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.
London Drugs is set to expand its footprint in Winnipeg with the announcement of a new store opening at CF Polo Park Shopping Centre. It’s the first new London drugs store to open in the Winnipeg market in 20 years, in one of the country’s leading shopping centres.
The new location, slated to open in the latter half of 2025, will mark London Drugs’ second store in the Winnipeg area. This expansion is part of the company’s broader growth strategy in Manitoba, aimed at meeting the diverse needs of local consumers while contributing to the region’s economic development.
Situated on the upper level of CF Polo Park, the purpose-built retail space will offer a unique blend of products and services. At the heart of the store will be a full-service pharmacy and the innovative Connected Wellness program, designed to provide customers with a seamless integration of health services, technology, and beauty products.
CF Polo Park in Winnipeg. Image: Cadillac Fairview
The store’s concept emphasizes an integrated approach to wellness, with pharmacists and tech experts working in tandem to offer personalized guidance. This holistic strategy aims to empower customers in their health journeys by providing easy access to innovative solutions and expert advice.
According to lease plans, it appears that London Drugs is likely to open in an 18,000 square foot space in part of what was once a Sears department store located in the mall. London Drugs will be the second large drug store to operate in CF Polo Park, with Shoppers Drug Mart also having a 15,000 square foot store downstairs on the main level.
Peter Havens, General Manager of CF Polo Park, expressed enthusiasm about the addition of London Drugs to the shopping centre’s roster. “As the leading shopping destination in Winnipeg, this opening reaffirms our commitment to delivering best-in-class retail experiences to our community,” Havens said in a statement.
Clint Mahlman, COO and President of London Drugs, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the company’s dedication to community engagement. “We’re looking forward to fully integrating ourselves into the local community and bringing real value to Winnipeg’s residents and their community goals with our unique product offerings and ongoing initiatives,” Mahlman remarked in a statement.
CF Polo Park in Winnipeg. Image: Cadillac Fairview
The new store is expected to generate between 60 and 70 new jobs for local residents. This investment in human capital aligns with London Drugs’ reputation as a significant employer in Western Canada, where it currently provides jobs for over 9,000 individuals across its network of 80 stores.
CF Polo Park is one of Canada’s top shopping centres in terms of sales per square feet, exceeding $1,000 annually. The shopping centre spans more than a million square feet with Hudson’s Bay being its largest anchor.
London Drugs entered the Winnipeg market in 2004 when it opened its first store at the St. Vital Centre. The store remains operational today.
Founded in Vancouver in 1945, London Drugs has established itself as a versatile retailer, offering a wide range of products from personal protective equipment to electronics and cosmetics.
The Home Depot has fallen victim to a sophisticated fraud scheme across its stores in southern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The incident has resulted in estimated losses of $100,000 and the arrest of two individuals.
Further investigation revealed a pattern of fraudulent activity spanning from May to July 2024. The suspects allegedly used a combination of Home Depot gift cards, credit cards, and falsified identification to make purchases at various store locations throughout southern Ontario and the GTA. This sophisticated operation managed to circumvent existing security measures, highlighting the evolving challenges retailers face in combating fraud.
On July 11, 2024, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) responded to a call at the Home Depot located at 99 Cross Avenue in Oakville, part of the Oakville Place shopping complex. Store staff reported a suspect attempting to fraudulently purchase high-value items. Although the suspect fled before police arrived, investigators discovered a rental vehicle at the scene containing Home Depot property, multiple fraudulent credit cards, and fake identification documents.
The HRPS’s diligent work led to the identification and subsequent arrest of two suspects. Huguens Charlescat, a 30-year-old resident of Etobicoke, faces multiple charges including possession of property obtained by crime, fraud over $5,000, and personation with intent. Charlescat remains in custody pending a bail hearing. The second suspect, 29-year-old Melissa Levesque, also from Etobicoke, has been charged with fraud over $5,000 and released on an undertaking, with a court appearance scheduled for September 17, 2024.
New Petro Canada at Canadian Tire in Kitchener, Ontario
Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC) has launched its first rebranded fuel station under the Petro-Canada banner, marking a significant milestone in the partnership announced between the two companies in May 2023.
The inaugural rebranded site, located in Kitchener, Ontario, represents the beginning of a multi-year initiative that will see approximately 200 Canadian Tire Gas+ locations adopt the Petro-Canada branding. The strategic move aims to enhance the customer experience at fuel stations across Canada while maintaining the benefits of CTC’s popular Triangle Rewards program.
Despite the change in appearance, Petro-Canada has assured Canadian Tire’s Gas+ retail fuel customers that they will continue to earn Canadian Tire Money on their fuel purchases at both Petro-Canada and Gas+ locations nationwide. The seamless integration of loyalty programs is expected to drive additional value for millions of members and increase customer engagement.
Greg Hicks, President and CEO of Canadian Tire Corporation, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating, “Through this new partnership, Canadian Tire Corporation will expand the reach of our Triangle Rewards program from over 200 gas stations to a network of more than 1,800, driving enhanced value for Canadians at the pumps by providing more opportunities for members to earn CT Money in a high-frequency category.”
The collaboration between CTC and Petro-Canada, a brand of Suncor Energy, is set to bring multiple benefits to both companies and their customers. For Canadian Tire, it establishes a competitive fuel source and a long-term fuel supply arrangement. Suncor, on the other hand, will see an increased presence of Petro-Canada branded stations across the country.
Canadian Tire Corporation will continue to own the locations. This arrangement is expected to enhance existing site productivity and provide Petro-Canada’s SuperPass commercial fleet program customers access to CTC’s network of stations.
The partnership also opens doors for future opportunities, allowing CTC to leverage Suncor’s scale and operating infrastructure. This could potentially lead to the introduction of more products and services to customers, including low carbon energy alternatives, aligning with growing environmental concerns and sustainability trends in the retail fuel sector.
Bayview Village in Toronto. Photo: Wikipedia Commons
Pusateri’s Fine Foods, a stalwart of upscale grocery shopping in Toronto, has abruptly closed its location at Bayview Village Shopping Centre without explanation. The company has also closed the grocery component of its Saks Food Hall downtown while shelving plans for a store in Little Italy.
The Bayview Village closure, which caught shoppers off guard this week, comes just months after Pusateri’s shuttered its Yorkville store, ending a two-decade presence in one of Toronto’s most affluent neighbourhoods.
Efforts to obtain clarity on the situation have yielded little information — Retail Insider called the Avenue Road store, which had no answers. A call to landlord QuadReal also provided more questions than answers.
Following publishing this article, Streets of Toronto confirmed that the Bayview Village Pusateri’s has closed permanently — and as well, plans for a location that was under construction in Little Italy in Toronto have also been shelved, despite ongoing construction.
Prior to the confirmation, Retail Insider noted Google indicating that the Bayview Village Pusateri’s location is now permanently closed.
It also appears that the grocery component to the Saks Food Hall in downtown Toronto is no longer operating, though vendors with concessions are currently selling according to a source.
The sudden closure of the Bayview Village Pusateri’s location — previously considered one of the company’s leading stores in terms of sales — has raised questions about the challenges facing high-end food retailers in an increasingly competitive and economically uncertain landscape. It also appears that there may be a bigger issue within Pusateri’s itself.
The upscale food market in Toronto has become increasingly crowded in recent years. Eataly, the Italian mega-market, has announced plans for its fourth location in the city, set to open in early 2025 at the CF Toronto Eaton Centre — and earlier this year, a smaller location opened south of Bayview Village at CF Shops at Don Mills.
Pusateri’s Fine Foods at Bayview Village in Toronto. Photo: Pusateri’s
Pusateri’s, founded in 1963 by Sicilian immigrant Salvatore Pusateri, has long been synonymous with gourmet food shopping in Toronto. The company’s transformation from a modest produce stand to a high-end grocery empire mirrored the city’s own evolution into a global culinary destination.
Rendering of the Kelowna Costco Wholesale
Image Credit: Submitted/City of Kelowna
Costco Canada is doubling down on its commitment to membership exclusivity, signaling a shift towards a more disciplined and controlled shopping environment. The retail giant is currently piloting advanced membership card scanners at several locations across Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. These scanners, positioned at store entrances, mandate that shoppers authenticate their membership before entry. For non-members, access is restricted unless accompanied by a valid cardholder.
Nevertheless, there remain limited avenues for non-members to gain entry. A one-day pass, obtainable twice annually, offers temporary access, while those in possession of gift cards or seeking pharmacy services can also bypass the membership requirement.
This strategic move is entirely congruent with Costco’s distinct and highly profitable business model. Unlike traditional retailers, Costco derives a substantial portion of its profitability from membership fees rather than retail markups. By monetizing access to its vast inventory—predominantly financed by suppliers—Costco has effectively transformed its customer base into a revenue stream. With over 5 million active members in Canada, the company generates approximately $325 million annually from membership fees alone, before a single product is sold. This speaks volumes about the financial acumen behind Costco’s operations.
From a food retail perspective, Costco has made significant strides in recent years. The company has augmented its in-house food processing capabilities, expanded its offerings of locally sourced products, and enhanced the quality of its Kirkland Signature line. Once regarded as a mediocre food retailer, Costco has evolved into a formidable contender across numerous categories. This is particularly evident with its two iconic loss leaders: the $1.50 hot dog, positioned strategically at the entrance, and the $7.99 rotisserie chicken, located at the far end of the store—both designed to drive foot traffic and maintain customer loyalty.
Despite operating only 109 locations across Canada, Costco’s food sales are competitive with those of Walmart Canada and Metro, which manage 403 and over 900 stores, respectively. This underscores Costco’s operational efficiency and its ability to drive significant sales volume through a relatively limited footprint.
Costco’s approach to expansion in Canada has been characterized by prudence and deliberation. Historically, the retailer has opened just one new store every two to three years. However, the pace appears to be accelerating slightly, with new stores slated for Surrey, BC, and Oakville, Ontario, within the next two years. These developments are eagerly anticipated, as existing locations frequently experience high traffic, with customers navigating the sprawling 146,000-square-foot warehouse in search of deals.
The introduction of membership card scanners is unlikely to dampen revenue from membership fees. Earlier this year, Costco announced an upcoming increase in membership fees, effective this fall. Individual, business, and business add-on memberships will see a $5 annual increase, while executive memberships will rise by $10.
Costco’s ability to maintain customer loyalty is mirrored by its strong appeal to investors. The company’s stock, currently trading at approximately $862 USD per share, has appreciated by 54.4% over the past year. Speculation regarding a potential stock split has only heightened investor interest. Such a move would be consistent with the practices of other retail giants like Walmart and Amazon, whose shares are priced well below $200 USD.
While the markets anticipate further strategic maneuvers, one aspect of Costco remains steadfast: its quiet yet unwavering commitment to operational excellence. With a near-zero advertising budget, Costco continues to execute its strategy with a level of precision and restraint that is rarely seen in the retail sector, embodying the adage of “steady as she goes.”
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.
