SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Proposal before Calgary Co-op AGM seeks clarity on CEO position

News Mario Toneguzzi -
A proposal at Calgary Co-op's 2026 AGM seeks a written update on the cooperative's long-running permanent CEO vacancy.

Ediya Coffee Enters Canada with First Toronto Store

News Lee Rivett -
Ediya Coffee opens its first Canadian location in Thornhill, marking a strategic North American expansion with a localized menu.

Pickleplex plans to double footprint by end of year

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Very strong, consistent demand for high-quality indoor and outdoor racquet sport experiences.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 20, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Reitmans marks 100 years, public grocery stores debated, male teens embrace fragrances, Sask food inflation worst in Canada, night market returns to metro Vancouver, and other news.

Consumer spending plans remain muted: Bank of Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
"Consumers continued to view the labour market as soft, with fears of losing their job still elevated."

Consumer Price Index accelerates in March: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Prices for food purchased from stores rose 4.4% on a yearly basis in March, after increasing 4.1% in February.

How Canadian Shopping Centre Performance Has Changed Since Pre-COVID

Market Studies Craig Patterson -
A comparison of 2019 and 2025 data reveals how Canadian shopping centre performance has shifted, with top-tier malls strengthening their dominance.

U.S.-based Commonplace marketplace eyes expansion into Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Commonplace is a logistics-enabled local marketplace focused on buying and selling bulky, high-value secondhand items like fitness equipment, wellness products, appliances, mobility and furniture.

Pickleball returns to The Well in the heart of downtown Toronto

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Reinforcing The Well as a dynamic lifestyle destination that seamlessly blends retail, wellness, and community. 

Calgary’s retail market remains extremely tight: Barclay Street Real Estate

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Central Business District continues to report the highest vacancy among all submarkets at 7.5%.

First-party fraud rises amidst economic pressures: Equifax

News Mario Toneguzzi -
First party fraud rates across Canada rose 31 per cent year-over-year between Q4 2024 and Q4 2025.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 17, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Flying Tiger entering Canada, independent grocers adjust to fuel surcharges from suppliers, Chip Wilson starting athletic-brand venture say sources, Record Store Day a success, AI used in GTA robberies, and other news.

From The Desk: Strategic Growth and Market Polarization Shape Canadian Retail

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail hits a turning point as expansion, real estate deals, and shifting consumer behaviour reshape performance across the sector.

Interac, Kijiji partner to raise the bar on trust in peer-to-peer commerce

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Kijiji connects millions of Canadians every month across categories from automotive and real estate, to furniture, phones and clothing.

Rawcology Scales with AMI Partnership, Niagara Retail Debut

News Craig Patterson -
Rawcology Inc., a Canadian food brand, has entered a strategic joint venture with AM Ingredients, enhancing its manufacturing capabilities and facilitating national and global expansion. The partnership highlights plans for new product launches and a retail presence in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Canadian Shopping Centre Performance Trends (2023–2025)

Market Studies Craig Patterson -
Three-year data reveals widening performance gaps among Canadian shopping centres as top-tier malls strengthen their dominance.

Flying Tiger Enters Canada with GTA Store Launch

News Craig Patterson -
Flying Tiger Copenhagen will open Canadian stores starting June 2026, replacing former Fox Home locations across the GTA.

Staples Canada launches its next sustainability era

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Staples Canada said its Goals for a Greener Future, launched in 2020, set bold recycling and waste diversion targets.

Giant Tiger Marks 65 Years with Nationwide Celebration

News Craig Patterson -
Giant Tiger celebrates 65 years with giveaways, community grants, and national promotions across its Canadian store network.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 16, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
First Capital REIT acquired as Westons expand retail empire, Skip the Dishes lays off staff and closes delivery service centres in Canada, Canada Post begins ending door-to-door delivery, Doug Ford slams city-run grocery stores, Foot Locker shuts Queen West store in Toronto, and other news.

Top Canadian Shopping Centres by Sales Per Square Foot in 2025

Market Studies Craig Patterson -
New data ranks the top Canadian shopping centres by sales per square foot in 2025, highlighting strong performance among leading malls.

Cyber threats hurting retail sector: EY

News Mario Toneguzzi -
AI-enabled cyber threats are targeting retail, telecom and energy, says EY’s Global Cybersecurity Threat Outlook 2026.

Golf Town and Brooke Henderson cement decade-long partnership

News Mario Toneguzzi -
This renewal marks more than a decade of collaboration, evolving from a landmark partnership into a lasting legacy dedicated to fueling the continued growth of golf in Canada.

First Capital REIT acquired in deal worth $9.4 billion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
First Capital REIT is being acquired by KingSett Capital and Choice Properties REIT in a $9.4 billion unit and cash deal.

UniverCell Canada Expands Through Franchising Growth

News Craig Patterson -
UniverCell Canada expands with franchising and a new Mississauga store, offering transparent pricing in the growing device repair market.

Canadian Spending Holds Steady as Consumers Shift Priorities

News Craig Patterson -
Moneris data shows Canadians remain cautious but continue spending, with shifts toward value, essentials, and experiences.

The Ball Depot Launches E-Commerce Platform

News Craig Patterson -
The Ball Depot launches online with 1,000+ products, as founder Terri-lyne Gedanitz builds toward experiential retail expansion.

Canada’s Shrinking Middle Class Is Fueling Food Inflation

News Sylvain Charlebois -
As Canada’s middle class erodes, the country’s food economy is splitting, driving persistent inflation and weakening innovation.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 15, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Uniqlo announces Winnipeg opening date, Winners accused of closing some store washrooms, food suppliers adding surcharges, Ontario moves to ban employees paying for uniforms, Montreal businesses await boost as Canadiens clinch playoff spot, and other news.

Galion buys 5 RONA stores on Montréal’s South Shore

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Marking a key strategic milestone for Galion, this initiative adds 620,000 square feet to its portfolio.

More businesses have been closing than opening in Canada: CFIB

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The entrepreneurial drought, a sustained period of four or more quarters where business exits outpace new business entries, has been ongoing since early 2024.

How Luxury Retail Actually Works: Retail & Store Execution

News Craig Patterson -
Inside luxury retail execution, from flagship storytelling and pop-up strategy to operational playbooks that scale performance. Craig Patterson interviews expert Douglas Mandel.

Michael Hill Opens Vancouver Flagship at CF Pacific Centre

News Lee Rivett -
Michael Hill opens a new flagship at CF Pacific Centre as Canada drives growth and supports its premium retail transformation.

Canadian Milk Prices Hit Record Highs, Regional Gaps Widen

News Lee Rivett -
Field Agent data shows Canadian milk prices rising faster than farmgate costs, with major regional gaps and higher prices than the U.S.

Michaels rewards program launches new benefits in Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Michaels operates over 1,300 stores across 49 U.S. states and Canada, including 138 stores across all 10 Canadian provinces.

Canadian Franchise Association announces winners of the  2026 CFA Recognition Awards

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The awards will be presented during the Recognition Awards Luncheon on Sunday April 19 at the CFA National Convention at The Westin, Ottawa, Ontario.

MOVATI Athletic opens 4th Edmonton location (Photos)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
It has 19 locations across Ontario and Alberta and is poised for continued growth nationally and internationally.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 14, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
CBC finds grocers Loblaw and Sobeys overcharging for underweight meat, RCMP seize tens of thousands in stolen Lululemon clothing, Canada's best coffee shop launches Vancouver concept, 7-Eleven closing locations, and other news.

Federal government temporary suspension of excise fuel taxes good news for Canadian businesses

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Starting April 20, Canada's new government will suspend the full amount of the tax on gasoline and diesel until September 7.

Canada’s Mall Redevelopment Boom Hits a Wall

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian mall redevelopment faces delays as housing demand softens and financial pressures mount across retail real estate.

IKEA Canada launches national contest to help Canadians reduce food waste through better fridge organization

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Food waste at home often isn’t intentional. It’s usually the result of limited visibility, lack of organization and the everyday juggle of real life.

Canadian Spending Intentions Weaken as Consumer Pressures Build

News Craig Patterson -
Stifel survey shows weakening Canadian spending intentions, with apparel and discretionary categories under pressure in 2026.

Playoff Hockey Boosts Restaurant Spending Across Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Moneris data shows playoff hockey drives significant restaurant spending increases near arenas in Canadian cities during key games.

T&T Supermarket officially opens its 2nd store in Mississauga (Photos)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
This marked T&T’s 39th store in North America and 15th store in Ontario, following its most recent opening in Lynnwood, Washington.

Burger King Canada doubles down on core menu in strategic brand play

News Mario Toneguzzi -
"The Whopper has always set the standard for flame-grilled taste, and now that standard applies to everything we serve."

Cozey opens new US retail location in LA (Photos)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said the LA pop-up opening builds on a period of momentum for Cozey, closely following permanent store openings in major Canadian cities (Vancouver and Calgary) and preceding other retail expansions slated for 2026. 

Walmart to Close Third Montreal Store Amid Quebec Investment

News Lee Rivett -
Walmart will close its Dorval store this summer, marking a third Montreal exit as it invests $150M in Quebec store upgrades.

Farm Boy marks important milestone in expansion across Ontario: Shawn Linton interview

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Founded in Cornwall in 1981, Farm Boy has grown from a small produce store to its current presence across Ontario, with further expansion plans on the horizon.

How Strait of Hormuz Tensions Are Set to Raise Grocery Prices in Canada

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are expected to drive grocery inflation in Canada as rising oil and fertilizer costs impact food supply chains.

Sobeys refreshes Compliments brand to align with evolving Canadian shopper values and drive loyalty

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The refresh was informed by an evolution in how Canadian shoppers define value. 
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