SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

AI Adoption Accelerates Across Canadian Retail

News Lee Rivett -
Major retailers in Canada accelerate AI adoption, shifting from pilots to enterprise execution in agentic commerce and operations.

IKEA Canada launches new YouTube Series “IKEA Kitchen Showroom Showdown” (Video)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
IKEA said the retailer’s belief is simple: everyone deserves a kitchen they love, regardless of budget.

Amazon expands Same-Day Delivery options across more Canadian cities

News Mario Toneguzzi -
This expansion comes as Amazon hit its fastest speeds ever for Prime members in Canada last year–with more than 450 million items arriving the same or next day.

Waterworks Food Hall launches new $15 lunch program at select restaurants

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Food Hall, at 50 Brant Street, is home to more than 15 restaurant concepts, three bars, and two outdoor patios, including a secret courtyard garden.

CHFA NOW Vancouver announces 5 trends leading wellness aisles across Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The CHFA is Canada's largest trade association dedicated to natural, organic and wellness products. 

Reitmans announces Board leadership transition

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company operates 388 stores under three distinct banners consisting of 218 Reitmans, 85 PENN., and 85 RW&CO.

Daily Synopsis: Feb 19, 2026 – Retail Shifts

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Loblaw's Superstore fined over misleading 'product of Canada' display, Sona Cosmetics launches at Ardene, Chinese tours returning to BC, Calgary Co-op to open redeveloped North Hill location, Understory opens queen third place in Toronto, and other news.

U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Trump tariffs a welcome development for Canadian businesses, but President announces more tariffs

News Mario Toneguzzi -
But many questions remain on future impact of the ruling.

Clementine’s Moving to The James in Rosedale

News Craig Patterson -
Toronto's Clementine’s will move its boutique to The James in Rosedale/Summerhill while planning a new concept for its current Yonge Street space.

Loblaw Expands AI Commerce With Google Gemini

News Craig Patterson -
Loblaw expands AI commerce through Google Gemini, following its ChatGPT integration and broader AI-native retail strategy.

Vancouver dessert brand plans expansion through franchising

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Praguery’s operational model leverages small, efficient retail spaces to maximize profitability.

Retail sales decrease in December: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
But retail sales were up 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a seventh consecutive quarterly increase.

Activity picking up at Calgary CF Market Mall and CF Chinook Centre

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Demand for space at both shopping centres has strengthened to start the year, with multiple retailers under construction, major brands returning or expanding.

CFIB survey: Tax burden tops small business concerns in Canada as retailers cite costs, regulation and crime

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Overall for all sectors, the CFIB said the total tax burden has been the top concern for over 25 years.

PI Fine Art celebrates 50 years with direct-to-consumer online store

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Working with both in-house and external artists, PI Fine Art holds publishing rights to more than 27,000 images.

Canada auto sales hit 6-year high in 2025, but tariffs to drive decline in 2026: TD report

News Mario Toneguzzi -
4.3% decline in sales expected this year.

Government of Canada invests in pathways to success for Black-led businesses in Alberta 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
$3 million in federal funding through the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund

Daily Synopsis: Feb 19, 2026 – Reitmans, Walmart, Restaurant Woes

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Inside the unravelling of Putman's Toys R Us revival, Japanese-style egg sandwiches coming to 7-Eleven Canada, Toronto facade grant returns, FreshCo replacing Winnipeg Sobeys, analyzing Yorkdale's shift post-Les Ailes, and other news.

Ontario Court Recognizes Eddie Bauer Bankruptcy

News Craig Patterson -
Ontario court recognizes U.S. Chapter 11 for Eddie Bauer, integrating Canadian stores into cross-border restructuring.

Aritzia Acquires Fred Segal Brand and Melrose Lease

News Craig Patterson -
Aritzia acquires Fred Segal and secures 8100 Melrose, aiming to revive the LA icon as part of its U.S. expansion strategy.

Reitmans transforms Toronto’s TTC Lower Bay Station into fashion showcase (Photos)

Retailer News Mario Toneguzzi -
"As we mark 100 years, it was about setting the tone for the next century. "

Walmart Canada Expands Beauty After Hudson’s Bay Exit

News Lee Rivett -
Walmart Canada expands its beauty assortment with new masstige, tech, and Gen Z brands following Hudson’s Bay’s exit from the market.

40% of Canadians admit hiding online purchases as budget pressure reshapes shopping habits: Omnisend

News Mario Toneguzzi -
64% have switched to cheaper products in the past year, and 57% abandon carts expecting a discount.

MTY Food Group continues to expand footprint, reports Q4 results

News Mario Toneguzzi -
At the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, MTY’s network had 7,080 locations in operation, of which 6,831 were franchised or under operator agreements and 249 were corporate-owned.

Canadian Tire Corporation reports strong Q4 and Full-Year 2025 results, significant progress in 1st year of True North Transformation Strategy

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Automotive was up for the 22nd consecutive quarter, with Automotive Service reaching record annual sales of $1 billion in Q4.

VIDEO: Nearly half of Canadian restaurants losing money or barely breaking even, warns Restaurants Canada CEO

News Mario Toneguzzi -
44 per cent of restaurants were in that position as of November 2025, a sharp increase from pre-pandemic norms when roughly 10 to 12 per cent struggled to turn a profit.

Daily Synopsis: Feb 18, 2026 – Retail real estate and expansion

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Retail landscape strong despite HBC and Toys R Us says RioCan, SEENSE founders get buyout approval, Northern store exits Fond du Lac after 100 years, Pearson Airport expanding food options, Broadview and Gerrard as a retail destination, remember Toys R Us in Saskatchewan, and other news.

Canadian Tire expands Microsoft partnership to scale AI-driven retail intelligence platform

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The rollout will extend to the company’s major banners, including Canadian Tire, Mark's and SportChek, spanning stores and digital platforms.

Study Reveals 70% of Shoppers Use AI to Seek Promotions

News Lee Rivett -
A recent study by XCCommerce and SmartBrief shows that more than 70% of consumers are utilizing AI tools to find better deals, prompting retailers to re-evaluate their promotional strategies in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Cozey opens largest store yet on Calgary’s 17th Avenue as brick-and-mortar expansion accelerates (Photos)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
At 5,500 square feet, the Calgary outlet is significantly larger than Cozey’s other stores.

RioCan REIT reports ‘strong year’ for 2025 with 5 million square feet of leasing activity

News Mario Toneguzzi -
During 2025, development projects totaling approximately 366,000 square feet were completed and transitioned into income producing properties.

KITS issues first-quarter guidance, projects revenue of up to $60 million

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Revenue would reflect organic growth of 25 to 29 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier.

CT REIT reports Q4 and 2025 annual financial results, portfolio continues to expand

News Mario Toneguzzi -
In 2025, CT REIT said it invested approximately $235 million in completed projects and ongoing developments and grew the portfolio by approximately 893,000 square feet of GLA.

Rising Costs Reshape Canadian Retail Development

News Craig Patterson -
Higher construction costs, cautious consumers, and data-driven decisions are reshaping Canadian retail development, says CCIM’s Adam Palmer.

Daily Synopsis: Feb 17, 2026 – Retail Insights

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
HBC coat of arms to be auctioned off, Sheertex maker sold, Vancouver coffee shop ranked 15th in the world, Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver to see huge redevelopment, downtown Yonge remains strong, and other news.

Ford Considers Family Day Mall Openings in Ontario

News Craig Patterson -
Ontario may review Family Day retail closures as Premier Doug Ford signals possible changes to mall opening rules.

Canadian startup Typical launches stretchable towels with patent-pending technology

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Integrating two per cent spandex into conventional cotton to improve flexibility and comfort.

Big Handshake Loyalty Conference to debut in Toronto amid economic squeeze

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Organizers expect between 120 and 130 attendees for the one-day event, which has operated for four years in Europe.

Canada’s Food Prices Rising Faster Than Any G7 Nation

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Canada now has the highest food inflation in the G7, with structural costs and productivity challenges driving prices above global peers.

Consumer prices decelerate in January: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
But prices for food purchased from stores rose 4.8% year over year in January following a 5.0% increase in December.

HEYTEA Opens First Canadian Lab in Toronto

News Craig Patterson -
HEYTEA has opened its first Canadian HEYTEA Lab at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, introducing its experimental flagship tea concept.

Canada business exits outpace entries for 5th straight quarter: CFIB economist

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Regionally, every province is in negative territory except Quebec, where entry and exit rates are roughly balanced.

Montréal visitor numbers rise 7.3% in 2025 as tourism spending holds steady

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Domestic travel led the gains in 2025, with the Canadian market rising 10 per cent.

Winnipeg Retail Market Sees Major Investment Wave

News Lee Rivett -
Winnipeg’s retail market sees major investments, redevelopments, and new tenants across key shopping centres and suburban districts.

Daily Synopsis: Feb 16, 2026 – Sustainability and Experiential Growth

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Eddie Bauer sets gift card deadline in Canada, Toys R Us Canada extends creditor protection, Toronto mall landlords re-evaluate condo tower plans, and other news.

Canada’s Grocers Turn to AI, Shoppers to Pay [Op-Ed]

News Sylvain Charlebois -
AI moves from back-end systems to shopper-facing tools, raising new questions around pricing, privacy, and trust in Canadian grocery retail.

Aline Nasseh Chocolates Pop Up at Holt Renfrew

News Craig Patterson -
Toronto’s Aline Nasseh Artisan Chocolates debuts a pop-up at Holt Renfrew Yorkdale, marking a key step in the young brand’s luxury retail growth.

From The Desk: Canadian Retail Navigates AI Shifts and Operational Pressures

News Craig Patterson -
AI innovation, store closures, and labour challenges shape mid-February’s retail landscape as Valentine’s Day spending approaches.

Los Angeles underwear brand KENT eyes Canadian wholesale growth amid tariff pressures

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Launched in June 2020 by founder and chief executive Stacy Grace, it produces plant-based underwear for women and men designed to be compostable at the end of its life.

Kildonan Place announces $30-million redevelopment and new zero waste food court (Renderings)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
This project reflects the centre’s ongoing commitment to offering a welcoming, modern, and community‑focused environment for shoppers and tenants.
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