SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Iconic BIC® Cristal Reimagined as Seletti Lamp, Available for Pre-Order at Maison Territo

News Retail Insider -
Maison Territo introduces Seletti’s new BIC® Lamp, a 12:1 reimagining of the iconic BIC® Cristal pen, now available for pre-order in Montréal.

Canadian economy bounces back in Q2: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
"The problem going forward is that trade uncertainty is back with new U.S. tariffs now imposed, Canadian retaliation due early next month, and the prospect of further escalation hard to dismiss."

DUER expands to Winnipeg market with new store at CF Polo Park

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The retailer has mapped 10 additional stores over the next 24 months, though Canadian retail is only one part of that vision. 

IGA Returns to Longtime Edmonton Grocery Site Following L’OCA Closure

News Craig Patterson -
Sobeys has reopened the Valleyview IGA in west Edmonton following L’OCA Market’s closure, returning the IGA banner to a grocery site with more than 60 years of history.

Cineplex Turns Movie Fandom Into Growing Retail Business

News Lee Rivett -
Cineplex is turning movie fandom into a growing retail business as merchandise sales jump 45% and moviegoer spending reaches record levels.

JD Sports Opens Downtown Montreal Flagship as Canadian Expansion Accelerates

News Craig Patterson -
JD Sports has opened a new flagship at 777 Sainte-Catherine Street West in downtown Montreal as the retailer rapidly expands its Canadian store network.

Best Buy Canada Sales Decline as Express Expansion Matures

News Lee Rivett -
Best Buy Canada revenue fell 4.2% in Q2 as the retailer lapped strong growth tied to its 167-store Best Buy Express expansion.

Explosive growth seen for Jersey Mike’s concept in Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company plans to open another 25 locations in 2027 as it works toward its initial goal of 300 Jersey Mike’s restaurants in Canada over the next 10 to 12 years.

Lessons retailers can learn from the Value Village experience: Doug Stephens

News Mario Toneguzzi -
“What they're really selling, when you get right down to it, is they're selling dopamine."

Retail payroll employment declines in June: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
In June, the largest monthly declines in retail trade were in grocery and convenience retailers (-1,200; -0.3%).

Coffee Bike concept continues to expand across Canada (Video)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The first Coffee Bike in 2018 and has since sold 42 units to 27 owners.

EMERGE reports 7.4% revenue growth in Q2 2026

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Gross profit increased 14.8 per cent to $3.55 million from $3.09 million, while gross margin rose to 39 per cent from 36.5 per cent.

Vistera Launches Canadian-Built Platform for SMB Services

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said the launch marks a turning point for professional services in Canada.

Daily Synopsis: August 27, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Chapman's Ice Cream to cut American ingredients, Montreal Shein pop-up sees protest, Saskatchewan launches 50% US alcohol tariff, Drake launching U of T collection for fall, SSENSE grapples with new tariffs, and other news.

Renewed ‘Buy Canadian’ Movement Begins Reshaping Retail Strategy

News Lee Rivett -
The Buy Canadian movement is gaining momentum as retailers promote domestic products, consumers seek Canadian alternatives and tariffs reshape retail strategy.

Authentic Takes Majority Stake in Drake’s OVO as Vince Takes Over Retail Operations

News Craig Patterson -
Authentic Brands Group has announced its acquisition of a majority stake in OVO's intellectual property, co-founded by Drake. The partnership aims to expand OVO's global reach while maintaining its creative identity.

Lessons for Mid-Market Retail from the Roots Acquisition

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

Samsung Canada Reinforces Role of Physical Retail as Technology Evolves

News Craig Patterson -
Samsung Canada is investing in experience-led stores that support product discovery, education and service as consumers increasingly move between digital and physical shopping channels.

Reitmans Names Lilly Singh and Katherine Levac as New National Ambassadors for Fall 2026 Campaign

News Mario Toneguzzi -
On Monday, August 17, Reitmans brought fashion courtside at Scotiabank Arena, transforming the Toronto Tempo court into a live runway for 146 guests, composed...

Corby Spirit and Wine Limited sees record full-year Fiscal 2026 results 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
FY26 Revenue of $271.6 million (+10%) and Organic Revenue +11%.

Purdys Chocolatier to open four Maritime locations Sept. 4

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The expansion adds a new regional market for the Vancouver-based company, which has operated as a family-owned business since 1907.

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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

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

Daily Synopsis: August 26, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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.

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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Craig Patterson -
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

News Craig Patterson -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Lee Rivett -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
“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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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.

Evening Coffee Orders Nearly Triple in Canada as Restaurants Tap New Beverage Trend: Lavazza

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Coffee is no longer just a morning ritual. Restaurants across Canada are finding a new use for their espresso machines well after the dinner rush.

Canadian SMEs remain optimistic but take more cautious approach to hiring and AI investment: Employment Hero

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The survey suggests businesses are increasingly looking at AI as a tool for day-to-day operations rather than simply experimenting with the technology, with productivity and efficiency among the stated priorities.

Back-to-School lunch basket falls 2.8%, but relief may be temporary: report

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Promotions are easing costs for families, while seasonal pressures and geopolitical risks could push some prices higher by December

Maureen Simon Foods launches Rolliis in 7-Eleven stores across Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said the products are being introduced across the convenience-store chain as it seeks to bring its lineup of Caribbean-inspired foods to a wider Canadian customer base.

Toronto Waterfront Looks to Events and Activation as District Builds Toward 2035

Retailer News Craig Patterson -
Waterfront BIA is mapping a new events and activation strategy as transit, development and commercial growth reshape Toronto’s waterfront through 2035.

Most Canadian small businesses unaware of new open banking law: Xero survey

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Eighteen per cent of respondents said they currently share their online banking username and password with an accountant, bookkeeper, employee or software tool. Twenty-two per cent said they had done so at some point.

Arc’teryx Sees Potential for 200 Stores in North America as Expansion Accelerates

News Craig Patterson -
Arc’teryx sees potential for roughly 200 stores across North America as the Vancouver-founded brand expands retail, women’s and footwear.

Canadian Retailers Push Sustainability Deeper Into Operations as Business Case Evolves

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian retailers are integrating sustainability into stores, logistics, packaging, resale and supply chains as regulation and business economics evolve.

Daily Synopsis: August 24, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Canadians still head to malls, Ilia Beauty grows out of Vancouver roots, Reformation opening at CF Toronto Eaton Centre Sept. 1, Toronto camera store closing after 25 years, and other news.

Casavogue Highlights Made-in-Italy Design from Calligaris

News Retail Insider -
Casavogue showcases Calligaris, the Italian furniture brand known for refined extendable dining tables, elegant chairs and Made-in-Italy craftsmanship.
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