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Leyad Acquires St. Vital Centre for $160.5 Million

By
Craig Patterson
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St. Vital Centre in Winnipeg. Photo: Leyad

Montreal-based real estate firm Leyad has acquired St. Vital Centre in Winnipeg for $160.5 million from the Ontario Pension Board, adding one of Manitoba’s top-performing shopping centres to its growing national portfolio. The two-level enclosed mall spans about 1 million square feet of gross leasable area, attracts roughly eight million visitors annually, and houses about 160 retailers.

Located in south Winnipeg, St. Vital Centre serves as the dominant enclosed mall for the city’s south and southeast trade areas. The property offers a broad mix of fashion, services, electronics, and food-and-beverage tenants, positioning it as a key regional shopping destination.

Leyad’s purchase continues a rapid expansion strategy across Canada, particularly in the Prairie provinces, where the firm has been acquiring dominant regional malls and necessity-based retail centres.

New Ownership Signals Long-Term Strategy

“This acquisition embodies everything we look for in a community shopping centre,” said Henry Zavriyev, President of Leyad. “St. Vital Centre is dominant in its market, anchored by essential retail, deeply embedded in the daily lives of the community, and positioned for many decades of continued success. We are proud to become its long-term steward.”

Henry Zavriyev
Henry Zavriyev

The transaction was financed through a syndicated loan provided by six Canadian credit unions. The financing structure reflects institutional confidence in the asset and in Leyad’s operating platform.

“This syndication highlights the ability of Canadian credit unions to collaborate on large, institutional-quality transactions while supporting assets that matter to their communities,” Zavriyev said.

The St. Vital Centre acquisition represents another milestone for the privately held real estate firm, which has grown quickly since its founding in 2016. The company positions itself as a long-term investor focused on transforming and actively managing retail properties rather than pursuing short-term flips.

Uniqlo to Join Tenant Lineup

Leyad has confirmed that Uniqlo will open a store at St. Vital Centre after the acquisition closes. The Japanese apparel retailer’s arrival will further strengthen the centre’s tenant mix and is likely to draw additional regional traffic.

The store will mark the second Uniqlo location in Winnipeg. The company recently announced plans to open another store at CF Polo Park in spring 2026, signalling growing confidence in the city as it expands its Canadian footprint.

Uniqlo has been increasing its presence in Canada in recent years, particularly in major urban markets. Its entry into two of Winnipeg’s dominant regional malls underscores the continued relevance of strong enclosed centres in key trade areas. Aurora Retail Group’s Jeff Berkowitz is handling the retailer’s Canadian leasing mandate. 

St. Vital Centre in Winnipeg. Photo: Leyad

Centre Profile and Tenant Mix

St. Vital Centre is a fully enclosed, one-level regional mall surrounded by extensive surface parking. The centre hosts more than 160 retail, service, and food-and-beverage tenants, with a mix that skews toward national chains and everyday services.

Fashion tenants include mid-market apparel and accessories brands such as Ardene, American Eagle, Bikini Village, Bluenotes, and Blackwell Supply Co. Beauty and personal-care retailers include Bath & Body Works, while electronics and wireless offerings include operators such as BellMTS and Best Buy Express. Jewellery retailers, including Ben Moss, add to the centre’s mid-market positioning.

The food component includes a typical enclosed-mall food court lineup, with brands such as A&W, Dairy Queen and Orange Julius, Thai Express, and Taco Time. This everyday-convenience orientation supports steady traffic alongside discretionary retail spending.

Amenities at the centre include climate-controlled common areas, accessible washrooms, and extensive parking, reinforcing its role as a primary enclosed retail destination for the surrounding suburban trade area.

St. Vital Centre in Winnipeg. Photo: Mehak, Kelly & Associates

Position in Winnipeg’s Retail Landscape

Within Winnipeg’s retail hierarchy, St. Vital Centre functions as the dominant enclosed mall for the south and southeast quadrants of the city. It complements the broader regional draw of CF Polo Park on the west side while outperforming older community malls in tenant mix and traffic.

The centre also places emphasis on community-oriented programming. Recent initiatives have included cultural markets, seasonal promotions, and specialty events designed to increase foot traffic and maintain relevance beyond traditional retail offerings.

This combination of mid-market fashion, services, and experiential programming has supported the mall’s strong traffic levels and stable positioning within Winnipeg’s retail landscape.

Exterior entrance to Zellers at Londonderry Mall in Edmonton. Photo: Christa Patterson

Part of a Broader National Expansion

The St. Vital Centre acquisition aligns with Leyad’s strategy of building scale around dominant regional retail assets across Canada. The company’s portfolio includes a mix of enclosed malls, power centres, and necessity-based retail properties.

Key holdings include Niagara’s Pen Centre in St. Catharines, Londonderry Mall and St. Albert Centre in the Edmonton area, and several power centres in Quebec, Alberta, and Atlantic Canada. The firm has also expanded into Winnipeg through multiple acquisitions, including retail, industrial, and mixed-use assets.

Leyad reports owning and operating millions of square feet of retail space across Western Canada alone, underscoring its focus on regional centres with strong everyday-needs tenant mixes.

The company has also demonstrated a willingness to reposition large anchor spaces. At Londonderry Mall in Edmonton, for example, Leyad has re-leased most of a former Hudson’s Bay box and introduced a new Zellers anchor as part of a rapid redevelopment strategy.

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Tim Hortons Upgrades Muffins, Espresso and Drinks

By
Lee Rivett
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Photo: Tim Hortons

Restaurant Brands International reported a series of operational changes across the Tim Hortons system, highlighting improvements to core menu items and beverage equipment. The Tim Hortons operations update, announced February 12 by president Axel Schwan, centres on English muffins, espresso machines and new fountain drink equipment.

The changes reflect the company’s ongoing “back to basics” strategy as it navigates a competitive and price-sensitive quick-service restaurant environment. The initiative combines refinements to long-standing menu staples with investments in equipment intended to improve speed, quality and beverage variety.

English muffin refinement targets breakfast experience

Tim Hortons is rolling out an upgraded English muffin designed to be fluffier and more enjoyable. The bread forms the base for many of the chain’s breakfast sandwiches, making it a critical component of the morning menu.

Schwan said the existing muffin was already strong but required further refinement based on customer feedback. “It illustrates our deep commitment to guest feedback and our ongoing enhancements to core offerings while also innovating,” he said.

The new muffin was scheduled to reach Western Canada by mid-February, with a nationwide rollout expected by the end of the first quarter of 2026. The change is part of a broader effort to improve foundational products rather than rely solely on limited-time menu items.

Tim Hortons, image via Reddit

New espresso machines aim to improve speed and quality

A second major component of the Tim Hortons operations update involves new espresso equipment developed over several years. The machines are designed to deliver higher-quality beverages while significantly reducing preparation times.

The new units are currently installed in a minority of restaurants and will gradually become standard as stores undergo renovations and older machines are replaced. The rollout is tied to the brand’s existing renovation cycles rather than a single national conversion.

Schwan described the equipment as “a superior quality product that tastes better and is delivered more quickly,” positioning the chain to compete more directly with premium coffee concepts.

Coca-Cola fountain drink partnership supports daypart growth

Tim Hortons is also rolling out new fountain drink machines through a partnership with Coca-Cola. The equipment is still being installed across the system and is not yet available in every location.

The machines are intended to support combo meal sales and a broader range of cold beverage offerings. The company has been expanding into afternoon and evening dayparts with wraps, bowls and other savoury options, and fountain drinks are expected to support those efforts.

Cold beverage sales continued to grow during the fourth quarter, even amid unusually cold weather, reflecting rising consumer interest in iced and specialty drinks.

Back-to-basics approach builds on earlier menu refinements

The Tim Hortons operations update follows several product changes introduced in 2025. The company enlarged its chocolate chunk cookies and added more chocolate, increased fruit content in apple fritters, and boosted filling levels in Boston Cream doughnuts.

At the same time, Tim Hortons has broadened its menu to compete across more dayparts. The chain introduced wraps, bowls and other savoury options to capture afternoon and evening traffic. It also expanded its beverage lineup with energy drinks, protein-enhanced beverages, carbonated offerings and cold foam drinks.

The dual strategy combines improvements to traditional products with new menu items aimed at younger and more trend-driven consumers.

Financial context and industry challenges

Restaurant Brands International released its fourth-quarter 2025 results on the same day as the operational announcement. The parent company reported profit attributable to common shareholders of US$113 million, or 34 cents per diluted share, compared with US$259 million, or 77 cents per diluted share, a year earlier.

Despite the profit decline, revenue increased and Tim Hortons Canada recorded comparable sales growth of 2.8 percent in the quarter. The brand outperformed the overall Canadian quick-service restaurant industry by nearly two percentage points.

The company also faced cost pressures in 2025, including higher coffee prices driven by extreme weather in producing regions. Tim Hortons raised coffee prices by about three to five cents per cup in 2025, marking the first adjustment in nearly three years. Schwan said coffee costs have decreased substantially in recent months, offering some relief.

Restaurant Brands International executive chairman Patrick Doyle described 2025 as “challenging” for restaurant operators, noting that rising costs and cautious consumers tested fundamentals across the industry. He said the company’s performance showed that its core brands remain resilient.

Equipment upgrades expected to support long-term growth

The espresso machines and fountain drink equipment represent longer-term investments in beverage categories that often carry higher margins. Faster preparation times are expected to improve throughput during peak periods, while new equipment enables additional menu innovation.

The English muffin refinement, meanwhile, reinforces the chain’s traditional breakfast positioning. By focusing on core items alongside new offerings, Tim Hortons is attempting to defend its base business while expanding into other dayparts.

In the short term, the company expects the nationwide muffin rollout to conclude by the end of the first quarter. Espresso machine installations will continue as restaurants renovate, and fountain drink equipment will gradually expand across the network.

PHOTO: TROY MEDIA MARKETPLACE

Background: Tim Hortons’ Canadian roots and growth

Tim Hortons was founded in 1964 when NHL defenceman Tim Horton opened a doughnut shop in Hamilton, Ontario. The concept gained traction after police constable Ron Joyce joined the business and later became a full partner. Following Horton’s death in 1974, Joyce bought out the Horton family’s interest and expanded the company through franchising.

The chain grew rapidly during the 1980s and early 1990s, eventually reaching hundreds of locations across Canada. Its menu of coffee, doughnuts and simple baked goods became a daily ritual for many Canadians, and products such as Timbits and the “double-double” coffee order entered popular culture.

Tim Hortons was acquired by Wendy’s in 1995, later becoming an independent public company before joining the multinational restaurant holding group now known as Restaurant Brands International. The company has since expanded beyond Canada into the United States and several international markets while maintaining its core identity as a coffee-and-baked-goods chain.

Today, Tim Hortons continues to evolve its menu and operations, balancing traditional products with new beverage and food offerings aimed at broader dayparts and international growth.

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Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For February 13, 2026

By
Retail Insider
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Canadian Retail News From Around The Web

News at a Glance

Retail Insider is streamlining its Canadian retail news from around the web to include a handful of top news stories that can be viewed quickly during the day. Here are the top stories from the past 24 hours.

Future of iconic Queen West retailer Steve’s Music unclear as store liquidates inventory (CBC)

Why Canadian musicians are mourning the iconic Steve’s Music (CBC)

How Ottawa malls and downtowns are adapting to the new dynamics of shopping (Ottawa Business Journal)

The Body Shop back for good at Cape Breton’s Mayflower Mall (PNI Atlantic News)

Walmart Canada called out for locking up textured hair care products (Daily Hive)

Adonis launches special offers and catering menu for Ramadan (Grocery Business)

Advancing Retail Crime as a Priority in Québec – Bill 13 consultations (RCC)

WARMINGTON: Peterborough store clerk acquitted in self defence armed robber case (Toronto Star)

The Hudson’s Bay plaques are coming down (Toronto Life)

‘This isn’t a biker war’: Biker boss acknowledges gunfire at his Oshawa store — but says it’s not a fight with the Hells Angels (Toronto Star)

‘Thoughtful approach’: Army & Navy project approved by Vancouver City Council (Daily Hive)

From Pandemic Layoff to Building Businesses in Alberta

By
Craig Patterson
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Darcy Skarsen and team at Pita Pit. Photo supplied

When Darcy Skarsen reflects on how his business journey began, he does not point to a long-term master plan. Instead, he traces it back to early 2020, when a sudden layoff forced him and his wife Elaine to rethink their future.

“It really all started around March 2020,” Skarsen said. “I was working a nine-to-five sales job in Bonnyville and ended up getting laid off. I had no prospects, no job, nothing. I wasn’t sure what the next step was going to be.”

Rather than waiting for the job market to recover, the couple decided to move forward with a business idea they had discussed in earlier years. That decision marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Skarsen family, one that would grow into a portfolio of foodservice and entertainment businesses across Alberta’s Lakeland region.

What began with a single restaurant has since expanded to include multiple Pita Pit locations, a Booster Juice, and a bowling alley that filled a long-standing gap in the community. The projects were built through a hands-on, family-driven approach, with Darcy and Elaine working closely together from the outset.

Booster Juice marks the first step into ownership

Darcy and Elaine Skarsen in their Booster Juice location in Bonnyville, AB.

The Skarsens’ first step into business ownership came with the opening of a Booster Juice in Bonnyville in February 2021. At the time, the move was less about expansion and more about creating stability and taking control of their future.

“Out of that situation, I ended up opening a Booster Juice,” he said. “We opened in February 2021, and that was really my introduction to franchising and running my own business.”

The experience gave Darcy and Elaine a practical education in operations, staffing, and working within a national franchise system. He said the store remains an important part of both the business and their personal journey.

“It was my first one, so it will always be near and dear to me,” Skarsen said. “It taught me a lot about how franchising works and what it really takes to run a business day to day.”

Acquiring Pita Pit and building local scale

Not long after opening Booster Juice, Skarsen was approached by the owners of the local Pita Pit in Bonnyville. The opportunity aligned with conversations he and Elaine had already been having about growth.

“Not long after that, the owners of the Pita Pit here in town approached me and asked if I’d be interested in buying it,” he said. “Long story short, we took it over in June 2022.”

Founded in Kingston, Ontario in 1995, Pita Pit has grown into one of Canada’s most recognizable fast-casual brands, with approximately 240 locations nationwide under Foodtastic’s ownership. Its customizable menu and strong catering business have helped it perform well in a range of markets, including smaller communities.

For the Skarsens, the brand’s flexibility and local relevance made it a natural fit for expansion.

Darcy and Elaine Skarsen shake hands at their Pita Pit location in Bonnyville, AB.

Different franchise models, different strengths

Having now operated more than one franchise concept, Skarsen is careful to frame differences between systems as structural rather than good or bad. He said those lessons were learned through the couple’s early experiences together in the business.

“Every franchise has a different model,” he said. “Some are more turnkey, some give you more involvement in the build and operations. You really only understand that once you’ve lived it.”

He said both Booster Juice and Pita Pit have strengths, but Pita Pit aligns more closely with how he and Elaine prefer to operate in smaller markets.

“With Pita Pit, there’s more opportunity to be hands-on,” Skarsen said. “I like being involved in the build, understanding where costs are going, and adapting to the local market where it makes sense.”

That alignment has influenced where the couple is focusing future growth, without diminishing the role Booster Juice played in getting them started.

New Pita Pit in Cold Lake, AB. Photo: C SM via Google Maps

Reopening Pita Pit in Cold Lake with a new approach

The Skarsens’ second Pita Pit location opened in Cold Lake in late 2025, bringing the brand back to the community after a previous location had closed years earlier.

“The earlier store struggled because of where it was located,” he said. “It was upstairs in a multiplex with limited visibility and foot traffic.”

The new location, positioned near Walmart with strong parking and visibility, has performed well out of the gate.

“We’ve been open just over a month now, and the response has been really encouraging,” Skarsen said.

He emphasized that location fundamentals are especially critical in smaller markets.

“When you’re visible and convenient, people respond,” he said. “That’s even more important outside major urban centres.”

Kingpins Bowling & Games Room in Bonnyville, AB.

Filling a community gap with a bowling alley

Beyond foodservice, the Skarsens also identified an opportunity to bring back a bowling alley to Bonnyville, which had been without one for roughly a decade.

“Bonnyville used to have a bowling alley that closed around 2013,” he said. “It had been there for decades, and the town really felt the loss.”

Since opening in 2023, the bowling alley has become a steady destination for leagues, families, and corporate events.

“Bowling has been incredibly popular,” Skarsen said. “We have leagues five nights a week, weekends are busy, and we’re booked solid with Christmas parties.”

The business has also reinforced his appreciation for locally owned concepts alongside franchises.

“With the bowling alley, we decide everything,” he said. “We decide the menu, the hours, what we’re going to offer. You don’t have that flexibility with franchises.”

Kingpins Bowling & Games Room in Bonnyville, AB.

Labour and food costs remain the biggest challenges

Like many restaurant operators, Skarsen said staffing and food inflation are the most pressing challenges he and Elaine face.

“Staffing is probably the toughest part of the business,” he said. “In rural communities, it’s hard to find full-time employees.”

He noted that temporary foreign workers have played a vital role in keeping operations running.

“Temporary foreign workers have been critical for us,” Skarsen said. “Most of them are here to build a better life for themselves and their families, and they work incredibly hard.”

Food costs, meanwhile, have reshaped customer perceptions.

“Food costs are the biggest challenge right now,” he said. “People come in and say, ‘I just paid $20 for a pita, chips, and a pop.’ And I tell them, ‘I paid almost that much just to make it.’”

“It’s not that restaurants are getting rich,” Skarsen added. “It’s simply what it costs to operate today.”

Low rents and why small markets still make sense

One advantage the Skarsens continue to benefit from is manageable occupancy costs, particularly in Bonnyville.

“If I told you what I pay for rent here, you’d probably fall off your chair,” he said. “I pay about $1,200 a month for roughly 1,200 square feet.”

That cost structure allows for resilience when food and labour costs rise, and helps explain why secondary and tertiary markets remain attractive for franchise expansion when paired with strong local demand.

“Our customer base isn’t high school kids,” Skarsen said. “It’s workers. We deliver platters to job sites regularly, and there’s a lot of disposable income in this region.”

Looking ahead to Costco-driven growth

The Skarsens are currently exploring another Pita Pit location in Lloydminster, tied to a new Costco development expected to draw traffic from across the region.

“We’re looking at a site near the Costco that’s being built,” he said. “Those developments create a lot of consistent traffic, especially from surrounding communities.”

At the same time, he remains cautious about scaling too quickly.

“I like to be able to visit my stores regularly,” Skarsen said. “Once they’re farther away, you have to be very thoughtful about how you manage that.”

Practical advice for future franchisees

After several years in business, Skarsen offers straightforward advice to others considering franchising.

“Do your homework,” he said. “Talk to other franchisees and understand what you’re getting into.”

Above all, he stressed that ownership requires ongoing involvement.

“You can’t expect the franchise to do everything for you while you sit back,” Skarsen said. “You still have to put in the work.”

More from Retail Insider:

Pattison Food Group Switches to Equifruit Bananas

By
Lee Rivett
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Equifruit team at Pattison Food Group HQ launch event

Pattison Food Group has transitioned its organic banana program supplier to Equifruit, a Canadian and female-owned company that specializes in Fairtrade-certified bananas. The move, announced February 12, reflects a strategic sourcing decision that aligns the grocery operator with a supplier focused on fair trade practices and sustainability. The Pattison Food Group Equifruit partnership brings Fairtrade organic bananas to multiple grocery banners across Western Canada.

Equifruit is North America’s leading Fairtrade-certified banana importer, working exclusively with farmers approved by Fairtrade International. The organization is widely recognized for its sustainability standards and its efforts to improve the livelihoods of agricultural producers.

Executives at Pattison Food Group say the decision reflects shared values between the two organizations.

“Switching to Equifruit organic bananas is a natural fit for Pattison Food Group,” said Justin McGregor, general manager, produce & bulk at Pattison Food Group. “They share our values of fairness, transparency and collaboration that benefits everyone, from growers to shoppers.”

 

Through the Pattison Food Group Equifruit partnership, the companies say they will help support sustainable incomes and improved working conditions for banana growers in Latin America. Fairtrade standards set requirements for wages, workplace safety, and environmental practices.

The program also includes a Fairtrade Premium that is paid directly to growers. These funds support community projects such as education programs, clean water infrastructure, and housing improvements.

Equifruit Fairtrade organic bananas display 2

Stability in a Volatile Banana Market

Equifruit leadership says the partnership reflects broader challenges within the global banana supply chain, where price volatility and cost pressures can affect farmers.

“In a highly volatile global banana market, Fairtrade provides a level of stability for banana farmers,” said Jennie Coleman, president and co-owner of Equifruit. “That stability allows them to invest in a better future for themselves and their communities, and a more sustainable future for the banana industry.”

 

Fairtrade standards also prohibit child labour and provide support for farmers to reduce environmental impacts, including initiatives related to soil health, water use, and pesticide management.

Equifruit Fairtrade organic bananas are now available across several Pattison Food Group grocery banners. The rollout includes Save-On-Foods, PriceSmart Foods, Urban Fare, Buy-Low Foods, Quality Foods, and Nesters Market.

The Pattison Food Group Equifruit partnership gives the grocery operator a unified organic banana program across its network. The company operates more than 300 food and drug retail locations and employs nearly 30,000 team members across its various businesses.

About the Companies

Established in 2021, Pattison Food Group is a Canadian-owned and operated division of the Jim Pattison Group. It is Western Canada’s leading provider of food and drug retail, with nine grocery banners and additional specialty and wholesale operations. These include Everything Wine, Pure Integrative Pharmacy, and Imperial Distributors Canada Inc.

Equifruit was established in 2006 and has grown to become North America’s leading Fairtrade-certified banana importer and marketer. The company is Canadian-owned, women-owned, and certified as a B Corp, reflecting its focus on social and environmental performance.

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The transition to AI analytics in retail: improving inventory accuracy by up to 30%

By
Retail Insider
-

Over the past decade, retail analytics has moved from a supporting function to a core operational capability. What once focused primarily on reporting sales and margins is now expected to guide decisions across pricing, assortment, inventory, and promotions.

This shift reflects changes in how retail operations actually function today: faster demand cycles, more frequent assortment changes, and increasingly fragmented customer behavior. As a result, retailers face a growing disconnect between the volume of data they collect and their ability to translate it into timely, actionable decisions. Analytics has moved beyond simple visibility toward supporting faster, more relevant decisions. According to McKinsey, AI-driven BI systems can increase customer engagement by up to 20% compared to traditional BI approaches.

In this article, you can learn more about the AI-assistant Wizora by Datawiz. AI-powered chat that analyzes, explains, and recommends – right inside your BI tool.

What is Datawiz BI?

Datawiz BI is a retail analytics platform. It helps retailers turn transactional, inventory, and operational data into clear, consistent insights that support everyday decision-making.

The platform is built for retail executives, category managers, and operational teams who need a reliable view of sales performance, inventory levels, assortment efficiency, and supplier impact across stores and categories. Beyond standard reporting, Datawiz BI provides advanced retail-specific analytics, including quadrant analysis to identify underperforming and high-potential SKUs, detailed customer behavior insights based on loyalty program data, and automated alert notifications that highlight risks such as stock shortages.

The analytical challenges retailers face today

Most retail organizations already have access to large amounts of data. Sales transactions, inventory movements, supplier deliveries, promotions, and customer behavior are captured daily -often in near real time. The bigger challenge is turning this data into decisions that teams can act on quickly.

Decision-makers must interpret this data across multiple dimensions: by store, category, SKU, supplier, and time period. They must understand not only what is happening, but why it is happening and what should be done next. In practice, this often means navigating dozens of reports, reconciling conflicting indicators, and relying heavily on personal experience to prioritize actions.

This complexity is especially visible in operational areas such as assortment management and replenishment. Underperforming SKUs may remain in the assortment for too long, while fast-moving products risk stock-outs due to delayed signals. By the time issues become visible in summary reports, the opportunity to act proactively is often lost. The problem is not a lack of analytical maturity, but rather the increasing gap between the insights generated and the speed at which retail decisions must be made.

Why does traditional BI stop working at scale?

Business intelligence platforms remain a foundational element of retail analytics. Dashboards provide a structured, consistent view of performance across the organization. They replace fragmented spreadsheets, align teams around shared KPIs, and support performance reviews at every management level.

However, traditional BI is inherently retrospective. Dashboards are designed to describe and diagnose -to answer questions such as “What happened?”, “Where did performance decline?”, or “Which categories underperformed last month?” Interpretation and prioritization are still left to the user.

As data volumes increase and decision windows narrow, this model begins to break down. Non-analytical users may struggle to extract insights quickly, while analytical teams become bottlenecks for ad hoc questions. Valuable signals remain buried in reports, and decision-making becomes inconsistent across teams and regions.

At this stage, the limitation is not the quality of dashboards, but their role. Descriptive analytics alone cannot keep pace with operational complexity.

What AI actually changes for retailers

Artificial intelligence does not replace BI. It changes how analytics is consumed and applied.

AI-powered analytics introduces an additional layer that focuses on interpretation and prioritization, as well as more natural ways to work with data. Instead of navigating multiple reports, business users can engage with data through questions, summaries, and recommendations grounded in their own datasets.

This shift is already visible in the Canadian retail market. According to KPMG Canada, 38% of surveyed retailers have already deployed generative AI solutions, while another 39% plan to implement them within the next six months. Notably, 81% of retail executives agree that generative AI is essential for maintaining competitiveness.

These figures suggest that AI adoption is no longer experimental. Retailers are increasingly viewing AI as an operational capability – one that supports everyday decisions rather than isolated innovation initiatives.

In practice, AI-powered analytics enables several important changes:

  • Faster access to insights through natural language queries
  • Reduced dependency on specialized analytics teams
  • Consistent interpretation of data across roles and locations
  • Early identification of risks and opportunities through predictive signals

Rather than asking users to adapt to analytical tools, AI adapts analytics to how business teams already work.

Practical AI use cases in retail operations

The impact of AI-powered analytics becomes most apparent in operational use cases, where decisions are frequent, time-sensitive, and directly linked to financial outcomes.

Inventory and replenishment

Assortment replenishment decisions are among the most complex in retail. They require balancing sales velocity, current stock levels, lead times, and store-specific demand patterns. In multi-store environments, this complexity increases exponentially.

AI-powered analytics can automate large parts of this process by continuously analyzing internal data and highlighting priorities. Instead of reviewing multiple inventory and sales reports, teams receive structured insights indicating which SKUs are at risk of stock-outs, where excess inventory is accumulating, and when action is required.

Research summarized by Gitnux indicates that AI can improve retail inventory accuracy by up to 30%. In operational terms, this translates into fewer lost sales, lower carrying costs, and more predictable inventory flows.

Assortment performance

Evaluating assortment effectiveness is another area where AI adds practical value. Traditional reports show sales and margins, but identifying long-term underperformance or cannibalization effects often requires manual analysis across extended periods.

AI-powered analytics can surface persistent patterns – for example, newly introduced products that fail to gain traction across multiple stores, or SKUs that perform well in some locations but consistently underperform in others. This allows category managers to make evidence-based assortment adjustments with greater confidence and consistency.

Prioritization and alerts

Beyond analysis, AI enables proactive workflows. Predictive indicators can trigger alerts when specific risk conditions emerge – such as declining stock coverage combined with accelerating sales or extended supplier lead times.

Unlike static thresholds, these alerts are context-aware and adapt to changing conditions. As a result, teams can address potential issues before they impact availability or revenue.

Wizora is an example of applied AI analytics

This approach to AI-powered analytics is already being implemented in practice. Wizora by Datawiz is a chat-based AI assistant embedded directly into the retail analytics environment.

Wizora is designed to support everyday analytical tasks by allowing business users to interact with data through natural language. Users can request summaries, generate tables, compare performance across stores or categories, and validate hypotheses without switching between multiple tools or reports.

Importantly, Wizora does not replace traditional BI dashboards or advanced analytical models. Instead, it acts as an interface that connects users to existing analytics, helping them navigate data more efficiently and focus on decisions rather than report assembly.

By grounding responses exclusively in a retailer’s internal data and linking each answer to underlying reports and time periods, solutions like Wizora maintain analytical transparency while improving accessibility.

Advanced analytics provides the mathematical foundation for forecasting, optimization, and scenario modeling. AI, in turn, translates these capabilities into a form that aligns with how retail teams operate daily.

As adoption accelerates – particularly in markets such as Canada – AI-powered analytics is becoming less about technological differentiation and more about operational effectiveness. Retailers that succeed will be those who treat AI not as a standalone initiative, but as an extension of their analytical infrastructure.

In this context, tools like Wizora from Datawiz illustrate how AI can be integrated into existing analytics environments to support faster, more consistent decision-making – without introducing unnecessary complexity or disrupting established workflows.

Top 10 Influencer Marketing Platforms to Scale Creator Partnerships in 2026

By
Retail Insider
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Influencer marketing has evolved from simple sponsored posts into a core growth engine for brands. Today’s teams need platforms that do more than just help find creators — they need solutions that manage outreach, track performance, centralize communication, and clearly measure ROI. The right platform can turn influencer marketing into a predictable, scalable channel. Below is a listicle of ten leading influencer marketing platforms, starting with the strongest all-in-one option for managing campaigns end-to-end.

1) Collabstr (Best Overall Platform for ROI, Discovery, and Campaign Management)

At the top of the list is Collabstr, an all-in-one influencer marketing platform that helps brands find, hire, and manage creators for UGC, sponsored posts, and full influencer campaigns across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more. Beyond sourcing talent, Collabstr centralizes everything in one place, including creator messaging, contracting and payments, campaign management, team collaboration, and performance reporting, allowing marketing teams to run influencer programs end-to-end with full visibility. One of the main reasons it stands out is its strong focus on ROI and analytics. The platform equips brands with a comprehensive performance layer designed to make influencer marketing measurable and scalable. Teams can track how influencer content performs across platforms directly inside the dashboard, with granular reporting on spend and results so they can identify which creators drive revenue, optimize budgets, and confidently scale top-performing partnerships. Collabstr also offers end-to-end content performance reporting across sponsored content, product seeding, and affiliate collaborations, access to one of the largest open marketplaces with over 350,000 creator listings across niches, full campaign cost visibility including creator fees and product expenses, creator performance insights to quickly identify high-performing partners, built-in communication and influencer management tools, and automated worldwide tax compliance for creators. Pricing is flexible with a free tier available and paid plans reaching up to $399 per month for businesses seeking advanced filtering and influencer tooling.

2) Upfluence (Best for Ecommerce & Affiliate-Driven Influencer Programs)

Upfluence is widely used by ecommerce and DTC brands that want to turn influencer marketing into a measurable acquisition channel. The platform combines influencer discovery, outreach, and performance tracking with tools designed to connect creator campaigns directly to sales. Many brands use Upfluence to run always-on programs that include product seeding, affiliate links, and long-term partnerships. Its strength lies in helping teams manage outreach at scale while tracking which creators are driving revenue, making it a strong option for companies focused on conversion-focused influencer marketing.

3) Aspire (Best for Long-Term Creator Relationships & Campaign Workflows)

Aspire is built around managing the full lifecycle of influencer partnerships. Instead of focusing only on discovery, it helps brands build structured creator programs that support ambassador relationships, ongoing UGC production, and repeat collaborations. Teams can organize briefs, deliverables, approvals, and timelines in one place, which makes it easier to maintain consistency across campaigns. Aspire is particularly valuable for brands that want influencer marketing to become a stable, long-term part of their strategy rather than a series of one-off projects.

4) CreatorIQ (Best for Enterprise-Scale Influencer Marketing)

CreatorIQ is designed for large organizations running high-volume influencer programs across multiple teams or regions. The platform emphasizes governance, workflow standardization, and data visibility, making it easier for enterprises to coordinate campaigns while maintaining compliance and brand safety. It centralizes influencer data, reporting, and collaboration tools, helping companies operate large creator ecosystems with structure and consistency.

5) Influencity (Best for Data-Driven Influencer Research)

Influencity is known for combining influencer discovery with strong analytics and audience insights. Brands that prioritize research and data validation before investing in creators often find it useful. The platform helps teams evaluate influencer audiences, analyze engagement patterns, and manage campaigns within one system. It’s a solid choice for businesses that want to make data-informed decisions when selecting creators and planning partnerships.

6) GRIN (Best for DTC Brands Building Creator Programs)

GRIN is especially popular with direct-to-consumer brands looking to turn influencer marketing into a consistent growth channel. It focuses heavily on managing long-term relationships with creators, organizing product seeding campaigns, and tracking performance. Its structure makes it easier to treat influencer marketing like a repeatable operational process rather than an ad-hoc strategy, which is why many ecommerce companies adopt it as a core part of their marketing stack.

7) Modash (Best for Efficient Discovery & Creator Vetting)

Modash focuses on helping brands quickly find and evaluate creators across platforms, then track content performance once campaigns go live. Its streamlined workflow makes it appealing to lean teams that want a practical tool for managing discovery, outreach, and tracking without too much complexity. It’s particularly useful for brands that prioritize finding niche creators and scaling outreach efficiently.

8) HypeAuditor (Best for Audience Authenticity & Influencer Analytics)

HypeAuditor is widely recognized for its deep analytics capabilities, particularly around audience authenticity and engagement quality. It helps brands verify whether influencers have real, active audiences and provides insights that reduce the risk of wasted marketing spend. While it also supports campaign management, its strongest value lies in its analytical depth and evaluation tools, making it ideal for brands that prioritize data validation.

9) Traackr (Best for Benchmarking & Strategic Planning)

Traackr is built for companies that want to take a strategic, data-driven approach to influencer marketing. It helps teams measure performance across campaigns, compare results to industry benchmarks, and identify which creator segments deliver the best outcomes. This makes it a strong choice for organizations that want to continuously refine their strategy using performance insights and market intelligence.

10) Klear (Best for Integration with Social Intelligence Tools)

Klear, now part of Meltwater, offers influencer discovery, campaign management, and performance tracking within a broader marketing intelligence ecosystem. This makes it particularly useful for teams already using Meltwater for PR, social listening, or analytics. By combining influencer insights with wider social data, Klear helps brands connect creator strategy to overall marketing performance.

Conclusion

Influencer marketing platforms have become essential infrastructure for brands looking to scale creator partnerships, streamline campaign execution, and measure results with clarity. Each platform on this list brings its own strengths, whether it’s enterprise-level structure, analytics depth, ecommerce integrations, or discovery capabilities. However, for companies looking for the most complete and accessible solution, Collabstr stands out as the top recommendation. Its combination of a massive creator marketplace, built-in campaign management tools, centralized communication, automated payments and tax compliance, and strong performance reporting makes it one of the most well-rounded platforms available today. For brands that want to launch, manage, and scale influencer marketing from a single place while staying focused on measurable ROI, Collabstr is the strongest place to start.

Managing Your Spare Parts Inventory Better: Key Tips for Maintenance Teams

By
Retail Insider
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Maintenance teams often see parts inventory management as a necessary evil. It’s tedious and mostly flies under the radar. But when it’s not happening, you’d be dealing with more headaches than you can anticipate. Technicians can go into repairs without sufficient materials, or they could miss out on scheduled maintenance. Yes, it’s a thankless task, but it’s just as important as actually running all the maintenance work. If you’ve been struggling with it as well, here are some tips to optimize your inventory management.

1. Implement a Robust Management System

The bigger your business gets, the tougher it’ll be to manage your spare parts. You’ll soon lose your grip on how many spare filters and bolts you have, and your work orders will take a hit. This is where parts inventory management software comes into play. 

A good parts inventory management tool will monitor asset data to keep you updated in real time. It’ll notify you when stock runs low, generate purchase orders, track parts usage, and provide data-driven insights for easier decision-making. The result? Reduced spending on unnecessary spare parts, unplanned downtime, and MTTR (mean time to repair). Your team can run better maintenance instead of battling unexpected breakdowns, which is a reason to get this software in the first place. 

2. Prioritize Spare Parts Carefully

You already know that spare parts have different levels of criticality for your facilities. Which is why you’re ideal for running point on prioritizing your spare part needs. So, set up a routine where you create priority lists for your spare parts and update them systematically. This is one of the best ways to streamline inventory management work and make it more effective. 

There are various factors you can consider when creating your priority list. Criticality to production is the obvious consideration, but here are some other things to look out for as well:

  • Lead Times: How long it takes for spare parts to arrive at your facility once you’ve ordered them
  • Failure Probability: How often certain parts fail and need to be replaced
  • Part Interchangeability: Whether you’re using the same spare part across multiple assets
  • Cost of Part vs. Downtime: Whether a spare part’s unavailability significantly affects your revenue generation
  • Sourcing Difficulty: Whether the spare part can be easily sourced or not

3. Check Which Parts Can Be Produced On Demand

There’s no guarantee that a manufacturer can produce spare parts forever. They can go out of business or produce different parts, while you still need the ones you’ve been using all this time. This is why enterprises are quickly adopting 3D printing so that they can produce spare parts on demand. 

Now, not every part in your inventory can be produced in-house. What you’ll need is part screening software that can analyze 2D and 3D drawings to evaluate parts. Once that’s done, it’ll tell you which parts can be 3D printed. This approach is key to staying agile; instead of spending hours analyzing individual parts, you can focus on the best-case parts. Whichever parts you can’t produce on demand, they’re the ones you must prioritize for purchase orders and supplier coordination.

4. Set Up a Reorder System

This is one of the smartest strategies for managing your spare parts better. All you have to do is set up predetermined inventory levels in your parts management software. Most systems use asset data to set these numbers, but you can do it manually as well. Either way, when your inventory reaches this level, the software will automatically trigger purchase orders for spare parts. Whether you need high-volume critical parts or low-volume on-demand spares, this system ensures you avoid unnecessary downtime caused by stock unavailability. 

5. Leverage Predictive Analytics

The best maintenance teams today are those that operate with a proactive mindset, not a reactive one. If you want to manage your spare parts inventory better, you need to follow the same steps.

Start using predictive analytics to understand your spare parts better. Your CMMS (computerized maintenance management system) or EAM (enterprise asset management) software will have all the data on assets that can be analyzed to predict when you’d need spare parts. Using that, you can schedule purchase orders beforehand, instead of doing it after running out of parts. 

Consider these data points:

  • Equipment Usage: How often an asset is used and for how long
  • Consumption Rate: The quantity and frequency of spare parts ‌used over a specific duration
  • Seasonal Demand: If spare parts are needed more during specific periods (for example, HVAC filters during summer)
  • Replacement History: When a certain spare part was replaced by its updated version (to prevent overstocking outdated parts)
  • Unit Cost Trends: If spare parts prices fluctuate (to hedge and buy stock ahead of time if their prices are forecasted to increase)

Wrapping Up 

It’s worth repeating that spare parts management isn’t something that’ll put the spotlight on you. However, not doing it means you’ll have to deal with logistical problems and lost revenue. Two things that are detrimental to your business. So, it’s better to strategize, implement the right systems, and stay on top of your spare parts so that operations keep running seamlessly!

Casavogue Launches Friends and Family Sale with Added Savings

By
Craig Patterson
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Photo: Casavogue

As winter continues and Valentine’s Day approaches, many households begin to turn their attention inward, focusing on the spaces where daily life and special moments unfold. Living rooms become gathering places for conversation, dining rooms host shared meals, and bedrooms offer quiet retreats at the end of the day. For those looking to refresh these environments, Casavogue is introducing a limited-time Friends and Family Sale designed to make high-end home updates more accessible.

The promotion offers 20% off a wide selection of products, along with an additional $100 off for every $1,000 spent. The event is positioned as an opportunity to reimagine the spaces where family and friends come together, whether for everyday living or special occasions.

A Timely Opportunity to Refresh Shared Spaces

Home furnishings often carry emotional as well as functional value. A comfortable loveseat becomes the centre of evening conversations, while a well-designed dining table can host years of celebrations, holidays, and intimate dinners. The Family and Friends Sale is designed to encourage those kinds of upgrades, allowing customers to invest in high-end furniture while taking advantage of meaningful savings.

In the living room, carefully selected seating can transform both comfort and visual impact. Casavogue’s assortment includes contemporary loveseats and sofas that balance form and function, offering supportive seating and refined silhouettes suited to a range of interiors. Pieces such as the Tulasy loveseat bring soft upholstery, tailored proportions, and a welcoming presence to the living space, making it ideal for both daily relaxation and hosting guests.

For the dining room, the store is highlighting complete sets designed to anchor memorable gatherings. The Modena and Rimini dining set combines modern lines with durable construction, creating a setting that feels equally appropriate for weeknight dinners or Valentine’s Day celebrations. Their balanced proportions and contemporary finishes allow them to integrate easily into a variety of home styles.

Tulasy loveseat, photo: Casavogue

High-End Furniture Across the Home

Casavogue’s showroom spans two floors and offers a wide assortment of high-end furniture for the living room, dining room, and bedroom. The scale of the space allows customers to explore complete room settings and see how different pieces work together, rather than selecting items in isolation.

The Friends and Family Sale applies to a broad selection throughout the store, giving customers the flexibility to update a single room or undertake a more comprehensive refresh. With the added $100 discount for every $1,000 spent, the promotion encourages larger projects while still offering value on smaller purchases.

For many homeowners, timing a furniture purchase around a promotional event can make a meaningful difference, particularly when upgrading foundational pieces such as seating, dining sets, or bedroom collections. Casavogue’s current offer is structured to reward those larger investments while maintaining the store’s focus on quality and long-term value.

The Modena and Rimini dining sets combine modern lines with durable construction. Photo: Casavogue

A Long-Standing Montréal Furniture Destination

Founded in 1972, Casavogue has spent more than five decades serving Montréal customers with a curated selection of high-end furniture. The store’s 38,000-square-foot showroom features a mix of Italian, Canadian, and American brands, offering a range of styles from classic to contemporary.

That longevity has allowed Casavogue to build strong relationships with manufacturers and to develop a reputation for knowledgeable service. The Family and Friends Sale continues that tradition by pairing the store’s established assortment with a limited-time savings opportunity.

Visit Casavogue for the Family and Friends Sale

Customers interested in the promotion are encouraged to explore the current offers and product selections online or in person.

Visit the Casavogue promotion page to learn more.

Casavogue is located at 8260 boulevard Saint-Michel, Montréal, QC H1Z 3E2.


For more information, call +1 514-360-3565 or book an appointment to receive personalized advice.

Retail Insider worked with Casavogue for this advertisement. To work with Retail Insider, contact Craig Patterson at craig@retail-insider.com

Loblaw Launches Grocery Shopping in ChatGPT

By
Craig Patterson
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Loblaws store. Photo: Just Food

Loblaw Companies Limited has introduced what it describes as a first-of-its-kind shopping app inside ChatGPT, creating a conversational entry point for grocery planning and ordering. The new Loblaw PC Express ChatGPT app allows Canadians to explore meal ideas, build ingredient lists, and select products from nearby Loblaw banners before completing their purchase through the company’s PC Express platform.

The move positions Loblaw as an early large-scale grocery retailer to integrate directly into a conversational AI environment. It also reflects a broader shift in retail, where artificial intelligence is increasingly used as a discovery and planning layer while retailers retain control over checkout, fulfillment, and customer relationships.

“Our team is pioneering incredible digital and AI innovation across our business, placing us at the forefront of leveraging technology to enable first-in-class customer and colleague experiences,” said Per Bank, President and CEO, Loblaw Companies Limited. “As we continue to accelerate this work, it creates meaningful opportunities to elevate our retail leadership and meet the constantly evolving needs of our customers.”

Conversational meal planning and localized assortments

Through the new app, users can interact with ChatGPT in a conversational format, asking for recipe ideas or meal plans and receiving suggested ingredients that correspond to products available at their local Loblaw store. Once a postal code is provided, the system identifies nearby banners and surfaces items that are actually in stock at that location.

The experience is designed to reduce friction in the meal planning process. Instead of searching across multiple apps or websites, shoppers can move from a general prompt such as a quick family dinner to a ready-to-order grocery list in a few steps. They can then transfer the selected items into PC Express for payment and fulfillment.

Loblaw says the integration is intended to make grocery shopping more efficient and personalized. By using conversational context such as dietary preferences, budget considerations, or special occasions, the system can recommend options that are more tailored than traditional category-based navigation.

“We have been on an ambitious path for the past few years focused on the digital customer experience and AI-forward technology adaption. The PC Express app in ChatGPT solidifies our position as a North American leader in artificial intelligence (AI) innovation within the retail sector,” said Lauren Steinberg, Chief Digital Officer, Loblaw Companies Limited. “Loblaw is poised to redefine the shopping experience for Canadians by leveraging advanced AI technology and this collaboration underscores how we are empowering both consumers and colleagues with transformative tools that enhance their experience.”

Enterprise AI tools for Loblaw teams

In addition to the consumer-facing app, Loblaw is also deploying ChatGPT Enterprise across its corporate operations. The company has already been using OpenAI models to power internal tools, including an AI assistant for store owners and managers, as well as agent-based solutions in supply chain management to improve inventory accuracy and logistics.

The new enterprise deployment is intended to expand those capabilities, giving corporate employees access to AI tools designed to improve productivity and support innovation across functions such as pricing, merchandising, and operations.

“With OpenAI, Loblaw is closing the gap across multiple experiences between what AI is capable of and the value they can create today,” said Giancarlo “GC” Lionetti, Chief Commercial Officer at OpenAI. “Together, we’re making shopping more personal and efficient in ChatGPT, and bringing enterprise-grade AI to Loblaw teams to boost productivity and innovation across the business.”

Strategic implications for grocery retail

The Loblaw PC Express ChatGPT app represents a new acquisition and engagement channel for the company. By integrating directly into an AI platform used by hundreds of millions of people globally, Loblaw is effectively positioning ChatGPT as a top-of-funnel discovery tool for its grocery banners.

If widely adopted, the model could also increase basket sizes. When shoppers start with a meal-planning prompt, they are more likely to purchase complete ingredient lists for multiple meals rather than making smaller, ad hoc trips.

The initiative also signals Loblaw’s intent to be viewed as a technology-forward retailer. The company has invested in artificial intelligence across several parts of its business, including supply chain automation and digital customer experiences. The new integration reinforces that narrative at a time when AI is becoming a central theme in retail strategy.

However, the move also highlights potential platform dependencies. By placing part of its digital journey inside an external AI ecosystem, Loblaw is aligning itself with a new channel that could influence marketing strategies, customer acquisition, and app development over time.

Part of a broader shift toward AI-driven commerce

Across the retail industry, similar AI-driven commerce models are emerging. OpenAI has begun enabling instant checkout experiences with platforms such as Shopify and Etsy, where products can be discovered and purchased directly inside conversational interfaces. In those models, the AI environment handles both discovery and transaction, while the merchant platform manages catalog, payments, and fulfillment. 

Loblaw’s approach differs in that ChatGPT serves as a planning and discovery layer, with checkout still completed through PC Express. This structure allows Loblaw to retain control over the transaction, customer data, and fulfillment experience.

In Loblaw’s case, ChatGPT acts as a conversational planning layer that connects to the company’s own PC Express checkout experience. This approach allows the grocer to keep the transaction, margins, and customer data within its own ecosystem while still benefiting from AI-driven discovery.

A technology-led positioning for Canada’s largest retailer

Loblaw is Canada’s largest food and pharmacy retailer, with more than 2,800 locations and over 220,000 employees across corporate, franchise, and associate-owner operations. The company serves Canadians through grocery, pharmacy, apparel, financial services, and wireless offerings, supported by banners that span value to specialty formats.

The new AI integration aligns with the company’s broader digital strategy and its stated goal of enhancing both customer and colleague experiences through technology. By positioning itself as an early mover in AI-assisted grocery shopping, Loblaw is seeking to reinforce its leadership position in a competitive and rapidly evolving retail environment.

As conversational interfaces continue to reshape how consumers search, plan, and purchase, the Loblaw PC Express ChatGPT app may offer an early glimpse into how grocery shopping could evolve in an AI-first era.

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