HEAD Sportswear GmbH has named Borys Paterson as its exclusive Canadian partner, a strategic move to expand its reach in Canada. With an extensive experience in the ski and luxury sportswear industry, Paterson’s expertise promises to support HEAD’s growth and commitment to Canadian consumers.
“Borys’ passion for the sport and his industry expertise makes him a valuable leader for HEAD in Canada,” said Jessica Goodman, Vice President of Sales – North America at HEAD Sportswear. “We are confident that his insights will help drive our brand’s success in this market.”
HEAD Sportswear’s Canadian Expansion Strategy
Paterson’s background includes a Senior Buyer role with Alterra Mountain Company, which operates leading ski resorts across North America such as Deer Valley, Mont Tremblant and Blue Mountain. This experience made him a natural fit to lead HEAD Sportswear’s Canadian market efforts. “I was one of the first North American buyers of HEAD Sportswear back into the Canadian market after nearly 30 years,” Paterson explained, adding that he has worked closely with Goodman, formerly with luxury brands Bogner and Goldbergh, on HEAD’s expansion plans.
Borys Paterson
HEAD Sportswear’s offerings in Canada span four main collections – Performance, Kore, Race and Legacy. The Legacy collection is designed in collaboration with US World Cup skier, Lindsay Vonn.
HEAD Sportswear’s Canadian Retail Partnerships
In Canada, HEAD Sportswear products are sold at specialty and resort stores in locations across the country. This focus on specialty and resort-centered partners helps the brand engage directly with its key audience. According to Paterson, this specialty approach ensures a customer-focused experience, while offering a white glove service that Paterson and Goodman are known for.
HEAD Sportswear’s Canadian growth has been strong, even in challenging seasons. Despite a low-snow season last winter, sales grew in Canada, showing the brand’s resilience and strong customer interest. HEAD’s success also stems from high-profile collaborations, such as its recent partnerships with Gucci and Vogue. The Gucci capsule included both tennis and ski apparel, while the Vogue collection made a Tennis capsule. The brand has been featured at leading events such Wimbledon, and the US open – reinforcing HEAD’s luxury appeal.
Building a Stronger Brand in Canada
Paterson envisions HEAD Sportswear’s growth by tapping into Canadian interest in European-inspired designs with the legendary name. HEAD brings a unique aesthetic to Canada, offering a fresh option alongside other brands like Descente and Spyder.
While HEAD’s global reputation includes tennis and pickleball equipment along with skis, Paterson’s focus in Canada is on sportswear. HEAD’s versatile product range includes accessible options, with ski jackets starting at $400 CAD and reaching $2,000 CAD for premium pieces.
Paterson’s role as HEAD’s exclusive Canadian partner marks an exciting chapter for the brand. With plans to strengthen resort partnerships and connect with specialty stores, HEAD Sportswear aims to make a strong impact on Canada’s sportswear market.
Less than half of Canadians (43%) believe the federal government is putting enough of a priority on making life more affordable, according to a new public opinion poll conducted by spark*insights on behalf of Restaurants Canada.
In a news release, Restaurants Canada said it is urging the federal government to make a firm commitment to improve affordability by reducing payroll taxes for employees and employers in its upcoming Fall Economic Statement.
Kelly Higginson
“Canadians are struggling with the cost of living and that’s having a knock-on effect on sectors like foodservices, where we’re seeing fewer guests and smaller orders, even in the usually busy summer season,” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. “Something has to give and that’s why we’re asking the federal government to relieve some of the pressure on employers and let workers keep more of their paycheques by reducing payroll tax.”
Nearly eight in 10 Canadians (77%) say they would benefit from government reducing payroll taxes, with 42% saying it would have a major positive impact on them and their family, said Restaurants Canada.
“Canadians earning $50,000 a year pay $830 of that in Employment Insurance (EI) while their employer pays an additional $1,162. Provinces also levy their own payroll taxes, reducing take-home pay even further. Restaurants Canada is asking the federal government to provide some immediate relief by introducing a 2% reduction in EI payroll tax,” said the national organization.
Richard Alexander
“Workers and employers need a break. Payroll taxes are taking a bigger bite out of Canadians’ take-home pay and are making it more expensive for employers to hire or raise wages. The easiest way to deliver some immediate relief would be to lower EI payroll tax for both employers and employees. This is a straightforward solution that government has employed before and we need to see it again,” concluded Richard Alexander, Executive Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Restaurants Canada.
“While the Bank of Canada has begun an easing cycle, it will take time to see meaningful effects across the economy. The full impact of easing is unlikely to be felt until the first half of 2025, when a rebound in housing activity should lift home-related purchases,” said the report.
A report by RBC Economics, Why Canada is seeing uneven recovery among households, by economist Carrie Freestone, said Canada’s lowest-income earners have always devoted the greatest share of their take-home pay to essentials like shelter, utilities, groceries, and transportation. Those in the bottom 20% of income earners are going into debt to purchase essentials.
“This group had a reprieve during the pandemic when government transfers to households made up for lost earnings. But now, they are back to where they were in 2019 with essentials accounting for 105% of their household disposable income,” said the report.
“Middle-income earners (those in the 40% to 60% of income distribution) have also become exceptionally stretched. In 2023, they devoted the greatest share of their take-home pay to essentials since 1999. They have spent 17% more than their take-home pay in 2024, implying “dis-savings.” That compares to a 9% dis-savings rate in 2019. This group has completely depleted “excess” pandemic savings squeezed by higher mortgage payments and higher costs for essential goods.”
Over half (53%) of small businesses say insufficient demand is limiting their sales or production growth, finds the October 2024 Monthly Business Barometer® by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
This indicator has been trending upwards for more than two years and is now well above its historical average of 37%, said the CFIB in a news release.
Simon Gaudreault
“Today feels a bit scary, and not just because it’s Halloween. The last time we saw this many businesses having difficulties with weak demand was in April 2020. While the Bank of Canada has started cutting interest rates, consumers are not displaying any sugar rush yet,” said Simon Gaudreault, CFIB’s chief economist and vice-president of research. “We are soon entering the holiday shopping season, and many retailers will also be hoping for a boost in sales to make up for a year that has been challenging so far.”
Small businesses’ average wage and price increase plans reached 2.7% and 2.5% this month, respectively, said the report.
“The long-term small business confidence index remained unchanged at 55.8 in October. Among the sectors, agriculture (43.5%) and hospitality (51.7) were the least optimistic over the long term. Businesses in retail have been displaying stable levels of optimism over the next 12 months, sitting at 54.6 in October,” said the CFIB.
“Elevated shares of businesses continue to report difficulty with numerous sky-high cost constraints, including wages (71%), insurance (70%), and taxes/regulations (69%). On the bright side, the share of firms grappling with borrowing costs has been trending downward, reaching 36% in October, down from 43% in September.”
Andreea Bourgeois
“It’s nice to see a significant drop in the share of businesses struggling with borrowing costs. While many spooky challenges remain on the costs and demand sides, the Bank’s rate cuts have at least started making financing a bit more accessible,” said Andreea Bourgeois, Director of Economics at CFIB.
The CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region.
In a news release, Skip said this first-of-its-kind award recognizes women who are driving change in the Canadian food industry, celebrating chefs, restaurateurs and entrepreneurs whose passion, leadership and innovation are shaping the future of food in Canada.
“This award was introduced to spotlight and celebrate the accomplishments of women in the Canadian food sector, which has historically faced challenges in achieving female representation in leadership roles. By honouring these exceptional women, Skip aims to inspire future generations and showcase its commitment to fostering diverse representation in the food industry,” said the company.
Melanie Fatouros-Richardson
“This year’s award winners exemplify everything we envisioned when creating this award — vision, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to their craft and their communities,” said Melanie Fatouros-Richardson, Vice President of Communications and Government Relations at Skip. “We hope their remarkable stories of perseverance and achievement serve as a beacon of inspiration for others, and we’re honoured to celebrate their contributions to the industry and beyond.”
The 2024 winners of the Food Industry Award presented by Skip are:
Chef Nuit Regular, Co-owner & Executive Chef of PAI and Kiin: Chef Nuit is one of Canada’s most celebrated Thai chefs, known for bringing authentic Northern Thai cuisine to Toronto through her popular restaurants, including PAI and Kiin. She began her culinary journey in a small town in Northern Thailand, where she ran a humble curry shack, and later left her nursing career to share her passion for Thai food in Canada. “Food is a universal language, and through this recognition, I hope to continue sharing my passion for Thai cuisine with Canadians and inspiring future generations of chefs,” said Regular.
Dawn Chapman, Owner of Lazy Daisy’s Café: Inspired by her upbringing on a family farm, Dawn founded Lazy Daisy’s Café in 2011, turning it into a beloved Toronto hub known for its locally sourced, homemade food and welcoming community space. “This award celebrates everyone who has supported Lazy Daisy’s over the years, showing that creating an inclusive, local-focused space resonates with the wider community,” said Chapman.
Karissa Pazdor, Owner and Operator of Little Caesars Pizza: A driven entrepreneur from Winnipeg, Karissa owns and operates four Little Caesars franchises across Manitoba. She began her career managing multiple Tim Hortons locations before expanding her own pizza businesses. “Being recognized for my work in such a competitive field is humbling. I hope this award encourages more women to explore entrepreneurship in the food sector,” said Pazdor.
Chef Stephanie Baryluk, Sous Chef at Chartwells Canada: A Teetl’it Zheh Chef, Stephanie is dedicated to sharing Indigenous culture through her culinary creations and educational initiatives. She played a pivotal role in developing the Rooted Indigenous Food Program at Simon Fraser University, which received a Gold Award in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and won the Grand Prize at the NACUFS Sustainability Awards for promoting sustainability in campus dining. “Being recognized alongside such remarkable women is an honour. I hope this award amplifies the voices of Indigenous people and inspires others to celebrate our culinary heritage,” said Baryluk.
Nuit Regular
Karissa Pazdor
Dawn Chapman
Stephanie Baryluk
Skip is part of JustEatTakeaway.com, a leading global online food delivery marketplace. Skip connects millions of customers with over 50,000 restaurant partners in Canada, including a growing offering of groceries, retailers, alcohol and convenience stores.
Staples Canada in Oakville, Ontario (Image: Staples)
Staples Canada has launched Print Connect, a new, free service designed to meet the diverse printing needs of businesses.
The retailer, in a news release, said Print Connect serves as an exclusive collaboration portal, allowing team members to effortlessly access and print branded materials on demand.
“Our total solution – from design to distribution—streamlines and enhances every step of the printing process, allowing our customers to focus on what truly matters: growing their business.”
The retailer said the concept is designed to simplify printing tasks and strengthen business operations as it offers a secure, all-in-one portal for print-ready file storage and sharing, helping businesses maximize their resources and achieve more. It’s a dedicated space for team members, equipping them with the necessary tools to design, store, share, and print a variety of materials, including banners, business presentations, brochures, signage, business cards, and more with ease, explained Staples.
Print Connect is free with additional tiers for a small monthly fee, according to Staples, which outlined the service below:
Silver Print Connect Silver is free, making it ideal for small teams to finalize high-quality, print-ready designs efficiently. The silver membership is great for smaller businesses to create branded templates, share files, collaborate and streamline processes. Save up to 100 files and easily create or upload designs, all in one centralized portal.
Gold The Gold membership is perfect for medium to large businesses looking for additional features, offering a cost-effective solution at $29.99 per month with a one-time set-up fee. Save and share up to 500 files, create designs, and support teams of up to 100 users. With enhanced support and reporting features, it streamlines template creation and print processes for greater efficiency.
Platinum For large or more complex organizations that need a fully customized solution, Print Connect Platinum is the ideal plan. Enjoy endless possibilities with a managed, white-glove service account and a variety of options.
The Staples network includes 298 stores across Canada and staples.ca, printing and shipping services at Staples Print, and Staples Studio co-working spaces.
Retail Insider is streamlining its Canadian retail news from around the web to include a handful of top news stories that can be viewed quickly during the day. Here are the top stories from the past 48 hours.
Canadian retailers are preparing for a crucial holiday season, with a projected 2% increase in sales over last year. According to Caila Schwartz, Director of Consumer Insights and Strategy for Retail & Consumer Goods at Salesforce, Canadian online retail sales are expected to reach approximately $14.7 billion (USD) between November and December. This growth reflects broader trends seen in major markets, including the U.S., where a similar 2% increase is anticipated.
The forecast, however, comes with a caveat: inflation is driving Canadian shoppers to be more selective and value-driven. Consumers are trading down to less expensive alternatives and waiting for key sales periods, such as Cyber Week, to make significant purchases. In an interview, Schwartz outlined the key trends that will shape the 2024 holiday season, including the rise of Chinese marketplaces, the increasing importance of AI-powered personalization, and the role of loyalty programs in driving consumer decisions.
Key Trends for Holiday Shopping: Value and Chinese Marketplaces
Canadian consumers are entering the holiday season with a strong focus on value. “We’re seeing a very strong gravitation toward value,” Schwartz explained. “Consumers are looking for the biggest bang for their dollar, which is influencing where they shop and how they spend.”
Caila Schwartz
This shift toward value is reflected in changing shopping behaviours, with 78% of Canadians reporting that they are trading down—opting for cheaper alternatives to their usual purchases. This focus on value is likely to define the holiday season, with many consumers holding off on large purchases until Cyber Week in hopes of securing the best deals. Schwartz noted that 69% of Canadian shoppers are planning to wait for this highly promotional period before making major purchases.
In addition to value-focused shopping, Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Temu and Shein are gaining traction among Canadian consumers. Salesforce’s research shows that 59% of Canadians have purchased from these platforms in the past six months, and 41% are expected to make at least one purchase from these sites during the holiday season. “These platforms are growing quickly, especially in Western markets,” Schwartz said. The rise of these marketplaces represents a significant challenge for domestic retailers, who must compete with the low prices and broad product offerings of their global competitors.
Image: SHEIN
AI-Powered Personalization to Shape Retail Landscape
Artificial intelligence is poised to play a critical role in shaping the holiday shopping experience. Schwartz highlighted that AI-powered personalization is expected to influence 16% of all online orders in North America during the 2024 holiday season. This includes personalized product recommendations and dynamic pricing, both of which are becoming increasingly common in online retail. “Consumers are leaning into AI,” Schwartz explained. “They’re curious about how AI can enhance their shopping experience, and they’re already starting to see the benefits.”
AI’s ability to offer tailored shopping experiences is particularly valuable in a crowded marketplace, where retailers are vying for consumer attention. Schwartz emphasized that AI can help businesses deliver the right message at the right time, which is critical during key sales periods like Cyber Week.
While larger retailers are leading the way in AI adoption, smaller businesses are also finding ways to leverage AI to compete more effectively.
For retailers that have brick-and-mortar locations, Schwartz pointed out that buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS) will be especially important this holiday season. “We tend to see that after ground shipping cutoffs, retailers offering BOPIS grow five to seven times faster than those that don’t,” she said. This feature is expected to be crucial as the holiday season progresses, particularly in the final days leading up to Christmas.
Salesforce Dreamforce Keynote stage at the Moscone Centre in San Francisco on September 17, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson
Loyalty Programs to Drive Consumer Behaviour
Loyalty programs are becoming an increasingly important tool for retailers, particularly as inflation continues to shape consumer behaviour. Salesforce’s research indicates that 66% of Canadian consumers are consolidating their purchases around retailers that offer loyalty programs. Schwartz explained that loyalty programs allow consumers to maximize value, which is especially appealing in today’s economic climate.
“Loyalty programs offer a significant competitive advantage,” Schwartz noted. “They allow retailers to collect first-party data, which can then be used to deliver personalized shopping experiences powered by AI.”
Cyber Week to Be a Critical Moment for Retailers
Cyber Week is shaping up to be the most important period of the holiday shopping season, with many consumers waiting for deep discounts before making significant purchases. Schwartz expects Cyber Week to be highly promotional, with retailers offering aggressive discounts to capture consumer attention. However, the condensed holiday timeline—there’s one less week between Cyber Week and Christmas this year—adds an additional layer of complexity.
“Retailers that offer BOPIS will have a distinct advantage,” Schwartz emphasized. “We’re expecting nearly 50% of online orders placed in the last two days before Christmas to be for buy online, pick up in store.” The combination of value-conscious consumers and a shorter holiday period means that retailers will need to be agile and responsive to consumer needs.
Image: Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime Day’s Limited Impact and the Importance of AI for Smaller Retailers
Amazon Prime Day, which took place earlier this month, had a relatively muted impact on Canadian retail, with only 1% growth in online sales over the two-day event. This was a stark contrast to Prime Day in July, which saw much stronger growth. According to Schwartz, many Canadian retailers likely held back on promotions in October, saving their efforts for Cyber Week. However, the “halo effect” of Prime Day, where non-Amazon retailers benefit from increased traffic, was still present.
For smaller retailers, the challenge of competing with larger players like Amazon is significant, but Schwartz believes AI offers a path forward. “AI can help smaller retailers compete more effectively by allowing them to deliver personalized experiences at scale,” she said. By using AI to analyze customer data and provide tailored recommendations, smaller businesses can build stronger relationships with their customers and better meet their needs.
Looking ahead, Schwartz emphasized that the holiday season will be a critical time for Canadian retailers. “It’s going to be an incredibly competitive season, and retailers that listen to their consumers and deliver personalized experiences will be the ones that succeed,” she concluded.
Customers in U.S. and Canada company-owned and operated stores will no longer pay extra for customizing their beverage with nondairy – including soy, oat, almond and coconut beverage (CNW Group/Starbucks Coffee Company)
Starbucks announced Wednesday that, starting with the launch of its holiday menu on November 7, the company will no longer charge extra for customizing beverages with a nondairy modifier, making it easier for customers to make their beverage their own.
Brian Niccol
“Core to the Starbucks Experience is the ability to customize your beverage to make it yours. By removing the extra charge for nondairy, we’re embracing all the ways our customers enjoy their Starbucks,” said Brian Niccol, Starbucks chairman and chief executive officer, in a news release.
“I made a commitment that we’d get back to Starbucks, focusing on what has always set Starbucks apart – a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather and we serve the finest coffee handcrafted by our skilled baristas. This is just one of many changes we’ll make to ensure a visit to Starbucks is worth it every time.”
Substituting with nondairy – whether its soy, oat, almond, or coconut beverage – in a handcrafted beverage is the second most requested customization from customers, behind adding a shot of espresso. When this change goes into effect on November 7, more than a quarter of current customers in Canada who pay to modify their beverage will see a price reduction of more than 10 per cent, said the company.
In August, Seattle-based coffee giant Starbucks announced a significant leadership change in response to recent challenges and investor concerns. The company appointed Niccol, who was chairman and CEO of Chipotle, to take the helm as its new chief executive officer, replacing Laxman Narasimhan after just over a year in the role.
The unexpected move came as Starbucks grappled with weakening demand and mounting pressure from disgruntled investors. Narasimhan, who assumed the CEO position in March 2023 following Howard Schultz’s interim leadership, stepped down immediately.
The leadership transition occurred against a backdrop of declining sales and market challenges for Starbucks. The company reported its first quarterly sales decline since late 2020 in the January-March period, followed by another drop in the subsequent quarter. These setbacks have been attributed to various factors, including increased competition from lower-cost rivals in China and boycotts in the Middle East due to perceived support for Israel.
The Starbucks Coffee Company, which began in 1971, has close to 40,000 stores worldwide.
Total sales in the food services and drinking places subsector increased for the fifth consecutive month in August, rising 0.3 per cent to $8.1 billion, the highest level on record, according to a report released Wednesday by Statistics Canada.
Unadjusted prices for food purchased from restaurants were up 3.4 per cent in August compared with August 2023 and unadjusted prices for alcoholic beverages served in licensed establishments increased 2.1 per cent over the same period, said the federal agency.
“In dollar terms, the largest increase in August came from higher sales at limited-service eating places (+0.7 per cent), marking this industry’s fifth consecutive monthly increase. Full-service restaurants also posted higher receipts (+0.3 per cent) in August, rebounding from the decrease posted in July,” said Statistics Canada.
“Special food services posted a decrease of 1.5 per cent in August, the third consecutive monthly decline for this industry group. Lower receipts at drinking places (-0.2 per cent) were also seen in August.”
“This doesn’t surprise at all. Spending is up across hospitality including tourism. There are more restaurant openings and Michelin stars than ever before and the reason for that is that Canadians are spending more at home instead of going across the border. The US political climate along with the cost of travel abroad is making Canadians think twice. Everything is more expensive including essentials, homes, fashion and travel. With the drop in interest rates, we will continue to see more spending locally,” said Liza Amlani, Principal and Founder, Retail Strategy Group.
“Canada’s food services and drinking places saw a robust seasonal upswing, with receipts increasing by 10.5 per cent from April to May, and continuing with steady month-to-month gains of 2.1 per cent in June, 1.6 per cent in July, and 1.3 per cent in August 2024. These percentage increases underscore the sector’s resilience as consumer demand held strong over the summer months,” said Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Professor, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Dalhousie University.
“Revenue is up month over month, although Statistics Canada admits that the industry doesn’t measure growth this way. It is usually on a year-over-year basis. It’s also important to point out that this industry is impacted by inflation as much as consumers face pressures on food prices. Overall, food inflation and menu inflation can be considered running parallel. The sector also faces rent, transportation, and wage inflation, which find their way onto menu prices,” said George Minakakis, Founder/CEO, Inception Retail Group.
“Menu prices and food inflation rose from nine per cent to 10 per cent in January 2023. Just because food inflation declined to 2.8 per cent in August 2024 doesn’t mean it costs less to supply a restaurant today than it did a year or two ago. The higher prices have remained in place. I believe these sales growth numbers are influenced by inflation. Therefore, the question only the industry can answer is how much this has impacted transaction and customer growth. Is it on a rebound, decline, or flat? Not all consumers have enough disposable income to dine out. My experience in this industry has been 20-60-20. Twenty per cent are struggling, sixty per cent are holding their own, and the other twenty per cent are experiencing growth.”
Sales up in eight provinces
In August, eight provinces saw increased sales. Quebec (+0.9 per cent) posted the largest gains in dollar terms, with higher sales posted in all industry groups, said Statistics Canada.
“Sales were also up in Ontario (+0.4 per cent), increasing for the fourth consecutive month, led by higher sales from limited-service eating places,” explained the federal agency.
“In August, the largest provincial decrease came from lower sales in British Columbia (-0.5 per cent), driven largely by lower sales in full-service restaurants. Sales in Alberta (-0.3 per cent) also fell in August, led by lower sales at drinking places.”
Photo: Mario Toneguzzi
Further information is available in the “Food Services and Drinking Places Sales” dashboard, where users can consult data on sales in food services and drinking places for Canada and by province and territory.
Supercharged by Apple Intelligence, even more powerful Apple silicon with the M4 family of chips, and new capabilities, MacBook Pro accelerates pro workloads like never before. Photo: Apple.
Apple has introduced a new generation of MacBook Pro models powered by the company’s latest M4 family of chips — M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max — ushering in what it calls “a new era” of pro computing. With dramatic gains in AI processing, GPU performance, and memory bandwidth, the new laptops also mark the arrival of Apple Intelligence for Mac, delivering powerful on-device capabilities with built-in privacy safeguards.
Available in space black and silver, the new MacBook Pro lineup starts at $2,099 (CAD), with pre-orders beginning today and availability commencing November 8.
“With the powerful M4 family of chips, and packed with pro features like Thunderbolt 5, an advanced 12MP Center Stage camera, an all-new nano-texture display option, and Apple Intelligence, the new MacBook Pro continues to be, by far, the world’s best pro laptop,” said John Ternus, Apple’s SVP of Hardware Engineering.
M4 Chips Drive Massive Performance Gains
Built on Apple’s second-generation 3nm process, the M4 chip lineup delivers industry-leading single-thread and multi-core CPU performance, along with faster unified memory and on-device AI acceleration. The M4 Max model includes up to a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, and supports up to 128GB of memory — enabling users to run large language models with 200 billion parameters on-device.
Apple’s battery life claims also set a new bar, with all MacBook Pro models offering up to 24 hours of runtime on a single charge.
New Model Highlights
14-inch MacBook Pro with M4: Tailored for creators, students, and small business owners. Offers up to 3.4x faster Blender rendering and support for two external displays, with three Thunderbolt 4 ports.
14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro: Suited for researchers and engineers, offering Thunderbolt 5 support, 75% more memory bandwidth than the previous generation, and up to 3x faster performance than M1 Pro models.
MacBook Pro with M4 Max: Designed for high-end professionals working in 3D, film scoring, or AI development. Supports 128GB of memory, 40-core GPU, and enables up to 30.8x faster video processing performance compared to Intel-based models.
Apple Intelligence Comes to Mac
The new MacBook Pro is built to run Apple Intelligence, a personal AI system that uses generative models to enable features like systemwide Writing Tools, Genmoji creation, and Image Playground. Siri also gets an overhaul with more fluid voice and text control, while upcoming integration with ChatGPT (starting in December) adds broader conversational AI capabilities — all with privacy-focused infrastructure including Private Cloud Compute.
Nano-Texture Display and Camera Upgrades
All MacBook Pro models include the Liquid Retina XDR display, now with an optional nano-texture glass finish that minimizes glare while preserving clarity. SDR content reaches up to 1000 nits of brightness, while HDR content remains at up to 1600 nits peak brightness.
The new 12MP Center Stage camera keeps users centered during video calls and supports Desk View. Combined with studio-grade mics and a six-speaker audio system with Spatial Audio, the experience is tailored for both professionals and everyday users.
Connectivity and macOS Sequoia
MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max feature Thunderbolt 5, enabling speeds of up to 120 Gb/s for advanced peripherals. Additional ports include HDMI (up to 8K), SDXC, MagSafe 3, and a headphone jack, with support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Paired with macOS Sequoia, the MacBook Pro gains system-level enhancements including iPhone Mirroring, personalized Distraction Control, and a revamped Safari with highlights and summary views. A new Passwords app, Game Mode improvements, and built-in video call backgrounds round out the experience.
Built for Sustainability
The new MacBook Pro enclosures are made from 100% recycled aluminum, with recycled rare earth elements, gold, tin, and copper used throughout internal components. The 14-inch model’s packaging is now entirely fibre-based, aligning with Apple’s commitment to eliminate plastic from its packaging by 2025 and reach full carbon neutrality by 2030.
Pricing and Availability
14-inch MacBook Pro with M4: Starts at $2,099 CAD ($1,969 CAD for education)
14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro: Starts at $2,699 CAD
16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Max: Starts at $3,299 CAD
All models are available for pre-order at apple.com/ca/store, with deliveries and retail availability beginning November 8.
