Advertisement

Vivobarefoot to Open Second Canadian Store in Toronto

Vivobarefoot plans to open its second Canadian store on Toronto’s Queen Street West as barefoot footwear gains momentum in Canada.

adidas Taking Over Toronto’s STACKT Market for FIFA World Cup

adidas is turning Toronto’s STACKT Market into a massive FIFA World Cup fan destination with watch parties, retail, food, and soccer experiences.

Small business confidence falls steeply in May: CFIB

"Demand is weak, costs, especially fuel, are high and conditions don’t show signs of improving."

31% of Canadians have side hustle to cover every day expenses: Omnisend

85% admit they started for financial reasons rather than personal fulfillment or fun.

Time Out Market Vancouver prepares for May 28 opening date at Oakridge Park

Across 51,000 sq ft there are 18 kitchens, a dessert counter, a coffee counter, 3 bars, multiple event spaces and a large outdoor terrace onto a public park.

Survey reveals Canadians have reached breaking point: Harris & Partners

57.3% of respondents said their income did not cover basic expenses including rent, food, and bills.

Expectations mismatch fueling Canada’s youth unemployment challenges: CFIB

Nearly two-thirds (62%) of small businesses recruit through personal connections, referrals from people they trust.

Spruce Meadows partners with Mattel for Barbie™ x Spruce Meadows

A weekend of branded activations, entertainment, and a women-centered leadership forum running June 12 to 14 during the 'National' Tournament

Happy Belly Food Group exercises right to acquire remaining 50% of PIRHO Fresh Greek Grill

Happy Belly’s portfolio consists of 686 contractually committed retail franchise locations across multiple emerging brands in various stages of development, construction, and operation.

Leger and Plus Company Introduce Smart Persona for Real-Time Consumer Insights

Leger and Plus Company launch Smart Persona, enabling real-time consumer insights through AI-powered synthetic personas.

Daily Synopsis: May 20, 2026

More 'maple washing' complaints as retailers accused of mislabeling Canadian products, 200th member joins Grocery Code, Canadian Tire settles racial profiling case, Lego store opening at Square One in Mississauga, Byward Market hosting immigrant entrepreneurs, and other news.

PLANTA Closes Toronto Restaurants in Yorkville and Queen West

Toronto-founded PLANTA has closed its flagship Yorkville and Queen West restaurants as the upscale plant-based brand focuses on continued U.S. growth.

George Minakakis Says Municipalities Must Modernize Like Businesses

Milton mayoral candidate George Minakakis says municipalities must modernize through AI, economic development, and operational leadership.

VIDEO: Soul7 Produce eyes U.S. growth with affordable snacks made from upcycled produce

Soul7 Produce uses fresh fruits and vegetables that might otherwise be discarded because of appearance issues.

Luxury Resale Growth in Canada Signals Consumer Shift

Luxury resale in Canada is surging as consumers shift spending habits, with Mine & Yours reporting strong growth amid changing demand.

DUER expanding brand to Banff, Alberta

The brand is already in 25 countries through wholesale.

Toronto, Vancouver businesses brace for FIFA World Cup supply chain surge ahead of June 11 kickoff

Inventory means nothing if you're short-handed on a match day.

Grocery pricing strategies shift as Canadians prioritize value amid inflation pressures

With consumers more price-conscious, yet still spending in key categories, companies are rethinking how they price, promote, and position products in real time.

Boston Pizza turning restaurants across Canada into live music stages

From bands and solo acts to acoustic performers and hidden local talent, anyone ready to shoot their shot can connect with their local BP and hit the stage.

Tropoly Passes 1,000 Automations as Retailers Accelerate AI Adoption

Tropoly has surpassed 1,000 automations as retailers across Canada and the U.S. increase investment in AI-driven operations and workflow efficiency.

Daily Synopsis: May 19, 2026

Inflation up due to gasoline, inside the wave of jewellery heists in Canada, clearance begins at Warehouse One and Bootlegger, retail crime claims another Winnipeg 7-Eleven, Robert Kenneth Irving passes, and other news.

Food Inflation Cools, But Canada’s Grocery Pain Is Far From Over

Canada’s food inflation slowed in April, but grocery affordability pressures continue as structural costs and global risks weigh on consumers.

High energy prices drive spike in consumer prices: Statistics Canada

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 2.8% year over year in April, up from an increase of 2.4% in March.

Why Aritzia Keeps Winning in a Fragmented Apparel Market

Aritzia’s growth highlights shifting consumer habits, premium positioning, and the widening divide in apparel retail.

L’Oréal Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart Launch First Multi-Brand Fragrance Refill Fountain

L’Oréal Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart introduce Canada’s first multi-brand fragrance refill fountain in select Beauty Boutique stores.

Michaels Expands Into Celebration Retail with Experiential In-Store Concepts

"Michaels expands celebration retail with a 60% party assortment expansion and experiential customization bars in stores across North America."

Liberty Entertainment Group Celebrates 40 Years of Shaping Toronto’s Hospitality Evolution

Liberty Entertainment Group marks 40 years after helping transform Toronto through immersive dining, nightlife, entertainment, and experiential hospitality.

The Home Depot sees sales reach $41.8 billion US in Q1 2026

Sales grew by $1.9 billion US or 4.8% from a year ago.

Jones Soda expands distribution to 700 more Circle K stores in Eastern Canada

The expansion includes roughly 550 stores in Quebec and another 150 locations across the Maritimes, bringing Jones Soda products to about 1,750 points of sale across Canada.

Swatch x AP Launch Sparks Chaos at Canadian Malls

Swatch x Audemars Piguet’s Royal Pop launch triggered overnight lineups, store closures, and crowd-control concerns at Canadian shopping centres on Saturday.

From The Desk: Strategic Brick-and-Mortar Growth and Consumer Caution Shape Canadian Retail

Strong Canadian retailer expansions coexist with cautious consumers amid evolving experiential retail, supply challenges, and shifting workforce dynamics.

Daily Synopsis: May 15, 2026

Liquidation grocery stores boom, theft at Canadian grocers up, Uniqlo opens 1st Winnipeg store, Ontario stores open for first time on Victoria Day, Etobikoke fireworks store blows up after vehicle drives in, FIFA World Cup store opens at Vancouver International Airport, and other news.

Recycling Rules Are Quietly Driving Food Inflation in Canada

New recycling policies are adding hidden costs to Canada’s food system, contributing to higher grocery prices and reduced product choice.

Shoot 360 Opening Largest Canadian Facility in Oakville

Sport-tech basketball company Shoot 360 will open its largest Canadian facility in Oakville this month as the AI-driven training concept expands across Canada.

Felicia Launches in Canada with Retail Expansion

Italian pasta brand Felicia expands into 800+ Canadian stores while launching a $55 million manufacturing hub in London, Ontario.

RioCan says grocery, pharmacy and value retailers fuel leasing momentum

With retail occupancy reported in Q1 at 98.6%, it’s pretty much a record for the REIT.

Intimates retailer Knix keeps expanding across Canada

The brand is opening its first store in Atlantic Canada in Halifax in mid-June.

Canadian luxury beauty retailer Rennaï launches e-commerce platform across Canada

Rennaï said the website introduces a refined and intuitive experience, allowing users to explore a carefully selected range of brands.

Flying Tiger Copenhagen Enters Canada with GTA Expansion

Flying Tiger Copenhagen is entering Canada with its Scandinavian-inspired discovery retail concept and an initial GTA expansion.

Everist looks to next phase of growth

One of the biggest strategic shifts has been evolving its messaging to lead with the unique consumer benefits of Everist for supporting hair and scalp health.

Daily Synopsis: May 14, 2026

Sobeys ditches maple leaf symbol in stores as it and Loblaw under fire for 'maple washing', Pet Valu reported cautious Canadian consumers, Ikea launches collection, and other news.

Canada Goose Pushes Beyond Parkas as Apparel Sales Surge

Canada Goose reported strong fiscal 2026 growth as apparel, spring collections, and retail conversion helped drive momentum beyond winter outerwear.

Pet Valu Earnings Reveal a More Cautious Canadian Consumer

Pet Valu earnings reveal how inflation, fuel costs, promotions, and loyalty programs are reshaping Canadian consumer shopping behaviour.

Article to open first U.S. stores in San Francisco, Bellevue

Since launching in 2013, Article said it has delivered nearly three million orders to customers across the U.S. and Canada.

Toronto-Based Menswear Brand Guardin Launches with TNT

Toronto-based menswear brand Guardin launches with TNT, offering minimalist suede and leather outerwear at accessible premium price points.

Rising fertilizer prices, supply disruptions hitting over 4 in 10 Canadian agri-businesses: CFIB 

Most (90%) agri-businesses said they’re worried about the future of Canadian agriculture due to the regulatory burden.

Happy Belly Expands iQ Food Co. Into Calgary

Happy Belly is bringing iQ Food Co. to Calgary as the wellness-focused chain expands beyond Toronto into Western Canada.

Atelier Munro Opens Vancouver Flagship House

Atelier Munro has opened its Vancouver flagship House, expanding its hospitality-driven menswear concept in Canada.

Canadian Tire Corporation reports Q1 2026 results as retail sales dip

Retail sales were $3,375.7 million, down 1.4%.