SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Kate Spade New York names Tyla global brand ambassador as artist fronts fall campaign (Video)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The partnership will see Tyla featured in brand campaigns, social media content and in-store advertising, beginning with the fall campaign and continuing through additional promotional initiatives the company plans to unveil later this summer.

Casavogue Extends Summer Sale with Savings of Up to 50 Percent

News Retail Insider -
Casavogue has extended its Summer Sale for a limited time, with savings of up to 50% across all categories and up to 60% on select liquidation pieces.

Couche-Tard reaches deal to acquire controlling stake in Poland’s Żabka Group in transaction valued at US$8.6 billion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
If completed, the deal would be the largest acquisition in Couche-Tard's history.

Home Depot restructures leadership to streamline operations and accelerate growth strategy

News Mario Toneguzzi -
At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the company operated 2,361 retail stores and more than 1,280 SRS locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, all 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico.

Sobeys surpasses food waste reduction target five years ahead of UN goal

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Empire said the food loss and waste reduction included 40.6 million pounds of food donated across Canada during fiscal 2026, while another 5.2 million pounds of food was diverted through the FoodHero program.

Employment in retail continues to increase: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The monthly increase in May was concentrated in food and beverage retailers (+5,100; +1.0%), motor vehicle and parts dealers (+1,100; +0.5%) and general merchandise retailers (+1,000; +0.4%).

Loblaw Plans About 75 Store Openings in 2027 as Discount Expansion Continues

News Craig Patterson -
Loblaw expects to open about 75 stores in 2027 as it expands No Frills, Maxi and its pharmacy network amid sustained demand for discount grocery shopping.

Canada Goose’s Year-Round Strategy Gains Momentum as New Categories Drive Growth

News Craig Patterson -
Canada Goose says apparel, rainwear and windwear generated nearly 40% of first-quarter revenue as the luxury retailer expands beyond winter parkas, with Canada outperforming the U.S. market.

T&T’s Record California Debut Fuels U.S. Expansion Plans

News Craig Patterson -
T&T Supermarket's first California store generated the highest first-week sales in Loblaw history as the Canadian retailer accelerates its U.S. expansion.

Daily Synopsis: July 30, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Shoppers Drug Mart Expanding lower-priced fresh food, Aesop expanding Canadian store network, World Cup drove international card use in Canada, Canada Goose reports positive earnings, and other news.

Shoppers Drug Mart Expands Pharmacy Care as Loblaw Tests Lower-Priced Food Offer

News Craig Patterson -
Shoppers Drug Mart is expanding pharmacy care clinics and testing lower-priced food as healthcare-services sales outpace front-store growth.

Aesop Expands Canadian Store Network with New CF Richmond Centre Location

News Craig Patterson -
Aesop, an Australian skincare retailer, is opening a boutique at CF Richmond Centre, continuing its expansion across Canada. This move marks a significant milestone in Aesop's strategy to establish standalone stores and enhance direct-to-consumer connections.

Gildan reports “strong” Q2 results, net loss of $50 million, announces sale of HanesBrands Australia

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Second quarter net sales from continuing operations were $1.58 billion, up 72.3% over the prior year.

Pattison Food Group arrives on DoorDash, bringing Western Canada’s grocery staples home

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Save-On-Foods and five additional banners are now on DoorDash, offering in-store prices and member-exclusive pricing for More Rewards members.

Canada Goose reports Q1 Fiscal 2027 results while company expands year-round relevance

News Mario Toneguzzi -
“We’re successfully evolving Canada Goose into a year-round luxury brand, with customers engaging across more seasons and categories."

Loblaw reports Q2 revenue growth of 4.1% 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Retail revenue was $15,046 million, an increase of $589 million, or 4.1%.

Primaris REIT announces Q2 2026 results, leasing momentum “exceptionally strong”

News Mario Toneguzzi -
At June 30, 2026, approximately 600,000 square feet of former HBC space was leased to high-quality tenants under long-term lease agreements with occupancy dates ranging from early 2027 to mid-2029.

World Cup Drives 35% Increase in International Card Spending in Canada: Visa

News Lee Rivett -
Visa says inbound international card spending in Canada rose more than 35% during the opening weeks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto and Vancouver.

Daily Synopsis: July 29, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Bay Street Video thrives after 33 years as people rediscover DVDs, HEAL Wellness opening first Victoria location, Vancouver bakery proposes 30 storey hotel project, Vancouver 'Villages' plan scrapped, Union claims Alberta flags in Sobeys stores promote separatism as grievance is filed, and other news.

GUESS to Expand Product Categories in Canada Through New Licensing Network

News Craig Patterson -
GUESS will expand its Canadian product assortment with new home, children’s, apparel and accessories categories beginning in late 2026, with a broader rollout planned by spring 2027.

Pop Mart to Relocate into Larger CF Toronto Eaton Centre Store

News Craig Patterson -
Pop Mart will relocate from its initial CF Toronto Eaton Centre pop-up into a larger Level 1 store, nearly tripling its footprint at the downtown Toronto mall.

Belleville Costco Warehouse Planned as Canadian Expansion Continues

News Lee Rivett -
Plans for a new Costco warehouse in Belleville, Ontario, have moved forward following an announcement by Mayor Neil Ellis. The project highlights Costco's continued Canadian expansion and the retailer's strategy of serving growing regional markets.

Tim Hortons to launch Harry Potter-themed menu, merchandise and promotions Aug. 12

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The limited-time campaign will add themed food and beverages, collectible merchandise, special packaging, an in-store trivia event and a national contest, expanding the company's seasonal promotional offerings through collaborations tied to a major entertainment brand.

Walmart Connect launches self-serve onsite display platform to expand retail media capabilities

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The platform introduces an auction-based buying model, enabling advertisers to set bids dynamically and align spend to real-time demand.

BodyMods to open first Alberta studios with two Calgary locations

News Mario Toneguzzi -
BodyMods said the Alberta expansion is part of a broader growth plan that includes establishing 12 additional studios by 2028.

Longines to Open First Canadian Boutique in Downtown Vancouver

News Craig Patterson -
Swiss watchmaker Longines will open its first Canadian boutique in downtown Vancouver’s Luxury Zone.

KINTON RAMEN introduces children’s menu aimed at expanding family dining business

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The new Kids Menu combines a children's meal with activities designed to introduce young diners to elements of Japanese language and culture while they eat.

Clutch opens Halifax customer hub as online used-car retailer expands physical network

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Halifax site spans 11,000 square feet on a three-acre property and is intended to support customers completing vehicle transactions through the company's website.

Canadian Consumers Increasingly Verify Wellness Claims Before Buying: CHFA Study

News Craig Patterson -
New CHFA research finds Canadian consumers are increasingly verifying wellness claims through packaging, professionals, reviews and AI before buying.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 28, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
CF Toronto Eaton Centre sees washroom redesigns, grocery sustainability takes centre stage, and Just Cuts expands with location in Ontario.

Protein price spikes offset broad grocery relief in July: Agri-Food Analytics Lab

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Lab said its 50-item food basket increased by 0.3% from June to July, rising by approximately $0.89 to an equal-city average of $298.38.

Inside the Redesign of CF Toronto Eaton Centre’s High-Traffic Washrooms

News Craig Patterson -
WZMH Architects redesigned the Level 2 washrooms at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, adding capacity, durable materials and a water-inspired interior.

Faire report says independent retailers outpacing online-only stores, adapting to economic shifts

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Retailers in smaller cities and towns are outpacing those in major metropolitan centres and are identifying emerging consumer trends before they become mainstream.

Study Finds Grocery Stores Could Cut Plastic Produce-Bag Use

News Lee Rivett -
University of Toronto research involving 30 Toronto grocery stores and a Longo’s pilot suggests retailers could reduce disposable plastic produce-bag use through signage, reusable alternatives and changes to dispenser placement.

Canadians plan average of 18 hours of summer driving as road trips dominate travel: Turo report

News Mario Toneguzzi -
55 per cent of Canadian travel between June and September will be by road, while seven in 10 road trippers plan to take at least two trips over the season.

Clinique Canada partners with AFC Toronto, Canadian Women & Sport on campaign aimed at keeping girls in sport

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The partnership comes as Canadian Women & Sport points to research showing declining participation among teenage girls despite growing visibility for women's professional sports.

Just Cuts opens salon in Guelph, plans Ontario expansion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Plans to open locations at Masonville Place in London in November, followed by Limeridge Mall in Hamilton and Dufferin Mall in Toronto in early January.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 27, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Costco marks 50 years, BodyMods expanding in Calgary, Superstore updates Heritage Meadows store, DUER looks to expand despite tariffs, and other news.

First Capital REIT reports Q2 financial results, indicating a strong leasing volume

News Mario Toneguzzi -
On a quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year basis, total portfolio occupancy decreased 0.1% to 97.1% at June 30, 2026, from 97.2% at March 31, 2026 and June 30, 2025, respectively.

Back-to-School now a $4.5 billion retail market in Canada: Retail Council of Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Average household spending ranges from $600 to $750 per child when electronics are included, making it one of the most significant retail events of the year.

Iconic Bavarian Inn site for sale in Bragg Creek, Alberta

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Known by many as the BAV TAV, the Bavarian Inn Restaurant has been serving guests since the 1970s and has built a long-standing reputation for quality, consistency, and warm hospitality.

Omnichannel no longer enough as retailers shift focus to customer decision-making: Report

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The brands delivering the best experiences are no longer simply the ones with the most touchpoints.

Wilkes & Bowens Debuts at Toronto’s Stackt Market Ahead of Bloor Rebrand

News Craig Patterson -
Wilkes & Bowens has opened a temporary Stackt Market residency ahead of the rebranding of Toronto Designers Market on Bloor Street.

Retail Insider Books & Entertainment Report: Fandom, Community and Experience Reshape the Market

News Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider's latest Books & Entertainment Report examines how Canadian retailers are using fandom, community, intellectual property and experiential formats to strengthen customer engagement, with insights into bookstores, collectibles, entertainment venues and evolving consumer behaviour.

Gen Z is Redefining the Checkout Experience for Canadian Retailers

News Craig Patterson -
Many Gen Z shoppers are reshaping checkout expectations by prioritizing privacy, trust and payment choice, creating new opportunities and challenges for Canadian retailers.

Poor customer service abroad is driving travellers to switch banks: Gradient Labs

News Mario Toneguzzi -
1,000 of the 1,998 travellers surveyed reported experiencing a card, payment, or banking issue abroad in the past two years. 

AI security spending rises as retailers face surge in deepfake and identity attacks: Thales

News Mario Toneguzzi -
72% of retail organizations cite rapid changes in AI ecosystems as their leading security concern, undermining the ability of traditional tools to keep pace.

Air Canada Amenity Kits Spotlight Canadian Brand Partnerships

News Retail Insider -
Air Canada’s new amenity kits bring together Sahajan and Hunter Amenities, showing how Canadian brand partnerships can create wider business value.

From The Desk: Navigating Retail Growth Amid Trade Shifts and Experience-Driven Strategies

News Craig Patterson -
This week in Canadian retail highlights strategic expansions, evolving consumer experiences, and the complex impacts of trade tensions shaping growth opportunities.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 24, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Local food hubs proposed to address grocery competition, Loblaw brings 'goss' campaign back for Ossfest in Toronto, Toys R Us stores clearning out in Winnipeg, and other news.
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