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.

Canadian restaurant chain Cactus Club Cafe is set to open its third Toronto location at the Yonge Sheppard Centre in North York on August 20.

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.”

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.

The town of Banff has decided against keeping its summer pedestrian zone on Banff Avenue. The decision comes after a recent vote that has sparked considerable debate among residents and visitors alike.

The Town of Banff, renowned for its stunning natural beauty and bustling tourism industry, held a referendum this week to determine the fate of the pedestrian zone. The initiative, which began in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, had become a popular feature during the summer months. However, the voting results reveal a divided community, with a narrow majority opposing the continuation of the car-free area.

Out of 2,523 votes cast, 1,328 residents voted against maintaining the pedestrian zone, while 1,194 supported its continuation. This close margin highlights the complexity of balancing tourism, local business interests, and community preferences in a town that relies heavily on visitor traffic.

The pedestrian zone, which operated annually from the May long weekend to the Thanksgiving long weekend, had transformed Banff Avenue into a vibrant, walkable space. It featured additional public seating, bicycle parking, and flower planters, creating an inviting atmosphere for both tourists and locals. Many restaurants had expanded their patios onto the street, while retailers took advantage of the increased foot traffic with outdoor displays.

As a result of the vote, the Banff Town Council is now required to pass a bylaw rescinding the original decision to maintain the annual summer pedestrian zone. The dismantling process will begin promptly after the bylaw is passed, with the removal of public amenities, followed by the deconstruction of restaurant patios and retail displays.

The town will also need to make several logistical changes to accommodate the return of vehicle traffic. This includes adjusting traffic light signal timing at key intersections such as Wolf Street and Buffalo Street, and coordinating with lights on Spray Avenue. The gates that allowed Roam Transit to enter the pedestrian zone will be removed, along with the large planter barricades at each end of the zone and on Caribou Street.

The decision to create a pedestrian zone on Banff Avenue was initially implemented in 2020 as part of the town’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It continued through subsequent summers and was maintained as a pilot project in 2022 and 2023. Earlier this year, in January 2024, the Banff Town Council had voted to make the annual pedestrian zone a permanent summer feature.

However, the decision faced opposition from a group of residents concerned about the impacts of traffic being detoured off Banff Avenue. In March, these residents submitted a petition to overturn the council’s decision, leading to the recent vote.

It comes at a time when other cities are pedestrianizing streets, with mixed success. Business owners in Vancouver’s Gastown area complain that business is down after Water Street had cars removed for the summer, and Montreal has also been pedestrianizing streets with what appears to be greater success.