Zucora and HealthGuard, two proudly Canadian companies, are pleased to announce an improved partnership that will deliver even greater value to furniture and bedding retailers across Canada.
For the past two years, Zucora and HealthGuard have worked together to offer retailers high-quality top-of-bed products that help consumers protect and care for their mattresses and pillows. This collaboration has supported the industry in providing trusted bedding solutions designed to promote comfort, hygiene, and long-lasting product life.
On January 1, the partnership reached a new milestone with the introduction of the SmartOne Sleep Plan—a comprehensive 10-year protection plan for mattresses and power adjustable bases. As part of this expanded offering, retailers will now have the opportunity to provide consumers with increased value through a bundled package that includes the SmartOne Sleep Plan alongside a complimentary mattress protector from HealthGuard and a mattress freshener from Zucora.
This enhanced bundle enables retailers to differentiate their offering, simplify purchasing for consumers, and ensure households receive both long-term protection and premium care products from two trusted Canadian brands.
“By combining Zucora’s innovative protection solutions with HealthGuard’s leading bedding care products, we’re giving retailers the tools they need to elevate the customer experience. Together, we’re helping consumers sleep better.”
-Mark Geddes, Vice-President, Business Development at Zucora
‘’When given the opportunity to partner with a reputable company like Zucora, another strong Canadian company, we didn’t hesitate. Not often in business do two companies align so well; both HealthGuard and Zucora share in the same common goal, doing what’s right for our retail partners and their customers.’’
-Ryan Cleary, Vice-President of Sales at HealthGuard
About Zucora
For more than 45 years, Zucora has partnered with Canada’s leading home furnishing and appliance retailers to deliver innovative protection plans that add value and help Canadians protect the home investments they’ve worked hard for.
About HealthGuard For over 35 years, Bay Street Manufacturing has crafted high-quality bedding accessories for retailers and hospitality partners across Canada and the U.S. Through our HealthGuard brand, we deliver products designed for health, comfort, and restorative sleep. Proudly Canadian, we’re committed to responsibly made, performance-driven solutions that bring lasting value.
This week’s retail landscape in Canada highlights a dynamic reshaping of customer engagement, store footprints, and digital commerce strategies. Starbucks Canada’s launch of its new tiered rewards program signals a growing emphasis on personalized loyalty that promises faster benefits and immersive experiences. Meanwhile, legacy retail faces tough realities as Toys R Us shrinks its presence, reflecting broader sector challenges. These developments occur alongside ongoing commercial property recalibrations and evolving consumer expectations as the new year settles in.
The theme of balancing physical expansion with strategic retrenchment defines the current retail environment. Walmart Canada’s announcement of a new Supercentre in southwest Edmonton exemplifies investment in full-service, large-format retail, aiming to capture convenience-focused shoppers. Contrastingly, Toys R Us’s exit from Saskatchewan and reduction to 22 stores nationwide reveals the vulnerabilities of specialty retail amidst high costs and competitive pressures. This duality underscores a cautious yet opportunistic era for retail real estate and operations.
The period also coincides with several noteworthy industry milestones and community-focused initiatives, as Canada approaches the national Family Day holiday, an occasion that typically boosts retail shopping and experiential offerings. Retailers like GoodLife Fitness are leveraging this momentum by expanding locations and launching inclusive marketing campaigns. Collectively, these pieces form a clear picture of a resilient industry adapting through innovation, partnership, and refined consumer engagement.
Retailer News
The launch of Starbucks Canada Rolls Out Tiered Rewards Program introduces Green, Gold, and Reserve levels designed to speed up Star earning and extend reward expiry. This initiative draws from direct consumer feedback, aiming to deepen emotional loyalty with exclusive events and travel opportunities, reinforcing Starbucks’ position as a pioneer in retail foodservice loyalty. Such personalization marks a critical evolution in driving retention and growth through rewarding consumer experience.
Meanwhile, a stark contrast emerges as Toys R Us Exits Saskatchewan as Canadian Store Network Shrinks. This contraction discloses a dwindling footprint from 103 to 22 stores and the full pullback from British Columbia, highlighting escalating pressures from occupancy costs and evolving consumer shopping patterns. The specialty retailer’s challenges epitomize the precarious nature of sustaining a widespread national presence in today’s competitive environment.
Complementing these movements, Lane Bryant Enters Canada via Walmart Partnership marks an important market entry for plus-size fashion, leveraging Walmart Canada’s extensive network for both online and in-store availability. Set to roll out in 320 stores starting February 2026, this partnership addresses a significant apparel gap with scale and brand recognition, illustrating international brand strategies adapting to Canadian consumer needs and retail real estate utilisation.
Retailer Financials / Trends / Reports
Although no mandated financial reports were released this week, data from Statistics Canada indicates a cautiously optimistic retail market, with a 1.3% growth in retail sector GDP in November 2025, as noted in Retail sector GDP on the rise in November: Statistics Canada. This rebound links closely to renewed food and beverage retail strength, offsetting ongoing wholesale and manufacturing challenges and signalling resilience to retail and commercial real estate stakeholders during uncertain economic tides.
Supporting the importance of omnichannel strategy, Canadian ecommerce orders rose 20% in 2025, with top brands driving half the growth: Omnisend reveals that the largest 10% of brands are capturing half of ecommerce growth, benefitting from high purchase intent fueled by timely behaviour-based marketing. This data underscores the ongoing need for retail players to harness automated and targeted engagement tools to maintain competitiveness.
Examining consumer sentiment, a Stifel survey signals softening yet positive spending intentions, particularly in pet supplies and children’s toys, offering nuanced insights for retailers and property managers strategizing around category-specific foot traffic and merchandising.
Retailer People News
This week’s retail people news includes strategic insights into supply chain transformation from industry veteran Gary Newbury. His remarks in Canadian retailers face structural supply chain reckoning: Gary Newbury stress the urgent need for data-driven resilience and automation adoption. His perspective highlights how operational adaptations are becoming critical for retailers and landlords alike to maintain service levels amid cost and fulfilment pressures.
In personal care, Elizabeth Grant Skin Care leans on legacy, manufacturing and global TV retail to drive growth exemplifies balancing heritage with digital innovation by leveraging in-house production and multi-generational leadership. This approach illustrates a growing trend among niche brands to blend operational control with channel diversification, valuable for retail strategists tracking category evolution.
Finally, health and wellness retail expands as Healthy Planet expands across Ontario, growing its physical footprint to meet strong omnichannel demand. This expansion demonstrates that even digitally native brands see substantial value in selective brick-and-mortar growth, integrating local product offers and personalised wellness services to deepen consumer relationships and enhance retail real estate value.
Editor’s Take
This week’s retail developments vividly illustrate an industry at a crossroads, moving towards more personalized, digitally savvy loyalty frameworks while grappling with the realities of shifting physical footprints. Starbucks Canada’s tiered rewards programme (Starbucks Canada Rolls Out Tiered Rewards Program) exemplifies innovation in customer experience, aiming to deepen engagement at a time when specialty retailers like Toys R Us must retract (Toys R Us Exits Saskatchewan as Canadian Store Network Shrinks).
Looking ahead, retailers and commercial real estate professionals should watch how these loyalty efforts, footprint adjustments, and omnichannel expansions play out amid ongoing challenges like supply chain reinvention and consumer trust issues related to AI. The week’s news underscores the importance of agile strategy and local-market nuances as the Canadian retail sector navigates 2026’s complexities.
Swiss watchmaker OMEGA has opened a new flagship boutique at Calgary’s Chinook Centre, expanding its retail footprint in Canada and marking its second flagship location in the country.
The company hooking into a major Alberta shopping centre signals a continued focus on Canada as a growth market, with the new store intended to serve customers in Calgary and the surrounding region.
Second Canadian flagship
Raynald Aeschlimann, OMEGA’s president and chief executive officer, said the Calgary opening reflects the brand’s strategy in Canada and its intention to deepen customer relationships through dedicated retail locations.
“Our new Boutique in Calgary is a symbol of OMEGA’s growing presence in Canada, which continues to be a significant and important market for our brand. We’re delighted to have our second flagship boutique in Canada and connect with new clients across the region. It’s an exciting store inside a beautiful luxury mall, and we look forward to welcoming everyone inside,” Aeschlimann said.
The company did not disclose financial details related to the boutique, including investment size, staffing levels or projected sales.
Calgary location now open
The OMEGA Chinook Centre boutique is now open at 6455 Macleod Trail South in Calgary.
OMEGA traces its origins to 1848 and is known for its focus on precision and quality in watchmaking, according to the company.
The Calgary boutique adds to the brand’s existing Canadian retail presence and positions OMEGA within one of Western Canada’s largest shopping centres, offering a dedicated space for the company’s products and customer engagement.
In a statement, the company said: “Chinook Centre is Calgary’s largest shopping destination and a recognized hub for luxury retail with a strong roster of global brands. Calgary has experienced the highest population growth among major Canadian cities over the past decade. The centre attracts a diverse, discerning customer base, and the timing reflects both the city’s momentum and the natural fit between OMEGA and this retail environment.
“This opening reinforces OMEGA’s commitment to key Canadian markets. By establishing a presence in the Greater Calgary area, OMEGA is connecting with a growing client base and adding a customer contact point that fully meets the brand’s global service and retail standards. It strengthens the overall client experience and supports OMEGA’s continued investment in Canada.
The retailer said a standalone OMEGA boutique operates to the brand’s global retail and service standards, offering a dedicated environment where clients can explore OMEGA’s full range of watch families, from the Speedmaster and Seamaster to the Constellation and De Ville, along with the brand’s jewellery collections. Boutique associates provide in-depth guidance on OMEGA’s watchmaking heritage, technical innovation, and craftsmanship, supported by services and experiences available exclusively through OMEGA’s own retail network, it added.
“The Calgary boutique welcomes both local Calgarians and visitors to the city, reflecting Calgary’s growing and diverse population. The client profile aligns with OMEGA’s broader North American customer base, encompassing watch enthusiasts and consumers who value precision, heritage, and craftsmanship.”
The retail trade sector expanded 1.3% in November, as all subsectors grew in the month. This increase more than offset the back-to-back monthly declines in the two preceding months, reported Statistics Canada on Friday.
Food and beverage retailers (+2.5%) rebounded in November, reflecting higher beer, wine and liquor retailing activity, following the conclusion of a work action in British Columbia on October 26 that had disrupted activity since September 2, said the federal agency.
The wholesale trade sector contracted 2.1% in November, the largest contraction since April 2025. Contractions in motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories wholesaling and building material and supplies wholesaling drove the decline in November.
In November, motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories merchant wholesalers dropped 12.6%, reflecting lower activity in both the motor vehicle and used motor vehicle parts and accessories industry groups, coinciding with disrupted motor vehicle production activity due to the global semiconductor shortage.
Photo: Curated Lifestyle
The federal agency said real gross domestic product (GDP) overall in Canada was essentially unchanged in November, following a 0.3% decline in October, as contractions in goods-producing industries offset expansions in services-producing industries.
“Goods-producing industries declined 0.3% in November, down for the third time in four months, driven by contractions in the manufacturing and agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sectors in the month. Services-producing industries edged up 0.1%, with expansions in the retail trade, educational services and transportation and warehousing sectors. Overall, 10 of the 20 industrial sectors grew in November,” it said.
“Advance information indicates that real GDP increased 0.1% in December. Increases in manufacturing and wholesale trade were partially offset by decreases in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction. Owing to its preliminary nature, this estimate will be updated on February 27, 2026, with the release of the official GDP by industry data for December 2025,” noted Statistics Canada.
“With this advance estimate for December, information on real GDP by industry suggests that the economy decreased 0.1% in the fourth quarter and increased 1.3% in 2025. The official estimates for the fourth quarter and the year will be available on February 27, 2026, when the official estimate of GDP by income and expenditure is released.”
Andrew Grantham
Andrew Grantham, Senior Economist, CIBC Capital Markets, said the Canadian economy was still struggling for growth towards the end of the fourth quarter, with November GDP showing a flat reading and the advance estimate for December pointing to only marginal growth.
“The flat reading for November was slightly weaker than the advance and consensus estimate (+0.1%) but not a huge surprise given subsequent industry data showing weakness in the wholesaling sector. Manufacturing also weighed on activity during the month, and combined with the decline in wholesaling offset rebounds in areas such as education and transportation that were negatively impacted by strike activity in the prior month. The advance estimate for December pointed to a 0.1% increase in activity, with StatsCan suggesting that this was driven by at least partial recoveries in manufacturing and wholesaling,” he said.
“Today’s report leaves Q4 GDP showing a slight contraction of 0.5% annualized, which is a little weaker than the Bank’s recent MPR projection but not overly concerningly given the typical degree of divergence between the industry data and next months expenditure figures. That said the still sluggish momentum towards quarter end may be a concern, as monthly growth rates will need to accelerate for the economy to achieve the Bank’s near 2% MPR forecast for Q1. Overall today’s data are unlikely weak enough to revive talks for further interest rate cuts by the Bank, but it is clear that rates will need to be held at stimulative levels for a while to drive a recovery amid the continued uncertain economic environment.”
Douglas Porter
Douglas Porter, Chief Economist, BMO Capital Markets, said: “Today’s results reinforce the theme that the economy struggled to grow at all in Q4 after a surprisingly perky Q3. And with the preliminary estimate of modest gains in December, the overall economy will have scratched out a GDP advance of only about 0.5% in the past 12 months. Average annual growth will come in about a percentage point above that modest pace, thanks to its solid momentum heading into the trade war a year ago. But for 2026, the economy will do well to post growth of much more than 1% this year, with the sluggish hand-off from 2025 as well as the lingering cloud of uncertainty on the trade front. These results are not markedly different from the Bank’s views earlier this week, but the soft undertones will keep them “prepared to respond”.“
Marc Ercolao
Marc Ercolao, Economist, TD Economics, said: “Canada’s economy cruised into year-end at stall speed. With November’s print and flash estimates for December, economic growth is tracking a mild contraction for Q4-2025. Quarterly growth over 2025 has been particularly volatile due to sharp movements in trade and inventories, something not well captured in the monthly industry GDP accounts. Accounting for recent discrepancies between the two measures, we expect GDP growth in Q4 to land roughly flat, in line with the Bank of Canada’s (BoC) recent projections.
“The BoC doesn’t make its next policy decision until March 18th. We don’t think today’s data moves them off of their current policy stance even as they acknowledge that considerable uncertainty around trade and overall economic growth is still present. All told, we maintain our view that the BoC has reached the end of their interest rate easing cycle.”
Maison Birks store in downtown Vancouver. Photo: C. Hagemoen
Birks Group Inc. says its net sales rose 11.8 per cent during its latest holiday period, reflecting contributions from recent store acquisitions and higher sales of branded jewelry and timepieces across its retail and e-commerce channels.
The Montreal-based jewelry retailer reported the results for the eight-week interim sales period ended Dec. 27, 2025, which it defines as its FY2026 holiday period. Comparable store sales for the period increased 2.5 per cent from the same period a year earlier.
Holiday-period performance
The company said the increase in net sales compared with the corresponding period in fiscal 2025 was attributable in part to its acquisition of European Boutique luxury timepiece and jewelry stores. It also cited higher sales of branded timepieces and Birks branded jewelry in both physical stores and online.
Birks said the same product categories drove the increase in comparable store sales, which measure performance at locations open during both periods being compared and include e-commerce sales.
“Our teams have delivered good sales results this holiday period as compared to the corresponding period last year, due in part to the acquisition of the European Boutique stores but also due to our strong retail and e-commerce performances. We are focused on building on this momentum and on delivering excellence in customer service. I would like to sincerely thank all our employees for their continued hard work and dedication,” he said.
Comparable store sales explained
Birks said it uses comparable store sales as a key performance measure. The metric includes stores that were open in the same period in both the current and prior year and incorporates e-commerce sales into its calculation.
Stores are included in the comparable store sales base beginning in their thirteenth full month of operation under Birks’ ownership. Locations that have been resized or relocated are assessed individually to determine whether they are considered the same store or a new store for reporting purposes.
Comparable store sales measure the percentage change in net sales for comparable stores during a period compared with the corresponding period in the previous year. If a store was not open for the entirety of both periods, the measure reflects the change in net sales for the portion of time the store was open in both periods.
Birks said it believes comparable store sales provide meaningful information on its performance and operating results, while cautioning that the measure has no standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures used by other companies.
Retail footprint and operations
Birks Group describes itself as a designer of fine jewelry and an operator of luxury jewelry, timepiece and gift retail stores in Canada. The company operates 17 stores under the Maison Birks brand in major metropolitan markets across the country.
Its Canadian retail portfolio also includes one Birks-branded store and one TimeVallée-branded store in Montreal, a Brinkhaus-branded store in Calgary, a Graff-branded store and a Patek Philippe-branded store in Vancouver, four Breitling-branded stores in Laval, Ottawa and Toronto, four European Boutique-branded stores in Toronto, one Omega-branded store in Toronto and one Montblanc-branded store in Toronto.
The company said Birks was founded in 1879 and positions itself as a designer and retailer of fine jewelry, timepieces and gifts.
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.
GoodLife's Canada's Gym campaign features real members and employees. (CNW Group/GoodLife Fitness)
GoodLife Fitness, Canada’s largest chain of Canadian-owned fitness clubs, has launched a new marketing campaign as it expands its footprint with 14 additional locations in 2026, including two new For Women clubs.
The campaign, titledCanada’s Gym. Built Here, Built for Everyone., is an evolution of the company’s existing “Canada’s Gym” platform and highlights the growing diversity in how Canadians approach fitness.
Marketing push underscores variety and inclusivity
Anchored by the tagline “One gym. Every journey. Limitless possibilities.”, the campaign features real members and employees, and showcases a range of fitness offerings including weightlifting, functional training, hot yoga, and cycling.
“Fitness journeys aren’t one-size-fits-all, and neither are our gyms,” Brazier said. “This campaign celebrates the freedom to move differently from day to day, to try new things and to evolve over time. At GoodLife, you can lift heavy one day, recover the next, join a hot Pilates class, train for a HYROX race, or simply move in a way that feels good. The possibilities are limitless.”
The campaign launch coincides with GoodLife’s expansion plans this year, which will increase the number of clubs in its network.
Creative collaboration and production
GoodLife’s marketing and creative team partnered with director Alexander Sworik and photographer Nicole De Khors to produce the campaign. The shoot took place at the company’s new 60,000-square-foot Calgary Creekside location and featured a cast of GoodLife members and employees.
The campaign launched on January 1 and will run throughout the year across connected TV, digital video and display, digital audio, social media, search, and out-of-home advertising. GoodLife said it is tailoring some creative content to local markets, highlighting the programs and amenities available in areas where the brand has a larger presence.
Ongoing social content
As part of its strategy, GoodLife is also introducing a social media docuseries titled Real Members. Real Stories., which will be shared on Instagram and TikTok.
“’Canada’s Gym’ breaks through the New Year fitness noise,” Brazier said. “This campaign reinforces GoodLife’s position as the most comprehensive and welcoming Canadian fitness brand–built to support every journey, all in one place.”
GoodLife’s Canada’s Gym campaign features different forms of fitness offerings, including hot yoga. (CNW Group/GoodLife Fitness)
About GoodLife Fitness
Founded in London, Ont., in 1979 by David ‘Patch’ Patchell-Evans, GoodLife Fitness has grown to the largest chain of fitness clubs in Canada. The company said it aims to give all Canadians the opportunity to live a fit and healthy life, with hundreds of clubs across the country.
EXTERIOR OF SOBEYS GROCERY STORE. PHOTO: SUPERMARKET NEWS
Empire Company Limited and its subsidiary Sobeys Inc. have announced a restructuring of their grocery e-commerce operations, including the closure of Alberta facilities and an expansion of third-party delivery partnerships, as part of a strategy to improve profitability and better serve online customers.
The company said the changes are expected to deliver roughly $95 million in annualized operating income by fiscal 2027, though they will also result in non-cash impairment and related charges of approximately $750 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2026.
Restructuring to boost profitability
“We remain highly committed to grocery e-commerce in Canada and on continuing to make online shopping more convenient for our customers, while delivering immediate bottom-line improvements to our e-commerce business,” said Pierre St-Laurent, president and CEO of Empire.
Pierre St-Laurent
Empire is immediately winding down its Alberta e-commerce operations, including a customer fulfillment centre in the Calgary area and a smaller support facility in Edmonton. The company will also continue its pause on development of a planned CFC in Vancouver.
The Alberta facilities did not meet the company’s financial expectations, which Empire attributed to the region’s smaller-than-anticipated e-commerce market. The company said it will continue to support Western Canadian customers through third-party delivery partnerships. The closures are not expected to materially affect same-store sales growth.
Focus on Ontario and Quebec
Empire will maintain operations in Ontario and Quebec through its Voilà banner, using existing CFCs in the Greater Toronto and Montreal areas. The company described these operations as growing steadily and forming a key part of its overall offering.
“Customers in Ontario and Quebec love Voilà and, while difficult, the decisions we have made related to our CFC network in Western Canada will help ensure the long-term growth and profitability of our e-commerce business,” St-Laurent said.
“Our focus remains on thrilling our customers while giving them even more reasons to shop our banners through Voilà and third-party marketplaces across the country. This is just the beginning of the next chapter in reshaping our e-commerce strategy as we respond to the evolving needs and expectations of our customers.”
Empire highlighted its strong partnership with Ocado as a foundation for increasing customer engagement and improving productivity and profitability in these markets.
Expanding third-party delivery
The company plans to broaden its e-commerce reach by partnering with DoorDash, with the rollout expected in the coming months. Empire said the collaboration will expand home delivery options for customers nationwide and complements existing third-party partnerships.
“These actions reflect the Company’s commitment to provide customers a variety of e-commerce options, while improving profitability in all of its e-commerce channels,” the company said.
About Empire
Empire Company Limited is a Canadian company based in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. Its primary businesses include food retailing through Sobeys Inc. and related real estate. The company reported approximately $31 billion in annual sales, $17 billion in assets, and employs about 129,000 people across its subsidiaries, franchisees, and affiliates.
Larry’s Catch received offers from three investors on CBC’s Dragons’ Den after the Canadian seafood delivery company pitched its business during a nationally televised episode that aired Jan. 22.
The appearance marked a milestone for the privately-held company and its three co-founders, who used the broadcast to present their strategy for expanding access to wild-caught Canadian seafood through a direct-to-consumer delivery and subscription model.
National television debut
The episode, which aired on CBC Television at 8 p.m. and is available for streaming on CBC Gem, was Larry’s Catch’s first appearance on national television. The founders—Glen Creaser, James Quinn and Javier Mejorada—outlined the origins of the business and its focus on sourcing seafood from Canadian fisheries and delivering products directly to customers’ homes.
According to the company, the pitch generated strong interest from the Dragons, resulting in three separate offers during the broadcast.
Glen Creaser
“Pitching on Dragons’ Den is a milestone we never imagined when we started Larry’s Catch,” says Glen Creaser, co-founder of Larry’s Catch. “This is bigger than a business moment for us, it’s a chance to spotlight Canadian fishermen and make premium, wild-caught seafood easier to access nationwide. Getting to share our story on a national stage means everything as the exposure helps us move our mission forward faster than we could on our own.”
Focus on scaling operations
Larry’s Catch said the response from the Dragons aligns with its longer-term plans to expand operations while maintaining relationships with Canadian fisheries. The company framed the on-air interest as validation of its efforts to grow responsibly and broaden its customer base without changing its sourcing standards.
As part of the broadcast’s timing, Larry’s Catch launched a promotion tied to the episode’s premiere, offering a $10 discount for new customers purchasing the company’s seafood products.
Business origins
Larry’s Catch was founded by Creaser, Quinn and Mejorada, who are also behind the technology startup Afino. The seafood business takes its name from Creaser’s father, Larry, a fisherman who influenced the company’s focus on seafood sourcing and distribution.
The idea for the business emerged after Creaser moved from Nova Scotia to Ontario in 2016 and found that fresh seafood was less readily available. According to the company, early informal deliveries of seafood from Nova Scotia to Ontario were shared among friends and family before evolving into a formal business.
The company cited seafood consumption figures to illustrate the market opportunity, noting that Ontarians consume an average of 16 pounds of seafood per person, compared with a global per-capita average of 44 pounds.
Larry’s Catch
Supply chain and delivery model
Larry’s Catch works directly with what it describes as certified sustainable family fisheries across Canada’s Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic coasts. The company sources a range of products, including black cod, halibut, crab, lobster and scallops.
All products are individually quick-frozen within hours of being caught, a process the company says is designed to preserve flavour, texture and freshness. Customers can order pre-curated seafood boxes or assemble custom selections, with options for recurring deliveries or one-time purchases. Orders can be paused, skipped or cancelled.
The company currently delivers across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Photo: Larry’s Catch
Community commitments
Larry’s Catch also highlighted its support for MS Canada, linking the partnership to the personal experience of Creaser’s father, who lives with multiple sclerosis and was forced into early retirement due to the disease. The company said its support is intended to contribute to improving quality of life for Canadians affected by MS and to advancing related research.
The Dragons’ Den appearance comes as Larry’s Catch seeks to leverage national exposure to expand its customer base and advance its growth strategy within Canada’s food delivery and subscription market.
Hudson's Bay downtown Calgary. Photo by Mario Toneguzzi
Canada’s retail property market is starting 2026 in a more stable position after pockets of volatility earlier in 2025, though performance continues to vary widely by market and format, according to a new survey from commercial real estate firm CBRE.
CBRE’s H2 2025 Retail Rent Survey says many cities rebounded as last year progressed, with stabilization becoming more evident nationwide heading into 2026, even as economic uncertainty persisted.
Survey points to uneven recovery
The survey found that leasing demand remained active across most retail categories, though outcomes differed sharply depending on local conditions.
“Demand from retail brands remains healthy, with leasing activity spread across most categories,” says CBRE Senior Vice President Alex Edmison. “When you drill into the numbers, retail performance continues to be highly situational. Local demographics, tenant mix and economic drivers can make or break retailers. Strategic tenant relocations continue in response to these dynamics, particularly for flagships in high density areas.”
Alex Edmison
CBRE said retail supply remains constrained across the country, keeping vacancy levels tight amid strong leasing activity. Elevated development costs have limited new construction in recent years, though the firm said strong fundamentals are beginning to unlock new projects in select markets where demand is established and pre-leasing has been secured.
Rental rates continued to rise in the second half of 2025, increasing in 37 of the 120 format types or key urban areas tracked in the survey.
Grocery-anchored suburban shopping centres were identified as top performers, while select urban retail nodes experienced a substantial rebound where return-to-office mandates supported improved daytime foot traffic.
The survey also pointed to sustained demand for fitness and wellness services, particularly in Ontario and Western Canada. In Calgary, physician recruitment initiatives contributed to increased demand for medical clinic space, while Edmonton saw success filling large-format vacancies.
Trends shaping retail in 2026
Looking ahead, CBRE outlined several themes expected to influence leasing and development decisions in 2026.
Interest in former Hudson’s Bay Co. spaces remained strong, according to the survey. Some locations have been leased by Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark’s and TJX, while entertainment uses such as Round 1, Happy Kingdom and Splitsville Bowl are also being explored. Some landlords are extending mall corridors into these former anchor spaces with smaller units, while others are planning demolitions.
At the same time, large-format retailers including Toys R Us, Linen Chest and JYSK are closing underperforming locations, creating new availability in a market that has traditionally been tight.
In the luxury segment, first-to-market brands continued to push into key retail districts, while major luxury houses became more selective and slower to sign new deals following mixed performance in 2025. The athleisure category showed strong momentum, with brands such as Arc’teryx, Lululemon, ON, Vuori, Hoka and Reigning Champ signing new leases and competing for space.
Value-oriented retailers also continued to perform well, absorbing demand from cost-conscious households. CBRE said consumers are expected to further reduce spending in 2026, supporting expansion by brands including Winners, Marshalls, Homesense, Structube, IKEA, Uniqlo and Crunch Fitness.
Rendering of the future four-level 40,000 sq ft Aritzia store at Robson and Howe in Vancouver. Rendering: Aritzia
Regional market highlights
CBRE’s survey highlighted several notable developments across major Canadian markets.
In Vancouver, the announcement of Aritzia’s new 40,000-square-foot flagship store in a portion of Nordstrom’s former space at Pacific Centre was cited as a signal of renewed confidence in the city’s core. This comes alongside the opening of several new downtown restaurants as foot traffic improves. Retail vacancies and rental rates are expected to remain stable or increase, as new retail supply remains closely tied to mixed-use developments, which CBRE said have slowed significantly.
In Calgary, demand for medical clinic space was fueled by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta’s sponsorship initiative. A streamlined process for recruiting international medical graduates resulted in more than 600 physician hires, amplifying demand in a category that had been largely inactive since 2020.
Winnipeg saw the opening of a new Costco warehouse, a 166,894-square-foot location in Headingley’s Westport Development. The mixed-use project is expected to bring retail, office and warehousing space to the west end of the Greater Winnipeg Area. Olexa Developments has also broken ground on a new mixed-use development in the St. Boniface neighbourhood.
In Toronto, Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Bloor Street West continued to attract first-to-market entrants. Gentle Monster, a Korean eyewear brand, opened a location in December. On Bloor Street, Italian menswear boutique Luca Faloni opened amid strong attention, while Tiffany & Co.’s Canadian flagship store at the corner of Bay and Bloor is slated to open in spring 2026.
Montreal also showed signs of renewed activity, with brands on Sainte-Catherine Street West relocating into new flagship stores. CBRE said demand from national and international retailers is rising as the Sainte-Catherine revitalization advances, with the latest phase shifting west in September. The project includes replacing aging infrastructure and enhancing pedestrian spaces.
Overall, the survey suggests Canada’s retail real estate market is entering 2026 with improved stability, while outcomes continue to depend heavily on location, format and tenant strategy.
