown store struggled due to high overhead costs, and after three years of operating at a loss, Kalmanovitch made the difficult decision to close it in 2017. The Whyte Avenue store continued to serve the community but was not immune to rising costs and shifts in the retail landscape.
On September 20, the store officially announced its closure, citing financial difficulties that had become insurmountable. Kalmanovitch and his team held a farewell celebration for customers on September 22, after holding a GoFundMe campaign. The fundraising effort garnered significant support from the community, but it ultimately fell short of securing the long-term financial stability needed to keep the store open.
In a final social media post, Earth’s General Store announced it had ceased operations: “Despite the incredible support from our customers and the wider Edmonton community, we were unable to secure the funds needed in the time required to continue.” The store also confirmed that all donations from the crowdfunding campaign would be returned to donors.
Earth’s General Store leaves behind a legacy of environmental activism and ethical consumerism in Edmonton. Kalmanovitch, who has been a vocal advocate for sustainable living, used the store not only to sell products but also to raise awareness about issues like climate change, fair trade, and zero-waste living.
Deserres at Alex Nihon in Montreal. Photo: Alex Nihon
The Renaud-Bray Group, a dominant force in Canada’s book and cultural retail landscape, has announced the acquisition of DeSerres, a family-owned Canadian leader in art supplies.
The acquisition includes DeSerres’ 28 stores across Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia, its website deserres.ca, and its subsidiaries, Cadres Verbec, which specializes in framing, and Lamarche Importation, a distributor of stationery products.
Founded in 1908, DeSerres has been a fixture of Canadian creativity for more than a century, led by three generations of the DeSerres family. Over the years, it has evolved from a hardware store to a specialized retailer of art supplies, thanks to the strategic leadership of Marc DeSerres, who has been at the helm since 1975. Today, DeSerres is synonymous with art, DIY, and craft supplies, boasting a wide range of products for artists, hobbyists, and professionals alike.
“We salute the hard work and vision of Marc DeSerres, a passionate ambassador of the arts,” said Blaise Renaud, President of the Renaud-Bray Group. “Marc has been instrumental in reinventing the business over the decades, and we are honoured to carry forward his legacy.”
Omer Deserres’ first store
For Marc DeSerres, the decision to sell the company was not made lightly. “It’s time for me to hand over the reins, and I’m confident that Renaud-Bray, along with our dedicated employees, suppliers, and partners, will continue to inspire creativity across the country,” DeSerres said. His leadership helped the brand expand its footprint beyond Quebec and become a nationally recognized name in the Canadian retail space.
Blaise Renaud expressed excitement about the future, noting the strong synergies between Renaud-Bray and DeSerres. “Both of our companies share a deep connection to Quebec and the cultural world, and we are thrilled to continue fostering creativity throughout the province and beyond.”
DeSerres: A Century of Creativity
DeSerres began as a small hardware store in Montreal, founded by Omer DeSerres in 1908. It wasn’t until Omer’s son Roger took over that the company shifted its focus toward creative supplies, marking a strategic transformation that would cement its place in the world of art and craft retail. This shift was further solidified when Marc DeSerres, representing the third generation, took the reins in 1975 and fully committed to the arts and crafts direction. Under Marc’s leadership, the company expanded its presence across Canada, with stores in major urban centers and a robust online platform.
DeSerres has become known for its extensive selection of products catering to everyone from novice crafters to professional artists. The retailer offers everything from paints, brushes, and canvases to stationery, kids’ craft kits, and framing services. DeSerres’ impact on the creative community is undeniable, having supported countless Canadian artists, makers, and art students for decades.
Renaud-Bray store. Photo: Trip Advisor
Renaud-Bray: A Cultural Powerhouse
Renaud-Bray Group, founded in 1965 by Pierre Renaud, has grown from a single bookstore on Saint-Denis Street in Montreal into the largest French-language bookstore chain in North America. The company expanded under the leadership of Pierre’s son, Blaise Renaud, who took over as President and led the acquisition of other cultural retail brands. Today, Renaud-Bray includes Archambault stores, which specialize in books, music, and electronics; Griffon toy shops, a Quebec-based chain offering high-quality educational toys; and Prologue and Pierre Belvédère, two prominent distributors of books and cultural goods.
Renaud-Bray has been instrumental in promoting Quebec culture, especially in the realm of French-language literature. The company’s bookstores serve as community hubs, supporting local authors and cultural events. With 91 retail locations across Quebec and a significant online presence, Renaud-Bray has cemented its place as a key player in Canada’s cultural landscape.
In recent years, Renaud-Bray has embraced digital transformation, launching multiple transactional websites and enhancing its e-commerce capabilities. The company’s blend of traditional retail and digital innovation has earned it the title of one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2023.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The acquisition of DeSerres strengthens Renaud-Bray’s position in the cultural and creative sectors, creating new opportunities for growth and innovation. Both brands share a deep commitment to fostering creativity, supporting the arts, and celebrating Quebec’s rich cultural heritage. The integration of DeSerres into the Renaud-Bray Group is expected to be seamless, with both companies continuing to operate under their established brand names while benefiting from shared resources and expertise.
Looking ahead, the Renaud-Bray Group says it plans to further enhance its offerings in the art and creative sectors, leveraging DeSerres’ expertise to expand product lines and services. Customers can expect to see continued investment in both in-store and online experiences, ensuring that the legacy of both brands continues to flourish.
Global lifestyle brand MINISO has opened its new Vancouver flagship store at CF Richmond Centre in Richmond, British Columbia.
In a news release, the company said the launch of another pink-themed store underscores MINISO’s growing presence in Canada as it advances on its mission to bring more joyful shopping experiences to a wider audience across the country through more innovative designs, dreamy atmospheres, and expanded IP product sections.
MINISO opens in the heart of Richmond
“Located in the heart of Richmond with direct access to major transportation routes, the 3,500-square-foot MINISO store sits conveniently on the first floor of the CF Richmond Centre, near H&M and Shoppers. The new flagship brings MINISO to a prime location, offering a vibrant shopping environment and joyful experiences in one of the city’s busiest retail hubs,” it said.
“MINISO fans can explore a wide selection of around 3000 SKUs, offering everything they need for daily life, as well as products they love, such as blind boxes, plushies, cosmetics, stationery, and household items. The flagship store features a curated selection of popular products, along with exclusive collaborations with famous IPs such as Disney, Sanrio, and newly launched series like BT21, Chiikawa, and Zanmang Loopy. New beauty launches from beauty brands including Black Rouge, Into You, MilleFee, and Canmake further enrich the store’s offering, ensuring the store has something for everyone.”
The new flagship features MINISO’s beloved products including IP collaborations with Disney, Sanrio, BT21, Chiikawa and more. (Photo Credit: MINISO)
As MINISO’s first pink-themed store in B.C., the Vancouver flagship reflects the brand’s dedication to creating fun and memorable shopping experiences, added the retailer.
“The store’s soft pink hues and playful neon elements set the stage for a visually captivating environment, drawing customers into a whimsical world that feels fresh, inviting, and effortlessly joyful. With installations such as a pink Ferris wheel, pink blind box station, and an interactive makeup area, the store invites customers to explore and engage in an immersive, dynamic setting. The store’s unique design and product variety make it a must-visit destination for Vancouver shoppers,” it said.
Key step in strategic Canadian expansion
“This flagship marks a key step in MINISO’s strategic expansion across Canada as it brought another well-design store to the community. The recently opened Sherway store, which also marked the debut of the Chiikawa collection and introduced a new pink-themed store design for the first time in Canada, and other new stores such as CF Fairview Mall and CF Lime Ridge Mall in Ontario, exemplify the brand’s fresh, innovative design approach, bringing more joy to shopping. With around 10 new stores opened earlier in the year, the brand plans to open up more new stores across the country in 2024, including a new themed store at Eaton Centre and additional locations in major malls across Quebec. With its unique IP collaborations and focus on customer engagement, MINISO continues to distinguish itself as a leader in the global lifestyle retail space,” explained the retailer, which opened its first store in China in 2013.
“Looking ahead, MINISO remains dedicated to further growing its footprint both in Canada and globally, bringing engaging, design-led, joyful shopping experiences to even more customers worldwide.”
Small business owners continue to face challenges (Photo credit: RDNE Stock project)
Today marks the beginning of Small Business Month in Canada and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is kicking off a campaign to thank and celebrate the entrepreneurs who power the national economy despite mounting challenges.
While conditions over the past six months appear to be improving, one in four enterprises are still reporting they are in poor health, explained the CFIB.
In fact, more than half of owners (53 per cent) would not advise someone to start a business right now. Most cite difficulty keeping up with the cost of operating (89 per cent), the high tax burden (72 per cent), stress about the economy (76 per cent), and excessive government paperwork (62 per cent) as the main reasons behind their belief that now is not a good time to start a new venture.
Ryan Mallough, CFIB’s vice-president of legislative affairs for Ontario
“It’s getting harder and harder to run, let alone start, a business. From coast to coast, we’re seeing longtime, iconic places that have been in business for decades fold under the pressures of high costs and reduced demand,” said Ryan Mallough, CFIB’s vice-president of legislative affairs for Ontario. “Our communities are built on the success of these local businesses. It’s important to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and the people who take the risks to keep our communities thriving.
“If we want to boost our lagging productivity, create more jobs, and keep our local economies vibrant, we need to do more to support small businesses. Governments have a big role in this, but as citizens we can all do our part to uplift small business owners.”
On Tuesday, the CFIB launched its Big Thank You Contest where Canadians can win big while thanking their favourite small businesses.
Big Thank You Contest launched for Small Business Month
The Big Thank You Contest is presented by CFIB with support from Scotiabank, Interac Corp. (Interac), and Chase. Consumers can enter weekly draws by visitingSmallBusinessEveryDay.caand leaving a thank-you note to their favourite small Canadian business.
Emily Boston, CFIB’s senior policy analyst
“Every time you spend a dollar at a small business or locally-owned franchise, 66 cents is recirculated into the local economy. In this way, we’re all tied to our local small businesses’ success,” said Emily Boston, CFIB’s senior policy analyst. “Starting a small business is a leap of faith— saying thank you is the least we can do for those who have taken that leap.”
The winners— one supporter and the place they thanked— are announced every week.
Entrants can win a cash prize of $750 to shop locally and a Big Thank You gift box full of small business products. The winning enterprise they thank will also receive a cash prize of $2,000, a Big Thank You box, and a one-year CFIB membership.
Owners can download CFIB’s digital toolkits, which include printable posters and customizable social images, to promote the contest and local shopping.
The CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region.
Meanwhile, the CFIB also announced Tuesday it welcomes news from the federal government on several important changes that will reduce some of the host of cost pressures facing Canadian small business owners.
These announcements follow many months of CFIB’s advocacy work and over 31,000 signed petitions from small business owners on these issues, it said.
Here’s the organization’s comments on those issues:
Dan Kelly, CFIB President
On carbon tax “CFIB is relieved to learn the federal government will return the $2.5 billion small business share of carbon tax revenue that has been stuck in Ottawa for the past five years,” said Dan Kelly, CFIB president. “It’s good news that this money will be returned to small businesses by direct deposit or cheque before the end of the year. These are not trivial amounts of money. For example, a company with 10 employees in Alberta will receive nearly $6,000 in carbon tax rebates, a 25-person company in Saskatchewan will receive nearly $29,000, a 50-person business in Manitoba will receive $24,000 and a 100-person employer in Ontario will get $40,000.”
Rebates will be based on the number of T4s issued by an employer, including those issued to the business owner, their family, part-time, and seasonal workers, as well as for positions that turn over. Smaller rebates will be received by SMEs in all four Atlantic provinces as they have paid the federal carbon tax for only one year. Only incorporated firms (CCPCs) with between 1-499 employees will be eligible.
CFIB is pleased that the federal government has extended the deadline to December 31, 2024, for those who have not yet filed their 2023 corporate income taxes.
While CFIB welcomes the federal government delivering on its commitment to return a portion of carbon tax revenues to small businesses, the vast majority of small firms (83%) now oppose the carbon tax. CFIB will continue to call on all political parties to scrap the carbon tax at the earliest possibility.
On credit card fee reductions As of October 19, 2024, the cost of accepting credit cards will be reduced by an average of 27% for small businesses processing less than $300,000 in annual Visa sales and $175,000 in Mastercard sales. Small firms will qualify for a 0.95% average interchange rate for in-store sales and a 0.1% cut in ecommerce fees.
“Most small firms should see savings of between $300 and $400 for every $100,000 in Visa sales and $200 for every $100,000 in annual Mastercard sales,” Kelly added. CFIB estimates that over 60% of its 97,000 members will qualify for the savings.
“CFIB will be closely monitoring all credit card processors to ensure the full value of the savings is passed on to the small businesses counting on this relief,” Kelly said. “We are pleased that the federal government has made this expectation very clear, and we will be working with Minister Freeland, Visa and Mastercard to ensure card processors do not try to keep the savings intended for small firms.”
CFIB will also encourage the industry to regularly review and increase the thresholds to allow more small firms to qualify for the savings.
On the Code of Conduct for the Payment Card Industry Today’s revisions to the Code are a positive step in improving fairness in the payments industry for small firms, including an improved process around timelines and expectations for complaints and better protection around contracted bundles.
“Updates to the Code will provide greater clarity and help businesses understand what rates they will pay. These changes have been a long time coming and will lead to a better balance of market power between small firms and industry giants,” Kelly added.
Erol Custom Tailoring Ltd. at 74 Scollard Street in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson
Erol Custom Tailors, a bespoke tailoring service, has opened an elegant new showroom at 74 Scollard Street in Toronto’s prestigious Yorkville neighborhood. The expansion marks a milestone for proprietor Erol Bayram, who has been honing his craft since his youth.
Bayram’s journey in the world of tailoring began early, working part-time in his uncle’s factory while still in elementary school. The early exposure laid the foundation for his expertise, eventually leading him to achieve master tailor status. Fourteen years ago, Bayram took the entrepreneurial leap and opened his first shop at the corner of Scollard and Bay Streets under the name ‘Erol Custom Tailors Limited’.
Inside the new Erol Custom Tailor Ltd. at 74 Scollard Street in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson Inside the new Erol Custom Tailor Ltd. at 74 Scollard Street in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson
The new location on Scollard Street, which Bayram purchased and extensively renovated over the course of a year, represents a significant upgrade from his previous premises. Bayram described the meticulous attention to detail that went into creating the space. The showroom boasts a sophisticated white interior with marble floors, custom chandeliers, and specially designed mirrors, creating an atmosphere that reflects the quality and craftsmanship of the garments on offer.
Erol Custom Tailors’ collection spans a wide range of bespoke clothing and accessories. Bayram says he takes pride in his organic denim jeans, which he describes as a “dress style, with stretch, and very comfortable.” The showroom also features a selection of shoes crafted from soft leather, sourced and manufactured to Bayram’s specifications in Istanbul, Turkey.
Row of heritage buildings on Scollard Street. Photo: Craig PattersonErol Bayram custom fitting a jacket for a client. Photo: Erol Custom TailorInside the new Erol Custom Tailor Ltd. at 74 Scollard Street in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson
Erol Bayram
While men’s suiting remains a cornerstone of the business, Bayram has expanded his offerings to include women’s wear. His collection for women features blazers described as having a “very classy, dressy style,” along with high-rise dress pants and skirts. The tailor also offers remodeling services, breathing new life into clients’ existing garments through creative redesigns.
Bayram works with high-end fabrics from renowned mills such as Loro Piana, Scabal, and Holland & Sherry. The dedication to superior textiles, combined with his mastery of tailoring techniques, has earned him a loyal clientele who say that they appreciate the comfort and styles of his creations.
Bayram works below the showroom — a narrow staircase leads to the lower level, where Bayram has set up his workshop. This area houses specialized machinery for cutting and crafting garments, allowing for on-site customization and alterations. The building also features ample storage space, crucial for maintaining an inventory of fabrics and finished pieces.
Former Erol Custom Tailors location at 1300 Bay Street. Photo: Brown Management Services
Looking to the future, Bayram plans to expand his ready-to-wear offerings. “Later on, I’m going to start custom dress shirts,” he said. He also anticipates growing his fabric selection, with new stock already on order to enhance the in-store display.
More photos of Erol Custom Tailor at 74 Scollard Street in Toronto:
Erol Bayram creating a custom jacket for a female client. Photo: Erol Custom TailorInside the new Erol Custom Tailor Ltd. at 74 Scollard Street in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson Inside the new Erol Custom Tailor Ltd. at 74 Scollard Street in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson Inside the new Erol Custom Tailor Ltd. at 74 Scollard Street in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson Inside the new Erol Custom Tailor Ltd. at 74 Scollard Street in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson
Psycho Bunny at Yorkdale Shopping Centre (Image: Psycho Bunny)
Premium menswear brand Psycho Bunny is in expansion mode these days as it aggressively rolls out new stores in Canada and abroad.
And it’s also engaging in strategic partnerships to continue to grow its presence in the retail landscape.
The brand will be opening its 100th North American store in Quebec City in November. There are about 60 stores in Latin America – Mexico, Colombia, Panama and some of the Caribbean islands. There’s one store in Dubai and a new store coming soon in Kuwait. Next week it’s opening in South Africa. The brand has 15 stores in Canada.
“It started off call it in 2018, 2019 where the first pop up store was opened in Florida. It’s kind of the beginning of the story of the pretty rapid expansion in terms of North America,” said Martini. “It was a pop up store that was hugely accepted from the point of view of people falling in love with the brand instantaneously. So that sort of started off the rollout of the stores.
“And even through COVID Psycho Bunny was opening stores in the U.S. So we only started opening in Canada at the end of 2022.”
Psycho Bunny looking for premier shopping malls
Martini said Canada has amazing retail real estate across the country.
“So for sure, we’re looking to partner with premier shopping malls in the country. And we have a few. If you look at our Canadian portfolio, we have definitely already entered into amazing shopping centres in Canada. So obviously, we look for shopping centres that have pretty high traffic, like most retailers do. One is a great location within the mall. Two the great mall is high traffic, great, great co-tenancy – all of the ingredients that make for it to be like a great shopping centre.”
She said the brand is also opening at Vaughan Mills in a couple of weeks.
“Next year again we already have some stores, you know, in the roster. So next year we’re going to be continuing our expansion in North America. Obviously we’d like to open in Calgary, so we’re working closely with the landlord to see if we try and find a spot there because we are in Alberta at West Edmonton Mall, and in Vancouver, we got three stores in Vancouver. So Calgary is hopefully going to be our next market, untapped market. We’re looking at a few things, looking at Ottawa and also in Greater Toronto, Greater Montreal, we still have room for expansion in these existing markets,” added Martini.
She said the brand is successful because it’s premium, high quality product with 80 per cent of the products sourced out of Peru with premium Pima Cotton.
“And second thing is our guy, so our muse, his name is Liam. He’s the guy that we think about every day as we’re designing products, as we’re figuring out what we’re going to do from a marketing perspective, what we do in terms of store and store experience. So we’re really focused on being a big part of Liam’s life, whether it’s his work life, his casual hanging out with the guys, or going on a date. He’s really our focal point, and that’s been obviously an important part of our success.
“And of course our Psycho Bunny logo, which brings a smile to most people when they look at this logo. So it’s fun with a little bit of edge. A little bit of edge is always good in life.”
This year it completed its first year in partnership with Tennis Canada.
Photo courtesy of Tennis Canada
“We really love the space, the tennis space. We think it’s very aligned to Liam and to the Psycho Bunny brand . . . We wanted to create beautiful product for what we would call all the ball boys and all the people that are working, all the volunteers at the tennis tournament, everybody from the ball boy to the security guard (at the National Bank Open),” said Martini.
“We had pop up shops basically on premises for both Montreal and Toronto. So it was a great place for us to meet and greet existing customers, new customers, and bring the brand to life in a great environment. The thing about tennis it’s a it’s a beautiful sport, it’s an elegant sport. It’s competitive, it’s fun, it’s bold. And Psycho Bunny is a bold brand. So the fit’s pretty amazing.”
The multi-year Tennis Canada partnership will see Psycho Bunny as the official athletic apparel sponsor of all the Canadian teams. The brand also launched a new consumer lifestyle collection, which includes their cult-favorite polos, hoodies, sweatshirts, track jackets and more. Psycho Bunny’s partnership with Metaverse Group and Super League in launching their Summer Splash Storefront in Roblox led to the inventory selling out in the first 30 minutes.
Martini said that with the success Psycho Bunny has had with Tennis Canada it is looking at other potential partnerships, both in Canada, in the US.
“We’re working on a few right now, so hopefully we’ll have a few things to announce for next year,” she added.
Inside of one of the Psycho Bunny stores (Photo courtesy of Psycho Bunny)
Canada Sees Coffee Price Surge Amid Declining Agricultural Commodity Prices
Most agricultural commodities are experiencing price drops compared to last year, including staples like wheat, corn, barley, and canola. Even cocoa, which hit a historical high less than a year ago, has seen a decrease.
However, coffee prices remain an outlier, with arabica coffee hitting a 13-year high. Currently, a pound of arabica coffee costs $2.70 U.S., reflecting an increase of over 80% since September of last year. This surge is largely due to severe droughts and wildfires in Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s top coffee producers, which together account for around half of the global coffee bean production.
A cup of coffee that might be getting a little more expensive in Canada in the coming months, says Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. Photo: iStock
Will Coffee Chains in Canada Increase Prices?
Historically, companies like Tim Hortons raised prices during coffee price surges, as they did in 2011 when coffee prices spiked. However, it’s important to note that the cost of coffee beans typically comprises a small portion—between 5% to 10%—of the total price of a cup of coffee at large chains. The bulk of the price goes toward covering labour, rent, utilities, and other operational costs. As such, while we can expect some price adjustments, drastic increases are unlikely in the short term.
The fluctuation in coffee prices over time is primarily driven by climatic factors. Arabica coffee requires specific growing conditions, and the regions suitable for its cultivation are shrinking due to climate change. Meanwhile, global demand continues to grow, especially in emerging markets like China and India, where coffee consumption is on the rise despite their traditional preference for tea.
Dispatch Coffee on Bay Street in Toronto (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
Canada’s Coffee Culture and Consumption Rankings
Canada, too, is a significant coffee-consuming nation, ranking 11th globally with an average of 1.57 cups per person per day. Coffee is deeply embedded in the daily routines of Canadians, with the average individual expected to drink around 35,000 cups of coffee over their lifetime. However, countries like Luxembourg, Finland, Sweden, and Norway boast even higher per capita coffee consumption, with people drinking more than five cups a day in some cases.
With coffee being one of the most traded commodities globally, there’s growing interest in producing it more sustainably through lab-grown methods. Research on lab-grown coffee has been ongoing since the 1970s, but only recently have we seen more serious advancements in replicating the taste and aroma of traditionally farmed coffee. A study by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland suggests that lab-grown coffee could eventually match the flavour profile of conventional coffee, and there’s optimism about the scalability of the technology.
Good Earth Coffeehouse Sunridge Mall (Image: Good Earth Coffeehouse)
Investments Pouring Into Lab-Grown Coffee Startups
The lab-grown coffee sector has attracted significant investments in the last two years. Atomo Coffee, for example, has raised millions to develop molecular coffee made from plant waste. Other startups are collectively raising tens of millions of dollars to create sustainable coffee alternatives that reduce water use, carbon emissions, and the need for deforestation linked to traditional coffee farming.
However, until lab-grown coffee becomes mainstream, it is unlikely that consumers will see lower coffee prices. For now, stocking up on coffee beans when prices dip may be the best strategy for coffee lovers to manage rising costs.
