SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Ossington and Leslieville Hit Zero Retail Availability

News Craig Patterson -
Ossington and Leslieville record zero retail availability as demand surges across Toronto’s busiest neighbourhood corridors.

Shake Shack taps Toronto’s Pizzeria Badiali for Canadian chef collaboration

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Pizzeria Badiali, located at the corner of Argyle and Dovercourt, has built its reputation since 2021 on authenticity, simplicity, and a focused commitment to doing one thing exceptionally well.

Consumer sector remains resilient but increasingly battle-worn: TD

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Goods spending has recently been driven by necessities.

New chapter for Windsor Station – Group Society and Laurier Capital acquire iconic Montréal landmark

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The retail offering will be diversified and upgraded, including the arrival of a major new 10,000-square-foot restaurant adjacent to the Bell Centre on Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 25, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Vacant Bay box at Pen Centre sees demand, Erin Mills Charmed jewellery store closing due to repeated break ins, Manitoba PST exemption on food not for mom-and-pop shops, Genesis opens in Regina, and other news.

Leyad Expands Leadership as Retail Portfolio Grows

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Craig Patterson -
Leyad adds senior leaders while expanding its retail portfolio with major mall acquisitions across Canada.

Joseph Ribkoff Expands Globally Under New CEO

News Craig Patterson -
Joseph Ribkoff enters a new growth phase with CEO Stephen Belfer, expanding retail, e-commerce, and global visibility.

Poshmark unveils redesigned app, ushering in new chapter of style discovery

News Mario Toneguzzi -
"This redesign reimagines how our shoppers and sellers interact on Poshmark."

Apple Business Launch Brings Maps Ads to Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Apple Business launches April 14 with device management and new Apple Maps ads for Canadian businesses.

Food Taxes in Canada Are More Problematic Than They Appear

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Sylvain Charlebois discusses how food taxes in Canada quietly impact affordability, and why Manitoba’s PST decision could signal broader policy change.

Dollarama Shares Fall as Australia Expansion Weighs on Outlook

News Lee Rivett -
Dollarama beats Q4 earnings but lowers outlook as Australia investment pressures margins and near-term profitability.

Retail Marketing Automation for Shopper Promotions

News Craig Patterson -
How ARISTID’s retail marketing automation helps RONA, Canac and others modernize promotions, reduce errors and gain digital agility.

Tression launches new category of fashion-forward compression garments designed for everyday wear

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The collection is available through Tression’s website (tression.com) with  shipping across Canada and the United States.

Huge growth plans for Ottawa-based Juice Dudez

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company story starts in the 1800s, in the fruit farms of Lebanon.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 24, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
COS launches Canadian website, Middle East conflict impacts Dollarama, DYD targeting 20 Canadian dealerships, Manitoba cutting PST on groceries, and other news.

SUKOSHI Founder Linda Dang Builds North American Beauty Retail Powerhouse

News Craig Patterson -
Linda Dang is scaling SUKOSHI across North America with an experience-led retail strategy rooted in Asian beauty and brand acceleration.

Why Aldi and Lidl Are Unlikely to Enter Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Despite demand for discount grocery competition, an expert says Aldi and Lidl are unlikely to enter Canada anytime soon.

Small businesses urge governments to keep momentum on reducing internal trade barriers: CFIB

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Business owners continue to face obstacles such as duplicative testing requirements, inconsistent provincial regulations, and restrictions on moving goods and services across provincial borders. 

Dollarama sales surpass $7 billion in its fiscal year

News Mario Toneguzzi -
In Canada, Comparable store sales, determined on a 52-week basis, increased by 4.2%, compared to 4.6% growth in the previous year.

Galleria Opens Largest Store with K-Town Concept

News Lee Rivett -
Galleria Supermarket opens its largest store in Thornhill, introducing a K-Town cultural retail concept blending food, dining, and lifestyle.

KEEN launches trail running category

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The new category is Seek, the brand’s first trail runner, and its latest innovation, Roam - an adaptive trail runner for gravel, dirt, and road.

Rexall expands Moore Park Pharmacy in Toronto to offer more same-day care services amid family doctor shortage

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Rexall has just under 400 locations and operates 22 pharmacist-led clinics. 

Daily Synopsis: Mar 23, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Inflation due to Iran crisis expected, North Vancouver jeweller blames US tariffs for closure, Montreal expands assistance to businesses impacted by construction, Super C opens 120th store, and other news.

Rising Grocery Prices in Canada Are Changing Consumer Behaviour

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Rising grocery costs are forcing Canadians to change how they shop, revealing deeper structural challenges in food affordability.

Toronto Retail Availability Hits Record Low

News Craig Patterson -
Toronto retail availability falls to 6.22% as leasing demand intensifies across key urban corridors.

Groupe Dynamite Earnings Expected to Surge

News Craig Patterson -
Groupe Dynamite is expected to post strong Q4 results, with rising sales, margin expansion, and continued growth momentum.

Restaurant merch becoming increasingly more popular: Lightspeed Commerce

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Restaurants are not just serving food. They are becoming part of how people express themselves.

Everwild wellness hospitality brand to open three new locations

News Mario Toneguzzi -
To support the three developments, Basecamp Resorts is expanding the Wildwood Investment Fund from $20 million (raised to date) to $50 million.

Destination Canada and ‘Team Canada’ open the door to global tourism investment

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The sector is poised to be a major contributor to Canada’s goal to double non-US export growth, adding $300 billion (€185B) by 2035.

Dare Foods partners with Canada Soccer

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The partnership will deliver national exposure across broadcast, digital and in-stadium platforms, with a particular focus on Canada Soccer’s National Teams properties.

Saskatoon’s Midtown shopping centre supporting city’s Bus Rapid Transit system

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Midtown said a modern, reliable transit system is essential to ensuring the continued vibrancy and accessibility of the downtown core.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 20, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Muji opens at Tsawwassen Mills, Pokemon card thefts concern retailers, Steve's Music shuts in Toronto as Ottawa location is leased, thrifting shift, meat thefts up, Olive Garden opening at Vaughan Mills, and other news.

GARAGE launching stores in United Kingdom

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Following London, GARAGE will expand into Manchester with locations at Manchester Arndale and Trafford Centre in 2026, accelerating its presence across the country.

OLEN launches debut collection of minimalist Italian leather sneakers

News Mario Toneguzzi -
OLEN shoes are handmade in Italy in partnership with a family-owned atelier that has over three generations of shoemaking expertise.

From The Desk: Canadian Retail’s Urban Expansion and Inflation Pressures Shape 2026 Outlook

News Craig Patterson -
This week’s coverage highlights Canadian retailers doubling down on urban growth and discount formats amid persistent grocery inflation outpacing wages.

The Art of Desire in Luxury Marketing

News Craig Patterson -
How luxury marketing builds desire through mythology, culture, and aspiration rather than traditional advertising tactics.

Retail sales on the rise: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Following a decline of 1.6% in December, motor vehicle and parts dealers (+2.0%) recorded the largest increase in retail sales in January.

Winnipeg-based Activate Games accelerating international growth

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Today, Activate operates more than 70 locations worldwide and is on track to open 30 additional locations in 2026

Freed & Freed Expands Distribution for Canadian Outerwear

News Craig Patterson -
Freed & Freed grows distribution in Canada and abroad as the Winnipeg manufacturer pushes its vegan outerwear brand into new retail doors.

Downtown Grocery Growth Accelerates in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Downtown grocery growth in Canada accelerates as retailers expand discount and specialty stores into dense urban cores.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 19, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
HBC creditor protection extended, 2/3 of Canadians frustrated with tipping, Steve's Music shutting Toronto store this week, Carlton University student launches retail business, coffee prices in flux, and other news.

Grocers Double Down on Discount Banners in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Loblaw, Metro and Empire accelerate discount banner growth as Canadians trade down amid food inflation and tighter budgets.

Canada’s EV transition turns pragmatic as consumers weigh cost, charging experience and confidence: EY

News Mario Toneguzzi -
30% of potential EV buyers in Canada report reconsidering or postponing EV purchase decisions in light of recent geopolitical events.

TJX Expands Downtown Footprint with New Urban Stores

News Craig Patterson -
TJX expands its downtown presence with a new Marshalls at Montreal Eaton Centre as Winners and Marshalls cluster in major Canadian city centres.

Bank of Canada holds interest rates as Middle East conflict fuels oil-driven inflation risks and weak growth outlook

News Mario Toneguzzi -
After expanding by 2.4% in the third quarter of last year, GDP in Canada contracted 0.6% in the fourth quarter.

Small business confidence loses momentum amid rising energy costs: CFIB

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Several cost concerns increased this month, with the share of businesses worried about fuel costs jumping from 36% in February to 50% in March.

Canada’s Women’s Plus-Size Retail Market Shifts

News Craig Patterson -
Canada’s $4.4B women’s plus-size retail market is entering a more competitive phase as brands refine positioning and distribution strategies.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 18, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Fines for made-in-Canada claims could chill investment say food manufacturers, Couche-Tard optimistic despite fuel increases, most Canadians want to ban or regulate algorithmic pricing, legendary Italian retailer in Vancouver's Chinatown dies at 93, and other news.

Omnisend Study: 74% of Canadians okay with AI completing online purchases

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Openness to AI tools handling checkouts is up from 68% to 74% since August 2025, with almost 80% willing to hand over their data for more relevant recommendations. 

Eat Up Canada narrows focus to two growth brands as it pursues national expansion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
For Eat Up Canada, the immediate focus remains on building out its current portfolio and supporting franchise partners as new locations come online.
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