213: Brands Opening Stores & Ann Taylor, Mendocino and Swimco Filings/Closures

Date:

Share post:

This week Craig & Lee talk about brands opening stores including Dyson and Canada Goose, why experiential retail is needed for physical stores to survive, as well as filings and store closures for Ann Taylor, Mendocino and Swimco.  

The Weekly podcast by Retail Insider Canada is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Article Details: 

  1. Dyson to Open 3rd Canadian Retail Space in Calgary

  2. All Ann Taylor, LOFT and Justice Stores Closing in Canada  as US Parent Ascena Files
  3. Canadian Fashion Retailer ‘Mendocino’ to Permanently Shut Stores Amid Insolvency
  4. National Swimwear Retailer ‘Swimco’ Files for Creditor Protection: CEO Interview

Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast!

Follow Craig:

Follow Retail Insider:

Listen & Subscribe:

Share your thoughts!

Drop us a line at Craig@Retail-Insider.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!

Listen on Google Play Music

Share your thoughts!

Drop us a line at Craig@Retail-Insider.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!

Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

RELATED ARTICLES

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

RECENT articles

Apple’s AI Strategy Is Reshaping Its Hardware and Services Economics

Apple generated US$478.8 billion in fiscal 2026 revenue as rising memory prices and AI computing costs put pressure on margins. Its strategy includes paid AI services, enterprise applications and new advertising opportunities for Canadian retailers.

Primaris Expands Méga Parc with $1 Million Atlas Mini-Golf Attraction

Primaris REIT is opening the nearly $1-million Atlas Mini-Golf attraction at Méga Parc in Quebec City. New interviews reveal the landlord's entertainment strategy, projected operating revenue, growing events business and plans for further investment in 2028.

Samsung Canada Takes Smartphone Rivalry to the Streets with Three-City Billboard Campaign

Samsung Canada deployed mobile digital billboards in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal as part of a rapid-response campaign promoting its Galaxy Z Fold8. Samsung executive Christian Di Vincenzo explains the retail strategy, Edelman's role and the company's reported results.

Casavogue Highlights Canadian-Made Bermex Dining Furniture

Casavogue in Montréal showcases Canadian-made Bermex dining furniture, including the Expression and Clara tables and Rocko and Luca chairs. The Québec manufacturer offers customizable wood finishes and upholstery, with showroom consultants helping customers plan coordinated dining spaces.

The Kitchen to open 9,000-square-foot dining destination at Toronto’s Mirvish Village in 2027

A new Toronto food hall will bring 12 local restaurant brands together in a 460-seat dining space featuring automated food delivery and community event facilities.

Retail Insider “Q3 2026 Real Estate & Leasing Report”: Signed Space Must Become Paying Space

High occupancy and stronger replacement rents coexist with costly anchor redevelopments. Retail Insider’s Q3 report examines why openings, rent commencement and capital returns will determine the value of current leasing progress.

RioCan Retail Occupancy Hits Record 98.9% as Leasing Demand Drives Rental Growth: Executive interview

RioCan reports strong demand for retail space, 17% leasing spreads and expansion opportunities as it outlines its strategy for portfolio growth heading into 2027.

Intuit Mailchimp research finds personalized emails boost Canadian holiday shopping sales

Canadian ecommerce businesses saw higher order values and repeat purchases through targeted email campaigns, according to new Intuit Mailchimp research examining billions of marketing messages.

Gildan cuts 2026 outlook as weaker apparel demand weighs on third-quarter sales

Gildan Activewear lowers its 2026 revenue and earnings forecasts after weaker-than-expected demand across wholesale and retail channels, while continuing its HanesBrands integration.

Hirevue examines how AI is changing holiday hiring as employers prepare for seasonal rush

Hirevue's Christie Brodbeck discusses holiday hiring trends, seasonal job demand and how AI is helping employers screen applicants, validate skills and recruit more efficiently.

Bio-K+ expands retail distribution across Canada and U.S. with new partnerships and product launches

The Quebec-based probiotic company is expanding into Walmart, Costco.ca, Circle K and major U.S. grocery chains as it broadens its North American retail and e-commerce presence.

Mandy’s Gourmet Salads to launch Calgary delivery service through Uber Eats

Montreal-based Mandy’s Gourmet Salads will enter the Calgary market Nov. 9 with delivery of its salads, bowls, soups and smoothies through Uber Eats.

Morguard Reports 90.3% Retail Occupancy as Third-Quarter Retail NOI Declines

Morguard reported 90.3 per cent retail occupancy in the third quarter of 2026, while adjusted net operating income from its retail portfolio declined year over year amid higher vacancies and lower lease cancellation fees.

Crombie REIT reports higher funds from operations as occupancy reaches record level

Crombie REIT reported a 3 per cent increase in third-quarter funds from operations per unit, stronger rental rates and a planned $134-million acquisition of 13 Ontario retail properties.

Daily Synopsis: November 4, 2026

Some Canadians skipping meals amid grocery costs, Diwali finds wider audience, Amazon breaks ground on huge Nova Scotia warehouse, 3 bookstores opening in Vancouver, 2 Costco stores opening soon in Alberta, and other news.

Plaza Retail REIT reports higher earnings, occupancy and cash flow in third quarter

Plaza Retail REIT reported higher funds from operations, a 98.3 per cent committed occupancy rate and increased net operating income for the first nine months of 2026.

SmartCentres reports higher occupancy and retail leasing growth in third quarter

SmartCentres reported 98.2 per cent retail occupancy and higher rental income in the third quarter, while advancing new Walmart-anchored developments and expanding its self-storage portfolio.

Peloton Rebuilds Canadian Retail Presence Through Fitness Factory Partnership

Peloton is expanding its Canadian physical retail network from two to ten locations through The Fitness Factory. The partnership follows earlier showroom closures and accompanies three new treadmills as the company increases its focus on running.

KIT + ACE Expands Canadian Network to 18 Locations with Brentwood Store, Prepares U.S. Entry

KIT + ACE is expanding to 18 Canadian locations with a new store at The Amazing Brentwood in Burnaby. CEO David Lui also confirms the Vancouver-founded apparel retailer is working toward finalizing its first U.S. store under Unity Brands.

A Price Freeze That Doesn’t Freeze Canadian Grocery Bills

Sylvain Charlebois questions whether the grocery industry's annual supplier price blackout benefits Canadian shoppers. His analysis of historical monthly food-price changes highlights the distinction between frozen supplier negotiations and prices at the checkout.