Toronto entrepreneur Sahar Saidi is preparing to take her direct-to-consumer haircare brand into retail stores after nearly a decade of online growth.
Saidi, founder of Love Ur Curls, said the company was born out of personal frustration with the lack of effective products for curly hair. After years of trying to manage her own hair with multiple products, she set out to create a simplified solution tailored to textured hair.
She began developing the business in 2015 and officially launched in 2017 with a three-step system that included shampoo, conditioner and an all-in-one styling product. Saidi said the goal was to streamline routines for consumers who often spend significant time and money managing curly hair.
The Toronto-based brand has remained primarily direct-to-consumer, selling through its website and online marketplaces. Saidi said that model allowed the company to build close relationships with customers and refine products based on feedback.
She said the COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected attention to the category, as salon closures pushed many consumers to manage their natural hair at home. This led to increased interest from people unfamiliar with curly hair care, contributing to growth in the segment.
Despite early assumptions that beauty spending might decline during lockdowns, Saidi said curly hair care remained resilient and continues to be one of the faster-growing areas within the industry.
Now, the company is preparing for its next phase, with plans to expand into physical retail. Saidi said potential partners include specialty beauty retailers, salon-based stores and major Canadian chains.
The move coincides with a broader brand shift away from traditional curl-typing systems toward what Saidi describes as a more inclusive and simplified approach to haircare.
Saidi, who previously worked in fields including sales and private aviation, started the business with less than $100,000 in personal funds and loans. She said the company generated more than $1 million in revenue in its first year.
Canadian entrepreneur Tara Bosch built SmartSweets for her grandmother before selling her candy brand for $360 million in 2020.
Now she has launched Snackish for her daughter Willa who has an obsession for potato chips which Bosch shares.
Bosch set out to change what a chip could be. She had done it before, dropping out of college to test recipes in her kitchen and build SmartSweets into a category-defining success.
Built around a simple promise, Eat Chips Every Day, Snackish is available now nationwide at Target across the U.S and at Loblaws and Whole Foods across Canada.
Bosch said Snackish keeps everything people love, real potatoes, bold seasoning, and crunch, and innovates what is inside the bag with potato-powered protein, gut-happy fiber, and avocado oil. The brand is bringing fun and aspiration back to the chip aisle with five bold flavours: BBQ Bash, Salt Kissed, Jalapeño Kick, Vinegar Rush, and the Canadian-exclusive Best Dressed. Each bag retails for $7.99.
Bosch said Snackish is self-funded and vertically integrated through its wholly owned 65,000-square-foot manufacturing facility – the Snacktor y- the first of its kind in North America. It’s women-owned and women-led, with a leadership team that brings deep experience in building category-defining consumer brands.
Tara Bosch
Every team member holds meaningful equity, and creators including Kat Stickler, Mikayla Matthews of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Aspyn Ovard, Vidya Gopalan, and Levi Coralynn joined as owners from day one, functioning as true extensions of the team, added Bosch.
In an interview with Retail Insider, Bosch talked about the new brand.
Question: What gap in the snack aisle are you aiming to fill with Snackish, and how does it differ from both traditional chips and existing better-for-you brands?
Answer: About a year ago I set the intention that if there was ever an authentic “why” and an incredible group of women to build with again, how grateful I would be to have the opportunity to bring another vision to life. I don’t start with a market gap – I start with a person I love who’s being failed by what exists, and then I go create it. With SmartSweets it was my grandmother: she loved candy and felt like all the sugar meant she had to give it up. I refused to accept that. This time it’s my daughter Willa. Shortly after setting that intention, Willa became obsessed with potato chips. I love them too, but all the choices either didn’t taste great or leave you feeling great. So we wanted to change what a chip could be. We kept everything people love – real potatoes, the seasoning, the crunch- and rebuilt what’s inside the bag: 8g of potato-powered protein, gut happy fiber, avocado oil, bold seasonings with ingredients you can find in your kitchen, so you can actually reach for them every day. We’re bringing fun and aspiration back to the salty snacks category and building the everyday snack for a new generation.
Q: Why did you choose a retail-first launch strategy with partners like Loblaws, Whole Foods Canada and London Drugs, rather than building momentum through direct-to-consumer first?
A: Because chips are an everyday, grab-it-where-you-are kind of snack — they belong in the aisle she’s already walking, not in a subscription box. In a social-forward world, our friends aren’t waiting for us to slowly creep into their region. They’re discovering Snackish on their phone and wanting to grab it where they already shop. So our job is to make accessibility match the awareness we’re creating on social. Launching nationwide across the US and Canada from day one, with partners like Target, Loblaws, Whole Foods, and London Drugs, means the moment someone falls for us in their group chat, the bag is right there on their next run. DTC-first would’ve put a wall between the want and the buy. Retail-first removes it.
Tara Bosch
Q: Snackish is self-funded and vertically integrated through your “Snacktory” facility. How does that model impact your margins, scalability, and control compared to typical CPG startups?
A: The thing that makes your product hard to make is actually an incredible moat. To build both our chips and our innovation pipeline, we had to build the capability from the ground up – the manufacturing didn’t exist. So we built the Snacktory: 66,000 square feet, the first vertically integrated snack production of its kind in North America. On control, that’s everything. Quality, consistency, innovation, and speed, in a category where taste and craveability are queen. On margins, owning production means we’re not handing economics to a co-packer, and that compounds as we scale. It’s more capital-heavy upfront but self-funding lets us keep our focus purely on execution, keep the cap table simple, and give our entire snackpack meaningful equity now and through scale. The people building Snackish own it.
Q: Can you explain how your creator equity model works in practice, and what role those social media partners will play in driving awareness and sales at retail?
A: We fundamentally changed the model with Snackish: we brought a group of incredible women creators into the brand as actual owners from day one who function as an extension of our snackpack. Kat Stickler joined as a founding partner, Mikayla Matthews as a creative advisor, alongside other women all holding meaningful equity in the outcome.They’re building the Snackish vision with us, long-term, and it translates into authenticity.
I’m building Snackish as a single mama, and I’m deeply passionate about giving other women a seat at the table – women on all different journeys, rising together. Our creators are trusted voices to exactly the friends we’re building Snac for, so the awareness they create on social drives people straight to the shelf – and because we launched where those friends already shop, that attention converts. Underneath all of it, Snackish is its own character. She’s got her own personality, and her own soul.
Snackish photo
Q: Given your track record with SmartSweets, what lessons, particularly around distribution, product development and consumer expectations, are shaping how you’re building Snackish differently this time?
A: On distribution: go to where she already is and make accessibility match awareness – don’t crawl region by region in a social-first world. On product: the hard-to-make thing is the moat, so build the capability from the ground up and make sure your value proposition is radically better than anything that exists, not incrementally. On consumer expectations: lead with taste, always. The deepest lesson is that a product is never just a product. It’s the community and the emotional connection to the vision that actually builds a brand. I’m building Snackish self-funded, vertically integrated, with the women-led snackpack (team) and our creators as owners- because the how matters as much as the what.
The pace of RBC Canadian cardholder spending outside of purchases at the pumps and autos moderated in May from the previous month, but remained positive, according to a new report.
“Our estimate of RBC’s core retail sales (excluding purchases of gasoline and autos) eased to 0.7% from 1.2% in April on a three-month average,” said the report, authored by RBC economists Abbey Xuand Rachel Battaglia.
“Higher gasoline prices continued to absorb a larger share of household budgets. However, limited pullback in spending by consumers on other goods and services implies households continue, for now, to dip into savings (or increase borrowing) to keep spending.
Rachel BattagliaAbbey Xu
“Essentials’ spending growth excluding gasoline moderated to 0.1%, but discretionary goods spending (ex-gasoline) continued to strengthen, suggesting consumers remain selective.
The details or the RBC report:
Essentials’ spending increased 1.1% in May and remained up 1.3% on a three-month average, but largely reflected price increases in spending on gasoline. Growth excluding gasoline purchases was essentially flat, suggesting elevated fuel costs may constraining household budgets for other everyday necessities.
Still, discretionary goods spending rose 1%, while the three-month average increased 0.7%, extending a steady improvement from near-flat readings earlier this year.
Clothing, shoes and related apparel remained a notable source of strength with spending rising 1.8%, and maintaining a 1% three-month average gain.
A 0.6% three-month average increase in household and construction-related purchases aligns with some evidence of stabilization in housing activity. It supports our view that while activity remains largely flat, some green shoots are beginning to appear in housing markets.
Discretionary services spending rose 0.3%, and held at a 0.5% three-month average. Dining and entertainment spending softened in May, but both remained on a positive trend.
Travel spending continued to lag other spending categories with the three-month average remaining negative at – 2%, suggesting households remain selective with larger discretionary purchases.
RONA has published its 2025 Overview of Sustainable Development Activities, which highlights the company’s environmental and social initiatives, as well as the progress it has made over the past year to reach its sustainable development goals.
Key achievements in 2025, it noted:
100% of new private-brand bathroom products are WaterSense® certified
Nearly 2,000 tonnes of products were brought back by customers for recycling
Over $2 M was presented to organizations by the RONA Foundation in support of their construction and renovation projects
“At RONA, sustainable development is part of our daily activities. Every day, it takes shape through our teams’ actions across Canada; whether it’s through the products we choose to market or the ways we operate in our network of stores, we have concrete opportunities to improve our practices and have a direct impact on people’s lives,” said J.P. Towner, President and CEO, RONA inc., in the report.
J.P. Towner
“In 2025, we chose to focus our efforts on our products to generate more value for our customers and the environment. Thanks to our private brands, we continued to offer eco-friendly products at affordable prices, while our in-store recycling programs enabled customers to bring back nearly 2,000 tonnes of products for recycling. We also expanded our recycling program for used air conditioners to 14 of our stores across Québec, a first in our industry.
“The key to our progress is our employees. Their health, safety, well-being and development remain top priorities. Throughout the year, we offered them new health and wellness resources, and we trained over 5,000 employees in best practices for sorting recyclable material.
“We strive to put people at the heart of our actions, and this goes well beyond our teams. In this uncertain geopolitical climate, our commitment to the community is stronger than ever. In 2025, the RONA Foundation presented over 2 million dollars to projects that meet very real needs, particularly in terms of access to safe housing.”
To find out more about RONA’s initiatives and to read the company’s 2025 Overview of Sustainable Development Activities, click HERE
As of the report, the retailer had 21,000 employees with 425 corporate and affiliated dealer stores across Canada and 11 distribution centres.
Le Creuset‘s upcoming Park Royal store marks the latest chapter in a Canadian expansion strategy that has increasingly focused on some of the country’s most prominent lifestyle and mixed-use retail destinations.
The French cookware and kitchenware brand will open an approximately 1,500-square-foot boutique in The Village at Park Royal in West Vancouver this August, bringing its Canadian network to 13 stand-alone locations and giving the company a third store in British Columbia.
The opening continues a long-standing relationship between Le Creuset and Montreal-based retail real estate brokerage Think Retail. Managing Partner Tony Flanz has worked with the brand on Canadian expansion opportunities for years, helping identify locations that align with Le Creuset’s premium positioning and measured approach to growth.
While the Park Royal store adds another location to the company’s Canadian footprint, it also reflects a broader evolution in strategy. Fifteen years after opening its first Canadian corporate store, Le Creuset has shifted its focus toward carefully selected destinations that combine affluent demographics, strong retail fundamentals, dining offerings, and increasingly experiential shopping environments.
(OTTAWA STORE. PHOTO: LE CREUSET / THINK RETAIL)
Park Royal Fits a Broader Expansion Strategy
The upcoming West Vancouver boutique follows a series of high-profile Canadian projects that reveal a consistent direction for the brand.
In late 2023, Le Creuset opened at The Well in downtown Toronto, one of Canada’s most ambitious mixed-use developments. The following year, the company opened a boutique at Royalmount in Montreal, a destination that combines luxury retail, dining, entertainment, office space, and future residential components.
Park Royal increasingly belongs in that same conversation. The Village at Park Royal, which opened in 2004, is widely regarded as Canada’s first purpose-built lifestyle centre. Designed as an open-air retail environment serving West Vancouver’s affluent consumer base, it introduced a format that has since influenced developments across the country.
Today, Park Royal continues to evolve through redevelopment and mixed-use additions that reinforce its role as a destination where consumers can shop, dine, gather, and live. For Le Creuset, the property offers the type of environment that aligns naturally with a brand centred on cooking, entertaining, and home-focused lifestyles.
The opening also reflects the site’s continued ability to attract premium retailers seeking customers who value quality, experience, and lifestyle-oriented products.
Building a National Presence While Remaining Selective
Le Creuset’s Canadian growth story differs from many international retailers that have entered the market over the past decade.
The company opened its first Canadian store at CF Chinook Centre in Calgary in 2010 before gradually expanding into major markets across the country. Locations followed in Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa, and other key retail destinations.
South Granville remains one of the most notable examples from that earlier expansion phase. Opened in 2016, the approximately 2,000-square-foot Vancouver location became the largest Le Creuset store in Canada and represented an early investment in premium high-street retail.
Throughout much of that growth, Flanz and Think Retail worked alongside the brand as it built a national presence while maintaining a disciplined approach to site selection. The company reached a milestone in 2018 when it opened a boutique at CF Richmond Centre, bringing its Canadian store count to 12 locations.
What makes Le Creuset’s trajectory particularly interesting is that growth did not simply continue upward.
When Royalmount opened in 2024, it again represented the company’s 12th Canadian location. The milestone highlighted how the retailer’s portfolio had evolved over time, with some earlier locations exiting the network as new opportunities emerged in dominant retail destinations.
The result is a portfolio that remains relatively compact by national standards but concentrated in some of Canada’s most prominent retail environments.
Le Creuset at CF Chinook Centre (Image: Mario Toneguzzi)
Store Formats Have Evolved Alongside the Portfolio
The evolution of Le Creuset’s real estate strategy has been accompanied by changes in store design and merchandising.
Historically, the company often targeted compact spaces ranging from approximately 750 to 1,250 square feet. Those footprints were well suited to a retailer primarily known for its iconic cast-iron cookware.
Today’s stores reflect a broader vision. Le Creuset’s assortment now extends well beyond cookware to include bakeware, dinnerware, serving pieces, textiles, utensils, and a growing range of kitchen and home accessories. The expanded merchandise mix has supported larger store formats and more immersive presentations.
That shift was particularly evident at Royalmount, where the company introduced a retail concept inspired by a modern kitchen. Island-style displays, open shelving, and lifestyle-oriented merchandising help customers visualize products within contemporary home settings.
The approximately 1,500-square-foot Park Royal location reflects that continuing evolution.
Montreal-based design-build firm SAJO, which has worked with Le Creuset in Canada for more than 15 years, helped bring the Royalmount concept to life and has played a role in maintaining consistency across the retailer’s Canadian portfolio.
Looking Ahead
Founded in France in 1925, Le Creuset recently surpassed its 100th anniversary and remains best known for its cast-iron cookware and growing assortment of kitchen and dining products.
The company’s measured approach to Canadian growth reflects that long-term perspective. Rather than pursuing aggressive store-count expansion, Le Creuset has focused on building a network of carefully selected locations capable of supporting its premium positioning and evolving store concept.
According to Flanz, the company continues to explore opportunities in Ontario and Quebec, with particular interest in super-regional shopping centres and premium retail environments. Le Creuset is also open to select pop-up opportunities in key markets as it evaluates future growth.
The multi-year agreement reflects Specsavers’ commitment to making high-quality eyewear and eyecare accessible to more Canadians, said the brand in a news release.
“The Blue Jays have built a franchise worthy of the whole country – not just one city. Specsavers has spent five years doing the same for eyecare, growing from its first B.C. locations to more than 270 stores across nine provinces and one territory, with the goal of making quality eyecare and eyewear accessible for Canadians,” said the company.
“The Toronto Blue Jays are more than a baseball team, they are a unifying force for Canadians from Victoria to St. John’s,” said Derek Fukui, Head of Marketing, Specsavers Canada. “We’ve spent five years showing up for communities across this country, and this partnership gives us a chance to do that on the biggest stage Canadian sports has to offer. I can’t wait to see what we build together.”
Derek Fukui
Specsaver said the Blue Jays boast the largest fan base in Canadian professional sports, with more than 15 million fans nationwide. Home games draw nearly one million average viewers on Rogers Sportsnet, making the Blue Jays the top broadcast sports property in Canada through the summer months. Coming off a historic World Series run that captured the attention of fans in every province and territory, the Blue Jays head into the 2026 season as one of the most talked-about franchises in the country.
“The Toronto Blue Jays are proud to welcome Specsavers as an official partner,” said Mark Ditmars, Vice President of Partnerships for the Toronto Blue Jays. “As Canada’s team, we are focused on working with brands that deliver real value to fans across the country, and Specsavers’ commitment to make high-quality eyewear and eyecare accessible makes them a natural fit. Together, we look forward to helping more Canadians show up at their best, both on and off the field.”
The partnership includes Specsavers as the Blue Jays presenting sponsor of the Strike Zone Challenge, based on the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System – a new feature making its Major League Baseball debut this season. The ABS Challenge System allows players to challenge a home-plate umpire’s ball or strike calls: by tapping their cap or helmet, a batter, pitcher or catcher can trigger an instant review, with results displayed on the Rogers Centre videoboard and integrated into Sportsnet’s broadcast. The system adds a compelling new layer of strategy to the sport – and is a natural fit for a brand whose goal is to help more Canadians see the game clearly, explained the company.
Specsavers entered the Canadian market in 2021. In 2025, it opened 130 new stores across the country.
Welcome to the Daily Synopsis by Retail Insider. We published 6 articles covering recent developments across Canadian retail sectors including grocery, entertainment, and rewards programs. That includes Fresh St. Market, which will open its first Richmond location in summer 2027 as the grocery anchor within CF Richmond Centre’s mixed-use redevelopment.
Rendering of Fresh St. Market at CF Richmond Centre. Image supplied
Fresh St. Market will open its first Richmond location in Summer 2027, bringing a long-absent grocery component to CF Richmond Centre as the property continues its transformation into one of Canada’s most ambitious mixed-use retail developments.
The 26,425-square-foot store will be located at 6553 Park Road within the CF Richmond Centre redevelopment, becoming Fresh St. Market’s 10th location in British Columbia and its first in Richmond.
The announcement represents more than a new grocery store opening. While CF Richmond Centre has evolved into one of Metro Vancouver’s premier shopping destinations, the property does not currently have a grocery anchor. As thousands of new residents move into homes being built as part of the redevelopment, the addition of a full-service food retailer adds an essential daily-needs component to Cadillac Fairview’s vision for a complete urban community.
“Richmond has one of the most exciting food cultures in Metro Vancouver with a focus on fresh, quality ingredients making Fresh St. Market an exceptional fit for this municipality and its residents,” said Palle Knudsen, Vice President of Retail Operations & Marketing at Georgia Main Food Group Limited.
“We have been looking for the right opportunity to bring Fresh St. Market to Richmond for years and this location at CF Richmond Centre is centrally located in the hub of the city and abundant with visitors.”
Rendering of Fresh St. Market at CF Richmond Centre. Image supplied
Grocery Retail Plays a Key Role in Mixed-Use Communities
Across North America, major shopping centre owners are increasingly incorporating residential density, public spaces, restaurants and everyday services into their properties. Grocery stores have become particularly important because they generate regular visits and serve residents, workers and shoppers throughout the day.
The redevelopment of CF Richmond Centre is among the most significant examples of this trend in Western Canada. The project is transforming the shopping centre into a large-scale mixed-use district featuring residential towers, new retail streets, public gathering spaces and a broader range of uses than the traditional enclosed mall model.
Within that context, Fresh St. Market fills an important role.
The store is expected to serve residents living within the redevelopment as well as those in surrounding neighbourhoods, office workers, transit users and visitors to CF Richmond Centre’s retail and dining offerings. Its presence helps establish the type of daily activity that supports successful mixed-use developments while providing a service that residents can access without leaving the community.
“We are thrilled to welcome Fresh St. Market to CF Richmond Centre. This key development perfectly aligns with our vision of transforming the centre into a truly vibrant community hub,” said Julia Dow, General Manager of CF Richmond Centre.
“This opening is another exciting step in creating a space where our community of residents and shoppers can gather, connect, and enjoy modern amenities.”
Fresh St. Market Enters a Competitive and Food-Focused Market
Fresh St. Market’s arrival in Richmond comes after years of searching for the right opportunity in a municipality widely recognized for its strong food culture and sophisticated grocery sector.
Richmond is home to a diverse mix of grocery banners, specialty food retailers and international food concepts. Consumers are often highly engaged with food, fresh ingredients and culinary experiences, creating opportunities for retailers that can offer a differentiated approach.
Fresh St. Market has built its reputation around a public market-inspired format that combines traditional grocery shopping with prepared foods, specialty offerings and an emphasis on local suppliers.
The Richmond location will feature many of the elements associated with the Fresh St. Market brand, including locally sourced produce, Certified Angus Beef, freshly made sushi, prepared foods, a carvery, bakery offerings and dedicated seating areas. Customers will also find the retailer’s signature Peak Donuts and fresh-baked cookies.
“What excites us most about Richmond is the opportunity to connect with so many passionate food lovers who care deeply about where their food comes from,” said Knudsen.
“That shared commitment to quality and local is at the heart of everything we do at Fresh St. Market, and we look forward to earning a place in this community for years to come.”
Rendering of Fresh St. Market at CF Richmond Centre. Image supplied
Supporting Local Suppliers and Community Programs
The company said the Richmond store will create local employment opportunities and continue Fresh St. Market’s longstanding commitment to supporting British Columbia suppliers and producers.
The location will also participate in two company-wide sustainability initiatives. Through a partnership with FoodMesh, Fresh St. Market has helped divert surplus edible food to charities and community organizations across the province. Customers will also have access to the retailer’s Borrow a Bag program, a reusable shopping bag system designed to reduce single-use waste.
A Strategic Addition to CF Richmond Centre
Fresh St. Market currently operates locations in Vancouver, West Vancouver, Surrey, Whistler, Kamloops, Langley and North Vancouver. The Richmond store will bring the chain’s total store count to 10 locations across British Columbia.
The opening also marks another milestone in CF Richmond Centre’s ongoing evolution. As residential construction continues and new retail concepts are introduced, Fresh St. Market will provide a service that residents rely on regularly while contributing to the broader vision of creating a complete urban neighbourhood.
For Fresh St. Market, the project delivers a long-sought entry into one of Metro Vancouver’s most desirable grocery markets. For CF Richmond Centre, it secures a tenant that helps bridge the gap between destination shopping and everyday living—a key ingredient in the next generation of mixed-use retail developments.
Vaughan Mills has added another major attraction to its growing mix of retail and entertainment offerings with the opening of a new 24,000-square-foot Playdium featuring the most attractions of any Playdium in Canada.
The new Playdium, operated by Cineplex, opened on June 17 and represents the fifth location for the entertainment concept in Canada. Located within one of the country’s busiest shopping centres, the venue combines arcade gaming, interactive attractions, food and beverage offerings, and event spaces designed to appeal to families, teens and groups.
The opening comes as shopping centre owners and entertainment operators continue to invest in experiential concepts that encourage longer visits and provide consumers with reasons to visit physical destinations beyond traditional shopping.
Playdium at Vaughan Mills. Photo: Cineplex
New Playdium Brings More Attractions to Vaughan Mills
Playdium Vaughan features more attractions under one roof than any other Playdium in Canada, according to Cineplex.
The venue includes more than 85 arcade and amusement games alongside a range of larger-scale attractions. Among them are wall climbing, a ropes course with zip lines, six lanes of augmented reality duckpin bowling and what Cineplex says is the Greater Toronto Area’s first Gel Blaster experience, a team-based attraction that combines elements of video gaming, laser tag and paintball.
Guests can earn points through gameplay and redeem prizes through the Swag Shop, while the venue’s food and beverage offering includes burgers, pizza, shareables and desserts. An elevated lounge provides additional seating and gathering space, and eight private rooms are available for birthday parties, corporate events and group celebrations.
According to Cineplex, the opening has created more than 100 jobs in the Vaughan community.
Retail Insider first reported on the project in December 2025 when Cineplex announced plans to bring a new Playdium with the most attractions in Canada to Vaughan Mills. The opening marks the completion of that expansion and adds another major attraction to the shopping centre’s growing entertainment offering.
Playdium at Vaughan Mills. Photo: Cineplex
Experiential Retail Continues to Gain Importance
The opening reflects a broader shift taking place across the retail real estate sector.
Across Canada, major shopping centres have increasingly embraced entertainment concepts, immersive attractions, dining destinations and other experience-driven uses as they compete for consumer attention. These tenants help generate repeat visits, appeal to multiple demographics and create activity throughout the day and evening.
The trend has accelerated as landlords seek ways to differentiate physical retail environments from online shopping. Concepts that encourage social interaction and extended visits have become particularly valuable, helping transform shopping centres into destinations where consumers can spend several hours rather than simply complete transactions.
For entertainment operators, shopping centres provide access to established customer traffic and highly visible locations. For landlords, concepts such as Playdium can complement retail offerings while strengthening a property’s ability to attract families, groups and tourists.
Playdium at Vaughan Mills. Photo: Cineplex
Vaughan Mills Builds on a Destination Strategy
The addition of Playdium aligns with the strategy that has helped make Vaughan Mills one of Canada’s most successful shopping centres.
The approximately 1.3-million-square-foot property attracts nearly 12 million visitors annually and serves as a regional destination for shoppers from across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. Over the years, the centre has distinguished itself through a combination of outlet retail, destination stores and family-oriented attractions that draw visitors from well outside its immediate trade area.
Its location in Vaughan places it near major attractions including Canada’s Wonderland and within one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. That combination has helped the centre attract both local shoppers and tourists while supporting a tenant mix that extends beyond traditional retail categories.
The arrival of a Playdium featuring the most attractions in Canada further strengthens Vaughan Mills’ position as a destination where consumers can combine shopping, dining and entertainment in a single visit.
Cineplex Expands Its Entertainment Portfolio
Playdium at Vaughan Mills. Photo: Cineplex
The Vaughan opening also highlights Cineplex’s growing presence within the location-based entertainment sector.
While the company remains Canada’s largest movie theatre operator, it has spent years building a broader portfolio that includes Playdium, The Rec Room and Junxion. Each concept targets different customer segments while leveraging the company’s expertise in entertainment and guest experiences.
As consumer spending increasingly shifts toward experiences, operators and landlords alike continue to look for opportunities that blend recreation, social interaction and retail. For Cineplex, Playdium Vaughan represents another investment in a growing entertainment category. For Vaughan Mills, the opening adds another significant draw to a property that has increasingly combined retail, entertainment and tourism into a destination experience for consumers across the Greater Toronto Area.
Summer is often a popular time for homeowners to refresh their living spaces, whether updating a single room or undertaking a larger furnishing project. This year, Casavogue is marking the season with two special events designed to give customers access to significant savings while providing an elevated shopping experience.
Beginning June 18, the showroom will launch its Big Summer Sale, featuring discounts ranging from 30% to 50% off across living room, bedroom, and dining room collections. The promotion will be followed by the Big VIP Sale, a two-day event taking place on June 20 and 21.
Big Summer Sale Begins June 18
The Big Summer Sale offers customers an opportunity to explore a wide selection of furniture at reduced prices for a limited time. The promotion applies across major furniture categories, making it an ideal time to update multiple spaces throughout the home.
Whether furnishing a living room, selecting a new bedroom collection, or refreshing a dining area, customers will find savings throughout the showroom. Discounts of 30% to 50% off create opportunities to invest in furniture designed for long-term comfort, functionality, and style.
A VIP Shopping Experience
The Big VIP Sale builds on the summer promotion by transforming the showroom into a celebratory shopping event. Guests attending on June 20 and 21 will be welcomed with champagne and delicacies while exploring the collections and promotional offers available throughout the store.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to participate in prize draws and spin the wheel for a chance to win additional prizes, creating an atmosphere that combines shopping, entertainment, and celebration.
At the same time, attendees will enjoy access to the exceptional discounts available through the Big Summer Sale, with savings ranging from 30% to 50% off across selected collections. The promotion is available in all Casavogue stores.
A Destination for Furnishing the Home
Founded in 1972, Casavogue has spent more than five decades helping Montréal homeowners furnish their homes through curated collections, personalized service, and design expertise. The company’s 38,000-square-foot showroom presents furniture for the living room, dining room, and bedroom, allowing customers to explore complete room settings and coordinated interiors under one roof.
The upcoming sales events provide an opportunity for both new and returning customers to experience the showroom while taking advantage of seasonal savings.
Register for the VIP Event
Customers interested in attending the Big VIP Sale are encouraged to register in advance.
