SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

AFA United in Style 2026 Unites Fashion Communities

News Craig Patterson -
AFA United in Style runs February 8–10, 2026 in Toronto, connecting footwear, apparel and accessories alongside the Thredz Show.

Toys R Us Closes Final British Columbia Store in Langley

News Lee Rivett -
Toys R Us has closed its last British Columbia store in Langley, marking a major contraction as the Canadian chain continues widespread closures.

Two-thirds of Canadians plan to cut spending in 2026 as budgets tighten: TD survey

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The survey found 67 per cent of Canadians expect to cut back on spending this year, up sharply from 51 per cent in 2025.

Saks Global Bankruptcy Reopens Canadian Retail Wounds

News Craig Patterson -
Saks Global’s Chapter 11 filing revives Canadian retail fallout, exposing risks for brands, landlords, and suppliers tied to the former Saks Canada network.

Canadian M&A expected to maintain steady pace into 2026, PwC outlook says

News Mario Toneguzzi -
PwC said 642 deals with an announced value of $138.8 billion were recorded between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2025, reflecting what it described as a more consistent level of activity following a downturn that extended through 2023 and 2024.

Fitness World Plans $50M for Canadian Expansion

News Craig Patterson -
Fitness World Canada will invest $50 million to open 25 new clubs and launch franchising, targeting Ontario, Alberta, and beyond.

Temu launches Shopify app to expand marketplace access for small businesses

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The move is aimed at streamlining cross-border e-commerce for merchants by integrating Temu’s Local Seller Program with Shopify accounts.

Egg Club to Open Edmonton Location as Part of National Expansion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Egg Club opened its first Alberta outlets in Calgary, with locations in Downtown Calgary and on Macleod Trail

Larry Leung Reappointed Chair of CXPA Canada Council

News Craig Patterson -
Larry Leung begins a second year as Chair of CXPA Canada, focusing on AI, risk management, and the evolving role of customer experience in retail.

Regal Milano opens bespoke Italian tailoring studio in Vancouver’s Gastown (Photos)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The studio, located at 28 Water Street, establishes a physical presence for Regal Milano in Vancouver and positions the company within one of the city’s established retail and tourism neighbourhoods.

McDonald’s Canada Triggers a New Fast-Food Price War

News Sylvain Charlebois -
McDonald’s Canada freezes value pricing for a year, forcing rivals to respond and sending ripple effects through restaurants, processors, and Canadian farms.

Solis Movement Opens Third Toronto Studio in the East End

News Craig Patterson -
Solis Movement expands with an 8,000 square foot east-end studio, adding new programming, wellness services, and a deeper Toronto community focus.

Team Town Sports named official footwear retailer for Canadian Premier League, League1 Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The agreement gives Team Town Sports a role supporting league merchandise sales in stores and online and aims to expand access to performance footwear for players and coaches across both competitions.

STEFF ELEOFF Expands to Selfridges London

News Craig Patterson -
Toronto jewellery brand STEFF ELEOFF enters Selfridges London, marking its first major international department store expansion.

Sephora Canada opens applications for second year of creator program

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Applications will open Jan. 19, with the company selecting 10 creators from across the country to form the next Sephora Squad. The new roster is scheduled to be announced in spring 2026.

RBC, Canadian Tire launch loyalty partnership linking Avion and Triangle Rewards

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The partnership allows eligible RBC cardholders who link their cards to Triangle Rewards to earn three times Canadian Tire Money on qualifying purchases at Canadian Tire, SportChek, Mark’s and other participating Canadian Tire Corp. banners.

Groupe Boucher to relocate, expand Place Ste-Foy Sports Experts–Atmosphère store

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Founded in 1967, the Sports Experts banner now includes more than 100 stores across Quebec, all operated by franchisees based in the province.

Decathlon makes select running shoes unreturnable in January pledge aimed at New Year’s fitness commitments

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The initiative includes a loyalty incentive. Members who make the purchase will receive 1,000 bonus loyalty points and will retain those points provided the shoes are not returned for 30 days.

Kits Eyecare appoints Angela MacInnis as chief marketing officer

News Mario Toneguzzi -
MacInnis will join the executive leadership team and assume responsibility for the company’s marketing strategy and brand development.

MNP Consumer Debt Index: Canadians brace for challenging 2026 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
A majority believe the economy overall will worsen (59%) this year, and as many expect housing affordability to deteriorate (59%).

Uniqlo Entering Winnipeg With Two-Store Launch

News Craig Patterson -
Uniqlo confirms its first Winnipeg store at CF Polo Park, with a second location planned at St. Vital Centre as the brand deepens its Canadian expansion.

Groupe Dynamite sees strong comparable sales growth

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Groupe Dynamite is updating fiscal 2025 comparable store sales growth guidance to a range of 26.5% to 27.0%.

Moxies to Close Yorkdale Restaurant After 18 Years

News Lee Rivett -
Moxies will close its Yorkdale Shopping Centre restaurant on January 17, 2026 as the brand looks ahead to its next phase of growth.

Aesop Opens Robson Street Store in Downtown Vancouver

News Craig Patterson -
Aesop has opened a new Robson Street store in downtown Vancouver, marking its fifth location in the city and second in the downtown core.

Toronto Gift + Home Market Returns as Canada’s Largest Spring Wholesale Trade Event

News Craig Patterson -
The Toronto Gift + Home Market returns January 25–29, 2026, bringing retailers and exhibitors together for Canada’s largest spring wholesale trade event.

SSENSE Co-Founders Set to Buy Back Luxury Retailer

News Lee Rivett -
SSENSE co-founders secure court approval to repurchase the luxury retailer following its CCAA restructuring process.

Google Expands AI Shopping With Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair

News Lee Rivett -
Google is expanding AI-powered shopping in Gemini through partnerships with Walmart, Shopify, and Wayfair, signaling a shift toward agent-led commerce.

From the Desk: Retail’s Strategic Moves and Shifting Consumer Landscapes in Early 2026

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail enters 2026 amid strategic recalibration, as brands balance flagship investment, store optimization, AI adoption, and shifting consumer demand.

Chip Wilson’s Board Picks Reveal Lululemon’s Deeper Problem

News Jared Gordon -
Chip Wilson’s board nominations highlight deeper strategic issues at Lululemon as the brand grapples with innovation, leadership, and direction.

VIDEO: Retail sector faces tough year as trade tensions, consumer caution shape 2026: Bruce Winder

News Mario Toneguzzi -
One of the most significant developments in 2025 was the shutdown of Hudson’s Bay, which left large amounts of vacant retail space across the country.

Canada’s unemployment rate on the rise: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
There were 1.6 million people unemployed in December, an increase of 73,000 (+4.9%) in the month.

Aritzia reports Q3 Fiscal 2026 financial results, record net revenue

News Mario Toneguzzi -
"We delivered record net revenue of $1.04 billion in the third quarter of Fiscal 2026, a 43% increase compared to last year. Comparable sales grew 34%, with exceptional growth in all channels and all geographies."

Moose Knuckles Refines Retail Strategy With Eaton Centre Move

News Craig Patterson -
Moose Knuckles relocates its CF Toronto Eaton Centre store as the Canadian brand sharpens its retail, product, and global growth strategy.

VIDEO: Canadian restaurants struggling, Sylvain Charlebois

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Charlebois said his team’s analysis suggests Canada experienced a net loss of roughly 7,000 restaurant establishments in 2025 and is on track to lose about another 4,000 in 2026, as closures continue to outpace openings

Edmonton hospitality group O & O eyes international expansion as it approaches 10-year milestone

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Today, O & O Group’s business model is firmly rooted in franchising, a strategy Prakash says allows the company to focus on execution and operational discipline rather than brand creation.

EMERGE founder outlines past missteps and future strategy in shareholder letter

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The letter frames EMERGE’s history in three phases, according to the company, and is intended to provide shareholders with a candid assessment of how the business has evolved and where it intends to focus going forward.

Canada Could Lose 4,000 Restaurants in 2026

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Despite growth on paper, Canada’s restaurant sector faces rising costs, shrinking margins, and accelerating closures heading into 2026.

Randstad Canada outlines top 15 most in-demand jobs for 2026 amid accelerating workplace change

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Retail and sales positions are also being reshaped, according to the report, as the experience economy changes the nature of customer-facing work.

Tiffany & Co. Expands Canadian Presence With Royalmount Store

News Craig Patterson -
Tiffany & Co. opens a new Royalmount store in Montreal, deepening its long-term investment in Canadian luxury retail and flagship locations.

Sports Experts to Replace Saks OFF 5TH at Place Ste-Foy

News Craig Patterson -
Sports Experts will relocate to the former Saks OFF 5TH space at Place Ste-Foy, expanding its footprint by over 50 percent ahead of an April 2026 opening.

Gen Z Is Opting Out and Retail Is Feeling the Impact

News Lee Rivett -
Gen Z is rejecting traditional life milestones, reshaping demand across housing, apparel, food, and lifestyle retail in Canada.

London Drugs to Close Downtown Eastside Vancouver Store

News Lee Rivett -
London Drugs will close its Downtown Eastside Vancouver store on Feb. 1, ending a 17-year presence amid safety and financial challenges.

Yankee Candle Exits Canadian Retail After 14 Years

News Craig Patterson -
Yankee Candle has closed its final Canadian store, ending its brick-and-mortar presence after 14 years as the brand shifts to wholesale distribution.

AI Is Reshaping Retail Search in Canada

News Lee Rivett -
AI powered search is changing how consumers find retailers. A new trend report explains why brands are losing visibility faster than expected.

Bloor-Yorkville BIA Appoints Janet McCausland as Executive Director

News Craig Patterson -
Toronto's Bloor-Yorkville BIA has appointed Janet McCausland as Executive Director, succeeding Briar de Lange as the luxury district enters its next phase.

Quebec SMEs Leading Retail Innovation [Op-Ed]

News Retail Insider -
Quebec SMEs like Omy, BonLook, and Matt & Nat show how personalization, omnichannel, and sustainability drive retail success.

Future-Ready Fashion at AFA United in Style 2026

News Retail Insider -
AFA United in Style 2026 brings Canadian fashion buyers and brands together in Toronto to preview new collections, trends, and strategies shaping future seasons.

Canada’s K-Shaped Economy will Reshape Retail in 2026

News Craig Patterson -
Canada’s retail sector enters 2026 shaped by a K-shaped economy, cautious consumers, rapid delivery, AI discovery, and mounting pressure on malls.

Why Customer Connection Is the New E-Commerce Advantage

News David Nagy -
Customer connection has become the defining advantage in e-commerce as brands balance personalization, data, automation, and long-term trust.

KaleMart24 Expands Rapidly With Toronto Entry Planned for 2026

News Craig Patterson -
Montreal-based KaleMart24 plans a major Toronto debut in 2026 as the wellness-focused convenience brand accelerates national expansion.
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