SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Rising Costs Reshape Canadian Retail Development

News Craig Patterson -
Higher construction costs, cautious consumers, and data-driven decisions are reshaping Canadian retail development, says CCIM’s Adam Palmer.

Daily Synopsis: Feb 17, 2026 – Retail Insights

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
HBC coat of arms to be auctioned off, Sheertex maker sold, Vancouver coffee shop ranked 15th in the world, Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver to see huge redevelopment, downtown Yonge remains strong, and other news.

Ford Considers Family Day Mall Openings in Ontario

News Craig Patterson -
Ontario may review Family Day retail closures as Premier Doug Ford signals possible changes to mall opening rules.

Canadian startup Typical launches stretchable towels with patent-pending technology

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Integrating two per cent spandex into conventional cotton to improve flexibility and comfort.

Big Handshake Loyalty Conference to debut in Toronto amid economic squeeze

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Organizers expect between 120 and 130 attendees for the one-day event, which has operated for four years in Europe.

Canada’s Food Prices Rising Faster Than Any G7 Nation

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Canada now has the highest food inflation in the G7, with structural costs and productivity challenges driving prices above global peers.

Consumer prices decelerate in January: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
But prices for food purchased from stores rose 4.8% year over year in January following a 5.0% increase in December.

HEYTEA Opens First Canadian Lab in Toronto

News Craig Patterson -
HEYTEA has opened its first Canadian HEYTEA Lab at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, introducing its experimental flagship tea concept.

Canada business exits outpace entries for 5th straight quarter: CFIB economist

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Regionally, every province is in negative territory except Quebec, where entry and exit rates are roughly balanced.

Montréal visitor numbers rise 7.3% in 2025 as tourism spending holds steady

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Domestic travel led the gains in 2025, with the Canadian market rising 10 per cent.

Winnipeg Retail Market Sees Major Investment Wave

News Lee Rivett -
Winnipeg’s retail market sees major investments, redevelopments, and new tenants across key shopping centres and suburban districts.

Daily Synopsis: Feb 16, 2026 – Sustainability and Experiential Growth

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Eddie Bauer sets gift card deadline in Canada, Toys R Us Canada extends creditor protection, Toronto mall landlords re-evaluate condo tower plans, and other news.

Canada’s Grocers Turn to AI, Shoppers to Pay [Op-Ed]

News Sylvain Charlebois -
AI moves from back-end systems to shopper-facing tools, raising new questions around pricing, privacy, and trust in Canadian grocery retail.

Aline Nasseh Chocolates Pop Up at Holt Renfrew

News Craig Patterson -
Toronto’s Aline Nasseh Artisan Chocolates debuts a pop-up at Holt Renfrew Yorkdale, marking a key step in the young brand’s luxury retail growth.

From The Desk: Canadian Retail Navigates AI Shifts and Operational Pressures

News Craig Patterson -
AI innovation, store closures, and labour challenges shape mid-February’s retail landscape as Valentine’s Day spending approaches.

Los Angeles underwear brand KENT eyes Canadian wholesale growth amid tariff pressures

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Launched in June 2020 by founder and chief executive Stacy Grace, it produces plant-based underwear for women and men designed to be compostable at the end of its life.

Kildonan Place announces $30-million redevelopment and new zero waste food court (Renderings)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
This project reflects the centre’s ongoing commitment to offering a welcoming, modern, and community‑focused environment for shoppers and tenants.

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.
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