Advertisement
Home Blog Page 86

Why Global B2B Brands Outsource Product Listing Management

The product catalog is the primary sales asset in the complex ecology of global B2B commerce. Unlike B2C transactions, which tend to be impulsive and aesthetics-oriented, business-to-business purchases are complicated, research-driven decisions that depend on accurate, detailed, fully structured product information. For brands selling globally across international markets, the challenge of managing this information, technical specifications, compliance data, localized descriptions, pricing tiers, and inventory levels for thousands of SKUs over several platforms is a monumental operational task. This is why a vast number of global B2B leaders make the smart decision to outsource product listing management for global B2B brands, turning what could be a logistical challenge into an opportunity for competitive differentiation.

The Unique Complexity of B2B Product Data

There is a chasm of difference between B2C and B2B product data. A B2C listing may need eye-catching imagery and a succinct description. A B2B listing, on the other hand, has to handle technical datasheets, CAD drawings, compliance certificates, material safety data sheets, multilingual specs, and a complex pricing model based on volume tiers or customer contracts. More precisely, keeping this dense information accurate and consistent as it flows through a complex global supply chain is an undertaking that is quickly beyond the capacity of internal teams. Mistakes are more than just annoying; they can result in incorrect orders, supply chain disruption, and compliance failures. When businesses outsource product listing management for global B2B brands, they gain access to specialized expertise to handle this complexity, ensuring that every technical attribute is correctly captured and presented.

The Scalability Imperative in Global Markets

For B2B brands, global expansion is a major growth driver, but it comes with exponentially more complexity in data management. Launching in a new geographic market frequently requires the localization of product listings for local languages, units of measure, regulatory standards, and marketplace requirements. It is a slow, expensive, and resource-intensive procedure to build an internal team that can take care of this for multiple regions. Outsourcing provides immediate, inherent scalability. A partner like Data Entry Outsourced (DEO), backed by a team of 250+ trained professionals, can quickly scale operations to support product line expansion and faster market rollout. This kind of agility enables B2B brands to implement global strategies without the delay of in-house recruiting and training.

Accuracy as a Pillar of B2B Trust

In B2B relationships, trust comes from dependability. The customer ordering industrial components knows that he depends on the absolute accuracy of the product specifications listed. A wrongly rated voltage, an uncoordinated thread size or a technician who has not been certified give rise to enormous monetary and safety consequences, while breaking down trust and endangering long-term collaborations. It’s a whole different ball game compared to B2C, with much higher stakes. That’s why B2B brands need advanced data accuracy controls. Specialized data entry providers reach this through a multi-tier quality assurance process. They prevent damaging the company’s reputation and appearance in B2B relationships by making sure every description, feature and specification is error-free.

Efficiency Gains and Cost Optimization

Maintaining an in-house product listing management team incurs a high fixed cost. It requires an investment of salaries, benefits, ongoing training and the technological infrastructure. To many B2B organizations, this is a poor use of capital. Outsourcing turns this fixed cost into a variable, predictable operating expense. As noted by providers such as DEO, the model offers cost savings with improved turnaround times. Professional service providers allocate dedicated resources to update catalogs and prices in real time so sales teams and distributors always have the most relevant information, reducing quote errors and speeding the sales cycle. That operational efficiency translates to a healthier bottom line.

Leveraging Specialized Expertise and Technology

In B2B ecommerce, product listing management goes way beyond data entry; it involves familiarity with industrial classifications, technical jargon and specific requirements of each sector. Top outsourcing partners build teams around this expertise based on the companies they serve. Moreover, they spend on expensive tools and technologies for data processing, validation, and synchronization that may be too costly for a single company to purchase. By leveraging this expertise and technology ecosystem, B2B brands enhance their internal capabilities, ensuring product data remains accurate and discoverable across international marketplaces and procurement platforms.

Allowing Internal Talent to Focus on Core Strategies

Perhaps the most powerful strategic advantage is that new leadership liberates internal talent. After all, when overworked product managers, engineers and marketers are no longer spending hours on data entry and catalog housekeeping, they can focus on higher-end activity. Product innovation, supplier relationship management, pricing strategy, and insights into customer needs can all get their attention. This redistribution of intellectual assets literally redefines the organization as it transitions from being in maintenance mode to operating from a place of growth and market dominance.

Conclusion

By outsourcing product listing management, B2B global brands make a strategic investment in scalability, accuracy, and competitive positioning. This partnership translates the convoluted ordeal of handling technical, multi-lingual, and compliance-heavy product data for international markets into a quick and seamless process. It makes sure every specification, certification, and pricing tier is painstakingly kept so the trust on which B2B relationships are built can be realised. Moreover, it frees internal teams to focus on innovation, new markets, and customer strategy instead of the drudgery involved in maintaining data. Isn’t it what every global B2B enterprise would want to leverage with specialized expertise when it comes to product listing management? This is by no means an operational aspect; rather, it has become a critical aspect that drives sustainable churn-free growth, keeping you ahead of the competition.

Marugame Udon Opens First Toronto Location

Marugame Udon at 494 Yonge St. in Toronto. Image supplied

Japanese fast-casual dining concept Marugame Udon is expanding its Canadian footprint with the opening of its first Toronto restaurant. The new location at 494 Yonge Street is set to open on Saturday, March 21, introducing the brand’s signature Sanuki-style udon experience to Ontario for the first time.

The arrival of Marugame Udon Toronto follows the company’s initial Canadian debut in Vancouver in 2024 and subsequent expansion into Calgary, reflecting a measured rollout into key urban markets.

 

Downtown Location Anchors Ontario Market Entry

Situated in the heart of downtown Toronto, the 80-seat fast-casual restaurant has been designed to deliver an immersive dining experience centered on freshly made udon noodles. The Yonge Street location places the brand in a high-traffic corridor near transit, residential density, and educational institutions, aligning with its broader site selection strategy.

At the new Marugame Udon Toronto restaurant, guests will be able to observe the preparation of noodles in real time. The open-kitchen format showcases each stage of production, from kneading and cutting to cooking, using traditional Japanese techniques that have defined the brand globally.

This “theatre-style” approach to food preparation has become a core element of the concept, differentiating it from conventional quick-service or casual dining formats and reinforcing its focus on freshness and craftsmanship.

Marugame Udon at 494 Yonge St. in Toronto. Image supplied
 

Menu Focused on Handmade Udon and Japanese Staples

The Toronto location will offer Marugame Udon’s core menu of handcrafted Sanuki-style udon bowls, known for their distinctive chewy texture and simple ingredient profile. In addition to its signature noodle dishes, the menu includes a selection of tempura options such as chicken, shrimp, and vegetables, along with rice bowls and other Japanese staples.

The brand’s emphasis on affordability and customization is expected to resonate with a broad customer base, including students, office workers, and downtown residents. The cafeteria-style service model allows guests to move through stations, selecting their preferred dishes and add-ons before completing their order.

Marugame Udon at 494 Yonge St. in Toronto. Image supplied

Leadership Highlights Toronto’s Food Culture

“We are excited to bring Marugame Udon to Toronto, a city with a truly vibrant and diverse food culture that will celebrate delicious handmade Japanese cuisine that is made fresh and that’s affordable,” said Shawn Du, President and Master Franchisee, Marugame Udon Canada. “Everyone is invited to come by our new Yonge Street location to discover the care that goes into every bowl. Toronto’s newest noodle hotspot is here!”

To mark the grand opening, the company will host a promotional giveaway, offering four $250 gift cards to customers who visit the location and enter for a chance to win. Winners will be announced on April 30.

Canadian Expansion Builds Momentum

The launch of Marugame Udon Toronto represents the brand’s third Canadian location and underscores its ongoing commitment to national growth. The company first entered the Canadian market with a Vancouver location at 589 Beatty Street in February 2024, which quickly achieved strong performance and ranked among the brand’s top global locations in its early weeks.

Expansion continued with a location at CrossIron Mills in the Calgary area, further extending its presence into Western Canada. The move into Toronto signals a strategic shift toward Eastern Canada and introduces the concept to one of the country’s most competitive and diverse restaurant markets.

Additional Canadian growth is already in development, including another Metro Vancouver location at CF Richmond Centre, which is expected to open in 2026.

Marugame Udon at 494 Yonge St. in Toronto. Image supplied

Global Brand Brings Proven Model to Canada

Founded in Japan in 2000, Marugame Udon has grown into the world’s largest Sanuki-style udon chain, with more than 1,000 locations worldwide. The brand’s global success has been built on a combination of operational consistency, authentic product execution, and a scalable fast-casual format.

Its Canadian expansion reflects a broader strategy of targeting high-density urban centres with strong pedestrian traffic and a growing appetite for international dining concepts.

More from Retail Insider:

The Salvation Army Thrift Store opens 7th Store on Vancouver Island

The Salvation Army Thrift Store invites the Sidney community to celebrate the grand opening of its new location on Thursday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CNW Group/The Salvation Army Thrift Store – National Recycling Operations)

The Salvation Army Thrift Store is opening its newest location in Sidney, in the Greater Victoria Area.

The store, located at 2455 Beacon Avenue, will officially open its doors on Thursday March 19.

Located in the downtown core, the 4,300-square-foot store is the 7th Thrift Store location on Vancouver Island, expanding access to affordable, sustainable, and community-driven shopping options for residents across the region, said the organization.

“We’re thrilled to become part of the Sidney community,” said Ted Troughton, Managing Director of The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “This new location gives residents an easy way to shop sustainably while supporting life-changing Salvation Army programs and services that make a vital difference in the lives of individuals and families right here at home.”

Ted Troughton
Ted Troughton

Every purchase and donation made at The Salvation Army Thrift Store directly contributes to the organization’s mission of giving hope and transforming lives. Funds generated through the sale of donated items help support local programs such as food banks, shelters, rehabilitation for those struggling with addiction, and emergency relief efforts, said the organization.

“This new store represents so much more than a place to shop. It’s a celebration of community,” added Troughton. “Every visit to this store, whether to shop or donate, helps us extend hope, dignity, and support to our neighbours. We can’t wait to welcome the Sidney community into this new space.”

There are 97 Thrift Stores across Canada.

More from Retail Insider:

Bramalea City Centre Unveils Redesigned Food Court

Bramalea City Centre food court. Image: Morguard

Bramalea City Centre has unveiled a newly renovated South Food Court, completing a multimillion-dollar project designed to modernize one of the busiest gathering spaces within the property and enhance the overall visitor experience.

Located at 25 Peel Centre Drive in Brampton, the super-regional shopping centre attracts roughly 16 million visitors annually and serves a rapidly growing population across the Peel Region. The renovation represents the latest investment in a property that continues to evolve alongside shifting retail trends and a growing community.

Management says the redesigned dining destination improves circulation, increases seating capacity, and creates a more open and contemporary environment that connects more effectively with the broader shopping centre.

 

A Brighter, More Contemporary Dining Environment

Spanning 31,701 square feet, the renovated food court has been repositioned closer to Centre Court, improving visibility from the mall’s main corridor and creating a stronger connection to surrounding retailers. The project also included infilling a previous floor opening to create a more cohesive layout and smoother circulation for visitors. 

The redesign was led by Pappas Design Studio Inc. in collaboration with Petroff Partnership Architects, introducing a contemporary aesthetic anchored in natural materials and layered textures.

A palette of white and light wood defines the space, complemented by accents of blue, green, black, caramel, and terracotta. Custom millwork, decorative lighting, integrated greenery, and banquette seating create a warm and welcoming environment intended to encourage visitors to linger.

“This transformation marks an exciting milestone for Bramalea City Centre,” said Andrew Butler, General Manager of Bramalea City Centre. “We wanted to create a design-forward space that reflects the energy of our community while improving comfort, sightlines, and the overall dining experience for our visitors.”

Layout Changes Improve Flow and Seating

The Bramalea City Centre food court renovation was prompted in part by the age of the previous space, which had last undergone a major update more than two decades ago.

“The last major renovation of the food court took place in 2004, so it was clearly time for reinvestment,” Butler said. “Our goal was to create a brighter, more contemporary environment by removing visual obstructions and opening the space so it feels more welcoming.”

During the redevelopment, several kiosks that surrounded a floor opening were removed or relocated. The design team then filled the opening and reconfigured the layout to improve customer movement through the dining area.

“We removed several kiosks and redesigned the layout to improve customer flow,” Butler said. “That allowed us to fill in the floor opening and add about 10 percent more seating, which enhances both the customer experience and visibility for our tenants.”

The redesign also improves sightlines across the dining area and provides stronger storefront exposure for food vendors.

Bramalea City Centre (Image: Morguard)

Food Courts Evolving to Meet Modern Needs

Shopping centre food courts have evolved in recent years, reflecting changes in how consumers use retail spaces.

Today’s dining areas often serve as informal workplaces, social gathering spots, and places where shoppers pause during longer visits.

“Today’s food courts serve a broader role than they did in the past,” Butler said. “People often sit down with their laptops or smartphones while they eat, so we’ve incorporated charging options throughout the space, including plug-in and wireless connections.”

The project also integrates sustainability considerations, including redesigned waste and recycling stations aimed at improving diversion and reducing landfill waste.

“Sustainability was an important consideration in the redesign,” Butler said. “We wanted to support recycling and waste diversion so we can reduce what ultimately ends up in landfills.”

New Dining Options Join the Food Court

The renovation also provided an opportunity to strengthen the centre’s food offering.

Two new food vendors, Szechuan Express and Poulet Rouge, have joined the food court lineup, expanding the range of dining options available to visitors.

Food and beverage has become a critical component of the modern shopping centre environment, driving both foot traffic and dwell time.

“If you don’t have a food court today, it doesn’t resonate with customers,” Butler said. “People expect quality food options when they visit a shopping centre.”

Beyond the food court, Bramalea City Centre also features several full-service restaurants located within and around the property, further strengthening its food and beverage mix.

A Social Hub for a Growing Community

Butler said the role of food courts expanded further following the pandemic, reinforcing the importance of shared public spaces within retail environments.

“One thing the pandemic reinforced is that people are social by nature,” he said. “Shopping centres provide a place where people can gather, interact, and spend time together, and the food court plays a big role in facilitating those connections.”

In diverse and fast-growing communities such as Brampton, those spaces also help newcomers integrate into the broader community.

“In a market like Brampton, the shopping centre can act as a place where newcomers connect with their community,” Butler said. “It’s a space where people observe, interact, and become part of the local culture.”

Continued Investment in a Major Retail Destination

With more than 300 stores and services, Bramalea City Centre is among the largest enclosed shopping centres in Canada. The mall continues to attract major international retailers, including UNIQLO and JD Sports, alongside a mix of Canadian and global brands.

According to Butler, continued reinvestment remains critical to maintaining the centre’s relevance as retail continues to evolve.

“In a shopping centre environment, if you’re not evolving, you’re regressing,” he said. “Our goal is to continue reinvesting in the property so Bramalea City Centre remains a AAA regional shopping destination for Brampton, the Peel Region, and the broader GTA.”

The mall’s ownership group has demonstrated confidence in the market by continuing to invest in both the physical property and its tenant mix.

“Our ownership group has shown strong confidence in this market by investing in the asset and attracting the right tenants,” Butler said. “We’re optimistic about the future and believe the centre is well positioned for continued growth.”

 

More from Retail Insider:

What Luxury Really Is in a Changing World

Editor’s Note: This article is the second in a special Retail Insider thought leadership series exploring how luxury retail actually works, based on insights from luxury retail executive Douglas Mandel. [See last week’s, ‘The New Luxury Client’]

Luxury is one of the most overused and misunderstood words in retail. It is applied to everything from handbags to hotels, from watches to wellness retreats. Yet as global markets shift and consumer expectations evolve, the question becomes more urgent: what luxury really is, and what it is not.

Douglas Mandel, former VP of Dior who led Canada and a longtime luxury retail executive, offers a strategic lens on the subject. Drawing from experience across Europe, the Middle East, and North America, Mandel argues that luxury is not defined by price alone. It is defined by discipline, provenance, clarity of direction, and the courage to protect long-term brand equity over short-term revenue.

For Canadian retailers operating in an increasingly complex environment, this distinction matters. Economic volatility, global expansion, sustainability pressures, and digital transparency are forcing brands to clarify their identity. In that context, understanding what luxury really is becomes a strategic necessity.

Douglas Mandel

Scarcity as Strategy

“One of the first and most powerful lessons I learned at Dior was this: Want is a strategy. Scarcity is a tool,” Mandel says.

He recalls overseeing leather goods at Selfridges in London when Dior’s Paris headquarters issued a directive to restrict the supply of its iconic Lady Dior handbag. The decision was not driven by shortage. Inventory was available. Instead, each boutique was given a strict quota in order to heighten desire and protect perception.

Mandel describes a moment when a young woman came in hoping to purchase a Lady Dior as a graduation gift, only to be told the store had reached its allocation. After confirming availability at another location and sending her there, he witnessed firsthand the emotional power of controlled scarcity. She did not simply purchase a handbag. She experienced a story, a chase, and a sense of rarity.

Scarcity in luxury is not about manipulation. It is about meaning. In a market saturated with product, controlled distribution reinforces value. High-end Canadian retailers, particularly those balancing global supply chains with local demand, face increasing pressure to move inventory efficiently. However, Mandel’s perspective suggests that discounting may solve a short-term sales challenge while weakening long-term brand positioning.

Burning Inventory, Not Brand Equity

Mandel also addresses one of luxury’s most controversial historical practices: destroying unsold inventory rather than discounting it.

As a former general manager for Dior in Russia and the CIS, he observed end-of-life products being pulled and, in some cases, physically destroyed instead of cleared through markdowns. The rationale was clear. Protect brand equity, pricing power, and the emotional currency of scarcity.

Today, growing sustainability expectations have forced evolution in how brands handle excess stock. Transparency and environmental responsibility have become strategic imperatives. Yet the underlying philosophy remains intact. Luxury brands often choose to sacrifice short-term revenue in order to preserve long-term perception.

For Canadian retailers, this tension is increasingly visible. Consumers are more value conscious, yet luxury still relies on disciplined distribution. The strategic question becomes not how quickly product can be moved, but how brand equity can be protected.

The Colonnade on Bloor Street in Toronto. Image: Morguard

The Power of Brand Home

Another core pillar in understanding what luxury really is lies in the concept of the Brand Home.

Mandel describes the Brand Home as more than a founding address. It is the physical anchor of identity, a place where provenance, production, and experience intersect. Whether it is a vineyard in Bordeaux, a leather workshop in Florence, or a flagship in Paris, the Brand Home signals permanence.

In his view, a luxury brand without a meaningful Brand Home risks weakening its claim to authenticity over time. Provenance builds trust. Craftsmanship requires space and continuity. Experience is amplified when rooted in geography.

This perspective resonates in Canada, where luxury retail often operates at a distance from European ateliers and historic workshops. For brands entering the Canadian market, the question becomes how to communicate origin and integrity in a way that feels tangible and credible.

Permanence, Mandel suggests, is power. In an era of rapid expansion and social media-driven visibility, luxury brands must anchor themselves somewhere real.

Global Expansion as a Mirror

Opening stores in new countries, Mandel argues, is one of the fastest ways to learn what a brand truly stands for.

Global expansion tests not only logistics and supply chains, but cultural intelligence and emotional clarity. A brand that thrives in Toronto may require different service rhythms in Paris or Dubai. Localization is not dilution. It is translation.

However, Mandel cautions that successful global expansion depends on transporting culture, not just aesthetics. Operating systems, training frameworks, and service rituals must be codified and scalable. Without that discipline, brand identity can fragment.

For Canadian retailers expanding internationally, or global brands deepening their presence in Canada, this lesson is particularly relevant. Consistency is not about identical floorplans. It is about emotional coherence. The store in Vancouver does not need to look like the flagship in Milan. It must feel aligned in spirit, intention, and quality.

Global perspective often clarifies domestic positioning. By seeing how a brand performs abroad, leaders gain insight into what is essential and what is adaptable.

Production Integrity and Provenance

When asking what luxury really is, Mandel returns repeatedly to quality and provenance.

Luxury traditionally implied heritage and longevity. Clients purchased not only the object, but the years of reputation behind it. Today, newer brands can enter the luxury space without centuries of history, but only through extraordinary execution and uncompromising quality.

Where a product is made matters. Manufacturing in a country of origin signals control, values, and integrity. Outsourcing production may support scale, but it can dilute narrative.

For Canadian consumers, who increasingly value transparency and sustainability, provenance is more than romantic storytelling. It is proof of commitment. The more accessible information becomes, the more important production integrity will be to maintaining trust.

Royalmount in Montreal. Photo: Bruno Ranieri

The Clear View Strategy

Luxury strategy ultimately depends on clarity.

Mandel references what he calls the Clear View Strategy, a framework rooted in knowing precisely where a brand is headed over the next several years. When direction is clear, decisions become simpler. Leaders can decline distractions and move decisively when opportunities align.

He points to examples where brands acted quickly on high-impact opportunities because their strategic objectives were defined in advance. Without clarity, even promising initiatives can create confusion.

In today’s changing world, where luxury brands face economic headwinds, digital disruption, and shifting generational expectations, clarity of vision becomes a competitive advantage. Strategy is not a static document. It is a lens through which every tactical decision is evaluated.

What Luxury Really Is

Luxury is evolving. However, its foundational pillars remain intact.

It is quality expressed at the highest level. It is scarcity used with discipline. It is production rooted in provenance. It is a Brand Home that signals permanence. It is expansion guided by cultural intelligence. It is strategy grounded in clarity.

For Canadian retailers operating within an increasingly global luxury ecosystem, these principles offer direction. The temptation to chase volume, visibility, or rapid growth is strong. Yet as Mandel’s perspective makes clear, true luxury is built on patience, consistency, and long-term thinking.

In a world defined by acceleration, luxury remains deliberate.

Understanding what luxury really is is not an academic exercise. It is a strategic imperative. The brands that protect their identity, safeguard their equity, and define their direction clearly will not simply survive change. They will shape the next era of luxury retail.

More from Retail Insider:

Tonica Kombucha founder reflects on two decades of growth from kitchen startup to national brand

Zoey Shamai
Zoey Shamai

What began as a small home-brewing experiment in a Toronto bachelor apartment has grown into a national beverage business producing about 1,000 cases a day, according to the founder of Tonica Kombucha.

Zoey Shamai, founder and owner of the Ontario-based company, says the kombucha maker is now operating from a 12,000-square-foot production facility in Woodbridge and selling products across Canada through major retailers, after starting the business two decades ago with no intention of building a company.

“When I started kombucha, there was zero kombucha anywhere.”

At the time, kombucha, a fermented tea drink, was largely unknown in Canadian retail markets. Shamai said it existed mainly as a home-brewed beverage passed through communities over centuries before appearing among health-focused groups in North America.

Her introduction to the drink came while studying yoga and living in an ashram in New Mexico, where kombucha was commonly made.

Zoey Shamai
Zoey Shamai

“It was the first time I had ever seen it,” she said. “The next day for my digestion, it was so amazing that I fell in love with it, started making it, brought it back to Toronto, and that was the beginning of what was Tonica.”

Today, the kombucha category has expanded significantly in grocery stores, where entire sections are dedicated to the drink. The brand was at the forefront of introducing the beverage to Canadians.

From kitchen batches to production facility

The business began modestly. Shamai brewed kombucha in her apartment while working as a yoga instructor and waitress. Her first commercial opportunity came through a Toronto restaurant where she worked.

The establishment, one of the city’s early raw vegan restaurants, agreed to place the beverage on its menu.

“It tasted like a delicious soda or like an alcohol substitute,” she said. “From there, people started to ask if they could buy bigger bottles, and it sort of organically started to grow.”

That early arrangement lasted about six months before the restaurant decided to produce its own version of the drink. The setback led Shamai to pursue retail distribution.

Encouraged by her mother, an entrepreneur who helped pioneer a hemp consumer packaged goods company in Canada, Shamai began gathering signatures from consumers who said they would buy the product if it were sold in stores.

She then approached a health food retailer in Toronto with the list of potential customers.

“He said, ‘If you get insurance, I’ll do it,’” Shamai recalled. “So that’s how it started.”

The company moved out of Shamai’s apartment and into its first dedicated facility in 2009. As the business expanded, production operations shifted through several locations before settling into the current Woodbridge facility in 2018.

“We’ve had five different facilities as we expanded,” she said. “We’re starting to get close to outgrowing this one too.”

Building a national beverage operation

Tonica Kombucha now produces multiple formats, including bottles, cans, kegs and private-label products. The company distributes its beverages through brokers and distributors across Canada.

Shamai estimates production reaches about 1,000 cases daily.

“We run all through the week,” she said. “We have litre bottles, small bottles, cans, we do kegs, and we also do white labels.”

The product line includes about 10 flavours, with variations between packaging formats. Shamai said she initially developed the first group of flavours herself before expanding the process with a quality assurance team.

“My goal was to make kombucha not a health food, but to make it so delicious that anyone would enjoy it as a regular soda,” she said.

She credits the lighter flavour profile of Tonica’s beverages as a factor behind its expansion into major retail chains.

Zoey Shamai
Zoey Shamai

Growing alongside the category

Shamai said Tonica’s growth has paralleled the rising popularity of kombucha among consumers.

“When I started bringing kombucha to stores, there was no kombucha category. It was nowhere,” she said. “Now you walk in and you see shelves and shelves filled.”

She believes consumer awareness around nutrition and digestive health has played a role in the category’s development.

“I think as baby boomers started to age and the generations after became much more educated about the foods that they eat being essential to the health they have every day,” she said.

Despite the category’s growth, the company’s expansion was largely self-funded. Shamai said she reinvested revenue back into operations during the early years instead of seeking outside investment.

“For the first 10 years, there wasn’t anything to put into advertising or even pay myself,” she said. “It was really just customer loyalty, repeat customers and incredible retail partners that helped us grow.”

Tonica Kombucha photo
Tonica Kombucha photo

Dragon’s Den exposure

A turning point in brand awareness came after Shamai appeared on the television program Dragon’s Den in 2012.

She said three investors offered deals during the episode, including Arlene Dickinson, Kevin O’Leary and Jim Treliving. Although she initially accepted an offer involving O’Leary and Treliving, she later declined the partnership after the show during due diligence.

“I realized I really didn’t want to have them as partners,” she said.

Shamai returned to the program in 2016 for a follow-up segment highlighting the company’s progress.

She said the exposure helped open doors with large retailers.

“We had Metro reach out,” she said. “Then Shoppers Drug Mart, Farm Boy. To get into those big doors, it really was Dragon’s Den that helped open the door to the awareness.”

Scaling production challenges

One of the biggest operational challenges in building the company involved scaling production of a fermented beverage that many manufacturers were reluctant to handle.

“A lot of beverages are co-packed, but nobody wanted to touch kombucha because of the bacteria in it,” Shamai said.

She approached multiple co-packers and beer producers but found little interest.

“The challenge was figuring out how do I scale up this very delicate process,” she said. “It’s easy to make a couple of batches, but scaling it to volume with forecasts and numbers to meet that was one of the biggest challenges.”

Tonica Kombucha photo
Tonica Kombucha photo

Expansion and new products ahead

Looking ahead, Shamai said the company is preparing to introduce new products outside the kombucha category for the first time.

The development comes as the company nears capacity at its current facility.

“We’re about to launch a bunch of innovation, not kombucha, for the first time,” she said. “That’s really exciting.”

To mark its 20th anniversary, Tonica is introducing a DIY Kombucha Kit, giving Canadians the opportunity to brew their own kombucha at home using Tonica’s starter.

Despite the company’s growth, Shamai said the business developed gradually through operational improvements and reinvestment rather than a deliberate expansion strategy.

“I didn’t really have a plan to grow it into such a big company,” she said. “I just kept improving the systems and putting everything back into the business.”

Reflecting on the company’s path, she said early success was driven largely by customers returning to buy the product.

“It grew naturally,” Shamai said. “Customers felt it, they loved it, and they came back for more.”

More from Retail Insider:

Vancouver’s The Candy Room marks decade in business with renovation and online expansion plans

Rami and Maya Hawari
Rami and Maya Hawari

A Vancouver candy retailer is marking a decade in business by reopening its flagship store following renovations and preparing to launch an online shop aimed at extending its reach beyond its single physical location.

Rami Hawari, co-owner of The Candy Room with his wife Maya Hawari, said the business has grown steadily by positioning itself as a destination for international and hard-to-find confectionery while maintaining a focus on product innovation and customer demand.

“We started back in 2016. So it’s our 10-year anniversary this month now,” Hawari said, noting the company continues to operate from its original Robson Street location.

The milestone comes as the retailer completes upgrades to the approximately 1,400-square-foot store, which recently reopened after renovations. Hawari said the business has maintained a deliberate strategy of concentrating resources on a single bricks-and-mortar site while exploring new channels for growth.

For now, that growth is expected to come through e-commerce rather than additional physical locations.

“We are now launching our online shop,” he said. “We are doing lots of efforts now on the online shop. It should be up and running, hopefully sometime next month.”

Customer demand drives online expansion

Hawari said customer demand has played a key role in shaping that decision, particularly from visitors who travel to Vancouver and later want to repurchase products from their home provinces or countries.

“Lots of our customers are asking us to have an online store, especially those who come and visit from different provinces or from outside the country,” he said. “They wanted to buy the products again.”

The planned online platform is expected to carry between 2,000 and 3,000 items and offer shipping across Canada and internationally, potentially widening the company’s customer base while allowing it to build on brand recognition established through its physical storefront.

Since its launch, The Candy Room has sought to differentiate itself by emphasizing direct imports and a curated assortment of nostalgic and global confectionery. Hawari said the founding concept was to move beyond what he described as a traditional candy store format.

The Candy Room photo
The Candy Room photo

“When I first decided to open the store back in 2016, we wanted to present a candy store which is different than the traditional candy stores,” he said. “The focus was, and still is, to bring candies from all around the world to the customer base.”

The company has also built its identity around bulk product selection. Hawari said the store initially introduced more than 420 bulk candy options and has since expanded that offering following the recent renovation.

Emphasis on variety and international sourcing

“Once we just reopened now, it’s more than 440, something like that, different bulk items we have in the bin,” he said, adding he believes the store’s selection ranks among the largest in the country.

The emphasis on variety and international sourcing has shaped the retailer’s growth trajectory, according to Hawari, who described the business as becoming known for introducing emerging confectionery trends and unique flavours to the local market.

“We became like a trendsetter in that sense of the international candy trend,” he said. “It became known as exotic candy in terms of unique flavours and unique products in the market.”

While the company has remained focused on a single storefront, Hawari said the strategy reflects both operational discipline and a desire to strengthen the existing retail experience before pursuing broader physical expansion.

“For now, we’re focusing on that as a retail store,” he said.

Hawari’s interest in the confectionery sector predates the launch of The Candy Room. He said his family has been involved in the candy business for generations, providing early exposure to industry knowledge and shaping his long-term career direction.

“I come from a family who’s been in the candy business since my grandfather’s days,” he said. “I’ve always been around candy talk and the candy industry insights since I was a kid.”

That background contributed to his decision to pursue entrepreneurship within the sector, eventually leading to the creation of the Robson Street shop.

“I always had it on the back of my mind, whatever I do, candy was the main thing I always fell back to,” he said.

The Candy Room photo
The Candy Room photo

Over the past decade, Hawari said the business has built a reputation among candy enthusiasts seeking specialty products and nostalgic brands that are not widely available through conventional retail channels.

“The growth was very steady,” he said. “We became like the candy destination in Vancouver for all candy lovers and candy enthusiasts.”

Maintaining a focus on innovation

Looking ahead, Hawari said the company intends to maintain its focus on innovation, product sourcing and industry partnerships as it navigates its next phase.

“We always focus on innovation in terms of bringing new products, collaborating, that’s what sets us apart from all other people in the industry,” he said.

With its renovated store now open and online operations expected to launch soon, The Candy Room’s leadership is positioning the business to build on a decade of niche retail success while testing new ways to connect with customers beyond its West Coast base.

“We have the heritage we have, the history we have in the industry, and the focus we have on international candy and the knowledge in that domain,” Hawari said.

The Candy Room is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a soft opening right now of its renovated store. The grand opening is Friday March 20.

“We wanted to build a space that feels nostalgic yet current, where customers can discover viral, limited-edition and hard-to-find sweets from around the world,” said Maya Hawari.

More from Retail Insider:

Alabaster Homes expands Pavilion Cowork concept to Calgary with amenity-focused space

Pavilion Courthouse
Pavilion Courthouse

Vancouver-based developer Alabaster Homes is bringing its amenity-rich coworking model to downtown Calgary, aiming to provide flexible, experience-driven office space amid uncertain economic times. The new Pavilion Cowork location, which recently opened, occupies an entire floor near the Calgary courthouse and is being billed as the company’s largest and most thoughtfully designed facility to date.

The move underscores a shift in workplace strategy for many Canadian businesses, as demand grows for flexible, collaborative environments that foster community and networking rather than traditional office layouts. Herman Kwee, president of Alabaster Homes, said the Calgary expansion demonstrates how strategic amenities and flexible leases can help companies adapt to economic and operational uncertainty.

A Workspace Built for Collaboration

Alabaster Homes, originally a residential multifamily developer, launched Pavilion Cowork more than eight years ago to address both surplus space in its Vancouver offices and a desire to foster a collaborative environment for businesses. Rather than subleasing unused office square footage in a traditional model, the company created a shared workspace designed to facilitate networking, community, and operational support for member companies.

“The vision for our own space was to build a workplace where people enjoyed coming to every day, not somewhere they would just come in and sit behind a desk,” Kwee said. “We started thinking: instead of closing the doors, what if we opened them up and created one big space where people could do their best work together?”

Herman Kwee
Herman Kwee

Pavilion Cowork handles everything upfront for businesses, from IT setup to staff training and office build-outs, allowing tenants to focus on operations while avoiding significant capital expenditures. “It’s setup and us doing life together, walking alongside these businesses,” Kwee said.

Calgary Expansion Highlights Amenities

The new Calgary location emphasizes community-focused amenities that differentiate Pavilion from conventional office space. A large lounge will serve as a shared hub for member companies, complemented by regular events such as happy hours, fitness classes, and networking opportunities.

“What really makes Pavilion special is our approach to the way we’ve laid out and designed the space. It is not just office space or square footage. We lean heavily on experience for the members,” Kwee said. “It’s quite magical to see companies coexist, work and network among each other, and get to know each other.”

In addition to utilizing the location’s shared office spaces, members will benefit from high-speed secure internet, fitness facility and kitchen/lounge usage, private phone booth access, monthly event programming, and around the clock cleaning. Currently, the Pavilion team has brought on partners such as Caffe Levant, Better Day Meals, Coven Health Collective, Olia Macaron, Monogram Coffee, Sunday Flow, Sabi Mind, Field Kit Studio, and Hampton Inn by Hilton Calgary Downtown to provide members with exclusive access to discounts, offerings, and events. 

Clare Linton
Clare Linton

“Our hospitality-forward approach means we focus on supplying members with everything they need for their work day,” said Clare Linton, Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Operations. “The team has been working hard to curate offerings from Calgary’s most beloved brands and businesses. As someone who spent many years in this city, I’m really excited by the partners they’ve brought on board.”

Pavilion Cowork currently operates three locations in Vancouver, with additional sites planned for Greater Vancouver in late 2026 and early 2027. Calgary is the fourth location, marking the company’s first expansion outside its home market.

Flexibility in Uncertain Times

Kwee said the coworking model has been particularly well-suited to navigating economic uncertainty, including the challenges posed by ongoing tariff disputes and broader geopolitical pressures. By providing flexible, month-to-month memberships rather than long-term leases, Pavilion allows businesses to scale their office footprint in line with evolving needs.

“Business owners may not know what tomorrow beholds, but they still need office space and a place for their teams to work,” Kwee said. “The agreements and contracts we have allow them to grow or right-size as needed. It has been a very cost-effective and seamless way for businesses to provide office space for themselves.”

The approach also offers financial advantages. Pavilion assumes the upfront cost of build-outs on its balance sheet, spreading the expense across multiple member companies. “One of the benefits we provide is taking all of that upfront capital expenditure on ourselves, putting it on our balance sheet and doing the build-out on behalf of companies, and instead charging a membership fee,” Kwee said.

Pavilion Courthouse
Pavilion Courthouse

Building Optimism Through Community

Despite starting the coworking business at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kwee said the concept has proven resilient. Remote work remains common, but employees and business owners continue to value in-person community, collaboration, and culture-building.

“People who have been working from home for so many years are hungry to be in the midst of good community,” Kwee said. “We see a lot of companies motivated to get people back and for that collaborative spirit and culture to come back within the company.”

He added that the Calgary expansion reflects both market opportunity and a commitment to cultivating spaces where businesses can thrive in uncertain times.

More from Retail Insider:

Pavilion Courthouse
Pavilion Courthouse

Food businesses face penalties for mislabelling products as Canadian: CFIA

Canadians have been clear that they want to support Canadian businesses and buy Canadian products. Consumers deserve origin labels they can trust so they can make informed choices. Accurate origin labelling creates a fair marketplace that benefits both consumers and businesses. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said it is protecting consumers from misleading food labels and advertisements.

Since April 1, 2025, the Agency said it has issued $47,000 in financial penalties to businesses for inaccurate or misleading country of origin claims:

  • 1000717809 Ontario Limited (Fortinos Etobicoke) received a $10,000 penalty;
  • Fresh in The City Inc. received a $7,000 penalty;
  • Meatex Farms Ltd. received a $10,000 penalty;
  • Oxford Frozen Foods Inc. received a $10,000 penalty;
  • Real Canadian Superstore received a $10,000 penalty.

Food businesses are responsible for ensuring that all food products they sell, whether made in Canada or imported, meet Canada’s legislative requirements, said the Agency.

“The CFIA takes labelling issues seriously and is directly addressing the growing concern with Canadian food businesses over inaccurate and misleading origin claims. In addition to responding to complaints, we conduct inspections to verify origin claims on labels and advertisements, including in-store signage,” it said.

The Agency said this includes CFIA inspectors:

  • raising awareness of the importance of accurate labelling and reminding businesses of their regulatory responsibilities;
  • reviewing labels and business processes;
  • issuing inspection reports and requests for corrective action;
  • verifying corrective actions are in place to prevent future non-compliance;
  • taking enforcement actions.

The CFIA said it selects appropriate compliance and enforcement actions based on a range of considerations including, the degree of risk, the harm caused by the non-compliance, the compliance history of the regulated party, whether there is negligence or intent to violate federal requirements, and responsiveness to resolving the issue.

To learn more about how the CFIA takes action to address non-compliance: 6 things the CFIA does to keep Canada’s food supply safe

The CFIA said it wants to know about foods that consumers think are labelled in a misleading manner. Consumers and industry are encouraged to report these to the CFIA through its food complaint or concern web page.

People can visit the CFIA’s quick reference guide to learn how to identify Canadian food and to find out which foods are required to include country of origin on the label.

More from Retail Insider:

Daily Synopsis: Mar 16, 2026

Daily Synopsis2

Today’s Retail Insider articles are listed below, followed by Canadian Retail News From Around the Web. Coverage includes Canada’s retail job market decline with 18,000 fewer positions in February amid tightening inventories, Shake Shack’s expansion into Western Canada with a Calgary opening, and the accelerating trend of converting retail properties into residential spaces to address housing shortages.

🗞️ The Day’s Retail Insider Article List

🌐 Canadian Retail News From Around the Web