Advertisement
Advertisement

Season 3, Episode 6: Brick-and-Mortar Retailers Continue to Expand in Canada Despite Pandemic [Podcast]

Date:

Share post:

This week, Craig and Lee discuss how increased leasing activity, including new stores for Diptique, EQ3 and Uniqlo signal confidence in physical retail.

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.

Discussed this episode:

  1. Cadillac Fairview to Redevelop Former Sears at CF Polo Park in Winnipeg Including EQ3 Flagship
  2. BRIEF: Diptyque to Enter Canada with Stores, Prada Opens Montreal Women’s Boutique, including:
    • French Luxury Fragrance and Candle Brand ‘Diptyque’ Expanding Into Canadian Market
    • Hudson’s Bay Shutting Oakridge Centre Store Until 2024
    • Uniqlo Announces 2nd Montreal-Area Store Opening Date
  3. Luxury Candle Brand Opens Beautiful 1st Retail Space

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!

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/

1 COMMENT

  1. Hi .. wondering if you have any information in when Uniqlo will open a store in Calgary. I have been to many Uniqlo stores in UK, Hong Kong, China, Korea, US …. Etc and I do like their offerings.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More From Retail Insider

Load more

RECENT RETAIL INSIDER VIDEOS

Advertisment

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

RECENT articles

Cyber threats hurting retail sector: EY

AI-enabled cyber threats are targeting retail, telecom and energy, says EY’s Global Cybersecurity Threat Outlook 2026.

Small Business: Elevating First Impressions Online

By Erin Shea, Senior Director of North America Marketing at VistaPrint, packaging is the first storefront for small businesses online.

Golf Town and Brooke Henderson cement decade-long partnership

This renewal marks more than a decade of collaboration, evolving from a landmark partnership into a lasting legacy dedicated to fueling the continued growth of golf in Canada.

First Capital acquisition deal worth $9.4 billion

First Capital REIT, KingSett Capital, and Choice Properties REIT announced Thursday that they have entered into an agreement...

RONA Foundation’s 2026 Build from the Heart campaign is on

The RONA Foundation is a charity established in 1998 whose mission is to help improve the quality of life of Canadians in need by revitalizing their living environments or making it easier to access housing.

UniverCell Canada Expands Through Franchising Growth

UniverCell Canada expands with franchising and a new Mississauga store, offering transparent pricing in the growing device repair market.

Canadian Spending Holds Steady as Consumers Shift Priorities

Moneris data shows Canadians remain cautious but continue spending, with shifts toward value, essentials, and experiences.

The Ball Depot Launches E-Commerce Platform

The Ball Depot, a US-based retailer specializing in sports equipment, is set to open its first Canadian store, marking its expansion into the Canadian market. This move signifies the company’s commitment to serving Canadian athletes.

Adyen expands Giving program worldwide

Adyen says Canadian donations through Giving tripled from 2024 to 2025 as it expands adidas checkout donations to Europe, Brazil and Mexico.

Canada’s Shrinking Middle Class Is Fueling Food Inflation

As Canada’s middle class erodes, the country’s food economy is splitting, driving persistent inflation and weakening innovation.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 15, 2026

Uniqlo announces Winnipeg opening date, Winners accused of closing some store washrooms, food suppliers adding surcharges, Ontario moves to ban employees paying for uniforms, Montreal businesses await boost as Canadiens clinch playoff spot, and other news.

Iran Conflict Could Trigger New Food Price Shock in Canada

Oil and fertilizer spikes tied to Iran tensions could drive a new wave of food price increases across Canada in the months ahead.

Galion buys 5 RONA stores on Montréal’s South Shore

Marking a key strategic milestone for Galion, this initiative adds 620,000 square feet to its portfolio.

More businesses have been closing than opening in Canada: CFIB

The entrepreneurial drought, a sustained period of four or more quarters where business exits outpace new business entries, has been ongoing since early 2024.

Retail Crime Crisis Intensifies for Canadian Small Business

New CFIB and SOS data show rising retail crime is straining Canadian small businesses, increasing safety concerns and operational challenges.

How Luxury Retail Actually Works: Retail & Store Execution

Inside luxury retail execution, from flagship storytelling and pop-up strategy to operational playbooks that scale performance. Craig Patterson interviews expert Douglas Mandel.

Michael Hill Opens Vancouver Flagship at CF Pacific Centre

Michael Hill opens a new flagship at CF Pacific Centre as Canada drives growth and supports its premium retail transformation.

Canadian Milk Prices Hit Record Highs, Regional Gaps Widen

Field Agent data shows Canadian milk prices rising faster than farmgate costs, with major regional gaps and higher prices than the U.S.

Michaels rewards program launches new benefits in Canada

Michaels operates over 1,300 stores across 49 U.S. states and Canada, including 138 stores across all 10 Canadian provinces.

Canadian Franchise Association announces winners of the  2026 CFA Recognition Awards

The awards will be presented during the Recognition Awards Luncheon on Sunday April 19 at the CFA National Convention at The Westin, Ottawa, Ontario.

FEATURES ON RETAIL INSIDER

Läderach Unveils New Boutique on Toronto’s Bloor Street

Craig Patterson -
Läderach has opened a new boutique on Bloor Street, marking the Swiss chocolatier’s first Canadian street-front location. A national expansion will see more Vancouver locations before moving into Alberta.

King Living opens flagship Toronto showroom

Craig Patterson -
Australian brand King Living opens a 12,000-sq-ft Toronto showroom in the Castlefield Design District, offering modular furniture, design services, and a gallery-like retail experience.

The Kenrick Hotel Banff Unveils Major Luxury Renovation

Craig Patterson -
The Kenrick Hotel in Banff reopens after a multi-phase luxury renovation by BUILD IT, offering upgraded suites, spa, dining, and event spaces.

Jollibee to Open 100 Canadian Locations in 5 Years

Unique Retailer ‘Hodge Podge Toys’ Relocates for Growth

BRIEF: Old Navy Announces 3 Stores, SSENSE to Unveil 5-Storey Flagship

Load more
spot_img
spot_img

About

Contact

Media

Follow

© 2025 Retail Insider Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved. The content on this website is protected by the copyrights of Retail Insider Media Ltd. or the copyrights of third parties and used by agreement. No part of any of the content of this website may be reproduced, distributed, modified, framed, cached, adapted or linked to, or made available in any form by any photographic, electronic, digital, mechanical, photostat, microfilm, xerography or other means, or incorporated into or used in any information storage and retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of Retail Insider Media Ltd. or the applicable third party copyright owner.