The Canadian Retail Landscape with Tony Flanz: Trends, Growth, and Exciting Brand Expansions [Video Interview]

Date:

The Canadian Retail Landscape with Tony Flanz: Trends, Growth, and Exciting Brand Expansions" [Video Interview]

Share post:

Craig Patterson and Tony Flanz, the founder and CEO of Montreal-based brokerage Think Retail, discuss the ever-evolving Canadian retail landscape.

Flanz discusses a few exciting new retail projects, including the Royalmount project in Montreal and The Well in Toronto, bringing a mix of global brands and unique concepts to the Canadian market.

The interview concludes with a glimpse into the exciting future of Canadian retail, with Flanz revealing upcoming brand expansions he’s working with. From the introduction of innovative concepts like KaleMart24 to the entry of well-established European brands, like Columbus Cafe, Flanz provides valuable insights into the trends shaping the retail landscape in the next few years.

Youtube video
Image: KaleMart24

The Interview Series video podcasts by Retail Insider Canada are available through our Retail Insider YouTube Channel where you can subscribe and be notified when new video episodes are available.

If you prefer to listen to the audio version, it is available below:

The Interview Series audio podcasts by Retail Insider Canada are available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Also check out our The Weekly audio podcast where Craig and Lee discuss popular content published on Retail Insider which is part of the The Retail Insider Podcast Network.

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. That was an interesting podcast. Given that Mr. Flanz is based in Montreal, I wish there had been enough time to inquire further about a few critical locations in the city, especially considering your question about mall-based versus street front or high street retail: for example, would there be the possibility of a retail revival along Rue Saint Denis or Rue Sherbrooke Street west that once had a collection of high-end shops? And is there enough of a market in Montreal for the latter to co-exist with next year’s upcoming Royalmount, or will we see the kind of suburbanization that has gutted downtown Winnipeg and Edmonton relative to retailing? The alchemy of creating or reviving a particular stretch of street as a destination for commerce is a fascinating issue in discussions about the real estate and urban planning.

Comments are closed.

RELATED ARTICLES

Load more

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

RECENT articles

Canadian retailers could face higher costs and rising prices due to tariffs: Coface

Furniture, cosmetics, hardware, appliances, dairy and seafood are among the retail categories most exposed to the current tariff measures.

The Book Corner pop-up launches at Guildford Town Centre (Photos)

The independent pop-up for book lovers will feature 1,000+ books with 100% of proceeds supporting the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society and literacy initiatives

HEQ partners with Sleep Country to offer perks to Ontario homeowners

The partnership will provide HEQ homeowners with exclusive Sleep Country offers, although the companies did not disclose the specific terms or value of the perks.

IKEA and Xbox launch gaming-focused home collection in Canada

The collection was developed jointly by IKEA and Xbox, with one designer from each company working on every piece.

Daily Synopsis: August 26, 2026

Buy Canadian movement accelerates, tariff war collides with Amazon plans, Loblaw flags tariff products, Mayrand opening Quebec store, downtown Toronto tailor offering $80k vicuna suit, and other news.

Promenades St-Bruno to invest $49.5M in food court redevelopment, new retail space

The project will relocate the existing lower-level food court to the current Marché des Promenades location, allowing the former food court area to be converted into retail space.

Joseph Ribkoff launches global direct-to-consumer platform, names Elizabeth Hurley campaign face

The campaign is built around its new brand philosophy, Elegance in Motion, which focuses on the idea that elegance changes with the women who wear the clothing.

Record results for Happy Belly Food Group in Q2

Record system-wide sales of $28.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, representing an increase of approximately 75% compared to $16.2 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2025.

Lessons for Mid-Market Retail from the Roots Acquisition

The Roots acquisition offers lessons for mid-market retailers on differentiation, brand value, cultural relevance and protecting the assets customers value.

Grocery, pharmacy and fitness fuel strong leasing demand for RioCan properties

The company’s retail portfolio is now effectively 99 per cent leased, supported by population growth, limited new retail supply and a tenant base that has become more resilient and necessity-focused.

MadHatters poised for continued growth

The new store has been designed around a simple philosophy: keep a good store, a happy ambiance, and happy staff, so customers have fun while they shop.

Canadian Restaurants Avoid Broad Food Tariff Hit as Supply Costs Face Pressure

Restaurants Canada welcomes Ottawa’s targeted tariff approach, but new duties on packaging, equipment and selected foods could add costs for operators.

Knix Opens First Atlantic Canada Store in Halifax as Retail Expansion Continues

Knix has opened its first Atlantic Canadian store at Halifax Shopping Centre as the Toronto-based intimates brand continues expanding its physical retail network.

Cadillac Fairview’s It’s Better in Real Life campaign targets today’s consumers

New consumer research suggests shoppers are looking for more than just stores, with nearly one-third of visits to its properties now driven by social reasons such as meeting friends or spending time together.

IKEA study finds household clutter creating tension as living spaces get smaller

The IKEA Store & Organise Report 2026: Finding Meaning in the Mess surveyed 31,488 people across 31 markets and found that 38 per cent of homes have someone who leaves things out with the expectation that another person will deal with them.

Canadian Retailers Face New Cost and Sourcing Pressures from U.S. Counter-Tariffs

Canada’s $27.6-billion counter-tariff package targets 874 U.S.-origin goods, creating new pricing, margin and sourcing challenges for Canadian retailers.

Birks names Sophie Nélisse brand ambassador as it launches new national campaign

Nélisse, who was born in Montreal and is known for her performances in Yellowjackets and Heated Rivalry, said the brand has been familiar to her since childhood.

Daily Synopsis: August 25, 2026

Loblaw backtracks on dropping country-of-origin produce labels, cosmetic tariffs threaten beauty, fashion and other sectors, Criterion opening video storefront in Toronto, shop-Canada app surges amid trade war, and other news.

Canada announces $27.6B in counter-tariffs on U.S. goods as retailers, restaurants and small businesses weigh impact

“Canada’s retail sector will shoulder a significant share of this burden, with so many essential consumer goods targeted."

Toronto’s Woodbine Mall and Fantasy Fair getting a roller rink this fall

The concept has opened more than 15 pop-ups in vacant retail spaces across the GTA and welcomed more than 250,000 skaters since 2021.