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Sephora Canada to open its first-ever small store in Kitsilano, Vancouver

The opening marks Sephora Canada's 147th store nationwide.

Canada moves into a technical recession, but retail sector sees quarterly growth

Retail trade rose 1.0% in the first quarter, with health and personal care retailers (+3.5%) and general merchandise stores (+3.2%) contributing the most to the sector's quarterly growth.

Tilley Expands Retail Footprint With Three New Stores

Tilley is expanding its Canadian store network with new locations at The Well, Victoria and Bayview Village as the brand evolves beyond hats.

Canadians Turn Stores Into ‘Third Spaces’: Adyen

Gen Z’s lead the adoption of stores as third spaces (69%), followed by Millennials (61%), Gen X (57%), and Boomers (51%).

OAKBERRY Açaí Launches 2026 Canada Expansion

Additional locations are currently in development, with more to be announced soon, bringing the Canadian total to over 40 stores by the end of 2026.

Jobs in retail and hospitality sectors continue to decline: Statistics Canada

On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in retail trade was down by 20,300 (-1.0%).

Canada’s Counter-Tariffs Result in Temporary Price Increases

In 2025, Canada imposed counter-tariffs on US imports, causing a notable increase in retail prices. The analysis reveals that these price hikes were short-lived, largely dependent on retailers' expectations and transparency with consumers.

Oakridge Park Opens to Crowds in Vancouver

Oakridge Park opened to large crowds in Vancouver, unveiling 500,000 square feet of retail with luxury brands, dining and more to come.

Daily Synopsis: May 28, 2026

Retail Insider's latest articles cover Toronto retail evolution, brand strategy shifts, grocery trends, and leadership updates in Canadian retail.

L’Oréal Canada announces appointment of Stéphane Bérubé as President and CEO

L'Oréal Canada Canada is a subsidiary of the L'Oréal Group, the world's leading beauty company.

Toronto’s Retail Corridors Are Evolving, Says Arlin Markowitz

Toronto retail corridors are evolving as wellness, dining, fashion, and lifestyle brands reshape the city’s urban shopping streets.

KOMBI Expands Beyond Winter With New Rainwear Collection

Canadian brand KOMBI is expanding beyond winter accessories with a new rainwear collection focused on urban commuting and year-round growth.

Brands Retreat From Pride Sponsorships in Canada as Consumers Scrutinize Support

Major brands are scaling back Pride sponsorships in Canada as consumers increasingly demand authentic, year-round LGBTQ+ support, according to a new study.

EMERGE reports “strong” Q1 2026 results with increase in revenue and gross profit

Q1 revenue grew to $5.9M vs. $5.0M, an increase of 17.5% YoY, marking the 8th consecutive quarter of YoY revenue growth.

Why Physical Grocery Retail Still Drives Product Discovery

Canadian consumers still discover and try food products primarily in-store despite growing digital grocery engagement.

The Scented Market founder Kristy Miller recognized for entrepreneurial growth and community impact: Video

The Scented Market is expanding retail partnerships across Canada and the United States while continuing community-focused initiatives.

Happy Belly Food Group signs multi-year exclusive national partnership with Uber Eats Canada

The company's portfolio includes Heal Wellness, Rosie's Burgers, Yolks Breakfast, Via Cibo Italian Street Food, and others.

 43% of consumers deterred by hidden costs when shopping internationally: Landmark Global

This concern is even more pronounced in Canada, where 59% of consumers cite hidden costs as a key barrier.

Canadian beverage sector exceeds national calorie reduction target two years ahead of schedule

Canadians purchased 23 per cent fewer calories from nonalcoholic beverages in 2024 than in 2014.

Daily Synopsis: May 27, 2026

Lululemon reaches agreement with Chip Wilson over board nominees, thrift store popularity up, Longo's opening in King City, Shein accused of stealing Indigenous designs, and other news.

Why Chicken Prices in Canada Could Surge Again This Summer

Chicken prices in Canada could rise again this summer as supply shortages, imports, and market pressures intensify across the poultry industry.

Out on the Street Opens New Toronto Village Store

Out on the Street has opened a redesigned Toronto Village store after 34 years, expanding accessibility, brands, and retail offerings.

Merrithew Opens STOTT PILATES Flagship at Yonge and Bloor

Toronto-based Merrithew opens a new STOTT PILATES flagship and academy at Yonge and Bloor amid growing wellness demand.

Jersey Mike’s, Redberry commit to raise $1 million for Make-A-Wish Canada by 2030 (Video)

The fundraising commitment follows nearly $270,000 raised by Jersey Mike’s locations in Canada since the start of 2024.

Toronto hospitality industry braces for FIFA World Cup surge: Video with Val Upfold

Restaurants, bars, hotels, and event-related businesses have struggled with labour shortages for years, even before the pandemic.

Tim Hortons moves to defend market share as Dunkin’ plans Canadian return: Video with Bruce Winder

The company’s pledge to hire 10,000 local workers may help improve public perception while addressing high youth unemployment.

Canadian fashion boutique Aldila celebrates four decades of dressing women

What began in 1986 as a single shop on Vancouver’s Robson Street has blossomed into a multigenerational family legacy.

eBay Live gains momentum in Canada with interactive shopping experiences

eBay Live is described as a whole new interactive livestream shopping experience, a whole new way to shop.

Canadians cool down summer spending as cost pressures heat up: TD survey 

35% of Canadians plan to spend less this summer

Daily Synopsis: May 26, 2026

Second-hand shopping grows as fuel prices increase, Flight Centre Canada appoints leader, Shell partners with Scene+, Healthy Planet opening Toronto store, Dressew sells Vancouver building with permanent closure date, Oakridge Park opens this week, and other news.

Food World Plus Set to Transform Former Highland Farms in Mississauga

Food World Plus is preparing to open a massive international grocery and food destination in a former Highland Farms space in Mississauga.

Why Retail Spaces Aren’t Converting Despite Demand

Retailers are leaving money on the table as poor merchandising and layout prevent stores from converting demand into sales, says an expert.

ROYALMOUNT Expands Luxury Race Week Experience in Montreal

Concours ROYALMOUNT returned during Formula 1 week with luxury automotive displays, retail activations and public programming.

Tourism sector set to deliver more than $100M in sales at Canada’s largest international tourism trade show

Travel and tourism revenue is projected to increase by six per cent and reach $140.9 billion this year.

MEC to open first permanent Gear Swap Store in Canada as part of Kelowna store refresh

The pilot will allow members to trade in used outdoor gear for credit, shop secondhand equipment and access repair services through a dedicated 2,200-square-foot adjacent retail space staffed by MEC experts.

Dr. Phone Fix enters New Brunswick market through strategic acquisition and store expansion

Founded in 2019, the Company now operates 44 corporately owned retail locations nationwide.

CFIB calls out lack of progress on direct-to-consumer alcohol agreement ahead of month-end deadline 

77% of small businesses think Canadians should have the freedom to order Canadian wine, beer, and craft spirits directly from any province or territory without restrictions.

AI-powered cyber attacks hit 1 in 3 Canadian businesses: QBE research

Artificial Intelligence is becoming ubiquitous in the Canadian economy, with 97% of businesses using it or looking into it.

Daily Synopsis: May 25, 2026

Ontario eyes highway licence-plate cameras to address retail theft, Billy Biship Airport unveils walkthrough duty free store, Yonge-Eglinton Centre begins renos, and other news.

Open Banking to Reshape Retail Payments in Canada

Open banking is set to change how Canadians pay, as trust begins to influence checkout decisions for retailers.

Canadiens Playoffs Drive Restaurant Spending Surge in Montreal

Moneris data shows Canadiens playoff games boosted restaurant spending near the Bell Centre and across Montreal during the NHL postseason.

Tre’dish launches SproutAI, the first AI grocery assistant built to optimize budgets

Grocery affordability remains one of the most acute financial pressures facing Canadian households.

Tim Hortons launches campaign to hire 10,000 local people, addresses Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Tim Hortons is the largest restaurant chain in Canada, with 4,000 restaurants – more restaurants per capita than any other brand anywhere in the world.

Taxing Convenience Foods Punishes the Wrong Canadians

Quebec’s food tax changes are reigniting debate over whether taxing convenience foods unfairly burdens seniors, single households, and working Canadians.

The Brick launches the Shaq-O-Pedic Collection

O’Neal partnered with The Brick to bring his vision of comfortable, stylish and accessible furniture to Canadians.

Calgary-based Wild Rose Brewery celebrating 30 years

Wild Rose expanded its brewing operations with the opening of a state-of-the-art production facility in Foothills Industrial in 2013.

Double Click: Big Foot, The Easter Bunny & Surveillance Pricing: Bruce Winder

Surveillance pricing or algorithmic pricing has become a buzzword over the last few months and involves the use of specific consumer data points.

Daily Synopsis: May 22, 2026

Canadians making more trips with smaller baskets at the grocery store, questions about future of downtown Vancouver Hudson's Bay, Sobeys debuts new store concept in Welland ON, dollar store opens in Elliott Lake, and other news.

From The Desk: Retail Resilience and Experiential Growth in Canadian Markets

Canadian retailers expand experiential and sustainable footprints while navigating inflation and evolving consumer behaviours shaping urban and mixed-use markets.

Luxury Shoppers Are Still Spending, But More Carefully: Canada Goose

Canada Goose’s latest earnings call suggests luxury shoppers remain active, but retailers are seeing more cautious and selective spending patterns.