SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

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.

To lower grocery bills, food supply chains need to be improved: McGill professor

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The expanded Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit does not reduce the grocery bills. 

Consumers approaching Valentine’s Day comfortably and intentionally: Lightspeed Commerce

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Nearly two thirds of North American consumers (62%) feel little to no pressure to spend money on Valentine’s Day. Instead, most shoppers are approaching the holiday comfortably and intentionally.

DX3 2026 Reimagines Canada’s Leading Retail Conference

News Craig Patterson -
DX3 2026 returns to Toronto with a reimagined, executive-focused format moving beyond the traditional trade show model.

VIDEO: Canadian consumers holding steady but under strain as debt and uncertainty persist: Economist Todd Hirsch

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Household debt is a growing concern, particularly among consumers relying on high-interest credit cards to cover essentials such as food and fuel.

Canada Goose announces Q3 results and names Patrick Bourke as President, North America

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Total revenue increased 14.2% to $694.5 million.

Marc Cain Appoints New Canada President for Growth

News Lee Rivett -
Marc Cain names Jessica R’Bibo as President of Marc Cain Canada as the brand focuses on growth in the Canadian market.

Longo’s celebrating 70 years as a family-focused grocer 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Recently, Longo’s was named the #1 Grocer in Ontario in the 2026 WOW Study by Léger, based on the opinions of thousands of recent visitors to grocery stores across Ontario.

Lessons learned along the entrepreneurial journey: Marc Lafleur

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Lafleur is a founder at heart and has taken a particular interest in mentoring up-and-coming founders.

Trends in the franchising industry: Canadian Franchise Association

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Restaurant brands continue to attract franchisees with scalable operations, steady revenue, and innovative menu offerings.

Nearly 1 in 5 Canadians cutting back on Valentine’s gifts this year: Omnisend

Retailer Data Mario Toneguzzi -
While 20% of consumers say they’ve cut back on online holiday gifting, many shoppers report their overall online spending is still increasing.

Super Bowl Drives Major Food Spending in Canada

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Super Bowl weekend has become a major at-home food occasion in Canada, with millions of viewers driving spikes in wings, snacks, and delivery orders.

Tudor Expands Canadian Boutique Network with Bloor Opening

News Craig Patterson -
Tudor is accelerating its Canadian retail expansion with new boutiques in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver while maintaining key retail partnerships.

Motorola Solutions and Lenbrook Boost Retail Efficiency in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Motorola Solutions and Lenbrook bring advanced communication solutions to Canadian retailers, enhancing safety, productivity, and customer experience.

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver launches unique HIBIKI pop-up lounge

News Mario Toneguzzi -
HIBIKI invites guests into an intimate, thoughtfully-designed space where the art of listening is as important as the art of drinking and dining.

Aggressive expansion in Alberta for Splitsville

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said 2025 marked a landmark year of growth for Splitsville Bowl, with the brand reaching 15 locations nationwide.

Advertisers gear up for huge Super Bowl audience

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Vividata says 8.4 million Canadians will be following the Super Bowl, reinforcing the game’s status as a rare mass cultural moment.

IKEA and Tiny Chef team up in new miniseries to celebrate joyful, plant-rich cooking (Video)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Coinciding with the launch of IKEA's innovative plant-rich falafel ball, the series celebrates creativity, new possibilities, and everyday joy.

Leyad executes “modern retail strategy” across its portfolio

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Of the 323,000 square feet previously occupied by HBC, committed occupancy now stands at 82.7% less than 12 months later.

Court Finds Sunterra Liable for $35M in Cheque-Kiting Ruling

News Craig Patterson -
An Alberta court finds Sunterra liable for $35 million in cheque kiting, with the company’s president held personally responsible amid ongoing restructuring.

Toys “R” Us Canada Seeks CCAA Protection

News Craig Patterson -
Toys “R” Us Canada has filed for CCAA protection as it restructures its business, reduces its store footprint, and navigates mounting operational pressures.

Westbeach Returns With Vancouver Flagship and National Plans

News Craig Patterson -
Westbeach returns under Chip Wilson with a Vancouver flagship, retail-first strategy, and plans to expand across Canada.

1 in 3 Canadians going on fewer dates due to economic conditions: TD survey

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The current economic climate is also influencing pillow talk, with 1 in 4 Canadians (25%) polled now prioritizing financial transparency earlier in their relationships.

Cooler Co. moves manufacturing to Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Cooler Co.’s beverages are currently available at retailers across B.C. and Ontario

Walmart Connect Canada Academy Ad Certification designed to educate and empower advertisers

Retailer News Mario Toneguzzi -
Retail media is evolving rapidly, and staying competitive requires up-to-date skills. 

Airports have become prime destinations for brand storytelling

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Airports have evolved beyond being just transit points.

French Connection Group looking to expand in North American market

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Founded in 1972, French Connection is a London-based global fashion brand known for its contemporary, design-led clothing, accessories, and homeware.

Why Canada’s Grocery Code of Conduct Won’t Lower Food Prices

News Retail Insider -
Canada’s Grocery Code of Conduct is now in effect, improving transparency and dispute resolution between grocers and suppliers, but it is not designed to lower food prices.

Grosvenor Acquires Full Ownership of Broadmead Village

News Lee Rivett -
Grosvenor Property Canada acquires full ownership of Broadmead Village in Victoria, valuing the grocery-anchored centre at $95.5 million.

Burger It Forward campaign addressing growing food insecurity issue

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Food bank use is at its highest in Canadian history, with close to 2.2 million visits to food banks this month.

Eddie Bauer Poised to Exit Canada as Store Shutdown Looms

News Craig Patterson -
Eddie Bauer is expected to close all Canadian stores as part of a Chapter 11 restructuring affecting roughly 200 North American locations.

Shell Canada Joins Scene+ Loyalty Program

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Scene+ said it is one of Canada’s leading loyalty programs with over 15 million members.

Oakley makes history with first-ever official national team apparel sponsorship

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Oakley said it’s snow apparel fuses forward-thinking design with technical precision.

Tourism sector in Montreal drives economy in 2025

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The 477 events held in the metropolis drew more than 1 million visitors and generated an estimated $438 million in economic spinoffs for Montréal and Québec.
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