Order of Canada awarded to 4 Canadians involved in retail

Date:

Share post:

Printemps department store, Paris. Interior design and photo by Yabu Pushelberg



90 people have just been appointed to the Order of Canada, including four Canadians who are either directly or indirectly involved in the world of retailing. The winners include:

  • 1) Jeanne Beker, fashion television personality, author, newspaper columnist and fashion brand founder,
  • 2) George Yabu and 3) Glenn Pushelberg of international design firm Yabu Pushelberg, responsible for some of the world’s finest store interiors, and
  • 4) Sobeys Inc. founder and arts philanthropist Donald Sobey.

For those unfamiliar, the Order of Canada is awarded each year to Canadians who are considered to have attained a high degree of merit, an outstanding level of talent and service, or an exceptional contribution to Canada and to humanity. It was established in 1967 and close to 6,000 Canadians have received the award to date.


The following is a brief description of each of the four winners:


**********



Jeanne Beker [Image Source]

Jeanne Beker is best known for being the host of the now cancelled television show Fashion Television. She hosted the show between 1985 and 2012. She continues to write for publications including the Toronto Star, and in 2010 she launched a clothing line called EDIT by Jeanne Beker which is carried at Hudson’s Bay stores across Canada.




**********
George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg [Image Source]

George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg’s design firm, Yabu Pushelberg, has designed some of the world’s most beautiful retail store interiors, including those at Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys in New York, Printemps in Paris and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong/China. When Lane Crawford’s former President, Bonnie Brooks, moved into a leadership role at Canada’s Hudson’s Bay, she had Yabu Pushelberg design luxury departments ‘The Room‘ in Toronto and in Vancouver. Further Hudson’s Bay (and Lord & Taylor) store renovations continue under George and Glenn’s direction.




**********
Donald Sobey [Image Source]

Donald Sobey founded Sobeys Inc. and has served as President of its parent company Empire Company Ltd. since 1969. He has held numerous other retail-related director positions and is also heavily involved in the arts and philanthropy. He is Chair of the National Gallery of Canada, Governor of the Olympic Trust of Canada, past Chairman of the QEII Foundation and a member of the Advisory Council of Queen’s University.


[Article Source: CBC]

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Recent articles

Creative Production Supports Retail Growth in Canada

Brandomatic Studios helps retailers scale creative production across digital and in-store channels with consistent execution.

Open Farm partnering with PetSmart

Open Farm is partnering with PetSmart.ca to expand its pet nutrition portfolio to nearly 1,700 stores across the U.S., Canada and online.

Canada’s Luxury Retail Market Enters a More Strategic Era

Canada’s luxury retail market is evolving through flagship expansion, mixed-use development, and shifting urban retail ecosystems. Craig Patterson interviews Casdin Parr.

Endy expands retail partnership with Silk & Snow through new Winnipeg store

The companies have previously collaborated on co-branded locations in Edmonton and Vancouver.

DAVIDsTEA Returns to Oshawa Centre as Expansion Continues

DAVIDsTEA has opened a new store at Oshawa Centre as the retailer continues its Canadian expansion with locations planned in Mississauga, Edmonton and Burnaby.

Retail Remains an Outlier as Canada’s Labour Market Rebounds

Canada added 88,000 jobs in May, but retail lost 35,000. Suzanne Sears explains how careers, hiring and AI are reshaping retail employment.

Instacart expands Fulfillment Pro with new delivery management, picking capabilities

Designed to help grocers streamline order fulfillment by bringing delivery, picking and labour management into a single system, addressing inefficiencies caused by disconnected tools.

AWS launches AI shopping assistant service for retailers, expanding Amazon technology beyond its platform

The new tool can reduce development timelines for retailers seeking to build AI-powered interfaces, with deployments possible in a matter of weeks rather than years.

CF Market Mall partners with Calgary Wild FC on in-mall soccer activation (Photos)

The event, called “The Ultimate Tryout,” will run until June 27 inside the Calgary shopping centre and feature a series of soccer-themed activities, digital simulations and athlete appearances.

Sagamité to open Wendat restaurant and retail space at Québec City airport

The 273-square-metre restaurant and shop will begin serving travellers in the fall 2026, offering dine-in and takeaway food alongside Indigenous-made goods.

From The Desk: Strategic Expansion and Consumer Shifts Define Canadian Retail in Early June

Canadian retail continued to evolve this week, with store expansions, leadership changes, consumer trends, and economic insights shaping the industry's direction.

Ferrari-Themed Calgary Fundraiser Offers $150,000 Trip to Italy for Children’s Diabetes Initiatives

A Calgary fundraiser is offering a $150,000 Ferrari experience in Maranello and Monza while raising funds for children's diabetes initiatives and pediatric diabetes care programs.

Daily Synopsis: Jun 5, 2026

Questions about Zellers' success in struggling retail sector, pot stores have high hopes for World Cup fans, downtown Calgary Hudson's Bay building shows signs of disrepair, widespread criminal gangs hit retail, and other news.

VIDEO: Franchise model helps Ontario bakery owner navigate economic uncertainty

Franchising can offer operational assistance such as human resources and technology support, along with brand recognition that helps create a stronger foundation for new business owners.

Jobs increase in May, unemployment rate edges down: Statistics Canada

Accommodation and food services sees employment growth while wholesale and retail trade experience decrease.

Veronica Beard Opens Third Canadian Store at Vancouver’s Oakridge Park

Veronica Beard has opened its third Canadian store at Vancouver's Oakridge Park, building on strong growth in Toronto, Montreal, and online.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge unveils $100M transformation

This marks the latest in a series of investments by owner Oxford Properties in Canada, where the firm has committed more than $2 billion since 2025.

Inside the Brokerage Deals Reshaping Luxury Retail in Canada

Luxury retail expansion at Oakridge Park and Yorkdale is reshaping Canada’s retail landscape as brokerages help global fashion brands secure flagship locations in the country’s top luxury destinations.

Cellzy preparing for aggressive launch in Canada

A new modern retail concept focused on accessories, electronics and repair services, is preparing for an aggressive launch phase, with plans to open five new locations in 2026.

HEAL Wellness expands across Canada and U.S., targets 100 locations by end of 2026

What started as a single Ontario location has now grown to more than 37 locations across the country.

Big City Mayors call for federal action to bolster downtowns, drive economic growth

City leaders say revitalizing downtowns is central to broader national economic goals, with impacts on employment, business activity and community well-being.

Ocgrow Group expands into luxury hospitality with launch of premium hotel division

The company’s first hotel offering is located within Greystone, a 150-acre master-planned community where Ocgrow is the largest developer and landlord.

Retail and Grocery Leaders Honoured at RCCSTORE2026 Awards Programs

Retail Council of Canada recognized retailers, brands and industry leaders at RCCSTORE2026 through its Excellence in Retailing Awards and Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards.

Daily Synopsis: Jun 4, 2026

T&T Supermarkets opening at CF Sherway Gardens, MEC owner acquires Saint John Mall, Lululemon reports slower Canadian sales, Walmart launches Walmart+ membership in Canada, and other news.

Lululemon Sees Canadian Sales Decline as North American Growth Slows

Lululemon reported declining sales in Canada and lowered its annual outlook as the retailer works to rebuild momentum in North America amid growing competition.