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Righteous Gelato enters $900M frozen novelty category with national Sorbetto Bar launch across premium Canadian grocers

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Righteous Gelato image
Righteous Gelato image

Calgary-based Righteous Gelato, one of Canada’s leading premium dairy free pint brands and the world’s top scoring frozen dessert B Corporation, is expanding into frozen novelty with the launch of Righteous Sorbetto Bars, now available at Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore and Whole Foods Market locations nationwide, with Sobeys and Metro joining as summer approaches.

The company said this marks its entry into Canada’s $900 million frozen novelty category, reaching 8.8 million households annually. 

“Building on the brand’s strong performance in dairy free pints, Sorbetto Bars extend its fruit forward portfolio into a new format designed to meet growing demand for premium, better for you snacking options.

Crafted with real fruit and no artificial colours or flavours, Righteous Sorbetto Bars deliver a smooth, refreshing fruit experience with a softer, creamier texture than traditional popsicles. Each bar contains 70 calories and carries,” said the company.

“Bars represent a natural evolution for Righteous,” said James Boettcher, CEO and Founder of Righteous Gelato. “We’ve seen strong consumer demand for premium dairy-free options in frozen pints, and Sorbetto Bars allow us to meet that demand in a more convenient format. This is the first step in our frozen novelty platform, with additional SKUs and flavour innovation planned for 2027 and beyond.”

James Boettcher
James Boettcher

The initial lineup includes Dairy Free Raspberry Lime and Dairy Free Mango Pineapple, available in 4-pack formats as well as individual bars for select retail programs. The national Loblaws rollout marks the brand’s first large-scale expansion beyond pints and signals continued innovation within the frozen aisle. Sorbetto Bars are a permanent addition to the Righteous portfolio, with additional flavours and formats planned in the years ahead.

“The timing felt right on a few fronts. We’ve built strong equity in dairy-free pints, particularly with our fruit-forward sorbetto flavours, and we were seeing consistent demand from consumers for something more convenient and snackable,” explained Boettcher.

“At the same time, the frozen novelty category continues to grow, especially within better-for-you and premium segments. Entering now allows us to meet that demand with a product we know resonates, but in a format that fits how people are actually consuming today.

“From a long-term perspective, this is a natural extension of our portfolio. It allows us to expand occasions, reach new consumers, and build a broader platform beyond pints, while staying true to what we do best: simple ingredients, bold flavour, and thoughtful craftsmanship.”

Boettcher said the focus has been on delivering a noticeably better eating experience. 

“That starts with real fruit and no artificial colours or flavours, but just as importantly, it’s about texture. Our bars are smoother and creamier than traditional fruit bars, which creates a more indulgent feel while still being light and refreshing,” he noted.

“We’re also leaning into flavours we know consumers already love from our pint business, like Raspberry Lime and Mango Pineapple, which gives us a strong foundation of familiarity and trust.

“Beyond the product itself, our brand plays a big role. As a B Corp and a Canadian made brand, we’ve built a loyal following that values both quality and purpose. We’re bringing that same personality and integrity into the novelty space, which helps us stand out in a category that can often feel quite commoditized.”

Boettcher said consumers are not looking to compromise. They want clean ingredients, but they still expect a truly delicious, indulgent experience. That balance has been core to the brand’s pint business and carried directly into bars.

“We also saw that our fruit flavours consistently over-index, which gave us confidence to lead with Raspberry Lime and Mango Pineapple as our first SKUs. From a positioning standpoint, we’ve learned that simplicity resonates. Clear ingredient stories, strong flavour cues, and a premium but approachable tone all translate well. With bars, we’ve kept that same approach, just adapted to a more on-the-go format,” he said.

Righteous Gelato photo
Righteous Gelato photo

Boettcher said retail partnerships are critical to the success of a launch like this. Having strong national distribution with partners like Loblaws, Sobeys, Metro, and Whole Foods allows it to scale quickly and ensure consumers can actually find the product when they’re excited to try it.

“In-store execution is equally important. Frozen is a highly visual and impulse-driven category, so placement, visibility, and clear communication all play a big role in driving trial. We’re working closely with our retail partners to support the launch through strong packaging, strategic placement, and merchandising that helps the product stand out in a crowded freezer set,” he said. 

“We see frozen novelty as a long-term growth platform for the brand, and innovation is already well underway. While we’re focused on executing this initial sorbetto launch, we’re actively exploring what comes next.

Righteous Gelato photo
Righteous Gelato photo

That includes expanding beyond fruit into gelato-based bars, which opens up a whole new space for us in terms of flavour, texture, and indulgence. 

“It’s a natural evolution of our core business and something we’re really excited about. You can expect to see new SKUs, flavour exploration, and continued innovation as we build out the platform. Our approach will stay the same though: thoughtful, intentional, and always grounded in delivering something that feels distinctly Righteous.”

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Pet Valu celebrating 50 years in business

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Pet Valu photo
Pet Valu photo

Specialty pet retailer Pet Valu is marking its 50th anniversary this year and in honour of this milestone, the brand is celebrating the memories, connections and joy it has shared with pets and devoted pet lovers since its first store opened in 1976.

“Pet Valu has had the privilege of being part of so many memorable moments over the past 50 years” said Greg Ramier, CEO at Pet Valu. “As we mark this milestone anniversary, we are bringing our 50-year story to life by celebrating the love, care and connections we have shared with so many Canadians and their pets.

“For half a century, Canadian pet parents have turned to Pet Valu for convenience, compassion, quality, value and expertise. Whether they drop into one of our stores to ask a question, do their weekly shop or simply say hello to one of our Animal Care Experts, we have shared so many meaningful moments together. Through our anniversary celebrations we want to thank everyone who has been part of our journey for their trust and support.” 

Ramier said the brand recently opened its 870th store in Canada. 

“We have a team that’s very focused on growing our network at approximately 40 stores a year, and we’ve done that since 2019. That’s an important element of our growth plan, expanding our reach. Typical size will depend on how urban or rural it is. We would range from 2,500 to 5,000 square feet. Most of the stores are in the 3,500 to 4,000 square foot range,” he said.

Greg Ramier
Greg Ramier

“What we found is customers, pet lovers in Canada, care about three things. They want to make sure they get the right quality and expertise around the products that they feed their pets. They want value, and they want a convenient way to shop.

“So really, a key growth focus for us is to continue to improve convenience. We’re really lucky to be a neighbourhood pet store that’s primarily franchise-run, with great connections to the community. Easy to shop, great assortment, great expertise, but still have all the scale to be able to do that at good value for our customers and to have all the right brands.”

Ramier said pet ownership remains strong. 

“What we’ve found historically is that pet ownership, or the number of pets, increases as the Canadian population and households increase. That household growth in Canada has slowed over the last year or so, but we’re still seeing very strong pet ownership,” he explained.

“We’re also seeing lots of demand for healthy, nutritious, natural food for pets. We would talk about that as the humanization or premiumization of the pet as part of your family. That has been a growing trend for the last 15 or 20 years.

“We are seeing product segments of ours like culinary, which is what we call it, but it’s really at the top end of nutrition, where it’s either frozen raw food, freeze-dried, or gently cooked, that’s one of our fastest-growing categories. It’s one of the fastest-growing categories in the pet industry in Canada.

“At the same time, value really matters, especially now. So we are seeing our proprietary brand product, on the food side Performatrin, we’re seeing really nice growth in it because it’s equivalent quality to a national brand and better pricing. We’re seeing customers definitely lean into that harder in the current environment.”

Ramier said he’s been with Pet Valu for two years.

“I’d say the keys to success for us are the fact that we have customers, devoted pet lovers, who have shopped with us for multiple generations. We are the place that they trust and that they enjoy shopping with,” he noted.

“We also have franchisees who are long-standing. Over 70% of our stores are franchised. A lot of those franchisees are long-tenured; many of them are multi-generational. In this sort of business, where you’re running a neighbourhood pet store, the quality of the experience and the trust and expertise that you can build for customers in a store really matters.

Pet Valu photo
Pet Valu photo

“Those are probably the two biggest things we’ve done. All the other things underneath it that you’d expect with a retail company at scale. We’ve just invested over a hundred million dollars in our supply chain to make sure that we have a world-class supply chain that can grow now for the next decade plus.

“We have a full omnichannel or e-commerce offer, as you’d expect, to make sure that customers don’t only love bricks and mortar, they want to be able to choose how they shop, when they shop. So that’s been a big investment for us.

“We’ve done a lot with our loyalty program. We have over three million active members. Those are all things that have helped propel us. The core of it, though, is having really great in-store expertise and franchisees who care about people, their pets, and their pets’ nutrition.”

For the future, Ramier said the company will look at opening another 40 stores or so to expand its reach in the near future. It’s also just finished its supply chain transformation. 

Pet Valu photo
Pet Valu photo

“What our customers should expect from that is we now have distribution centres with more capacity, so we’re expanding our assortment and our offering as part of that,” he said.

“We’re very focused right now around winning the monthly shopper. Think of that as when you are choosing where to buy your pet food this month, convenience matters, quality matters, and so does value.

“We have a pretty exciting program this year around promotional offers and really good everyday pricing, especially with our proprietary brands. That’s a big focus for us this year, as is continuing to get even more out of our loyalty program.

“It is a well-loved and well-used program. We have three million active customers. Ninety per cent of the time, a customer coming into our store uses our loyalty program. So being able to give them even more value as part of that will be important for us this year.”

Pet Valu photo
Pet Valu photo

Ramier said the great thing about the company’s business model is that it can be successful in downtown Toronto or in a small community.

“The ability for our model to service devoted pet lovers in any community and still do that in a really healthy and profitable way is important for us. So you’ll see us expand in more rural locations than we typically have across the country this year,” he said.

“It’s 50 years of us serving devoted pet lovers and their pets, first store in Toronto. We’re really proud to be Canada’s largest neighbourhood pet specialty retailer, and to have the scale we have, and to be able to do that and have this many Canadians come to love and trust us. I’m really honoured to be the CEO there, and happy to be part of the next decade of the journey with them.”

From April 2 to 29 devoted pet lovers are invited to enter Pet Valu’s 50th Anniversary Contest on Instagram and Facebook for a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards. To enter, participants must share a special milestone or meaningful moment they celebrated with their pets such as a birthday, adoption day, learning a new trick, or mastering a puzzle. Participants are also encouraged to tag and give a shoutout to their local store to share about their memorable in-store experiences. Winners will be selected by random draw and announced on May 11.

Pet Valu photo
Pet Valu photo

To show its appreciation for the support provided by devoted pet lovers over the last five decades, Pet Valu will be offering a variety of 50th Anniversary surprises and promotions throughout the year. In May and June, Pet Valu stores across Canada will create custom 50th Anniversary VIP boxes to surprise a selection of their devoted pet lovers. Each VIP box will be curated for the devoted pet lover and their pet by their local store. 

From April through December, Pet Valu will shine a spotlight on several great pet product national brands that have a shared legacy of serving Canadian devoted pet lovers. Special anniversary promotions will be announced with each spotlight. 

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Pet Valu photo
Pet Valu photo

RUDSAK Expands into Europe and Asia Markets

By
Lee Rivett
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Image: RUDSAK

Montreal-based outerwear brand RUDSAK is advancing its global growth strategy with a targeted expansion into Europe and Asia through premium wholesale partnerships. The move signals a deliberate next phase for the company as it builds on more than three decades of brand development in the contemporary luxury outerwear segment.

The RUDSAK international expansion focuses on carefully selected retail partners whose positioning aligns with the brand’s premium identity. Rather than pursuing broad distribution, the company is prioritizing placements that reinforce long-term brand equity and maintain consistency with its established market positioning.

The brand already operates physical retail locations across Canada and the Eastern United States while maintaining partnerships with premium retailers such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Revolve. Its growing global e-commerce platform has also positioned the company to serve international markets more effectively as it expands its wholesale footprint.

Armen Momejian, Chief Operating Officer of RUDSAK, emphasized that the company’s expansion strategy is rooted in maintaining brand integrity.

“RUDSAK has always been shaped by a clear point of view, one rooted in the belief that outerwear can be both genuinely functional and unmistakably fashion-forward,” he said. “Our expansion into Europe and Asia reflects the same philosophy. We are selecting partners who understand that distinction and who can bring the RUDSAK experience to consumers in a way that stays true to what the brand represents.”

Rudsak at Royalmount in Montreal. Photo: Rudsak

Three Decades of Brand Development Anchored in Outerwear

Founded in 1994, RUDSAK has built its reputation around outerwear that bridges technical performance and luxury design. The brand’s collections include leather jackets, down-filled puffers, parkas, and winter coats, all developed through an in-house design process focused on materials, construction, and seasonal versatility.

Over time, the product offering has expanded to include footwear, leather goods, ready-to-wear, and ski and après-ski collections. Despite this diversification, outerwear remains central to the brand’s identity and continues to anchor its positioning in the premium lifestyle market.

The company’s category leadership was formally recognized in 2023 when it was named Outerwear Brand of the Year by the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards. The recognition reflects the credibility the brand has established within the contemporary luxury segment over three decades.

Founder-Led Vision Continues to Guide Growth

Evik Asatoorian, President and Founder of Rudsak

RUDSAK remains founder-led, with Evik Asatoorian continuing to oversee creative direction and strategic decisions from the company’s Montreal headquarters. This continuity has helped maintain a consistent brand identity as the business expands into new markets.

All collections continue to be designed in-house, with a focus on craftsmanship, material quality, and performance. Recent initiatives have also incorporated sustainability measures, including the use of Responsible Down Standard certified materials and recycled fabrics in select products.

The RUDSAK international expansion comes at a time when demand for premium outerwear with a distinct design perspective is growing across both Europe and Asia. The company’s strategy mirrors its North American approach by emphasizing selective wholesale partnerships rather than volume-driven distribution.

“Growth for RUDSAK has always been deliberate,” Momejian said. “The goal is never just to be in more places, it is to be in the right places. That applies equally to our expansion into Europe and Asia.”

Image: Rudsak

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Angels Wear Preloved Launches Canada’s Largest Resale Event

By
Craig Patterson
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Angels Wear Preloved event in Toronto, December 2025

A new large-scale luxury resale concept is set to debut in Toronto this weekend, reflecting a growing shift in how Canadians engage with high-end fashion. Angels Wear Preloved Toronto will bring more than 40 designer consignment vendors together under one roof for a one-day shopping experience, positioning itself as the country’s largest multi-brand designer resale event.

The event will take place on April 12 at The Warehouse in Downsview, transforming the venue into a curated marketplace of pre-owned luxury goods. With participation from established consignment businesses across Canada, the concept signals both rising consumer demand and increasing sophistication within the resale sector.

 

A New Model for Luxury Resale Retail

Founded by Amy Polevoy, Angels Wear Preloved introduces an aggregation model that addresses a long-standing challenge in the resale market. Traditionally, consumers have needed to visit multiple boutiques to find specific pieces, often with limited inventory at each location.

Amy Polevoy

“This event brings together all of the top designer boutiques from across the country in one room for one day,” said Polevoy. “Shoppers can see everything in one place and make informed decisions without having to travel from store to store.”

The concept functions as a temporary department store for resale, offering a wide assortment that spans accessories, ready-to-wear, footwear, outerwear, and archival luxury items. Vendors are selected based on reputation and experience, many with established national and international client bases.

Polevoy also emphasized the importance of trust in the resale environment. Vendors participating in the event are expected to stand behind their merchandise, including providing authentication support or refunds if needed.

Responding to Changing Consumer Behaviour

The launch of Angels Wear Preloved Toronto comes at a time when luxury resale is gaining traction across Canada. Economic pressures, combined with shifting consumer values, have broadened the appeal of pre-owned fashion.

“Resale is allowing luxury brands to become accessible to more people,” Polevoy explained. “At the same time, younger consumers have embraced thrifting culture, which has helped change perceptions around pre-loved goods.”

This convergence of affordability and sustainability has accelerated growth in the category. Consumers are increasingly motivated by both value and environmental considerations, often described as an “accidental environmentalist” mindset.

Polevoy noted that brand familiarity continues to drive purchasing decisions, with shoppers seeking both well-known labels and unique pieces within trusted brand ecosystems.

Angels Wear Preloved event in Toronto, December 2025
 

From Home-Based Business to National Platform

The event’s origins can be traced back to Polevoy’s previous venture, a home-based consignment business that operated for nearly a decade. While successful, it highlighted limitations in scale and visibility.

“I realized there was a gap in Canada for a community-driven luxury resale event,” she said. “After seeing similar concepts internationally, it became clear there was an opportunity to build something here.”

Since its inaugural show in 2025, the concept has scaled quickly, expanding vendor participation and enhancing the overall experience with lifestyle elements such as lounges, music, and photography. The Toronto event will feature a curated environment designed to elevate the perception of resale retail.

Angels Wear Preloved event in Toronto, December 2025

Experiential Retail Meets Circular Fashion

Beyond product assortment, Angels Wear Preloved Toronto is positioned as an experiential retail event. The physical environment is designed to encourage exploration, with an open layout that allows shoppers to browse freely across vendor booths.

“Consumers can expect a beautifully curated space where they can source the best luxury goods all under one roof,” said Polevoy. “It’s about convenience, but also about creating a memorable experience.”

This emphasis on experience reflects broader retail trends, where physical environments must offer more than transactional value. By combining entertainment, social engagement, and curated merchandise, the event aligns with evolving expectations for in-person shopping.

Angels Wear Preloved event in Toronto, December 2025

Growth Potential Across Canada

Looking ahead, Polevoy sees significant opportunity for expansion. While the Toronto activation is a key milestone, the long-term vision includes scaling the concept nationally and potentially internationally.

“I see strong growth in the resale market, especially among consumers who are transitioning from traditional retail into resale,” she said. “We hope this concept continues to expand across Canada and beyond.”

For now, success will be measured by both vendor performance and customer response.

“In a word, success is happiness,” Polevoy added. “Vendors should feel it was worthwhile, and shoppers should leave asking when the next one will be.”

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Cake Beauty expands retail footprint in Canada with Walmart and Shoppers Drug Mart rollout

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Canadian brand Cake Beauty is bringing its cult-favourite haircare collections to Walmart and Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Canada, expanding access to the brand’s fragrance-forward, vegan and cruelty-free formulas and iconic pink packaging.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Cake organizes its lineup around specific hair goals, from curl definition and volume to hydration and styling, bringing more specialized routines to the drugstore aisle. 

The Canadian-born brand has built a following around each collection, pairing performance-driven formulas with distinctive dessert-inspired scents, from Fluffy Lemon Meringue to Delicate Lemon Cookie and Creamy Coconut Pie, for a little bit of playful indulgence in everyday haircare. 

Maria Osorio, Brand Director, Cake Beauty, said Cake started in 2003 out of the kitchen of the founder Heather Reier, who wanted to create some products that were “delicious, indulgent, but also clean.”

“As it evolved in 20 years, now we are in different retailers. We’re online. We’re at Shoppers, Walmart, because we are a very high-end brand but at very affordable prices, catering to that consumer that doesn’t want to compromise quality but is price sensitive,” she said.

“For our haircare line, we have curls, so products specialized for curly hair. We have volume, so everything to get that bombshell ’90s supermodel look. We have styling, and we also have a current moisture collection. All these products are beautiful because they have indulgent textures and scents that make everyday care into a ritual.

Maria Osorio
Maria Osorio

“For body care, it’s basically the same, but the collections are guided by fragrance because that’s how the consumer shops. So we have a heavy cream one, very decadent vanilla; one called Deserted Island, smelling like the beach with very tropical, delicious notes. We have another one for milk, and another one, our hair and body mist, that went viral last year and has given the brand a lot of momentum. So we have different fragrances there as well.”

Osorio said every day self-care is a ritual. 

“Even if it’s a one-minute ritual, like just applying hairspray, when the scent is so indulgent, it becomes this mini ritual. So we want everything to be an indulgent self-care ritual, even if they’re your basic products, your shampoo, your conditioner, your curl cream. How can we make that fun and delicious for consumers as an experience? Every day deserves cake,” she said.

“I think there are many brands that are tapping into this gourmand trend. Right now you see a lot of things that are vanilla or dessert-inspired, but we were the first ones stepping into this. Right now it’s a trend. Since a couple of years ago, gourmand fragrances have been a craze across markets, not only in mass, but in prestige. You see it even in luxury.

“But back in the early 2000s, this was completely new and different. It was like, “Okay, I want to smell edible. I want to smell like cake.” And right now we’re gaining a lot of traction, not only because consumers love gourmand, but because there’s this gourmand craze going on and we were there first.”

Osorio said it’s exciting for the brand to be in big stores like Walmart and Shoppers.

Cake Beauty photo
Cake Beauty photo

“We were in body care before, and we’re seeing a lot of momentum in-store with body and a lot of momentum online with haircare. Having those haircare products available to consumers at Walmart, who maybe only know us for body care or maybe don’t know us at all, and the fact that with brick-and-mortar you can actually smell the product, it’s a whole new level of engagement,” she said.

“It helps us acquire new consumers and get them acquainted with the brand. So I think it’s a big one for us. It’s bigger distribution, more visibility. We’re super excited because we’ve been seeing a lot of momentum in body care at Shoppers and Walmart. It’s great for us.

“Canada-wide, we are in other retailers, but we’re excited about Walmart and Shoppers for haircare because they’re the bigger ones and that’s how we’re going to reach more and more people.”

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Daily Synopsis: Apr 9, 2026

By
Retail Insider
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Daily Synopsis2

Today’s Retail Insider articles below highlight Empire Company Limited’s strategic acquisition of Mayrand Food Group, marking its entry into Quebec’s discount grocery segment. Reitmans celebrates a centennial with a bold brand refresh and retail experience upgrade, while Vessi adopts a data-driven, measured expansion to meet growing demand for physical stores. IKEA also just announced it’s taking part of a former Hudson’s Bay store in London ON. Have a peek below.

 

🗞️ The Day’s Retail Insider Article List

 

🌐 Canadian Retail News From Around the Web

IKEA to Open London Store in Former Hudson’s Bay Space

By
Craig Patterson
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Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA is entering the London, Ontario market later this year with a new small-format store at White Oaks Mall. The approximately 43,000 square foot location will occupy part of a former Hudson’s Bay space, as part of a broader redevelopment led by Westdell Development Corporation.

The project represents a transformation of roughly 165,000 square feet of former department store space into a multi-use retail and entertainment hub. The IKEA London Ontario store will serve as a key anchor in repositioning the property as a modern, experience-driven destination.

 

First-of-Its-Kind Small Store Concept in Canada

The London location will debut a new type of IKEA store designed for convenience and accessibility, representing the first example of this concept in Canada. Unlike traditional big-box IKEA stores, this format focuses on everyday essentials, quick visits, and a curated assortment of products.

“At IKEA, we’re on an exciting journey to transform our business to be more accessible, affordable, and sustainable to our customers no matter how they choose to shop with us,” says Selwyn Crittendon, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Canada. “As we approach our 50th anniversary in Canada this year, we are moving with speed to ensure that we continue to meet our customers’ evolving needs and dreams at home, guided by our founding vision to create a better everyday life for the many.”

The store will offer more than 2,000 items available for immediate purchase, alongside access to IKEA’s full product range through delivery and pickup options. Customers will also find room displays, planning services, and a selection of Swedish food offerings.

White Oaks Mall in London ON. Image: Westdell Development Corporation
 

Strategic Expansion into a Growing Market

The IKEA London Ontario store builds on the company’s existing presence in the region, which includes a Plan and Order Point that opened in 2024. The new format reflects a broader strategy to expand into urban and mid-sized markets with more flexible store models.

“By offering the iconic IKEA store experience on a smaller scale, we are leaning into the physical store that we are best known for while delivering an innovative approach that reflects a rapidly changing retail landscape and customer preferences,” adds Crittendon. “Customers have responded positively to pilot stores in other countries, and we will continue to listen to co-worker and customer feedback to renew and improve.”

The move also aligns with global expansion plans from Ingka Group, which recently announced ambitions to open additional locations across several international markets, including Canada.

White Oaks Mall floor plan

Small-Format Strategy Evolves After Scarborough Exit

The launch of the IKEA London Ontario store comes as the retailer continues to refine its approach to smaller urban formats in Canada. In October 2025, IKEA Canada confirmed it would close its “city-centre” store at Scarborough Town Centre, with the shutdown expected in early 2026, less than three years after opening.

According to the company, the Scarborough location did not meet sales expectations despite strong foot traffic. The approximately 80,000 square foot store offered a limited assortment of about 2,500 products, which constrained its ability to compete with full-sized IKEA locations that provide a broader cash-and-carry range. At the same time, IKEA pointed to a significant shift in customer behaviour, with online engagement far outpacing in-store visits. In the year prior to the announcement, IKEA Canada recorded more than 160 million visits to its website compared to fewer than 34 million in-store visits nationwide.

Former Scarborough Town Centre IKEA (Image: Craig Patterson)

Operating costs were also cited as a factor, with the smaller format proving more expensive to run relative to its revenue performance. The Scarborough location employed approximately 130 staff, with IKEA indicating it would seek redeployment opportunities across its Greater Toronto Area network, including its North York store.

The closure also reflects broader changes at Scarborough Town Centre, which has seen other major tenant departures in recent years. At the same time, IKEA continues to test and evolve its physical retail strategy. Its downtown Toronto location at Aura remains in operation, while the new London format, at approximately 43,000 square feet, signals a further shift toward more compact, convenience-focused stores that complement its growing e-commerce business.

Former Hudson’s Bay at White Oaks Mall in London ON. Image: Apple Maps

White Oaks Mall Redevelopment Signals New Direction

For White Oaks Mall, the arrival of IKEA represents a pivotal step in a broader repositioning strategy under Westdell’s ownership. The mall, which first opened in 1973, has long served as a key retail destination in the London region, drawing more than six million visitors annually.

“Reimagining 165,000 square feet of iconic space was always going to be about more than bringing in great retailers; it was about bringing in the right partners. IKEA stood out immediately, not just for what they offer as a brand, but for what they stand for as an organization. Nearly 50,000 square feet of that vision belongs to them. The remainder of this space will be equally transformative, and we look forward to sharing more in the weeks ahead. We are in the business of improving the communities we serve, and we are thrilled to welcome partners who hold that same standard. London is getting something truly special, and we couldn’t be prouder that it starts here, at White Oaks.” said Iyman Meddoui, President, Westdell Development Corporation.

Tarik Kasem, General Manager of White Oaks Mall, emphasized the broader impact of the redevelopment on the local retail landscape.

“London is already a thriving, dynamic market, and this is the moment we get to prove it to the rest of the world. What we are building here, the calibre of retailer we are bringing through these doors, elevates everything this mall has always stood for. For over half a century, White Oaks has shaped this community. The next chapter is going to be the most exciting one yet, and we are just getting started.”

Former Hudson’s Bay at White Oaks Mall in London ON. Image: Apple Maps

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These Secure Messaging Platforms Are Gaining Traction Among Canada’s Therapists

By
Retail Insider
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If you need to communicate with your patients outside of their sessions, you should be using a secure messaging platform. However, with a sea of options promoting security features and various additional features, what are the top secure messaging platforms for therapists? These seven offer peace of mind and efficiency for therapists and their clients.

1.  Owl Practice

Owl Practice is a leading management software for mental health practices, built to comply with Canadian privacy laws. Its website states that it is Canada’s most secure platform, so you know you’re getting the security you need. Its ease of use helps you and other staff members avoid becoming insider threats, while the one-on-one onboarding and support assist in learning.

Its secure messaging offers read receipts so you know when a client has seen your message. The system also makes it easy to loop in other members of their care team, administrators and family members. Owl Practice encrypts every message you send, so you and your patient can discuss sensitive topics or share files without worry. Its commitment to confidentiality and streamlining make it rank among the top secure messaging platforms for therapists.

Key Features

  • 14-day free trial with no payment required
  • One-on-one onboarding
  • Calendar management, note-taking, billing and video options

2.  Klara

Klara boasts an 84% utilization rate, which is 27 percentage points higher than the rate for patient portals. It can automatically route client messages to staff, create shared inboxes and tag in the necessary people to streamline collaboration. The platform also allows therapists to connect with labs, pharmacies and more providers with less delay.

Read receipts allow both parties to know when the other has seen their message, while automated touchpoints enable quick scheduling adjustments. You can also turn your practice’s main phone line into a texting line or use one Klara provides. Big names like GE and Athena Health trust this platform to secure their communications.

Key Features

  • A free demo so you can test without commitment
  • Rated Best Est. ROI, Grid Leader, Momentum Leader and Users Most Likely To Recommend by G2
  • Options for every step of the patient journey

3.  OhMD

More than 1,200 practices trust OhMD to help manage their inbound calls. It offers artificial intelligence (AI)-powered conversations to answer simple questions, as well as streamlines handoffs to human team members for more complex answers. This ease of communication helps avoid phone tag and enables a 4% increase in patients.

Additionally, staff could answer up to 68% fewer phone calls, meaning you can spend more time on critical tasks. You may also increase savings by 65% by enabling scheduling around the clock, as well as reduce Short Message Service expenses by 50% through Special Delivery — its two-way texting solution that complies with health care and messaging regulations.

Key Features

  • Easy scheduling with automated responses
  • Ability to transfer a client to the appropriate staff member, increasing client satisfaction
  • More than 85 electronic health record (EHR) integrations

4.  SimplePractice

SimplePractice offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required, allowing you to test it thoroughly and see how it works in your practice. If you decide to proceed, you can pick your preferred payment plan and customize it with various add-ons. The up-front pricing avoids surprises for clearer budgeting.

This option utilizes encryption to keep sensitive information safe from prying eyes so your practice complies with essential requirements. You can also easily send announcements to all or some of your patients and automate replies when you’re out of the office. SimplePractice’s Client Portal enables scheduling and communication from any phone or computer.

Key Features

  • Trusted by more than 250,000 practitioners
  • Choice of phone, text or email messaging per patient
  • EHR integration enables clients to confirm and cancel appointments via messaging

5.  TherapyNotes

While TherapyNotes describes itself as the most trusted EHR for behavioural health, it is also one of the top options for secure patient messaging. It offers a central place to communicate with other therapists and all your clients and includes topics to keep these conversations organized. The secure messaging also meets the necessities of major security regulations.

Therapists and patients can message each other on mobile through the TherapyNotes and TherapyPortal apps, respectively. Doing so creates a more streamlined and accessible experience, while custom email notifications ensure you never miss a completed payment or important question. Access management enables decision-makers to toggle access to clinical, administrative and billing communications.

Key Features

  • Ability to notify staff of arrivals, billing, scheduling, and equipment and room availability in individual or group messages
  • 30-day free trial with no payment necessary
  • Praise for its support team’s efficiency and helpfulness

What Are the Top Secure Messaging Platforms for Therapists? The Methodology Behind the Choices

The options featured in this list were selected based on the security features they offered, ease of use and reputation. While it was important to compare the protections they used to keep messages out of hackers’ hands, ease of use helps ensure people follow the recommended security protocols, and positive reviews are good indicators of your possible satisfaction.

Why Are Secure Messaging Platforms Important for Therapists?

Threat actors love targeting health care software because it contains a wealth of personally identifiable information, which could put clients at risk if they gain access. These attacks have been on a steady upward trend since 2011, with 725 reported to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in 2023 alone. While that may not sound like many, over 133 million records were exposed in those attacks.

The impacts of even a single attack are broad, and they take a while to recover from. In December of 2024, the OCR listed that there were 882 breaches still under investigation. During such significant downtime, clients will likely lose trust in the care provider, especially if they can’t offer an answer for how many of their records were stolen or how the attack started.

For these reasons, secure messaging platforms are critical for therapists. Patients express some of their most personal thoughts in your care, so you owe it to them to use the most protected options possible. Considering that one of the most common reasons people avoid using telemedicine is the security of their data, increased protection could also lead to increased usage and retention.

Adopting the Top Secure Messaging Platforms for Therapists

The best messaging platform for your practice is one that integrates easily into your workflow and offers top-tier digital protection. Using a solution that prioritizes both efficiency and security can help your patients feel even more confident sharing their thoughts and personal information with you. Explore the options listed here to narrow down your search.

How Do Steel Buildings Stand Up to Canada’s Harsh Winters?

By
Retail Insider
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Canada’s climate presents unique challenges for construction materials and building methods. From the Atlantic provinces to British Columbia, winter temperatures can plummet well below freezing, accompanied by heavy snowfall, ice storms, and fierce winds. These conditions demand building solutions that can withstand extreme weather while maintaining structural integrity year after year.

Steel construction has emerged as a preferred choice for many Canadian builders and property owners seeking reliable, weather-resistant structures. With advancements in insulation and engineering, modern steel buildings are now better equipped. This blog explores how steel buildings canada perform under harsh winter conditions and why they continue to gain popularity across the country.

Superior Snow Load Capacity

Steel framework excels at handling heavy snow accumulation, a critical factor in Canadian construction. The material’s high strength-to-weight ratio allows buildings to support substantial snow loads without compromising structural stability. Steel beams and columns distribute weight evenly across the foundation, preventing localized stress concentrations that could lead to damage. Canadian building codes specify minimum snow load requirements based on geographic location and local climate data. Steel structures can be engineered to exceed these standards, providing additional safety margins.

Thermal Performance and Energy Efficiency

Steel buildings in canada benefit from advanced insulation systems that address thermal bridging concerns. Modern construction techniques incorporate thermal breaks and continuous insulation layers that minimize heat transfer through the steel framework. This approach reduces energy consumption and maintains comfortable indoor temperatures even during extreme cold spells. The thermal mass properties of steel help moderate temperature fluctuations within the building envelope. While steel conducts heat readily, proper insulation placement and vapor barrier installation create effective thermal barriers. 

Resistance to Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Canada’s climate subjects buildings to repeated freeze-thaw cycles throughout winter and spring months. These temperature fluctuations can cause expansion and contraction in building materials, potentially leading to cracks, joint failure, and structural damage over time. Steel’s consistent thermal expansion characteristics make it well-suited for these conditions. The material expands and contracts predictably, allowing engineers to design connection details that accommodate movement without stress. Proper joint design and expansion provisions prevent damage from thermal cycling.

Long-Term Value Through Low Maintenance

Steel structures require minimal maintenance compared to other building materials commonly used in harsh climates. Modern steel buildings feature protective coatings that resist corrosion and environmental degradation. These coatings withstand moisture, salt spray, and chemical exposure while maintaining their protective properties for decades.

The durability of the steel framework means fewer repairs and replacements over the building’s lifespan. This characteristic proves particularly valuable in remote Canadian locations where maintenance access may be limited during winter months. Key maintenance advantages include:

  • Resistance to pest damage and rot
  • Minimal susceptibility to moisture-related deterioration
  • Stable structural properties over time
  • Reduced need for seasonal maintenance schedules

Design Flexibility for Canadian Conditions

Steel construction offers architectural flexibility that accommodates Canada’s diverse climate zones and building requirements. Clear-span capabilities allow for large, unobstructed interior spaces without intermediate columns, making steel ideal for warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and agricultural buildings. The material’s strength permits creative design solutions that address specific regional challenges. Steep roof pitches for snow shedding, reinforced openings for wind resistance, and custom structural configurations all become feasible with steel framework. 

Steel buildings demonstrate remarkable resilience against Canada’s challenging winter conditions through superior load-bearing capacity, thermal performance, and long-term durability. The material’s predictable behavior under extreme temperatures, combined with modern insulation techniques and protective coatings, creates structures that perform reliably throughout harsh Canadian winters. For builders and property owners across Canada, steel construction offers a practical solution.

Empire Acquires Mayrand, Enters Quebec Discount Grocery Market

By
Craig Patterson
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Mayrand store in Laval. Photo: RI/Google

Empire Company Limited is making a strategic move into Quebec’s value grocery segment with an agreement to acquire Mayrand Food Group Inc., marking the company’s first meaningful entry into discount and warehouse-style food retail in the province.

The transaction, announced through its subsidiary Sobeys Inc., follows a court-supervised sale process after Mayrand entered creditor protection, positioning the deal as both a strategic expansion and an opportunistic acquisition.

The deal remains subject to customary closing conditions, including court and regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2027.

A Strategic Entry into Quebec’s Value Segment

Empire has long operated in Quebec through full-service banners such as IGA, though it has not had a meaningful presence in the discount segment. That space has largely been dominated by entrenched competitors, leaving a gap in Empire’s provincial portfolio.

By acquiring Mayrand, Empire effectively bypasses the challenges of launching a new discount banner in a highly localized and competitive market. Instead, it gains an established Quebec brand with more than a century of operating history and strong regional loyalty.

“Mayrand is a respected Québec institution with deep local roots and a loyal customer base,” said Luc L’Archevêque, Chief Customer Officer, Empire. “This transaction allows the Mayrand brand to continue serving customers and communities while benefiting from Empire’s scale, operational expertise, and long-term commitment to food retail in Québec.”

Inside Mayrand in Laval

Distressed Sale Creates Opportunity

Mayrand entered creditor protection in 2025, leading to a court-supervised sale process that allowed potential buyers to acquire the business as a going concern. The company continued operating its stores throughout the process, maintaining service for both retail and foodservice customers.

For Empire, the timing creates a relatively low-risk entry into a new segment, with existing infrastructure, real estate, and customer relationships already in place. It also reflects a broader trend in Canadian retail, where large operators are using acquisitions to expand into new formats rather than building from scratch.

A Hybrid Model That Extends Beyond Traditional Grocery

Mayrand’s format differs from conventional discount grocery banners. Its large-format “food depot” stores operate without membership requirements and serve both households and professional foodservice customers.

This hybrid model allows Empire to access a broader customer base, including restaurants and small businesses, while also appealing to value-focused consumers seeking bulk purchasing options.

The model also reintroduces Empire to a segment it has had limited exposure to in Quebec in recent years, particularly on the foodservice side, which remains a significant and resilient market.

Mayrand Anjou. Photo: Mayrand

Strategic Real Estate in Key Montreal Markets

The acquisition includes four large-format stores in Anjou, Laval, Brossard, and Saint-Jérôme. These locations provide immediate scale in the Greater Montréal Area, where suitable large-format retail space is increasingly difficult to secure.

Rather than pursuing a greenfield expansion strategy, Empire is acquiring a ready-made network of high-traffic locations that can serve as a platform for future growth in the warehouse and value segment.

Empire said it intends to maintain the Mayrand banner as a distinct brand, preserving its identity and positioning within Quebec. At the same time, the business will benefit from Empire’s national capabilities in merchandising, procurement, logistics, and real estate.

Founded in 1914, Mayrand has built a reputation for its broad assortment of local and international products and its strong ties to both retail consumers and foodservice operators. The company employs approximately 300 people across its four stores.

As part of the transaction, Empire said it will ensure continuity for employees while maintaining stability for customers, suppliers, and business partners.

Positioning for a More Price-Sensitive Consumer

The acquisition comes at a time when Canadian consumers are increasingly focused on value, with many shifting toward bulk purchasing and alternative retail formats in response to sustained food price pressures.

Mayrand’s open-access warehouse model positions it differently from both traditional discount grocers and membership-based warehouse clubs, offering flexibility that may resonate with a broad range of customers.

For Empire, the move represents both a defensive and growth-oriented strategy. It strengthens the company’s competitive position in Quebec while adding a new format that aligns with evolving consumer behaviour.

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