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IKEA study finds household clutter creating tension as living spaces get smaller

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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IKEA image
IKEA image

Household clutter is creating tension in homes as people contend with busier lives and smaller living spaces, according to a new global study from IKEA.

The IKEA Store & Organise Report 2026: Finding Meaning in the Mess surveyed 31,488 people across 31 markets and found that 38 per cent of homes have someone who leaves things out with the expectation that another person will deal with them.

The study describes the behaviour as a “silent protest” and identifies household organization as an issue extending beyond storage, with clutter contributing to disagreements and influencing how people use their homes.

The kitchen countertop was identified as the most difficult space to keep clutter-free, with 24 per cent of respondents citing it as such. It was also the space most likely to cause an argument, at 37 per cent.

The study found that 10 per cent of respondents use their oven for storage, a figure that rises to 21 per cent in South Korea.

At the same time, the findings suggest that many people are moving away from the idea that a home needs to be minimalist or perfectly organized. Fifty-nine per cent of respondents said they prefer a lived-in home over a minimalist one, while the report points to a shift toward what it calls “meaningful mess” — keeping possessions that have personal value and purpose.

“People aren’t chasing a perfect home anymore. They want a home that feels like them — one that holds their stories, their memories, the things that matter. What we keep says a lot about who we are. It was never just stuff. At IKEA, we believe everyone deserves a home that works for them. That’s what smart, affordable solutions are for,” said Licca Li, Home Furnishing & Retail Design Manager, Ingka Group (IKEA).

Licca Li
Licca Li
IKEA image
IKEA image

Sentimental attachment also plays a significant role in what people keep. The report found that 82 per cent of respondents retain things purely for sentimental reasons, even when the items are rarely used or kept out of sight.

Twenty-six per cent said they keep mementos from past relationships, with men more likely than women to do so, according to the study.

Storage spaces can also become catchalls for items that are no longer needed. Sixty-eight per cent of households have what the report calls a “drawer of doom,” with cables among the most common contents. Among Boomer men, 54 per cent continue to keep cables for gadgets they no longer own.

Clutter can also affect social plans. One in 10 respondents said they have cancelled plans with friends because their home was too messy, while 34 per cent said they move clutter around before guests arrive.

The study also found that some people associate mess with creativity. Fifteen per cent of respondents globally said they see mess as a form of creativity, although the figure varied significantly by market, reaching 31 per cent in China and four per cent in Japan.

More from Retail Insider:

Canadian Retailers Face New Cost and Sourcing Pressures from U.S. Counter-Tariffs

By
Lee Rivett
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Canadian retailers are preparing for another round of trade disruption after the federal government unveiled counter-tariffs on $27.6 billion worth of U.S.-origin goods, bringing a wide range of consumer products directly into the escalating Canada-U.S. trade dispute.

The measures, scheduled to take effect September 8, cover 874 tariff items at rates of 15%, 25% and 50%. Retail Council of Canada (RCC) says affected retail categories include apparel and clothing, furniture, large appliances, electronics, electrical equipment, power tools, carpets, paper products, sporting goods, dairy products including cheese, fish and seafood, and broader general merchandise, along with selected steel and aluminum products and metal derivatives.

Ottawa announced the countermeasures after the United States imposed new 50% tariffs on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian goods following the breakdown of bilateral trade negotiations. The federal government has characterized its response as dollar-for-dollar and rate-for-rate retaliation. For retailers, the immediate concern is how to manage merchandise that could become substantially more expensive to import.

The impact will vary by category and retailer. Businesses may pass some of the additional cost to consumers, absorb a portion through margins, negotiate with suppliers, change their merchandise mix or source comparable products from Canada and other countries. Where readily available alternatives do not exist, the options become considerably narrower.

Retailers Face Uneven Sourcing Challenges

The federal government sought to design its countermeasures around products where Canadian or international alternatives are available, according to RCC. The organization is nevertheless warning members that several affected categories will present immediate substitution challenges.

A merchant able to replace a tariffed U.S.-origin product with comparable merchandise from a Canadian or international supplier may be able to limit its exposure over time. Retailers dependent on specialized U.S. products, established supplier relationships or merchandise for which customers expect particular brands could have considerably less flexibility. Product specifications, manufacturing capacity, minimum order requirements, delivery schedules and existing contracts can make a supplier change more complicated than finding a similar product elsewhere.

RCC is collecting information from retailers about affected products and tariff classifications, projected cost and pricing impacts, inventory and supply-chain effects, sourcing bottlenecks and situations where viable non-U.S. substitutes are unavailable. It is also seeking information about customs classifications and goods already in transit, giving the organization specific evidence to use in its advocacy and tariff-remission efforts.

Prices Are Only Part of the Tariff Equation

Although tariffs raise concerns about consumer prices, Canada’s previous experience suggests the relationship between duties imposed at the border and prices in stores is considerably more complicated.

Research published by the Bank of Canada this year examined Canada’s 2025 counter-tariffs using daily online prices from seven major Canadian retailers covering more than 110,000 products. During that earlier trade dispute, Canada imposed 25% tariffs on a range of American products that included appliances, electronics, furniture, household products and grocery items.

The Bank found that prices for tariffed products increased approximately 6% relative to comparable products that were not subject to tariffs, amounting to roughly one-quarter pass-through of the 25% tariff into relative retail prices. The findings should not be used to predict the impact of the latest countermeasures, where the product mix, tariff rates and economic conditions are different, but they show that tariff costs do not necessarily move directly from the border to the price tag.

Costs can be distributed throughout the supply chain as suppliers and retailers negotiate terms, adjust margins, alter assortments or change purchasing decisions. That becomes particularly relevant when some goods face duties as high as 50%, potentially changing the economics of carrying a product even when the full tariff is never reflected in its retail price.

Tariffs Could Accelerate Changes in Retail Sourcing

The longer-term impact may become increasingly visible in procurement decisions. Canadian businesses had already started changing sourcing strategies during the previous period of Canada-U.S. trade tension, and another round of counter-tariffs creates a new incentive to examine where merchandise originates.

Statistics Canada reported that 15.8% of businesses surveyed during the 2025 tariff environment planned to increase domestic sourcing, while 14.2% planned to seek alternative suppliers outside the United States and 15% planned to increase prices. Retailers also changed the way they marketed merchandise: 45.5% of retail businesses had changed marketing practices to promote Canadian products, while 40.7% reported increased sales of Canadian products during the period examined.

Those behaviours remained visible into 2026. Statistics Canada reported earlier this year that 42.7% of retailers had changed marketing practices over the previous 12 months to promote Canadian products, while 35.8% reported increased sales of Canadian merchandise.

Canada’s broader trade patterns have also been shifting. The United States accounted for 62.3% of Canadian merchandise imports in 2024, compared with 58.8% in 2025, while imports from countries outside the United States increased. That change cannot be attributed solely to tariffs, since currency movements, demand, supply conditions and other economic factors influence trade flows, but it has occurred as Canadian businesses have been examining domestic and non-U.S. sourcing alternatives.

Some Products Will Be Harder to Replace

The ability to diversify will vary considerably across retail categories. Supplier relationships are built around product specifications, pricing, manufacturing capacity, delivery schedules, minimum order quantities, regulatory requirements and consumer demand. Established brands can also be difficult to substitute when customers are seeking a particular product rather than an interchangeable alternative.

Retailers selling merchandise available from a wide range of suppliers may have greater flexibility to change assortments, while businesses dependent on specialized or difficult-to-replace U.S.-origin goods could face greater cost and margin pressure. The adjustment may also be more challenging for smaller merchants with less purchasing leverage, fewer procurement resources or difficulty meeting the volume requirements of alternative suppliers.

The extent of these challenges is one reason RCC is asking retailers to identify specific sourcing bottlenecks rather than treating the 874 affected tariff items as a uniform group. The commercial impact can look very different when a substitute is readily available than when a retailer has few realistic alternatives.

Buy Canada Takes on Greater Importance

The counter-tariffs are also being accompanied by a broader push toward domestic sourcing. RCC told members Tuesday that, in its discussions with the federal government, Ottawa highlighted an expectation that retailers prioritize domestic sourcing and clearly identify Canadian-made products for consumers.

RCC is gathering examples showing how retailers are already sourcing, promoting and displaying Canadian products. The effort follows merchandising changes that became increasingly visible during the earlier trade dispute, when retailers expanded Buy Canadian messaging and Statistics Canada recorded increased promotion and sales of Canadian merchandise.

For Canadian manufacturers and suppliers, another round of tariffs could create opportunities to compete for purchasing that previously flowed to U.S. suppliers, particularly where domestic alternatives already exist. The opportunity will depend on whether Canadian producers can provide the required merchandise at sufficient scale, quality and competitive pricing. Where they cannot, suppliers in Europe, Asia, Mexico and other markets could also benefit as retailers seek additional sourcing options.

Remission Could Provide Relief for Hard-to-Replace Goods

Retailers unable to find viable alternatives may be able to seek relief through Canada’s tariff-remission process. RCC says businesses can apply for remission on affected products where alternative sourcing is unavailable and the duties create material economic harm. Following RCC advocacy, the federal government has committed additional personnel to help expedite reviews.

The process could become important as retailers work through the tariff classifications and determine where substitution is practical. RCC is asking members to provide eight- or 10-digit Harmonized System codes, projected cost and pricing impacts, inventory implications and evidence of sourcing constraints to support advocacy and remission interventions.

Canada also used remission measures during the previous tariff dispute, providing a precedent for targeted relief where counter-tariffs created unintended costs for Canadian businesses. The availability of remission does not eliminate the disruption, but it gives retailers with particularly difficult sourcing situations a mechanism to seek relief.

Retailers Have Until September 8 to Prepare

The counter-tariffs take effect at 12:01 a.m. on September 8, while goods already in transit to Canada before the effective date will be exempt. Retailers and importers therefore have a short period to review affected merchandise, country-of-origin classifications, incoming shipments, purchase orders and supplier arrangements.

Country of origin will be particularly important. The measures apply to U.S.-origin goods according to applicable rules of origin, meaning merchandise sold by an American company is not automatically subject to the new tariff because the brand or supplier is based in the United States. Retailers will need to determine whether individual products fall within the affected tariff classifications and meet the relevant origin criteria.

For businesses carrying captured goods, preparations may include identifying immediate substitutions, discussing costs with suppliers, reviewing pricing and inventory, and determining whether longer-term sourcing changes or remission applications are required.

Consumers Remain Highly Price Conscious

The ability to pass additional costs through to shoppers may be constrained by the economic environment. Bank of Canada consumer research continues to show that high prices and economic uncertainty are weighing on household spending intentions, while consumers continue to identify tariffs and trade tensions as potential sources of inflation.

Passing additional costs through can protect margins but risks weakening demand, while absorbing them can preserve price competitiveness at the expense of profitability. The Bank of Canada’s research into the previous tariff episode suggests retailers and suppliers responded through a combination of adjustments rather than uniform increases in shelf prices.

The outcome after September 8 will depend heavily on the products involved, available substitutes and the competitive position of individual retailers. Categories where consumers can easily switch brands or merchants could leave businesses with particularly limited pricing power.

Trade Tensions Add New Risk to Retail Supply Chains

Canadian retail supply chains developed over decades around relatively predictable access to the U.S. market, supported by geographic proximity, integrated transportation networks and extensive supplier relationships. The United States remains an enormously important source of merchandise for Canada and will continue to play a central role in the country’s retail supply chain.

Repeated trade disputes, however, add cross-border policy risk to procurement decisions. Retailers may place greater value on maintaining suppliers in multiple countries, developing Canadian sources where practical, improving visibility into where merchandise originates and reducing vulnerabilities created by concentrated sourcing.

Ottawa reinforced the diversification theme Tuesday with a $7.5-billion package of support measures for Canadian businesses and workers affected by the latest U.S. tariffs. The federal government has positioned greater economic resilience and diversification as part of its response to the trade dispute.

For Canadian retailers, attention will initially centre on the costs arriving September 8 and how they can be managed through pricing, supplier negotiations, alternative sourcing or tariff relief. The more lasting effect could emerge through purchasing decisions, as another period of Canada-U.S. trade friction gives retailers additional reason to reassess where merchandise sold in Canadian stores comes from.

More from Retail Insider:

Birks names Sophie Nélisse brand ambassador as it launches new national campaign

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Sophie Nélisse, Newest Birks Ambassador
Sophie Nélisse, Newest Birks Ambassador

Canadian jeweller Birks has named actress Sophie Nélisse as its newest brand ambassador as the company launches a national campaign focused on the role jewellery plays in marking significant moments in people’s lives.

The campaign features Nélisse wearing pieces from the company’s signature collections, beginning with new additions to its Birks Dare to Dream collection.

The appointment brings a Canadian actor with an international profile into the company’s marketing strategy as the retailer seeks to connect its nearly 150-year brand history with a newer generation of consumers.

Nélisse, who was born in Montreal and is known for her performances in Yellowjackets and Heated Rivalry, said the brand has been familiar to her since childhood.

“Growing up, Birks was always one of those names that felt timeless. So now being part of their story feels incredibly meaningful,” said Nélisse.

The campaign is built around the idea that jewellery can accumulate personal meaning through the people, places and experiences associated with it.

Through photography and film, the campaign depicts jewellery as a connection between generations and memories. Birks said the campaign will continue over the coming year, with additional features involving its Birks Dare to Dream, Birks Snowflake and Birks Beekeeper collections.

Katie Reusch, head of marketing and communications at Birks Group Inc., said Nélisse’s connection to the brand aligns with its effort to reach younger Canadians.

Katie Reusch
Katie Reusch
Birks photo
Birks photo

“We are incredibly proud to welcome Sophie to Birks,” said Reusch. “She represents a new generation of Canadians who have grown up with the brand and are now creating stories of their own.”

For Nélisse, the campaign also focuses on the personal significance of pieces that become part of everyday life.

“The pieces I wear most are the ones that have meaning. They’re the ones I reach for every day because they make me feel close to the people I love and the moments we’ve shared,” said Nélisse.

Birks said the campaign is intended to highlight the role its jewellery has played in Canadians’ lives since the company was established in 1879.

The Montreal-based company operates 17 Maison Birks stores and one Birks boutique, along with its e-commerce business through MaisonBirks.com. The company sells fine jewellery, bridal pieces and luxury gifts.

The campaign launch comes as the company continues to use its Canadian heritage as a central part of its brand positioning, while the addition of Nélisse gives the company a prominent Canadian cultural figure to feature in its national marketing.

The campaign will run over the coming year and will include jewellery from three of Birks’ collections, with Nélisse serving as the face of the initiative.

More from Retail Insider:

The Emergency Necklace: A Senior Wellness Essential

By
Retail Insider
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Wellness has become one of retail’s biggest stories, and older adults are at the center of it. From supplements to fitness to healthy-aging concept stores, products that help seniors stay well are booming. Amid all that, one simple item stands out as a genuine essential: the emergency necklace.

Image courtesy of Life Assure

Alt text: A discreet emergency alert pendant worn as a necklace by an older adult

It rarely gets the spotlight, but it may be the most practical wellness purchase a senior can make. An emergency necklace for seniors puts help one button away, protecting the active, independent life that the whole wellness movement is built around. Here is why it belongs in every senior’s wellness kit.

Why Is It a Wellness Product, Not Just a Gadget?

Wellness is really about staying active, independent, and confident. An emergency necklace supports all three directly. It is not treated as sick-care; it is a tool for living well.

The connection is simple. Fear of a fall with no one to help is one of the biggest reasons seniors slow down. Remove that fear, and people stay active longer.

That is why it fits the modern healthy aging market so naturally. Alongside supplements and fitness, a safety device is what lets an older adult keep doing everything else. It is the foundation the rest of the kit rests on.

Retailers have noticed the shift. Concept stores and wellness aisles now group safety, mobility, and prevention beside vitamins and fitness gear, treating them as one category. That reframing is helping seniors and their families see a medical alert as a positive lifestyle choice rather than a reluctant last resort.

What Makes the Necklace Format Work?

The best wellness product is the one people actually use, and format decides that. A necklace-style pendant wins on comfort and habit. It is worn, not left in a drawer.

It is discreet and familiar. Worn under or over clothing, a pendant draws no attention and feels natural, much like any other accessory. Many seniors accept it far more readily than a bulkier device.

It is always within reach. Around the neck, the button travels everywhere the wearer goes. That constant presence is exactly when help is most needed.

It also respects dignity. A discreet pendant lets a senior accept protection without feeling labeled as frail, which makes the difference between a device that is worn daily and one that is quietly abandoned. In wellness terms, how a product makes someone feel is part of whether it works at all.

What Should Buyers Look For?

Not every device delivers the same protection. A few features separate a genuine safeguard from a novelty. Keep these in mind when comparing options:

Image courtesy of Life Assure

Alt text: A home medical alert base unit on a side table in a senior’s living room

  1. 24/7 monitoring. A real operator answering at any hour.
  2. Fall detection. Automatic help if a fall prevents a button press.
  3. Two-way voice. The wearer can speak directly to an operator.
  4. Water resistance. It works in the bathroom, a common fall spot.
  5. Long battery life. Reliable power with clear low-battery alerts.
  6. Clear pricing. No hidden fees or long, awkward contracts.

Match these to the wearer’s life. An active senior who walks and travels benefits from a mobile, GPS-enabled option. A homebody may need only strong in-home coverage and a comfortable, simple pendant they will happily wear.

How Does It Fit the Wider Wellness Picture?

An emergency necklace works best as one part of a rounded wellness routine. It pairs naturally with the habits that keep seniors healthy. Together they protect independence from both directions.

Staying active is the first line of defense. Movement builds the strength and balance that prevent falls, which is why accessible options for active seniors are growing so fast. Global health data on falls shows just how common and serious they are for older adults, which is exactly why prevention and a safety net belong together.

Community and connection matter, too. Programs like inclusive community wellness sports keep older adults engaged and moving, and social contact is itself a proven part of aging well. Practical supports such as simple mobility aids round out a kit that keeps a senior safely doing what they love.

What to Remember

  • Wellness for seniors is about staying active and independent.
  • An emergency necklace removes the fear that makes people slow down.
  • The pendant format is comfortable, discreet, and reliably worn.
  • Prioritize 24/7 monitoring, fall detection, and two-way voice.
  • It pairs best with staying active, connected, and well.
  • A worn device is the only one that actually protects.

A Small Item With a Big Role

In a wellness market full of supplements and gadgets, the emergency necklace is quietly one of the most important buys a senior can make. It protects the very independence that all the other wellness products are meant to support. Add it to the kit, keep it worn, and it gives an older adult the confidence to keep living fully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an Emergency Necklace Really a Wellness Product?

Yes. Wellness is about staying active and independent, and the device removes a major barrier to both. By taking away the fear of an unanswered fall, it helps seniors keep doing everything else.

Why Choose a Necklace Over a Wristband?

Both work; comfort decides it. A necklace pendant is discreet, familiar, and stays within reach, so it tends to be worn consistently. The best format is the one the wearer will keep on every day.

What Features Matter Most?

Look for 24/7 monitoring, fall detection, and two-way voice. Water resistance matters because many falls happen in the bathroom. Match a home or mobile option to how active the wearer is.

Does It Replace Other Healthy-Aging Habits?

No. It works alongside staying active, eating well, and community connection. The necklace is the safety net that lets a senior pursue all those habits with confidence.

The Retailer’s Guide to Rigid Box Packaging: Structures, Timelines and What to Ask a Manufacturer

By
Retail Insider
-

Rigid boxes are the packaging category retailers most often underestimate. They look like a design decision, and they behave like a manufacturing one.

The global rigid box market is projected to grow from USD 68.34 billion in 2026 to USD 100.35 billion by 2034, a CAGR of 4.92%, according to Fortune Business Insights. Personal care and cosmetics are among the faster-growing end uses. For Canadian and North American retailers moving a product into gifting, beauty or premium electronics, the rigid box is usually the first packaging format that cannot be bought off a template.

Here is what changes when you cross that line.

Rigid boxes are a different sourcing category

A folding carton is cut, printed and glued flat, then folded at the point of packing. A corrugated mailer is much the same. Both ship flat and both can be produced on short runs at low cost.

A rigid box is built. Greyboard is cut and formed, wrapped in a separate printed or speciality paper, and assembled with magnets, ribbons, trays, or inserts. The wrap is a second material with its own print, tolerance, and failure modes. That construction is why rigid boxes hold their shape, and it is also why they cannot be quoted or produced on the same timeline as a printed carton.

Two practical consequences follow. Minimum order quantities sit higher, typically starting around 500 units for a custom structure. And the box has to be physically sampled before production, because a rigid box that is 1mm out of tolerance on the wrap does not close properly.

The ten structures, and what each one is actually for

Most rigid box briefs are described in terms of a look rather than a structure. Naming the structure first shortens the quoting cycle considerably.

  • Two-piece lid and base. The default. Lid lifts clear of the base. Full cover or partial cover. Best for apparel, gifting and anything where the product is presented flat.
  • Magnetic closure. Front flap held by concealed magnets. The standard for beauty, fragrance and subscription boxes where the opening is part of the experience.
  • Shoulder-neck. An inner collar sits between base and lid. The construction used for premium spirits and fragrance, where a snug, controlled close signals quality.
  • Drawer and slide. Inner tray slides out of an outer sleeve. Good for jewellery, watches and multi-item sets, and it keeps the product secure in transit.
  • Book-style. Hinged along one edge, opens like a hardback. Used for press kits, high-value samples and collector editions.
  • Hinged and flip-top. Lid attached at the back, opens upward. Common for confectionery, tea and cosmetics.
  • Collapsible. Ships flat; assembles with magnets on-site. The answer when freight volume or warehouse space is the constraint.
  • Round and cylinder. For candles, spirits and anything where a corner would look wrong.
  • Window. A cut-out with a clear panel. A feature that can be applied across most of the above rather than a structure in itself.
  • Custom die-cut shape. Everything else, and the most expensive to tool.

The structure decision drives tooling, insert design and freight volume. It is worth making before the design work starts, not after.

The production calendar retailers underestimate

This is where most rigid-box projects go wrong, and it is arithmetic, not bad luck.

A typical custom rigid box programme runs like this:

  1. Structural development. The brief becomes a dieline and a material spec.
  2. Physical sampling: 7-20 days, depending on structural complexity.
  3. Sample review and approval. Client-side, and the step most often underestimated. A round of changes means a second sample.
  4. Mass production: 15 to 20 days after sample approval.
  5. Sea freight to North America: roughly 40 days. Air and courier compress this at a cost that usually exceeds the box budget.

Add it up. Even with a single clean sample round, a rigid box programme runs 60 to 80 days from approved dieline to landed stock, before design time and before any approval delay on your side. Three to four months from brief to warehouse is a realistic planning assumption.

For a retailer targeting a November launch, that makes rigid box packaging a July decision. Manufacturers that specialise in this category, such as GUKA Packaging’s rigid box range, publish these timelines openly, and a supplier who will not commit to sampling and production windows in writing is telling you something.

What to ask a rigid box manufacturer before you commit

Certifications and capability questions separate suppliers faster than a quote comparison does.

  • How many QC specialists and what testing equipment? A serious rigid box operation runs dedicated QC headcount and instrument-based testing, not spot checks. Ask for numbers.
  • Which certifications? ISO9001 for process, FSC for board chain of custody, Sedex for the social audit trail, GMI where colour-critical print is involved. Ask to see current certificates, not logos on a website.
  • How is colour managed across runs? Pantone matching is a claim. A documented colour management process and a signed-off physical proof are controls.
  • What order visibility is there in production? ERP-level visibility on order status is now standard among established manufacturers, and its absence is a signal.
  • Can they sample before you commit? For rigid boxes this is not optional. Any manufacturer unwilling to produce a physical sample is asking you to underwrite their tolerance risk.

Where sustainability actually bites

Recyclable claims on rigid boxes are usually undone by the insert, not the box. EVA foam and flocked plastic trays are the common failure point in an otherwise recyclable pack.

The substitutions that work are moulded pulp trays in place of EVA, FSC-certified board and wrap, and paper-based ribbon and handle alternatives. Each one changes the tooling, so it belongs in the structural development conversation rather than being retrofitted after sample approval.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum order quantity for a custom rigid box? Typically around 500 units for a custom structure. Below that, the tooling and setup costs per unit rise sharply, and a folding carton or a stock box with custom printing is usually the better commercial option.

How long does a custom rigid box take to produce? Sampling takes 7 to 20 days, mass production takes 15 to 20 days after sample approval, and sea freight from Asia to North America takes roughly 40 days. Plan on three to four months from brief to landed stock.

Should retailers source rigid boxes domestically or overseas? It depends on volume and calendar. Domestic converters compress freight time and simplify approvals. Overseas manufacturers generally offer deeper structural capability and lower unit cost at volume. The decision usually comes down to whether the launch date allows for ocean freight.

The short version

Rigid box packaging rewards early decisions and punishes late ones. Name the structure before the design work starts, insist on a physical sample, get the sampling and production windows in writing, and count backwards from the launch date rather than forwards from the brief.

[BYLINE PLACEHOLDER: name, title, GUKA Packaging. Use a production or engineering title rather than a sales one.]

Daily Synopsis: August 25, 2026

By
Retail Insider
-

Welcome to the Daily Synopsis by Retail Insider. We hope you enjoy the 8 articles we published covering key developments in Canadian retail.

🗞️ The Day’s Retail Insider Article List

🌐 Canadian Retail News From Around the Web

Canada announces $27.6B in counter-tariffs on U.S. goods as retailers, restaurants and small businesses weigh impact

By
Mario Toneguzzi
-
Andrea Piacquadio photo
Andrea Piacquadio photo

Tuesday’s announcement of counter-tariffs on 874 U.S. goods is a decisive step to defend Canada’s economic interests, says the Retail Council of Canada.

In a LinkedIn post, Kim Furlong, CEO of the Council, said the national organization supports the federal government’s response and stands behind a united national effort.

“Canada’s retail sector will shoulder a significant share of this burden, with so many essential consumer goods targeted. At a time when Canadian consumers are already stretched, retailers are working to balance the important goal of supporting Canadian producers with the need to offer affordable choices to Canadians. 

“Retailers are ready to rise to the occasion, working with the federal government to ensure Canada’s tariff response is strategic, maximizes impact on the U.S., and minimizes the impact on everyday Canadians.

“Canadian retailers have long championed domestic producers, and we are accelerating that commitment today. We will redouble our efforts to source, promote and buy Canadian, while continuing to give consumers the choice and value they need. Our goal is clear: strengthen Canadian supply chains and support Canadian producers without adding unnecessary pressure to household budgets. By working together, our sector can keep shelves stocked, support Canadian jobs and help protect Canadian families through the challenges ahead.”

Kim Furlong
Kim Furlong
Tima Miroshnichenko photo
Tima Miroshnichenko photo

Restaurants Canada said it stands with the Government of Canada in defending Canadian economic interests and responding to the latest U.S. tariffs.

It said it is pleased that the proposed measures avoid many of the priority food products it identified to government based on member input. This will help limit additional pressure on food costs and menu prices and protect jobs and Canada’s food supply chain.

“Our review has also identified areas of concern, including some packaging and restaurant equipment, and we are assessing the potential impact of other products included in the proposed measures. We will use the consultation period to seek targeted exemptions where sufficient Canadian or alternative supply is not available,” said the organization.

“More broadly, we encourage the government to consider other measures to help Canadians and businesses manage the economic pressures arising from the trade dispute, including extending the temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel beyond September 7.

“Our objective is to help ensure Canada’s response is targeted and effective, with careful consideration of the impact on food costs, Canada’s food supply chain, jobs and investment. Canada’s $125-billion restaurant industry directly employs 1.2 million Canadians, nearly 40% of whom are youth, and supports another 287,000 jobs across the economy. Restaurants purchase approximately $43 billion in food and beverages each year, including roughly $30 billion from Canadian suppliers, making the sector a major purchaser of Canadian agricultural products and an important contributor to the broader Canadian food economy.”

“Restaurants are behind the government in standing up for Canada in this trade fight. We appreciate that it has listened to the concerns raised by our industry and avoided tariffs on many of the priority food products we identified. There are still some important issues to address, and we will continue working with government to get those right. Our focus is on ensuring Canada’s response is as targeted and effective as possible, recognizing the impact these decisions can have on Canadian businesses, jobs, communities and consumers,” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO at Restaurants Canada.

Kelly Higginson
Kelly Higginson
Ketut Subiyanto photo
Ketut Subiyanto photo

The federal government announced on Tuesday that effective September 8, Canada will impose counter-tariffs on the U.S. of 15, 25 and 50 per cent on products drawn from those targeted by U.S. Section 338 and Section 232 tariffs, with the rate for each product matching the corresponding U.S. rate.

“Canada’s counter tariffs will apply to products covering $27.6 billion in imports from the U.S. and will focus on sectors such as steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics, that are most impacted by U.S. tariffs,” it said.

“In addition, to support Canadian workers and businesses impacted by U.S. tariffs, the government is also introducing a $7.5 billion package of new and enhanced measures that deliver fast, simple and agile supports to Canadian workers and businesses, building on the nearly $25 billion in supports the government has provided since the implementation of the U.S. unjustified tariffs.”

Dan Kelly, President at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), the national organization appreciates that the government is trying to move quickly, but at first glance it looks like small business owners are being served the usual alphabet soup of complicated programs. They will be challenging for small business owners to figure out, let alone use.

“To date, the federal Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) delivered by Regional Development Agencies have excluded most small businesses from even applying. Some required a minimum of $2 million in sales, others a minimum of 10 employees. Today’s announcement doesn’t appear to have changed these thresholds. Unless the thresholds are eliminated entirely, then the government will have failed in its promise to support small business owners. The new U.S. 50% tariff hits even the smallest home-based jewellery maker, so why would our government’s support exclude them?,” he explained.

“What we are looking for is one simple program for small businesses that removes as much of the burden of tariffs as possible, ideally delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency.  Instead, we have a patchwork of agencies and programs that no small business has ever heard of before, largely delivering loans to businesses that will have no ability to pay them back.

Dan Kelly
Dan Kelly
Edward Jenner photo
Edward Jenner photo

“While I respect Canada’s need to respond to the U.S. threat, the giant list of counter tariffs will create their own severe challenges for many small businesses who have already done what they can to seek new sources of supply. Canada’s support programs need to be available for companies that use, import or distribute U.S. products too. 

“And for tens of thousands of other businesses, the trade war will mean more uncertainty, higher input costs and lower consumer demand due to its indirect impacts. CFIB is urging the federal government to deliver an immediate cut to the small business tax rate, retroactive to January 1, 2026. The government already publicly signaled a focus on small business in the 2026 fall budget. Doing it now would send a much-needed reassuring message to Canada’s entrepreneurs.

“We’re also urging the government to extend the suspension of the federal excise tax on gasoline and diesel. It’s set to expire on Sept. 7, one day before retaliatory tariffs kick in. The timing couldn’t be worse to see taxes and fuel prices rise.

“I do recognize that it is very challenging to get programs right in a matter of days. As we did during the pandemic, CFIB stands ready to work closely with the federal government and all parliamentarians to find ways to make any supports work for Canada’s small business community.”

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  • Ottawa’s Tariff Retaliation Risks Raising Grocery Prices for Canadians

Toronto’s Woodbine Mall and Fantasy Fair getting a roller rink this fall

By
Mario Toneguzzi
-
SUSO Skate Co.’s Promenade Shopping Centre Pop-Up. Photo credit: Zeyad Abouzeid
SUSO Skate Co.’s Promenade Shopping Centre Pop-Up. Photo credit: Zeyad Abouzeid

SUSO Skate Co., Canada’s premium roller skating company that turns empty mall spaces into pop-up roller rinks, has found a new space to callhome, Woodbine Mall and Fantasy Fair. 

Bringing the joy of roller skating to one of the city’s most iconic former entertainment destinations, the new pop-up space will officially launch to the public on Friday, September 25. Reservations are now open, announced the company on Monday.

The launch marks the latest chapter for SUSO Skate Co., which has built a community around making roller skating accessible, social, and fun for people of all ages and abilities. By transforming underused and unconventional spaces into places to skate, SUSO Skate Co. continues its mission of bringing people together and getting them off screens through this new partnership with Woodbine Mall, it said.

“Woodbine Mall has always been a place with a strong sense of identity, and we saw an opportunity to build on that in a completely new way,” says Henry O’Brien, co-founder of SUSO Skate Co. “There’s a real nostalgia around Woodbine and what it’s meant to generations of Torontonians, and that’s what is so appealing about this space for SUSO. We’re developing something fresh and unexpected at the mall, while also tapping into the memories here. We’re excited to bring skate culture to Woodbine and encourage a new generation to visit for some offline recreation and community connection.”

SUSO Skate Co.’s co-founder, Henry O’Brien, standing in a vacant pop-up space at Woodbine Mall. Photo credit: Zeyad Abouzeid
SUSO Skate Co.’s co-founder, Henry O’Brien, standing in a vacant pop-up space at Woodbine Mall. Photo credit: Zeyad Abouzeid

Located on the lower concourse of the mall, directly opposite CinéStarz Deluxe movie theatre,the pop-up expects to host tens of thousands of people, giving new and experienced skaters the chance to step onto the rink, move their bodies and enjoy a fun, analog day out. As a bonus, the roller rink is adjacent to a movie theatre and Fantasy Fair, still in operation, making this pop-up an ideal full day indoor entertainment experience, especially in the colder months, said the company.

People can reserve a time slot and pay online in advance by choosing an available date on SUSO Skate Co.’s website: here. Skate rental fees include admission and wrist guards (from $18/hour), with a full protective gear bundle included for skaters 16 and under. Guests are also welcome to bring their own skates and pay just for admission ($12 for kids and seniors, $14 foradults 16+). 

The pop-up will run for approximately one year.

Hours of Operation (Wednesday to Sunday)

● Wednesday and Thursday: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (All Ages)

● Friday: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Adult)

● Saturday and Sunday: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. (All Ages)

“The biggest opportunity for us is the mall’s proximity to (Highways) 427, 400 and 401. Location aside, the mall is the ultimate nostalgia day out – The Fantasy Fair is Ontario’s Largest Indoor Amusement Park,” said O’Brien. 

Skaters at SUSO Skate Co.’s Pop-Up at Oshawa Centre. Photo credit: Zeyad Abouzeid
Skaters at SUSO Skate Co.’s Pop-Up at Oshawa Centre. Photo credit: Zeyad Abouzeid

The concept has opened more than 15 pop-ups in vacant retail spaces across the GTA and welcomed more than 250,000 skaters since 2021.

“The biggest learning is that win-win relationships are key to any specialty leasing and entertainment destination. Specifically for SUSO, it’s important that we bring maximum value to the property owner through community engagement, footfall and increased dwell time. And in return, we secure flexible and reasonable lease terms, allowing us to fill a space that would otherwise sit empty,” said O’Brien.

“The retail landscape is certainly changing, with more and more people now shopping online. In our opinion, property owners and malls need to offer something that can’t be bought or clicked online. For us, that’s roller skating but the same applies to pickleball, bowling and many other eatertainment and entertainment concepts. In an age of algorithms, AI and deep fakes, it’s recreation-based concepts that will come out on top and will act as key tenants for malls now and in the future.

“For this Woodbine location, we’ll test a slightly smaller footprint for the first time. This will help us test the feasibility of smaller and longer-term leases in the future, for a new ‘learn-to-skate’ size format, 15,000-30,000 square feet.”

Landlords and retailers these days are using entertainment, recreation and community-focused experiences to attract people back to underutilized shopping centres.

“Each business and concept is different, so I wouldn’t say it’s a one-size-fits-all approach. That being said, I think every brick-and-mortar business should build an experience element into its operations. Something that makes their offering unique and difficult to replicate online,” said O’Brien.

“For example, if a store is selling leather belts, I think they should have someone in-house offering custom engraving or classes teaching others to engrave their own belt. Now that store is in the experience business and the by-product is belts. An experience that can be sold online and fulfilled in-person at the store.”

SUSO Skate Co.’s co-founder Henry O’Brien outside of Woodbine Mall. Photo credit: Zeyad Abouzeid
SUSO Skate Co.’s co-founder Henry O’Brien outside of Woodbine Mall. Photo credit: Zeyad Abouzeid

Woodbine Mall first opened in 1985 and quickly became a destination shopping and entertainment centre in the city. Known for its distinctive architecture and the iconic indoor amusement park Fantasy Fair, the mall was once a busy gathering place filled with major retailers, restaurants and families. Over the decades, Woodbine steadily lost much of the energy it had with the rise of competing shopping plazas and the rise of online shopping, reducing the mall’s role as a destination. 

O’Brien and Janine Bartels, SUSO’s co-founders, recognized that history and opportunity, and jumped at the chance to bring new energy back to the space, introducing Woodbine’s legacy as a community gathering place to a new generation, with skate culture at the forefront.

Looking ahead, O’Brien and Bartels are continuing to expand SUSO Skate Co. through new experiences designed to bring roller skating to more people. SKATEVAN, which launched this summer, extends the SUSO experience beyond the rink, bringing mobile roller skating to community spaces, cities, BIAs, businesses and brands. This fall, the pair will launch the STEM Roller Recess program, combining skating with educational lessons on physics and movement to schools and youth organizations across the GTA. schools, businesses, and brands to bring the joy of offline recreation to people across Ontario.

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Evening Coffee Orders Nearly Triple in Canada as Restaurants Tap New Beverage Trend: Lavazza

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Chevanon Photography photo
Chevanon Photography photo

Coffee is no longer just a morning ritual. Restaurants across Canada are finding a new use for their espresso machines well after the dinner rush.

Evening coffee orders in Canada have nearly tripled over the past two years, and it’s a shift that is changing how some people spend their nights out. Premium coffee brands are claiming territory that used to belong almost exclusively to alcohol, especially through espresso-based cocktails and after-dinner service, as consumers look for new ways to linger and indulge after their meal.

In an interview with Retail Insider, Daniele Foti, VP Marketing for Lavazza North America, Lavazza, talks about the trend.

Question: Why are Canadians moving beyond coffee as a morning-only beverage?

Answer: Premium coffee demand has moved well past the morning, and the numbers back it up – evening coffee occasions in Canadian foodservice have nearly tripled over the past few years, and I think it comes down to how people want to spend their evenings today. People are looking for ways to linger and socialize after a meal that doesn’t necessarily default to another round of drinks, and a well-made espresso gives them something that still feels intentional and a little indulgent. Coffee’s versatility is what makes it work: it’s a nightcap, a dessert pairing, or the base for a cocktail when people do want one. It flexes to whatever the evening calls for. 

Daniele Foti
Daniele Foti
Lavazza photo
Lavazza photo

Q: Why are restaurants investing more in premium coffee offerings beyond breakfast service?

A: For restaurant operators, this comes down to giving guests a reason to stay a bit longer and feel like the experience continues past the meal itself. As evening and beverage-only occasions continue to grow, a well-executed coffee program becomes another way to round out the guest experience and introduce a moment of indulgence.

But it also raises the bar: guesst expect the same level of coffee quality all day, not just in the morning. That means a program has to sustain a much longer day, without slowing down service or overwhelming staff. That’s why we’re seeing more operators lean on streamlined equipment and hands-on training and working with coffee experts so the program stays consistent whether it’s 9 am or 9 pm. Evening coffee service is becoming less of a nice-to-have and more of a real point of differentiation for operators.  

Q: Can you share more on the growth of espresso-based cocktails and sophisticated non-alcoholic options? 

A: What’s driving both is the same consumer expectation: an evening drink should feel crafted, alcohol or not. Espresso is uniquely positioned to meet that – it has the complexity and structure to be shaken, layered or paired the way a cocktail can, which is exactly why the Espresso Martini has had such staying power, and why we’re seeing further innovation in lighter formats like the Espresso Tonic.

That same expectation is reshaping the non-alcoholic side. People drinking less alcohol aren’t looking to trade down to a syrup-heavy mocktail. They still want something premium and intentional. A well-made espresso drink meets that bar. For us at Lavazza, that means investing in new recipes and formats that give people more ways to access a premium coffee experience, whatever moment they’re in.

Q: What does this shift say about the future of socializing and beverage culture in Canada? 

A: This points to socializing becoming more flexible, with alcohol as one option among several rather than the default. Canadians are looking for experiences that fit different lifestyles and occasions whether that means going out for dinner or grabbing coffee with friends. Coffee is becoming a real part of the guest experience, similar to the way a glass of wine can extend a meal. We’re already seeing that show up through things like tableside pour-over carts, curated pairings and flights. 

We expect that to keep building with coffee treated less like an add-on and more like its own program, built out with the same intention a wine list or cocktail menu may be built at a restaurant. That could mean dedicated evening coffee menus, staff trained specifically to guide guests through the coffee experience, and venues that bring this to life. Coffee has earned a real seat at the table for socializing in Canada — not just a quick stop before the night starts — and there’s plenty of room left for that to grow. 

Lavazza photo
Lavazza photo
Lavazza photo
Lavazza photo
Lavazza photo
Lavazza photo

Q: Can you share more on Lavazza’s current presence in Canada? 

A: Lavazza has a strong presence in Canada, and we’re continuing to build momentum across retail, foodservice and culture. Our strategy goes beyond the coffee itself. It’s about how and where we show up. We see coffee as a connector, so our growth is anchored in creating genuine moments within communities that share our values, rather than just expanding distribution.

What that looks like in practice is finding the right moments at the intersection of culture and connection, and creating real opportunities for people to experience Lavazza there -whether that’s through our vast activations at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) and the Lavazza IncluCity Festival in Toronto, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, our Holiday Café in Calgary, or a pop-up at the Whistler Ski and Snowboard Festival like we did earlier this year.  You’ll continue to see us show up a lot around sports, film, music and the arts, because it’s something we’re genuinely passionate about and it gives us a chance to connect with people through the things they love, with coffee at the centre of those shared experiences. 

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Back-to-School lunch basket falls 2.8%, but relief may be temporary: report

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Gustavo Fring photo
Gustavo Fring photo

Canadian families are seeing some late-summer relief at the grocery store, but they should not assume that food inflation has disappeared, says the Agri-Food Analytics Lab’s Special Back-to-School Food Prices Report 2026, prepared in collaboration with GroceryPulse.ca.

The report said that a national basket of 45 food products declined by 2.8% between July and August, falling from $269.52 to $262.07. Prices declined for 30 of the 45 products, remained unchanged for nine and increased for six.

A more focused basket of 12 popular school-lunch staples also fell by 2.8%, from $55.61 in July to $54.04 in August. Lower prices for bagels, bottled water, canned tuna, cheddar cheese, chicken nuggets and peanut butter helped offset a 6.3% increase in the price of orange juice, it explained.

The Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University conducts research on food prices, food systems, consumer behaviour, supply chains and public policy. Its work provides evidence-based analysis to consumers, industry stakeholders and policymakers across Canada.

Link to report (English) : Special Back To School Report 2026

Link to report (French) : Rapport spécial sur la rentrée scolaire 2026

Sylvain Charlebois
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Janet Music
Janet Music

“Parents are getting some welcome relief as they prepare for the new school year, but we should not confuse a promotion-heavy August snapshot with a lasting reversal in food inflation,” said Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. 

“Grocers are competing aggressively for back-to-school spending, and that is helping consumers for now. The real test will come later this fall, when seasonal pressures begin to build and promotional activity may become less generous.”

The report said promotions played a significant role in August. The proportion of GroceryPulse observations priced below the listed regular price rose from 10.1% in July to 17.5% in August. This suggests that at least part of the monthly decline resulted from temporary discounting rather than a broad, permanent reduction in food costs.

Official Statistics Canada data also provide a more cautious picture. Grocery prices were still 3.1% higher year over year in July and exceeded the overall inflation rate for an 18th consecutive month, it said.

Regional differences remain substantial

The cost of the 12-item school-lunch basket ranged from $52.05 in Quebec City to $56.48 in St. John’s, representing a difference of 8.5%, according to the report.

For the broader 45-item food basket, Winnipeg recorded the lowest total at $258.09, while St. John’s had the highest at $280.07. St. John’s and Moncton were among the most expensive markets measured, reflecting the continued influence of freight costs, market size and regional retail conditions, it added.

Greta Hoffman photo
Greta Hoffman photo

Fall relief before prices firm toward December

The report said its September-to-December outlook for 24 popular lunchbox food is forecasting that an 18-item GroceryPulse-anchored reference basket is projected to decline from $90.27 in August to approximately $89.20 in October before rising to about $96.00 in December—6.3% above its August level.

Fresh produce is expected to experience greater seasonal volatility than packaged products. Tomatoes, romaine lettuce and strawberries could become more expensive later in the fall, while many sandwich and protein staples are expected to remain comparatively stable, said the report.

“The most effective strategy for families is flexibility,” said Janet Music, Research Program Coordinator at the Agri-Food Analytics Lab. “Parents can rotate among fruits and protein options according to weekly prices, compare unit prices and take advantage of meaningful promotions on products that store well. A flexible lunch plan can generate savings without sacrificing nutrition or variety.”

Geopolitical risks remain limited but uneven

The report said its central forecast assumes no major geopolitical shock or significant escalation in tariffs and trade disruptions. Under that scenario, geopolitics should have a limited but uneven effect on school-lunch costs this fall.

Imported produce, juices, packaged foods, transportation and packaging would be among the most exposed categories. A weaker Canadian dollar, supply-chain disruptions or new Canadian counter-tariffs on food products could push actual prices above the report’s projections, it said.

“Geopolitics is unlikely to be the main driver of lunchbox prices this fall unless the trade dispute escalates,” said Charlebois. “However, counter-tariffs on food would directly raise costs for Canadian importers and could also influence the prices of domestic substitutes. Food should be treated carefully in any retaliatory trade strategy because families ultimately pay the bill at the grocery store.”

Atlantic Ambience photo
Atlantic Ambience photo

Practical strategies for families

The report recommends that parents:

  • Build lunches around stable staples such as yogurt, whole-wheat bread, bananas and carrots.
  • Rotate fruits and vegetables according to weekly prices.
  • Keep several protein options available, including tuna, cheese, eggs and permitted nut or seed butters.
  • Use promotions to stock up on products that store well.
  • Compare prices per 100 grams or per litre, rather than relying only on package prices.
  • Use refillable water bottles when practical.

The GroceryPulse analysis is based on 7,234 price observations collected from 145 stores across 13 Canadian cities and up to 22 retail banners. The report combines GroceryPulse shelf-price data with Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index and average retail-price series.

The full Special Back-to-School Food Prices Report 2026 includes product-level comparisons, regional results, forecasts for 24 lunchbox staples and practical advice for families.

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