SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Toronto’s Retail Corridors Are Evolving, Says Arlin Markowitz

News Craig Patterson -
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

News Craig Patterson -
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

News Craig Patterson -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Lee Rivett -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Canadians purchased 23 per cent fewer calories from nonalcoholic beverages in 2024 than in 2014.

Daily Synopsis: May 27, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
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

News Sylvain Charlebois -
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

News Craig Patterson -
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

News Craig Patterson -
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)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
35% of Canadians plan to spend less this summer

Daily Synopsis: May 26, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
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

News Lee Rivett -
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

News Craig Patterson -
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

News Lee Rivett -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

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

Daily Synopsis: May 25, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
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

News Craig Patterson -
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

News Lee Rivett -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Sylvain Charlebois -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News Mario Toneguzzi -
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

News 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

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
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

News Craig Patterson -
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

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

Retail sales jump to $72.7 billion in March: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Retail sales were up 2.1% in the first quarter of 2026, marking a seventh consecutive quarterly increase.

Tim Hortons to build or renovate 480 restaurants across the country

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Canadian restaurant owners are investing $270 million, in addition to Tim Hortons corporate investing an additional $130 million.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities launches national initiative to build 25 new community soccer pitches

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Jumpstart has provided more than 4.5 million opportunities for Canadian kids to get into the game since 2005.

Canadians shifting focus to everyday loyalty rewards, Scene+ and Bond report says

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Canadians are holding an estimated $13 billion to $15 billion in unredeemed loyalty points.

Tahini’s to roll out Shawarma Ramen across Canada after initial test launch

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The national launch marks a broader expansion of a product the company has spent two years developing as it looks to build on customer interest in fusion-style menu offerings and social media engagement.

SKYBIRD Asian Grill opens fourth location as it prepares for continued growth

News Mario Toneguzzi -
SKYBIRD Asian Grill has opened its fourth location at 2183 Rue Ste-Catherine West in Montréal, continuing its fast-casual growth.

Sports Retail Shows Resilience in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
SportChek growth, fanwear demand, and rising interest in soccer highlight resilience in Canada’s sports retail sector.

Jersey Mike’s to open second downtown Toronto location as Redberry expands Canadian footprint

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Redberry continues a broader plan to grow Jersey Mike’s presence in Canada, where the company says it aims to reach 300 locations by 2035.

Daily Synopsis: May 21, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Fuel charges on grocery hits economy, Rona leads radio spend, campus thrift store opens in Calgary, Time Out Market prepares to open at Oakridge Park, 500 charges in retail theft scheme, and other news.

Vivobarefoot to Open Second Canadian Store in Toronto

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