Montreal-based Lolë Brands, a global apparel company producing elevated athleisure, active and outerwear designed to last, is acquiring outdoor lifestyle footwear brand, Sanuk®, previously a division of Deckers Brands.
Founded in 1997 within the vibrant surfing, action sports and outdoor community, Sanuk has long been synonymous with comfort, creativity and free-spirited adventure, said Lolë.
Todd Steele
“Sanuk is iconic for its disruptive spirit and loyal fanbase, and we’re pleased to welcome the brand to the Lolë family,” said Todd Steele, Lolë CEO. “We look forward to working alongside Katie (Pruitt, Sanuk Vice President, General Manager) and leveraging Lolë’s resources and partnerships to embark on a new stage of growth for the brand.”
Katie Pruitt
“I’m honored to join the team at Lolë Brands, a talented group with whom I share a similar passion and vision for building brands,” said Pruitt. “Together, we see exciting opportunities to elevate Sanuk’s product offerings, disrupt the marketplace and build brand love with our growing community of Sanuk fans.”
Sanuk says it is on a mission to spread smiles far and wide through fun yet functional footwear. The partnership will usher in a new era for the beloved Southern California-born brand, as Sanuk and Lolë share a commitment to responsibly produced, innovative and stylish designs, it said.
“Under new ownership, Sanuk will benefit from a renewed investment to build on its core strengths, such as unique, consumer-centric products and marketing that differentiates the brand in the marketplace. Sanuk’s loyal customer base of wholesale partners can look forward to experiencing the brand’s evolution, which includes a nimble and progressive approach to marketplace management and customer service,” said the company.
Pruitt will focus on evolving the brand strategy and prioritizing direct-to- consumer and wholesale customers to drive innovation and growth. In the coming months, Sanuk will relocate its operations and open a new office in Los Angeles, CA.
This acquisition marks the second for Lolë in the past year as it expands its portfolio of environmentally conscious consumer brands.
Lolë is a global apparel brand offering elevated athleisure, active and outerwear versatile and stylish enough to transition from the studio to the street, and everywhere in between. Designed in Montreal. Lolë clothing can be found at more than 1,500 retail outlets around the world, in Lolë Ateliers and online at lolelife.com.
Founded in 1997, Sanuk is an unconventional footwear brand on a mission to keep you comfy, protect our happy places and cultivate community. Sanuk is the Thai word for “fun,” so we infuse fun into everything we do.
Ontario-based grocery chain Farm Boy, owned by Empire Company Ltd., is taking a step towards reducing single-use packaging waste. Beginning August 19, the grocery retailer will introduce reusable containers at its salad and hot bars in its Guelph store located at 370 Stone Rd W, Guelph, ON N1G 4V9, offering customers an eco-friendly alternative for the retailer’s ready-to-eat meals.
The initiative is the result of a collaboration with Friendlier, a startup founded in 2019 by University of Waterloo chemical engineering graduates Kayli Dale and Jacqueline Hutchings. Friendlier specializes in developing high-quality, reusable food containers and has created a user-friendly system to encourage their adoption.
The system operates on a deposit-return model. Customers will pay a 50-cent deposit for each container, which can be reclaimed upon return. To streamline the process, Friendlier has developed an app that allows users to scan a QR code on the product or website to initiate the refund, which is then processed via e-transfer.
This partnership represents a significant step forward in the retail sector’s efforts to address environmental concerns. By offering reusable containers for prepared foods, Farm Boy is not only reducing waste but also providing customers with a convenient way to participate in sustainable practices.
For Farm Boy customers interested in participating in this eco-friendly initiative, more information about the partnership and how to use the reusable container system can be found on the Friendlier app, website, and social media accounts.
T&T Supermarket Inc., Canada’s top Asian grocery retailer chain, will open their first store in California at the Westgate Center, 1600 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, in the Fall 2025.
“We aim to create a destination,” said Tina Lee, CEO of T&T Supermarkets. “It’s a place for discovery, innovation, and bringing people together through food. We want to evolve our grocery store beyond the functional – we want to be the place where people want to go, not just need to go. We can’t wait to share that with the people of the Bay Area.
“San Jose is a very special place to me. My aunt lives in Saratoga, and I have spent many summers there. It brings back great memories. This store is for her.”
With two stores in the works in Washington, this marks T&T’s third store announcement in the Unites States, said the company.
Westgate Center is at the major intersection of Saratoga Avenue and Prospect Road. The 55,000-square-foot store is in the former Walmart location.
The developer of Westgate Center is Federal Realty, a leading real estate investment trust specializing in shopping centres such as Santana Row.
“The first time I visited a T&T, it blew my mind,” said Jeff Kreshek, Western Region President of Federal Realty. “I came back from Canada thinking, ‘we have to make this happen’. People don’t know what they are missing. T&T is a dynamic concept that caters to the eclectic interests and preferences of our community. To take the T&T experience and put it into Westgate Center – it’ll be a force multiplier.”
Tina Lee, CEO of T&T Supermarket and Jeff Kreshek, Western Region President of Federal Realty
T&T currently operates over 33 stores across Canada, and is a full service unique shopping experience known for its vast selection of authentic Asian products, fresh produce, full service meat counter, live seafood tanks, and an in-store prepared foods program like no other.
The company said the new location will feature a BBQ counter, noodle station, dim sum and street food section, hot food bar, and a made to order Chinese crepe station. The store will also have an in-store bakery with freshly prepared delights such as mochi puffs, egg tarts, Hong Kong style pastries and customized cakes. It will be the first time Californians will be able to access the chain’s signature Private Label products including pineapple cakes, Taiwanese sausages, soup pork dumplings and green onion pancakes.
The store will create close to 200 jobs for the local community.
T&T Supermarkets is the largest Asian supermarket chain in Canada, operating over 33 stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. T&T Supermarkets was founded in Vancouver in 1993 and is now led by second-generation successor and CEO Tina Lee. T&T Supermarket is headquartered in Richmond and is under the Loblaw Companies umbrella.
Some recent changes by the federal government on the Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive (CEI) – measure that was proposed in the budget to offset some of the negative impact of the increase in the capital gains inclusion rate – is a step in the right direction but more change is needed, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
The national organization said CEI will reduce the amount of capital gains paid by some business owners when they sell the shares of their business.
While these changes do not fully offset the negative impact of the hike in the inclusion rate, CFIB said it is pleased that the government moved forward on three of CFIB’s top four proposed amendments:
1. Farmers and fishers selling property will now have access to the program (only those selling shares were included before). Personal services businesses will also now have access to the incentive.
2. The founder rule has been dropped, allowing those who invest later to benefit.
3. The incentive will be phased in over five years, rather than 10.
Dan Kelly
“These are all good moves, but the government did not move on one of the most critical changes – the need to expand the CEI to all entrepreneurs. It appears hundreds of thousands of small businesses will continue to be specifically excluded, including owners of restaurants, hotels as well as those in finance, insurance, real estate, arts, entertainment, recreation, and professionals like doctors, lawyers, accountants. It makes no sense to have a different tax treatment between a retail shop and a local restaurant,” said Dan Kelly, President and CEO of the CFIB.
“The CEI itself is a positive measure. While the new amendments will help many, they will not benefit the many business owners who sell their assets rather than shares (other than farms/fishers) or those who have capital gains within their corporations. For them, the increase in the inclusion rate will hit hard. CFIB will continue to push Ottawa to reverse the hike in the inclusion rate and expand the CEI to all SMEs.”
“Since the federal budget’s release, Canadian business leaders have urged the government to reverse its proposed tax changes to capital gains and instead support strategies that build lasting wealth and prosperity.
“The tweaks to the CEI announced today fall short of addressing the harm caused by the government’s tax plans on Canada’s innovation economy. CCI continues to call for a full reversal of the government’s plan because taxing our way to prosperity isn’t a viable path.
“In CCI’s recent pulse check survey, 90 per cent of Canadian innovators expressed concern that the tax hike will harm the economy, with reduced access to skilled talent and growth capital cited as the primary risks. Furthermore, the Parliamentary Budget Office estimates that the government’s projections from this tax hike won’t deliver the expected windfall. There is neither a political or economic case for these changes any more.
“Half-measures, piecemeal incentives, and misguided strategies will not drive the growth Canada needs. Canadians deserve bold, forward-thinking economic policies that actually foster growth and give companies the talent and capital they need to scale. It’s time for the government to stop taxing ambition and start working with innovators to tackle Canada’s productivity and prosperity challenges. The current path is not just misguided—it’s a dead end.
“CCI has always taken pride in working constructively and substantively with Canadian governments, co-developing policies and strategies to ensure that our economy is on the best possible footing for the 21st century innovation economy. We will continue to do this work as we participate in the upcoming consultations.”
Recently, the federal Department of Finance new enhancements to the Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive, to ensure innovators and small business owners, including farmers, “are rewarded for their hard work.”
Eliminating the Founder Requirement and Reducing Ownership Requirements: Budget 2024 announced a requirement that business owners must be a founder who, at all times since founding the company, held 10 per cent or more of all common shares. Following feedback that this ownership requirement may not meet the needs of entrepreneurs, particularly in the tech and farming sectors, the government is now proposing to:
Reduce minimum ownership levels to 5 per cent; and,
Reduce minimum ownership time to any continuous 24-month period, at any time since the business’ founding, thereby eliminating the requirement to be a founder.
Reducing the Level of Engagement Requirement: Budget 2024 announced that business owners must be actively engaged on a regular, continuous, and substantial basis for the five years immediately preceding the sale to benefit from the incentive. The government heard that many entrepreneurs may reduce their day-to-day involvement in a company prior to selling and that many business owners choose to sell before five years have elapsed. Recognizing the importance of innovation, the government is now proposing to:
Reduce the period of active engagement on a regular, continuous, and substantial basis to any combined three-year period at any time since the founding of the business.
Expanding Eligibility to More Small Businesses: Budget 2024 announced that small business corporation shares would be eligible property for the incentive, making eligible entrepreneurs better off when selling business shares worth up to $6.25 million. To expand the incentive to more small business owners, including the next generation of business owners, the government is now proposing to expand eligibility to:
All qualified farming and fishing property; and,
Additional small businesses.
Accelerating the Rollout: Budget 2024 announced the incentive would increase by $200,000 annually over ten years, to reach $2 million by 2034. In response to entrepreneurs’ desire for the full incentive to be delivered sooner, the government is now proposing to:
Double the annual phase-in increases to $400,000, to reach $2 million by 2029.
The Royalmount development in Montreal has announced new jewellery tenants ahead of its opening next month. Included will be several first-to-market brands as well as one of the world’s largest Rolex stores.
The Rolex store, to be managed by Raffi Jewellers Flagship Boutique of Cambridge, ON, will span a whopping 7,295 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world for the brand when it opens. Raffi will also operate a standalone Tudor boutique at Royalmount, which will be the first in Montreal and the third in Canada.
Luxury watch brands IWC and Omega will also open their first storefronts in Quebec at Royalmount, both in partnership with local retailer Maison Monaco. Additionally, Maison Monaco will open its own storefront at Royalmount housing shop-in-stores for brands including Zenith, Longines, Frederique Constant and Roberto Coin.
Royalmount (Rendering: Carbonleo)
Luxury brand Montblanc will open at Royalmount, in partnership with a local licensee who also operates Montblanc stores in downtown Montreal as well as at CF Carrefour Laval — the Laval store will close with Royalmount set to replace it, according to a reliable source. Jewellers Pandora and Swarovski are also confirmed to be opening, with Swarovski featuring its newest ‘blue’ store design that recently opened on Bloor Street in Toronto.
TimeVallée Facade Rendering, Royalmount in Montreal. Image provided by Maison BirksRendering of the new Birks store, set to open September 5, 2024, next to TimeVallée. Image provided by Birks
As reported last week, Maison Birks will bring Swiss watch concept TimeVallée to Royalmount, with a 2,800 square foot storefront that will be adjacent to a new concept Birks store. TimeVallée will house shop-in-stores for seven watch brands including Cartier, Panerai, Baume & Mercier, Jaeger Lecoultre, Chopard, Grand Seiko and Piaget.
The brands join previously announced luxury jewellers opening at Royalmount including a flagship Tiffany & Co. store, David Yurman and TAG Heuer. The TAG Heuer shop will be run by Maison Monaco.
“Securing top-tier watch makers and jewelry retailers for Royalmount solidifies our commitment to offering visitors a diverse and high-quality shopping experience,” said Andrew Lutfy, CEO of Carbonleo and lead investor, in a statement. “Jewelry often holds sentimental value for its owners. It tends to invoke a special moment or memory. And this fits beautifully with the Royalmount experience, of which creating human connections is a huge part.”
“The increase in the cultural relevance of luxury jewelry and watches over the past few years has led to unprecedented demand and growth in both categories,” added Michael Stroll, Senior Vice President, Leasing & Partner at Carbonleo in a statement. “Royalmount securing so many of the top brands in the world, including Rolex’s largest Canadian boutique, reflects the world-class nature of the project, and will be wonderful for the city of Montreal and its retail and tourism ecosystems.”
The newly announced brands will join a wide selection of luxury fashion and lifestyle giants that have already committed to being a part of Royalmount.
Louis Vuitton and other retailers at Royalmount. Image: Carbonleo (screen shot from a video)
Luxury brands will cluster along a central corridor on the main floor of the shopping centre component of Royalmount, with art work located in central areas that will be visible from some of the big-brand stores. In November of 2022, Royalmount announced a roster of luxury brands secured for the retail centre that include Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Gucci, as well as French contemporary brands Sandro and Maje. In June of 2023, Royalmount announced further luxury brands including Saint Laurent, Versace, Jimmy Choo, David Yurman and TAG Heuer — all of which will be the first standalone locations for the Montreal market.
In June of 2023, several Montreal-based brands were announced to be opening stores at Royalmount. They include Acuité Visuelle, Aldo, Arc’teryx, Bikini Village, Browns Shoes, Dynamite, Garage, Influenceu, Judith & Charles, La Canadienne, La Vie en Rose, Mackage, Moose Knuckles and Rudsak.
In April, newly announced retailers at Royalmount included Moncler, Longchamp, Veronica Beard, Anine Bing, Roche Bobois and Canada Goose, Zara, Nike, Mango, H&M, Alo Yoga, and Sephora.
The massive project will include food and beverage options, including a food hall. Royalmount’s new food hall, Le Fou Fou will span about 35,000 square feet and be run by MTB Collective. The European-style food hall will have 12 distinct culinary offerings including catering plus four bars with indoor/outdoor dining that seats over 900 guests. It’s described as being Montreal’s first food hall to combine top-tier talent, hi-touch technology and programming all year round.
The $7 billion Royalmount development, set to open September 5, 2024, will be the largest such project of its kind in Canadian history according to Carbonleo. The project has been under construction since before the pandemic and in the spring of 2019 Retail Insider attended the ground-breaking of Royalmount which at the time was a former industrial site with construction equipment ready to dig.
Royalmount’s first phase will include an 824,000 square foot two-level retail and lifestyle complex. Royalmount will be the first 100% carbon-neutral mixed-use development in the Americas and the largest LEED Gold retail project in Canada. Previously announced components include an aquarium and Cineplex, which will bring premium cinemas and The Rec Room entertainment concept to Royalmount.
The privately-funded Royalmount project will become a state-of-the-art lifestyle hub for the region, with L Catterton, an investment arm of LVMH, being a key investor. The development will include a mix of experiences and will also be home to a three-kilometre linear park called Le Champ Libre, along with an outdoor public plaza.
Carbonleo is a privately owned, Quebec-based real estate development and management company. Founded in 2012, the company has more than 170 employees and counts several major projects to its credit, including Quartier DIX30 and the Four Seasons Montreal Hotel and Private Residences.
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 48 hours.
Leading provider of cloud-based point-of-sale and e-commerce solutions Lightspeed Commerce Inc. has introduced a new product aimed at revolutionizing the retail industry. The company’s latest offering, Retail Insights, promises to equip Canadian retailers with powerful data-driven tools to optimize their inventory management and capitalize on sales opportunities.
With its new Retail Insights platform, Lightspeed is taking a significant step forward in addressing the evolving needs of modern retailers. The comprehensive suite of analytical tools leverages historical and real-time data to forecast demand, predict stock-outs, and streamline the purchase order process.
Dax Dasilva, CEO and Founder of Lightspeed, emphasized the importance of advanced insights in today’s rapidly changing retail landscape. “Retailers need cutting-edge tools to keep pace with the demands of their customers, suppliers, and staff,” Dasilva stated. “Retail Insights provides our clients with a clear view of product performance, sales trends, and inventory levels, enabling them to make informed decisions and plan for increased sales opportunities.”
The platform’s features are designed to adapt to the diverse needs of retailers, regardless of catalog size, supplier network, or number of locations. One of the key functionalities is the ability to estimate missed sales due to out-of-stock periods, allowing merchants to make more accurate ordering decisions. This feature alone has the potential to significantly reduce lost revenue opportunities for retailers.
Another notable aspect of Retail Insights is its forecasting capability for non-seasonal replenishment. By analyzing past sales volumes and stockouts, the system can suggest order quantities, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual estimations. This feature is particularly valuable for retailers dealing with a wide range of products and fluctuating demand patterns.
The platform also streamlines the purchase order process by allowing merchants to create draft orders directly from inventory reports. This integration saves time and reduces the risk of errors that can occur when switching between different systems or screens.
For retailers seeking a deeper understanding of their business performance, Retail Insights offers detailed visual reporting on various metrics. Users can track daily, weekly, or monthly trends at a glance, while also diving into granular data on product performance and costs. The ability to customize and save reports according to specific requirements further enhances the platform’s utility for strategic decision-making.
Lightspeed says its commitment to innovation is evident in its impressive client roster, which includes renowned brands such as Birkenstock in Australia, Evenko and Air Canada in Canada, and L’Occitane in New Zealand. The company’s solutions are currently available in several countries, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
7-Eleven is facing potential store closures in Winnipeg, long hailed as the Slurpee capital of the world.
According to two Winnipeg city councillors, 7-Eleven executives have disclosed that 10 stores within the city limits are at risk of shutting down due to ongoing challenges with crime and shoplifting. The company is reportedly seeking assistance to prevent these closures, which could significantly affect local neighbourhoods and consumers.
This is not the first time 7-Eleven locations in Winnipeg have faced closure threats. In late 2019, the William Avenue store was shuttered due to criminal activity, leaving a noticeable gap in the community.
Councillors met with 7-Eleven officials, including the CEO and a local store manager, to discuss the dire situation. The company representatives explained that several locations are incurring significant losses due to rampant shoplifting and criminal activities, making their operations unsustainable.
The potential closures pose a particular concern for inner-city and North End residents who rely on 7-Eleven stores for accessible food options.
In response to the crisis, 7-Eleven has called upon city officials to help develop solutions to curb criminal activity at their stores. Discussions have included proposals for increased police patrols and the possibility of implementing security measures similar to those used in Liquor Mart locations.
The province of Manitoba is currently funding a police overtime program targeting businesses affected by retail theft.
The new establishment, spanning over 14,000 square feet, will accommodate more than 350 diners, offering a diverse menu that caters to lunch, happy hour, dinner, and late-night crowds. This expansion marks Cactus Club Cafe’s continued growth in Ontario and its commitment to serving the Greater Toronto Area.
Corina Phu, Regional Manager for Cactus Club Cafe, expressed enthusiasm about the new location: “We’re proud to unveil this eagerly awaited restaurant and bring our fresh menu and unique Cactus vibe to North York. This opening represents our continued expansion in Ontario, with plans for more locations on the horizon.”
Cactus Club Cafe, Yonge Sheppard Centre in Toronto. Photo suppliedPatio at the new Cactus Club Cafe, Yonge Sheppard Centre in Toronto. Photo supplied
The Yonge Sheppard Centre location will feature three distinct dining areas: a lounge designed to become a North York hotspot, a warm and inviting dining room ideal for various group sizes, and an enclosed all-season patio. Each space has been thoughtfully designed to provide a unique atmosphere while maintaining the signature Cactus Club Cafe experience.
Culinary offerings at the new location will be overseen by Regional Chef Paul Woodham and Red Seal Chef Jared Cachero, ensuring the high standards of quality and consistency that Cactus Club Cafe is known for. The menu will include new items such as Thai Red Curry, Green Goddess Salad, and London Fog Crème Brûlée, alongside an extensive selection of beverages, including custom cocktails and a sommelier-selected wine list.
In line with the company’s commitment to sustainability and local sourcing, the Yonge Sheppard kitchen will partner with organizations like the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and Ocean Wise™ to promote improvements across the food supply chain and support Canadian farmers.
The restaurant’s interior will feature standout art pieces, including a two-level mural by Toronto artist Daniel Mazzone, Andy Warhol prints, and neon-lit works by Miami artist Rubem Robierb, adding to the vibrant and stylish ambiance.
As part of its community engagement efforts, Cactus Club Cafe will be raising donations during its training dry runs, with all proceeds going to North York Community House, an organization that assists newcomers to Toronto in settling and integrating into their community.
The new Cactus Club Cafe at Yonge Sheppard Centre will be open seven days a week, offering daily Happy Hour specials and half-priced bottles of wine every Tuesday. Its location provides easy access via public transit and secure underground parking for those driving.
Cactus Club Cafe, founded in 1988 in North Vancouver has evolved from a single restaurant to a prominent chain of premium casual dining establishments across Canada. The brainchild of former Earls waiters Richard Jaffray and Scott Morison, Cactus Club Cafe emerged from humble beginnings, with the founders selling their first venture, “Café Cucamongas,” to fund their new concept.
The company’s journey has been marked by strategic expansion and culinary innovation. By 1998, just a decade after its inception, Cactus Club Cafe had already established 10 locations across British Columbia and Alberta, demonstrating its appeal and success in Western Canada. The chain’s growth continued steadily, reaching 19 locations by 2008.
Today, Cactus Club Cafe boasts over 30 locations across Canada, with a presence in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. The company’s expansion into Eastern Canada, including its growing footprint in Toronto, represents a new chapter in its national growth strategy.
In February 2022, a significant change in ownership occurred when the Fuller family acquired full control of Cactus Club Cafe from Richard Jaffray.
Canadian food and pharmacy retailer Metro Inc. says it is witnessing a significant shift in consumer shopping habits as discount grocery stores continue to outperform their conventional counterparts. This trend, which has been gaining momentum in recent years, is putting increased pressure on traditional store models and forcing retailers to adapt.
Eric La Flèche, CEO of Metro Inc., addressed this challenge during the company’s third quarter earnings call on Wednesday, August 14. He emphasized the need for conventional stores to differentiate themselves and enhance the customer experience. “The experience for the customer has to be elevated,” La Flèche stated, highlighting the company’s strategy for its Metro banner stores.
To combat the growing popularity of discount grocers, Metro says it is investing heavily in its conventional stores and loyalty programs. The company aims to provide a unique offering that sets it apart from discount competitors. This approach is being implemented on a market-by-market and store-by-store basis, tailoring the shopping experience to local consumer preferences.
Metro Inc. operates a diverse portfolio of retail brands across Ontario and Quebec. In addition to its namesake Metro stores, the company owns the Jean Coutu pharmacy chain. On the discount side, Metro operates Super C in Quebec and Food Basics in Ontario. The multi-banner strategy allows the company to cater to various consumer segments and price points.
La Flèche noted that in markets where no conversions between formats have occurred, discount stores are experiencing faster growth than conventional stores. This trend underscores the importance of maintaining a presence in both market segments. “That’s why we like to have both banners, and we go to market with both banners,” he explained.
The company reported higher food same-store sales for its third quarter, primarily driven by its discount banners. However, La Flèche expressed satisfaction with the performance of conventional stores on a relative basis, despite acknowledging the pressure they face in both Quebec and Ontario markets. When combining discount and conventional sales, Metro is seeing gains in market share and sales volume.
Expansion plans are underway for Metro Inc., with six Super C stores already opened this year. The fourth quarter will see the addition of a Food Basics store in Ottawa, a Super C in Montreal, and a Metro location in Ottawa. These openings reflect the company’s commitment to growing its presence in key markets.
La Flèche observed that the discount market is growing more rapidly in Quebec compared to Ontario, partly due to square footage additions and massive conversions by a competitor. He said that he anticipates that once this conversion wave ends, the Metro banner will be well-positioned to resume growth, while the Super C banner will continue to capture growth in the discount sector.
