SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Daily Synopsis: Mar 12, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Cuba's fuel shortage impacts Canadian cigar stores, Manitoba asks Sobeys to scrap property restrictions, Ontario to allow shopping on 2 public holidays, alcohol in corner stores impact worker safety, redevelopment of former Sherwood Park Safeway, and other news.

73% of Canadians Now Shop Chinese Marketplaces

News Craig Patterson -
Survey finds 73% of Canadians shop Chinese marketplaces like Temu and Shein as monthly and weekly usage continues to grow.

Canadian hotel industry sees steady growth as leisure travel drives performance: Cushman & Wakefield

News Mario Toneguzzi -
2025 ranked among the stronger years for hotel transactions over the past two decades, highlighted by several notable full-service and luxury hotel trades.

Article Expands Brick-and-Mortar Retail with Toronto Showroom

News Lee Rivett -
Vancouver-based furniture brand Article expands brick-and-mortar retail with a 9,600-square-foot Toronto showroom in King West, marking its second physical store.

Empire Company Limited reports Q3 financial results

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Sales of $7,890 million, an increase of 2.1%.

Chatime focuses on strengthening brand leadership in Canada as expansion continues cautiously: Trinh Tham interview

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Chatime currently operates about 100 locations across Canada, primarily in Ontario and British Columbia, and opened six new stores last year while preparing additional locations that are expected to come online this year.

VIDEO: 87% of Canadians feel financially trapped by rising living costs: Harris & Partners

News Mario Toneguzzi -
85% report their overall monthly expenses have increased in the past 12 months

Butterly Trust Index Maps AI-Era Product Reviews

News Craig Patterson -
Butterly’s 2026 Trust Index shows how honest, balanced reviews influence AI-led discovery, and what Canadian brands and retailers can do next.

Abercrombie & Fitch Expands Canadian Store Network

News Craig Patterson -
Abercrombie & Fitch expands in Canada with new stores planned in Winnipeg, Ottawa, Calgary and London ON, and a reopened location at West Edmonton Mall.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 11, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
What might be next for Roots, Pokemon cards hot for theft, downtown Sudbury mall wins legal battle over 2004 Zellers exit, and other news.

Women Entrepreneurs Reshape Canada’s Franchise Industry

News Lee Rivett -
Women entrepreneurs are gaining momentum in Canada’s franchise sector, with leaders expanding into construction, automotive, and skilled trades.

Future of Calgary’s Hudson’s Bay Building Discussed

News Craig Patterson -
Experts will discuss the history, current status, and potential future of Calgary’s historic Hudson’s Bay building at a public event on March 26.

MUJI opening its newest Canadian store in British Columbia (PHOTOS)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
MUJI has steadily grown as the go-to brand for millions of loyal customers in 30+ countries and 7,000+ products.

Sleep Country CEO sees growth amid consumer uncertainty, expands U.S. and UK operations: Stewart Schaefer interview

News Mario Toneguzzi -
“I'm bullish for the second half of 2026. And I'm even more bullish into 2027."

More than 1.3 million temporary work permits set to expire by the end of 2026, leaving small businesses scrambling: CFIB

News Mario Toneguzzi -
According to CFIB’s Monthly Business Barometer, skilled labour shortages remain the second highest constraint on sales and growth for 39% of small businesses.

Specsavers appoints Jane Hoban as Managing Director to lead next phase of Canadian expansion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Since entering the Canadian market in 2021, Specsavers said it has rapidly expanded to become one of the country's leading optical providers.

Loblaw notifies customers of low-level data breach

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada’s food and pharmacy leader, as well as its largest retailer and private sector employer with more than 220,000 colleagues across the country.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 10, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Loblaw investigates data breach after hack, Cellcosmet beauty launches at Holt Renfrew, former RCC director joins CFIG, downtown safety efforts, and other news.

Leyad Acquires Lloyd Mall in Lloydminster

News Craig Patterson -
Leyad acquires Lloyd Mall in Lloydminster, strengthening its strategy of investing in necessity-anchored regional retail centres.

AI-Driven Fraud Scams Impact Canadian Retail: Interac

News Craig Patterson -
Interac survey finds AI-driven fraud scams rising in Canada, influencing consumer trust and retail shopping behaviour across the country.

Home Improvement Spending Shifts in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
New Environics Analytics data links online mass merch shoppers to renovation growth, aging-in-place trends, and shifting population dynamics.

Kettlemans Bagel eyes franchising push as sandwich sales drive growth: Amer Wahab interview

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company operates four locations in Ottawa, two in Toronto and one in Montreal. The original store opened about 32 years ago at 912 Bank St. in Ottawa.

Beavertails eyes growth through retail expansion and strategic store openings: Pino Di Ioia interview

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company’s brick-and-mortar operations are experiencing double-digit growth.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 9, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
HBC coat collection auctioned, alcohol consumption down, cannabis budtenders join UFCW union, Quebec weekend shopping pilot begins this week, Vancouver grocery store rallies behind customer cancer journey, and other news.

Westmount Mall Redevelopment to Create Open-Air Centre

News Craig Patterson -
First Capital REIT plans to redevelop Edmonton’s Westmount Shopping Centre into an open-air retail complex while key anchors remain open.

Foodtastic expands Noodlebox brand across Canada with eyes on Montreal launch

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Asian fusion concept has grown to 71 locations across the country, with roughly 14 new restaurants opening in 2025 and another 25 currently in development.

Oil Prices Could Push Canadian Grocery Inflation Higher

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Rising oil prices could push Canadian grocery inflation toward 6–8% in 2026 as energy costs ripple through the food supply chain.

Wayfair Launches Loyalty Program in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Wayfair launches Wayfair Rewards in Canada as the home retailer deepens its loyalty strategy and expands its omnichannel presence.

Moneris reporting 4% increase in reported fraud cases in 2025

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Fraudulent activity has also become more sophisticated, particularly with the growth of AI and other tools that can make it difficult for businesses to identify and report suspect behaviour.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 6, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
L’OCA Quality Market shutting, HBC retail spaces vacant a year later, Aburi Market opens 3rd Vancouver mini grocery store, undercover language inspectors deployed in Quebec, and other news.

L’OCA Quality Market to Close Edmonton-Area Stores

News Craig Patterson -
L’OCA Quality Market will close its Sherwood Park and Edmonton stores March 12 after less than two years of operation.

From The Desk: Navigating Retail Evolution Through Expansion, Tech, and Consumer Shifts

News Craig Patterson -
Sephora's Canadian expansion, AI reshaping shopping, and retail bifurcation highlight evolving strategies amid market pressure and consumer shifts in 2026.

Hudson’s Bay Collapse: One Year After the CCAA Filing

News Craig Patterson -
A year after Hudson’s Bay filed for CCAA protection, the retail industry reflects on the collapse of a 355-year-old institution.

VIDEO: Iran conflict’s impact on retailers and consumers

People Mario Toneguzzi -
Retailers are focusing on controlling costs and expanding private-label offerings while increasing promotions to help shoppers manage tighter budgets.

MR MIKES SteakhouseCasual Surpasses 50 Locations in Canada

News Lee Rivett -
MR MIKES SteakhouseCasual expands to more than 50 restaurants across Canada after opening seven new locations in 2025.

Sundays Opens Terminal HQ Showroom in Vancouver

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian furniture brand Sundays opens a 15,000-square-foot Terminal HQ showroom in Vancouver, expanding its retail footprint and introducing sister brand Hetta.

Quebec Retailers Face Rising Language Compliance Pressure

News Craig Patterson -
Bill 96, OQLF inspections, and rising complaints are reshaping Quebec retail operations, hiring, signage, and digital marketing strategies.

Dixie Outlet Mall in Mississauga Placed into Receivership

News Craig Patterson -
Dixie Outlet Mall in Mississauga enters receivership as redevelopment plans and long-term transformation of the site move forward.

BAPE Opens First Canadian Store on Vancouver’s Alberni Street

News Lee Rivett -
Japanese streetwear brand BAPE opens its first Canadian store at 1028 Alberni Street in downtown Vancouver, entering the Canadian retail market.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 5, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Gas prices to impact food, George Weston sees revenue climb as Loblaw and Choice Properties gain, Costco Canada comp sales up 10%, Sunterra appeals cheque kitting ruling, Krazy Bins store opening in Edmonton, and other news.

Sungiven Foods Expanding Metro Vancouver Footprint

News Craig Patterson -
Sungiven Foods plans up to 15 new Metro Vancouver stores as it refines its small-format, private-label grocery model.

Governments suffer big decline in alcohol earnings: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Overall, liquor authorities and other retail outlets sold $25.8 billion worth of alcoholic beverages in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, down 1.6% from fiscal year 2023/2024.

Vivo Avanti Expands with Restaurant in King City

News Craig Patterson -
Vivo Avanti has opened in King City, introducing an elevated Italian dining concept from the team behind Vivo Pizza + Pasta.

The Reset Team Leads Retail Merchandising in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian firm The Reset Team helps retailers nationwide with scalable merchandising, fixture installation and precise execution for complex rollouts.

Why Retailers Can’t Afford a Bad Delivery Experience in 2026

News Retail Insider -
Rising consumer expectations make delivery performance critical for brand reputation and revenue. Learn how retailers can take control of the last mile with proactive strategies and shipping protection.

Happy Belly Food Group’s iQ Food Co. secures 1st Western Canada location in Calgary

News Mario Toneguzzi -
iQ is a flagship brand in Canada's premium healthy eating market and is strategically located in urban and central business districts.

A&W reports Q4 and 2025 financial results, with annual sales increasing to $1.92 billion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
System Sales in 2025 increased by $51.8 million (2.8%) to $1.92 billion

Joe Fresh becomes 1st pure apparel retailer on DoorDash in Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Over 220 Joe Fresh stores are now shoppable on DoorDash across all provinces and one territory.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 4, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
SSENSE lays off more than 200, Joe Fresh 1st apparel retailer on DoorDash, Save-on-Foods opening in new Langley retail project, Brampton charging retailers $100 for every abandoned shopping cart in city, and other news.

Kits Eyecare reports Q4 and 2025 financial results with record annual revenue

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Gross profit increased by 34.4% to $72.1 million or 35.6% of revenue, , compared to $53.7million, or 33.7% of revenue; an expansion of 190 basis points.
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