SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Canadians plan to drink less alcohol and power up protein in 2026: Square

News Mario Toneguzzi -
1 in 4 Canadians (28%) plan to reduce their alcohol consumption in 2026.

Return policies deterring nearly half of shoppers before checkout: Cashew Research

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Return policies are affecting conversion rates and repeat purchasing behaviour before customers reach checkout.

Canadian small business owners lose 31 working days a year to stress: Xero report

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Owners spend an average of nine hours a week feeling stressed, concerned or worried about their business, with financial management cited as a key pressure point.

Adonis rolls out Ramadan promotions and catering menu in Quebec and Ontario stores

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Ramadan accounts for a significant share of seasonal sales for the retailer.

eBay launches livestream shopping platform in Canada with auctions tied to fan conventions

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The interactive platform combines real-time video streaming with buying and bidding tools, allowing shoppers to connect with sellers and participate in auctions during live broadcasts.

Leyad Acquires St. Vital Centre for $160.5 Million

News Craig Patterson -
Leyad buys Winnipeg’s St. Vital Centre for $160.5 million as Uniqlo prepares to join the dominant regional mall.

Tim Hortons Upgrades Muffins, Espresso and Drinks

News Lee Rivett -
Tim Hortons announces English muffin improvements, new espresso machines and fountain drink rollout as part of its back-to-basics strategy.

From Pandemic Layoff to Building Businesses in Alberta

News Craig Patterson -
After a 2020 layoff, Alberta entrepreneur Darcy Skarsen and his wife Elaine built Pita Pit locations, a bowling alley, and other businesses.

Pattison Food Group Switches to Equifruit Bananas

News Lee Rivett -
Pattison Food Group, a leading grocery operator in Western Canada, has shifted its entire organic banana program to Equifruit Fairtrade organic bananas, impacting several grocery chains in the region.

Loblaw Launches Grocery Shopping in ChatGPT

News Craig Patterson -
Loblaw launches grocery shopping in ChatGPT, positioning the retailer as an early mover in AI-assisted food retail in Canada.

Restaurants brace for more obstacles in 2026: Restaurants Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Restaurants Canada expects real commercial foodservice sales to have grown by 2.4% in 2025 and to decline by 1.1% in 2026.

Couche-Tard Details New Long-Term Growth Strategy

News Craig Patterson -
Couche-Tard outlines a new long-term growth strategy with a Core + More framework and updated financial targets through fiscal 2030.

IKEA Canada to offer $1 breakfast in support of Breakfast Club of Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The one-day promotion, available to IKEA Family members from store opening until 11 a.m. on Feb. 14.

Canadian Boycott of U.S. Goods Gains Measurable Traction

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Scanner data suggests Canadian consumers are reducing purchases of U.S. goods, signalling a measurable boycott with potential long-term retail impacts.

SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust Releases Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results for 2025

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Strong leasing momentum in all retail categories, resulting in an industry-leading 98.6% in-place and committed occupancy rate at year-end.

Storytelling Doesn’t Fail. It Just Rarely Makes It to the Consumer (Opinion)

News Retail Insider -
"Narratives only survive if they are tested, interpreted, and lived by consumers."

Toys “R” Us Canada Plans More Ontario Store Closures

News Lee Rivett -
Toys “R” Us Canada plans to close Newmarket and St. Catharines stores as CCAA filings signal further shutdowns across its 22-store network.

Canadian Retail Faces Labour Paradox in 2026

News Lee Rivett -
New report shows layoffs and labour shortages co-exist as retailers struggle with turnover, wages, and employee experience.

Primaris REIT announces “strong” Q4 and full year 2025 results

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Primaris significantly augmented its portfolio in 2025 recycling capital with $1.6 billion of leading enclosed shopping centre acquisitions, and $400 million of non‑core dispositions.

Cineplex sets annual records for box office and concession per patron

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Cineplex has 170 movie theatres and location-based entertainment venues.

Altea Active to Replace Cineplex in Toronto’s Beaches

News Craig Patterson -
Altea Active will replace the Cineplex in Toronto’s Beaches with a 59,000-square-foot fitness and wellness club opening in 2028.

VIDEO: Calgary’s Chinook, Market Mall post double-digit holiday sales gains: Cadillac Fairview executive

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Continued leasing demand could push occupancy even higher by the end of next year.

Taco Bell launches new Luxe Value Menu as it continues growth in Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
"The Luxe Value Menu is an opportunity to rethink value in a way that feels relevant to both our die-hard and new fans in present time."

Ottawa independent beauty retailer ORESTA Mindful Beauty marks 24 years in business

News Mario Toneguzzi -
ORESTA was founded in 2001 as one of the first retailers in Canada to champion natural, ingredient-conscious skincare, introducing and supporting many of the brands that have since become leaders in the beauty space. 

First Capital REIT delivers “solid” financial results with total portfolio occupancy up to 97.1%

News Mario Toneguzzi -
First Capital invested approximately $190 million into its properties during 2025, primarily through development, redevelopment, residential inventory and strategic acquisitions.

Slate Grocery REIT sees 1.7 million square feet of total leasing in 2025

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Renewals  were completed at 14.9% above expiring rents, and new deals were completed at 34.9% above comparable average in-place rent.

HBC Olympic Memorabilia Auction Opens at Heffel

News Lee Rivett -
Heffel launches an online auction of Hudson’s Bay Olympic memorabilia as part of the court-authorized sale of the retailer’s artifacts.

SUITABLEE Plans Toronto Showroom as Womenswear Grows

News Craig Patterson -
SUITABLEE plans a Toronto showroom as womenswear drives growth, marking a strategic step in the brand’s national retail expansion.

GARAGE launches U.K. e-commerce as part of international expansion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The launch gives the company a direct-to-consumer foothold in the market ahead of planned physical store openings later this year.

Consumer insolvencies reach second-highest annual level on record in 2025 as business filings fall

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Consumer insolvencies rose 2.3 per cent last year from 2024 to 140,457 filings.

Dr. Phone Fix reports preliminary 2025 revenue of $12.1 million, EBITDA improvement

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company focuses on device repair, resale and what it characterized as responsible device lifecycle management as it continues to expand its national footprint.

Rexall appoints Ron Wilson as president and CEO, names Jeff Boutilier chief operating officer

People Mario Toneguzzi -
Rexall said Wilson brings experience leading large-scale retail organizations through periods of change and operational growth.

CrossIron Mills to host Calgary Flames team autograph event as part of C of Red celebration

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The event is positioned as a joint initiative between the mall and the Flames, reflecting an ongoing partnership between the two organizations.

Oxford Blocks Les Ailes at Yorkdale Anchor

News Lee Rivett -
Court sides with Oxford to block Les Ailes plan for former Hudson’s Bay space at Yorkdale, citing concerns over commercial viability.

Canadian Apparel Market Rebounded Strongly in 2025

News Craig Patterson -
Trendex data from Randy Harris shows the Canadian apparel market rebounded in 2025, driven by value, resale growth, and market polarization.

Eddie Bauer’s Canadian Stores Enter Restructuring

News Craig Patterson -
Eddie Bauer’s store operator has filed Chapter 11, putting its Canadian fleet into a sale or wind down while the brand shifts channels.

Canada’s Labour Shift Reshapes Retail Workforce

News Craig Patterson -
New labour data and expert insights point to shifting values, workforce exits, and evolving retail hiring patterns across Canada.

Loblaw Expands Maxi Discount Strategy in Quebec

News Lee Rivett -
Loblaw opens a new Maxi and Pharmaprix in Mont-Laurier as part of a broader national push into hard-discount grocery formats.

Pizza Pizza tops Elite Franchise annual franchise list

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The annual ranking recognizes brands that are not only performing at a high level today but are actively shaping the future of the sector through innovation, resilience, franchisee support, and long-term growth.

Giant Tiger and Kids Help Phone unveil new youth-designed pink shirt for Anti-Bullying Day

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Through its Anti-Bullying campaign, Giant Tiger has raised more than $350,000 to date to help fund KHP e-mental health services, creating real impact in communities across Canada.

Recipe Unlimited announces 3rd new Olive Garden location in Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The restaurant will open in Ajax, Ontario, bringing the brand's Italian-inspired dining experience to a new community in Eastern Canada.

Steve’s Music Restructures, Closing Most Stores

News Lee Rivett -
Steve’s Music is restructuring its Canadian operations, closing most stores and focusing on a single Montreal flagship and online sales.

IKEA Canada partners with Africville Museum to host immersive exhibit in Halifax 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Nova Scotia is recognized as the birthplace of African presence in Canada.

Canadian Tire Fined $1.29M for False Pricing in Quebec

News Lee Rivett -
Canadian Tire will pay $1.29 million after pleading guilty to 74 counts of false advertising tied to inflated reference prices in Quebec.

From The Desk: Experiential Retail and Luxury Growth Shape the Week

News Craig Patterson -
Experiential activations, luxury expansion, and retail restructurings highlight a week of strategic recalibration across Canada’s retail sector.

Bang & Olufsen Returns to Yorkville With New Toronto Store

News Craig Patterson -
Bang & Olufsen is opening a new Toronto flagship at 135 Yorkville Avenue, marking its return to the city’s luxury retail corridor after several years away.

Statistics Canada reports retail sales growth

News Mario Toneguzzi -
In November, the largest monthly increase in dollar terms came from sales of food and beverages, which rose 5.6% compared with the same month in 2024.

Time Out Market Vancouver reveals further additions to its all-star culinary lineup of local chefs and restaurateurs

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Time Out Market Vancouver – located at Oakridge Park – is 51,000 square feet of space and will feature 18 kitchens, one dessert and one coffee counter, alongside three bars, multiple event spaces, around 1,000 seats and a large outdoor terrace facing onto a public park. 

Cadillac Fairview malls celebrate Olympics and Chinese New Year

News Mario Toneguzzi -
“Our shopping centres serve as true gathering places for our communities."

Affirm partners with Wayfair in UK and Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The recently expanded partnership brought Affirm to Wayfair’s online and in-store checkouts across the US last October.
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