SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Retail Insider “Grocery Report” Examines How Value Is Reshaping Canadian Grocery

News Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 Grocery Report examines how value is reshaping Canadian grocery, from discount expansion and private label to digital tools, prepared foods, grocery-anchored real estate and shifting consumer behaviour.

Italian Centre Shop expands in Calgary with new Northland location opening July 16

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The new 22,000-square-foot location, which will open at 10 a.m. following a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony, will bring Italian Centre Shop’s signature blend of European grocery, fresh food experiences, and warm hospitality to Northwest Calgary — a growing and vibrant part of the city.

Modern Ambition Opens in Toronto’s Yorkville as Canadian Menswear Brand Plans National Expansion

News Craig Patterson -
Winnipeg-born premium menswear brand Modern Ambition has opened in Toronto’s Yorkville, with plans for over a dozen more stores across Canada.

Employment increases in accommodation and food services sector: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Employment was little changed in June, but accommodation and food services led gains with 15,000 new jobs, Statistics Canada said.

65% of marketers say they have differentiation anxiety, new Cashew study finds

News Mario Toneguzzi -
While AI has made content creation faster than ever, marketers say standing out has become significantly harder.

Inside Aritzia’s Expanding Store and Infrastructure Strategy

News Craig Patterson -
Aritzia’s latest filings reveal a larger retail platform taking shape across productive boutiques, major flagships, distribution and real estate.

Knix Founder Joanna Griffiths Steps Down After 14 Years as Nicole Tapscott Takes Leadership

News Craig Patterson -
Knix founder Joanna Griffiths is stepping down after 14 years, with Chief Commercial Officer Nicole Tapscott taking leadership as the Canadian retailer continues its expansion across stores, ecommerce and wholesale.

MTY Food Group to close 68 of its corporate locations in the coming months

News Mario Toneguzzi -
MTY Food Group will close 68 corporate locations after a portfolio review, with an estimated $10 million to $12 million cost.

Montreal-based Richelieu Hardware sees 3.9% sales growth in Q2

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Three acquisitions are adding $27 million in annual sales.

Costco Canada Sales Growth Moderates as Warehouse Expansion Continues

News Lee Rivett -
Costco Canada's June comparable sales growth slowed from earlier in the year, but the warehouse retailer continues to post healthy underlying gains while expanding its Canadian store network.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 9, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Vestis opens Max Mara and Weekend stores in Vancouver, Dollarama growth could be expansive, Joseph Tassoni returns to The Well for immersive show, 7-Eleven marks 60 years of the Slurpee, and other news.

Aritzia Q1 Fiscal 2027 net revenue rises 43.4% to $951M

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Canada net revenue increased 25.0% to $312.9 million, comprising 32.9% of net revenue.

Joseph Tassoni Returns to The Well With ‘Natural Authority’ Fashion Experience

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian designer Joseph Tassoni returns to The Well on Sept. 18 with his reimagined "Natural Authority" runway experience, blending fashion, technology, hospitality and philanthropy.

Honestly Good Chicken Fingers appoints Naomi Kempkes as President

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Prior to her co-founding Honestly Good Chicken Fingers, she held leadership roles with several established restaurant brands, including Recipe Unlimited Corporation, The Burger’s Priest, Fionn MacCool’s and East Side Mario’s.

Vestis Expands with Max Mara’s Return to Oakridge Park

News Craig Patterson -
Vestis Fashion Group has reopened Max Mara and Weekend Max Mara at Oakridge Park, bringing exclusive collections to Vancouver and expanding its luxury retail footprint.

Beyond Store Growth: What’s Next for Dollarama?

News Craig Patterson -
Dollarama's future growth may come from convenience, consumables, deeper market penetration and logistics investments as the retailer expands beyond its store-count ambitions.

Appliance industry innovating against its own customer

News Mario Toneguzzi -
In a national poll of more than 5,600 consumers, smart and connected features ranked near the bottom of purchase drivers — and shoppers under 35 want them no more than their grandparents do. Long-term reliability and value dominate the decision.

Retail Insider “Apparel & Fashion Report”: Market Polarization Reshapes Canadian Apparel Retail

News Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 Apparel & Fashion Report examines how premium brands, value retailers, resale concepts and specialists are reshaping Canadian apparel retail while mid-market chains face growing pressure.

Faubourg Contrecœur retail lineup now complete as Harden and Crombie sign Dollarama and McDonald’s

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Dollarama will occupy approximately 9,726 square feet and McDonald’s approximately 3,046-square-feet.

Winners/HomeSense to open first Fort McMurray location at Parsons Creek Town Centre

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The announcement follows the development of a new approximately 142,000-square-foot Walmart Supercentre at Parsons Creek, which will relocate Walmart’s existing Fort McMurray store and establish the site as the city’s dominant retail destination.

Daily Synopsis: July 8, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
7-Eleven marks 60 years with new flavours, Leon's opens Welland flagship, 1st non-alcoholic beverage store opens in Saskatchewan, retail theft involving kids, and other news.

MHRA Hospitality expands portfolio with Holy Chuck Burgers

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Founded by Johnny Prassoulis, Holy Chuck earned its reputation through fresh, never-frozen beef, handcrafted burgers and indulgent shakes that quickly became a staple in the Greater Toronto Area.

Marilyn Brooks, Trailblazer of Canadian Fashion Retail, Dies at 93

News Craig Patterson -
Marilyn Brooks, a celebrated Canadian fashion designer known for popularizing 1960s mod fashion in Toronto, has died at the age of 93. Her influence extended through her innovative retail practices and mentorship of emerging designers.

Retail Insider “Food Service Report”: Scale, Value and New Formats Reshape Canadian Restaurants

News Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 Canadian Food Service Report examines resilient restaurant spending, tougher traffic competition, franchise platform growth, value-led QSR strategy, coffee and breakfast pressure, and the growing role of food halls, mixed-use projects and flexible formats.

Walmart opening new Supercentre in Bramalea City Centre

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The approximately 140,000-square-foot location will become a new anchor tenant at the shopping centre and offer a full grocery assortment, general merchandise, pharmacy, and pickup and delivery services.

AFA Canada to Host United in Style Spring/Summer 2027 Event in Toronto This August

News Craig Patterson -
AFA Canada will bring together retailers, brands and industry partners at its United in Style Spring/Summer 2027 event, taking place August 11-13, 2026 at the Toronto Congress Centre.

Food Inflation Creates More Tactical Grocery Shoppers in Canada

News Lee Rivett -
A new Milesopedia survey finds grocery shoppers are comparing prices more often, buying more private label and questioning whether loyalty rewards meaningfully offset rising food costs.

Bang & Olufsen Opens Yorkville Flagship as Luxury Audio Brand Bets on Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Bang & Olufsen has opened a new Yorkville flagship in Toronto, marking its first dedicated store in the city since 2019 and highlighting Canada's growing importance within the luxury audio brand's North American expansion strategy.

Pop Mart Plans Major Canadian Expansion After Strong Early Demand

News Craig Patterson -
Pop Mart is planning major growth in Canada after stronger-than-expected demand, with Valen Tam outlining expansion opportunities in Quebec, the GTA, Vancouver and future retail formats.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 7, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Canadians turn to 'pay later' for groceries amid struggles, Subaru sees increased sales, Innovative eyewear launching in Canadian stores, Toronto Metro rebranding as Food Basics, St. Vital Walmart fire deemed arson, and other news.

Retail Insider “Grocery Report” Examines How Value Is Reshaping Canadian Food Retail

News Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider’s latest Industry Intelligence Report examines how value is reshaping Canadian grocery retail, from discount expansion and private label to grocery-anchored real estate, digital tools, prepared foods and shifting consumer behaviour.

Lotus Capital Expands Retail Platform with First Kelowna Acquisition

News Lee Rivett -
Vancouver-based Lotus Capital has acquired Plaza 33 in Kelowna, extending a growing Canadian strategy focused on grocery-anchored and necessity-based retail centres.

Helios AI Seeks to Bring Demand Intelligence to Independent Retailers

News Craig Patterson -
Montreal-based Helios AI is turning years of retail buying experience into a merchandising intelligence platform designed to help independent retailers make better inventory, pricing and assortment decisions.

Canadian Consumers Signal Unexpected Rebound in Spending Intentions

News Craig Patterson -
A new Stifel Canada survey finds 57% of Canadians expect to increase discretionary spending, with gains in apparel and dollar stores but weakness in furniture.

Cannes Lions Activated: 14 brand experiences ranked by Gradient’s I.M.P.A.C.T. methodology

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The strongest experiences did not just surround guests with branding. They turned the brand’s product, platform, or point of view into something people could actively experience.

Living Beauty sees spectacular growth since launching flagship store a year ago

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Since opening: month-over-month growth averaging 86% since launch, and a customer base with a 51% return rate on services and 40% on products. The top 20% of customers are spending an average of over $7,000 CAD per year.

Fairtrade Canada reports record US$10 million in producer premiums as certified coffee sales rise

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Research found that nearly 60 per cent of Canadians would be willing to pay more for Fairtrade products.

Five Canadian brands launch contest centred on limited-edition promotional coat

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The campaign featured local Toronto personality 6 Mom (Andrea Bolley).

Canada’s new tariff on imported canned vegetables expected to add pressure to grocery prices, MEI says

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The new tariff could place additional financial pressure on households, particularly those already facing higher grocery bills.

Daily Synopsis: July 6, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
RioCan gains from slow construction, Sephora introduces low-sensory store experience, Beer Store loses 'sabotage' real estate lawsuit, Flying Tiger opening at Vaughan Mills this week, 60 grocers receive Foodland Ontario award, and other news.

Bank of Canada reports weaker business, consumer sentiment as inflation expectations rise

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Sales outlooks have softened slightly, reflecting a slowdown in business and consumer spending associated with rising fuel-related costs and heightened geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East.

Demolition of Former Hudson’s Bay Store Marks End of a Retail Landmark in Windsor

News Craig Patterson -
The former Hudson's Bay store at Windsor's Devonshire Mall, which opened as a standalone Simpsons department store in 1974 and featured The Room fashion concept, will be demolished following its acquisition by Primaris REIT.

McEwan Grocery Store to Open at Bayview Village in Former Pusateri’s Space

News Craig Patterson -
McEwan Fine Foods will open a store at Bayview Village in Toronto in 2027, replacing Pusateri’s with a new chef-led gourmet grocery concept.

Furniture retailer CouchHaus targets Calgary and Toronto expansion as national demand drives growth

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The expansion reflects a shift from operating a single flagship showroom to establishing a physical presence in markets where the company says online demand has already demonstrated customer interest.

Canada Gold opens first Manitoba store, signs Winnipeg Blue Bombers partnership

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Founded in Vancouver in 2008, Canada Gold operates as a physical bullion dealer.

Canadian pharmacies generated $22.9B in GDP, supported more than 273,000 jobs in 2024: report

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Canada has 12,558 pharmacy locations, the report said, with nearly two-thirds operating as independently owned or banner-affiliated community pharmacies.

Fairmont Waterfront completes first phase of renovation as Vancouver cruise traffic climbs

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The downtown Vancouver hotel said the initial phase of the project includes 96 redesigned guest rooms and comes as cruise passenger volumes continue to rise at the Port of Vancouver.

Daily Synopsis: July 3, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Marilyn Brooks passes at 93, Forever 21 and Bluenotes exit CF Polo Park, West Edmonton Mall roller coaster under construction, Old Navy replacing Toys R Us at Dufferin Mall items recovered in major Holt Renfrew theft, and other news.

St. John Knits Closes Last Canadian Boutique in Vancouver

News Craig Patterson -
American luxury fashion brand St. John Knits has closed its Vancouver boutique at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, ending its standalone retail presence in Canada after helping shape the city's luxury retail district.

First Capital Sale Marks End of an Era in Canadian Retail Real Estate

News Craig Patterson -
First Capital REIT unitholders have approved the company's sale to KingSett Capital and Choice Properties, marking a turning point for one of Canada's most influential retail real estate companies and raising questions about the future of key urban retail districts including Toronto's Yorkville.
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