SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

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.

VIDEO: Food inflation in Canada: Why grocery prices remain high and what’s next: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Charlebois indicates Canada has recorded higher food inflation than other G7 countries in recent months.

Canadian Retail Leasing Market Shows Strength, But Tensions Emerging

News Craig Patterson -
Retail leaders discuss rents, demographics, and design trends shaping the Canadian retail leasing market in 2026.

AI Tools Enter Retail Platforms as Canadian Adoption Grows

News Craig Patterson -
New data suggests AI adoption is rising among Canadian small business owners as commerce platforms like Square integrate AI-powered tools for business insights.

Square report finds group of loyal ‘regulars’ generates 6x more revenue for Canada’s small businesses

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Square said the path forward for local businesses is clear: loyalty doesn’t happen by accident.

Tulkoff Foods acquires Celtrade Canada to expand North American sauce manufacturing capabilities

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The strategic acquisition is intended to strengthen the combined company’s ability to serve retail, foodservice and industrial customers with expanded packaging formats and culinary innovation.

Maison Territo Launches Archiproducts Digital Showroom

News Retail Insider -
Maison Territo launches an Archiproducts Digital Showroom, giving architects and designers streamlined access to curated collections and product resources.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 17, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Retail theft concerns, another Loblaw store fined for mis-Canadian labeling and Sobeys could be next, Roncesvalles Loblaws to become No Frills, Butter Bar opening 1st store in Mississauga, Salvation Army opening in suburban Victoria, and other news.

Lululemon Q4 Profit Falls as Global Growth Shifts

News Craig Patterson -
Lululemon reports lower profit despite flat revenue as international growth offsets North American softness and strategic shifts continue.

Alimentation Couche-Tard reports Q3 2026 financial results

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation were $757.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2026 compared with $641.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2025.

Marugame Udon Opens First Toronto Location

News Craig Patterson -
Marugame Udon opens its first Toronto restaurant on Yonge Street, marking continued Canadian expansion for the global Japanese chain.

Bramalea City Centre Unveils Redesigned Food Court

News Craig Patterson -
Bramalea City Centre, one of Canada’s largest shopping destinations, has completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of its South Food Court, enhancing visitor experience with improved design and functionality.

What Luxury Really Is in a Changing World

News Craig Patterson -
What luxury really means today, from scarcity and brand home to strategy and production integrity in a shifting global market.

Tonica Kombucha founder reflects on two decades of growth from kitchen startup to national brand

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The kombucha maker is now operating from a 12,000-square-foot production facility in Woodbridge and selling products across Canada through major retailers.

Vancouver’s The Candy Room marks decade in business with renovation and online expansion plans

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The milestone comes as the retailer completes upgrades to the approximately 1,400-square-foot store, which recently reopened after renovations.

Alabaster Homes expands Pavilion Cowork concept to Calgary with amenity-focused space

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Alabaster Homes, originally a residential multifamily developer, launched Pavilion Cowork more than eight years ago to address both surplus space in its Vancouver offices and a desire to foster a collaborative environment for businesses.

Food businesses face penalties for mislabelling products as Canadian: CFIA

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Food businesses are responsible for ensuring that all food products they sell, whether made in Canada or imported, meet Canada's legislative requirements.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 16, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Danier Leather marks 10 years under new ownership, judge awards costs to HBC landlords following failed Ruby Liu lease deal, counterfeit bills on the rise, T&T Supermarket opening earlier than planned in Mississauga, Loblaw opening at Broadway and Granville this month, and other news.

Retail Jobs Decline in Canada as Sector Adjusts

News Craig Patterson -
Canada’s retail employment fell in February 2026, but staffing expert Suzanne Sears says the decline may reflect temporary inventory and economic pressures.

Canada Still Leads G7 as Grocery Inflation Outpaces Wages

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Canada still leads the G7 in grocery inflation at 5.4%, with food prices rising faster than wages despite a recent slowdown.

Shake Shack to Open First Calgary Location

News Craig Patterson -
Shake Shack will open its first Calgary location at CF Chinook Centre this spring, its first in Western Canada, as part of the brand’s growing Canadian expansion.

Annual inflation cools to 1.8% in February: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Although growth in grocery prices slowed in February, they have risen 30.1% since February 2021.

LSD°R expands with new Toronto location

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The new 3,000-square-foot space expands LSD°R’s Pilates-and-breathwork method with a larger studio room, 16 LSD°R Re°formers, private Re°former sessions, and the introduction of professional-grade red light therapy.

GoodLeaf Farms launches mobile tour to promote indoor-grown greens in Ontario, Atlantic Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
GoodLeaf, founded in Halifax in 2011, operates three commercial-scale indoor farms across Canada that supply retailers and food service operators.

IOPE debuts in Canada through exclusive Sephora retail partnership

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The clinical-grade skincare brand, owned by Amorepacific, launched online at Sephora.com this recently and in Sephora stores nationwide.

Retail-to-Residential Conversions Gain Momentum in Canada

News Lee Rivett -
Retail-to-residential conversions are emerging as a potential solution to Canada’s housing shortage by transforming underused commercial sites.

Inside Canada’s Growing Liquidation “Binz” Store Economy

News Retail Insider -
How liquidation “binz” stores in Canada reveal the afterlife of surplus retail goods as forecasting errors and returns feed a growing recommerce market.

From The Desk: Canadian Retail Reinvention amid Expansion and Rising Costs

News Craig Patterson -
This week’s Canadian retail landscape blends strategic expansions with cost pressures, highlighting physical growth and evolving shopping behaviours amid economic chal...

Daily Synopsis: Mar 13, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Kingsgate Mall lease fight in Vancouver, reviving Roots, Ontario to allow some holiday openings, Montreal community gathers to honour murdered depaneur owner, Quebec separatist coffee shop opens in Montreal, and other news.

Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program applauded by business groups

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Helping employers who are facing severe labour shortages.

Canada loses 84,000 jobs in February, unemployment rate increases: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The largest declines were in wholesale and retail trade (-18,000; -0.6%).

Happy Belly Food Group targets up to 50 new restaurant openings as same-store sales remain strong: Sean Black interview

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company’s “core four” growth brands are Yolks, Rosie’s, Heal and iQ Food. New restaurant openings planned for this year will largely come from those concepts.

The New Luxury Client in a Relationship Era

News Craig Patterson -
How The New Luxury Client is reshaping Canadian luxury retail through ritual, clienteling and emotional connection.

Bespoke Made Suits Opens Downtown Vancouver Showroom

News Helen Siwak -
Vancouver-based Bespoke Made Suits expands with an appointment-based tailoring showroom near the city’s Financial District.
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