SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Primaris Invests $19M to Transform Former Hudson’s Bay at Galeries de la Capitale

News Craig Patterson -
Primaris REIT is investing $19 million to redevelop the former Hudson’s Bay at Galeries de la Capitale, with Imaginaire and ZIBO! among new tenants.

Higher Back-to-School Spending Masks Budget Pressure for Canadian Families

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian families expect to spend more on back-to-school in 2026 as inflation pressures budgets and shoppers turn to deals, discount retailers and Amazon.

lululemon Like New Resale Program Expands to Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Building on the program in the U.S., lululemon brings the online and peer-to-peer experience from its branded resale business to Canada with technology partner Archive.

Consumer prices continue to climb: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
July was the 18th consecutive month that grocery price inflation outpaced the all-items CPI.

63% of Canadians have bought refurbished, open box or traded in technology in the past year: Best Buy report

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Best Buy Canada says 63% of Canadians bought refurbished, open box or traded-in tech last year, led by Gen Z.

Ford Canada Launches ‘There’s No Can’t in Canada’ Campaign, Highlights $5B Oakville Investment

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Building on its nearly $5 billion investment in Oakville and continued investment in its Windsor Operations, Ford said its commitment spans its entire Canadian network – from manufacturing plants to its Connectivity and Innovation Centres, Parts Distribution Centres, and the more than 430 dealers and 6,500 employees across the country.

Inside Leon’s $1.17 Billion Canadian Real Estate Portfolio

News Craig Patterson -
Leon’s has valued its Canadian real estate portfolio at $1.17 billion as the retailer advances redevelopment projects and continues plans for a publicly traded REIT.

43% of Canadians Less Likely to Trust AI-Generated Ads, Vistar Media Finds

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Consumers continue to value the qualities AI often struggles to replicate: 69% say humour, emotion and entertainment make ads memorable, and more than half say relevance is what captures their attention.

AI Isn’t Expected to Cut Canadian Retail Jobs by 2031, but the Skills Needed Are Changing: ServiceNow

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The implication for retailers is clear: competitive advantage is likely to come less from expanding headcount and more from reskilling existing employees for an AI-enabled future.

CBRE seeks grocery store for Saskatoon’s downtown redevelopment

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The downtown area has several convenience stores and small markets, but residents generally have to travel to suburban locations for larger grocery purchases.

Canada’s Supply Management System Must Evolve: 10 Myths That Need Rethinking

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Sylvain Charlebois examines 10 common myths about Canada’s supply management system, from dairy prices and subsidies to milk dumping, trade and reform.

Canadian consumer insolvencies hit highest quarterly level since 2009: CAIRP

News Mario Toneguzzi -
There were 37,523 consumer insolvencies filed during the quarter, up 6.9 per cent from the same period a year earlier and 1.1 per cent from the first quarter.

From The Desk: Strategic Expansions and Resilience Shape Canadian Retail Landscape

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail sees continued store expansion, shifting real estate strategies and changing consumer behaviour amid ongoing economic and labour market pressures.

Daily Synopsis: August 14, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Rolex sues Montreal jewellery store over customized designs, BTS pop-up draws crowds on Bloor Street in iToronto, Le Creuset expands to West Vancouver, more Ontario grocery stores shift to discount, and other news.

Goodfood obtains Court Approval of Sale and Investment Solicitation Process

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Customers can continue to place orders, and the company expects to continue fulfilling customer orders in the ordinary course throughout the restructuring process.

Absolutely Fabrics Expands in Toronto with Summerhill Flagship

News Craig Patterson -
Toronto fashion retailer Absolutely Fabrics is opening a 7,000-square-foot Summerhill flagship, adding menswear and expanding its curated multi-brand concept.

Plaza Retail REIT Draws Takeover Interest as Retail Space Tightens

News Lee Rivett -
Plaza Retail REIT draws takeover interest as tight retail supply, high occupancy and rising rents strengthen its Canadian property portfolio.

Luminaire Authentik Opens Toronto Flagship, Plans Canadian Expansion

News Craig Patterson -
Luminaire Authentik has opened a Toronto flagship in the King East Design District as the Quebec lighting manufacturer plans further Canadian expansion.

Montréal tourism season on track for record year as hotel demand, business travel rise

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Hotel occupancy reached 82 per cent from May through July, seven percentage points higher than during the same period in 2025.

Leon’s Eyes Western Canada Expansion as The Brick Targets Atlantic Growth

News Craig Patterson -
Leon’s sees expansion opportunities in Western Canada while The Brick targets Atlantic growth as LFL Group adds stores and tests new retail formats.

Daily Synopsis: Aug 13, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Pajar expands, Metro converting 10 stores to Food Basics, Canadian Tire reports results, Pet Valu aims for 1200 stores, Nespresso unveils new concept store, and other news.

INDOCHINO announces 10 new US showrooms coming in 2027, largest investment in standalone retail in years

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Growth announcement follows six consecutive quarters of positive EBITDA, and a record quarterly EBITDA in Q2 2026

Nespresso Canada continues its boutique transformation with reopening of CF Sherway Gardens

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Sherway Gardens boutique marks the latest milestone in Nespresso Canada's continued investment in retail excellence, following the opening of the Willowbrook boutique in Langley, British Columbia, and the reopening of the Oakridge boutique in Vancouver, British Columbia, and the Ste-Foy boutique in Québec City, Québec.

METRO to Convert 10 Ontario Stores to Food Basics

News Craig Patterson -
METRO will convert 10 Ontario Metro stores to Food Basics as value-focused consumers drive stronger demand for discount grocery.

IKEA Canada to launch limited-edition KONSTRUNDA art collection

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The KONSTRUNDA collection brings together glass objects, ceramics, furniture and textiles, with IKEA positioning the range as an effort to make art more accessible through everyday home furnishings.

Morguard Advances Mall Redevelopments as Retail Leasing Strength Continues Across Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Morguard REIT is redeveloping former Sears and Hudson's Bay spaces with retailers including Uniqlo, Sport Chek, No Frills and Splitsville as retail occupancy and leasing momentum improve across its Canadian shopping centre portfolio.

Pet Valu Sees Room for 1,200+ Stores Across Canada

News Lee Rivett -
Pet Valu sees room for more than 1,200 stores across Canada as it expands in Alberta, Quebec and underserved rural markets.

Pajar Acquires GGB as North American Expansion Accelerates

News Craig Patterson -
Pajar Canada acquires GGB, taking over U.S. distribution of Melissa and Mini Melissa as its North American footwear business expands.

Canadian Tire Corporation reports Q2 2026 results, strong SportChek performance due to World-Cup related demand

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Overall retail sales grew to $5,391.6 million, up 4.5%, compared to the second quarter of 2025.

Columbia Sportswear Navigates Softer Canadian Wholesale Sales

News Lee Rivett -
Columbia Sportswear reported lower Canadian sales in the second quarter as wholesale orders softened and shipment timing affected results, while the company continues investing in footwear, digital channels and a broader brand repositioning strategy.

Breakdown of US/Canada trade agreement could cost 102,000 Canadian jobs: CABC report

Retailer News Mario Toneguzzi -
The report estimates that a successful renegotiation would result in an additional 137,000 American jobs and 98,000 Canadian jobs in 2027 compared with the status quo.

KEO Capital launches Canadian operations with up to $50M credit facility

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said that its Canadian operations will be conducted through Workeo Canada, extending a platform that allows businesses to access working capital, pay suppliers, anticipate receivables and manage payments through a single digital system.

Happy Belly Food Group opens Rosie’s Burger location in Toronto’s Financial District at First Canadian Place

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Rosie's is a boutique quick-service restaurant brand known for its signature smash burgers, golden fries, poutine, onion rings, and classic milkshakes - delivering nostalgic flavours in vibrant, neighbourhood-driven locations, said the company.

New 50% U.S. tariff on CUSMA-compliant goods to hit Canadian small exporters hard: CFIB

News Mario Toneguzzi -
More than one in three (35%) expect revenues to fall by at least 50%.

Gay Lea Foods to invest more than $200 million in Toronto dairy facility

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The expansion is the first major milestone in the dairy co-operative's approximately $450-million Network for Growth strategy, a multi-year plan to invest in and modernize its Canadian manufacturing network.

Daily Synopsis: August 12, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Metro strike enters 5th month, second-hand retail goes mainstream, malls have long-term growth prospect says TD report, Broadway businesses struggle with Skytrain construction, Oakridge Park Safeway opens Aug 27, and other news.

Shake Shack Canada opening first drive-thru in Calgary

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Shake Shack Canada will open its Macleod Trail drive-thru location in Calgary on August 27.

Kit and Ace Reaches 17 Stores as Canadian Expansion Continues

News Craig Patterson -
Kit and Ace has opened its 17th Canadian store at Hillcrest Mall as the retailer expands its store network and moves into new product categories.

METRO sees sales in Q3 climb to nearly $6.9 billion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Net earnings of $211.3 million, down 34.6% and adjusted net earnings of $262.6 million, down 20.9%.

CT REIT Sees Tight Retail Property Market as Rents Rise

News Lee Rivett -
CT REIT reports 99.5% occupancy and double-digit rent increases as tight Canadian retail real estate conditions drive competition for properties.

The Home Depot announces interim management plans while CEO takes temporary medical leave

News Mario Toneguzzi -
At the end of the first quarter, the company operated a total of 2,361 retail stores and over 1,280 SRS locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico.

Scholastic Highlights Canadian Growth as Dog Man and Hunger Games Drive Book Sales

News Lee Rivett -
Scholastic says Canada helped drive international growth as Dog Man and Hunger Games boosted children's book sales, underscoring the strength of graphic novels and school-based retail channels.

Canada’s Wellness Industry Is Growing. Can Canadian Businesses Keep Pace?

News Retail Insider -
Consumer demand for wellness products continues to grow, but Canadian businesses face increasing challenges as they scale. Learn how CHFA NOW Toronto's State of the Industry keynote will examine competitiveness, consumer demand and the future of the sector.

Sysco Plans to Bring Restaurant Depot Warehouse Format to Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Sysco plans to eventually bring Restaurant Depot to Canada following its proposed US$29.1-billion acquisition, adding a major restaurant-focused warehouse format to the Canadian foodservice market.

No plans revealed yet for Calgary Downtown Bay

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The 115-year-old downtown Bay building was sold by CBRE’s National Investment Team - Calgary to local developer Astra Real Estate Corp., which has been active in recent years in repurposing older downtown office properties into residential conversions.

Back-to-School shoppers taking action on out-of-home ads: Vistar Media

News Mario Toneguzzi -
At a time when marketers are largely focused on clicks, conversions and attribution, the findings suggest many may be overlooking one of the most effective ways to build intent before shopping begins.

Digital wallets account for nearly one-third of Canadian online spending: Global Payments

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Digital wallets, including Apple Pay and Google Wallet, represented 32 per cent of Canadian e-commerce transaction value last year, second only to credit cards at 46 per cent, the 11th edition of the Global Payments Report found.

Americans turn to shorter, closer-to-home trips as travel costs rise: Squaremouth

News Mario Toneguzzi -
U.S. visits to Canada rose 10 per cent between 2024 and 2025, while early data suggests visits could increase another 26 per cent this year, the travel insurance marketplace says.

Chanel Opens New Beauty Boutique at Toronto Pearson Airport

News Craig Patterson -
Chanel opens a standalone Fragrance & Beauty boutique at Toronto Pearson as the luxury brand expands its Canadian retail presence.

Caffeo launches year-long coffee giveaway following Toronto cafe relaunch

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The promotion follows the relaunch of Caffeo's cafe at 405 Richmond Street West and comes alongside a redesigned space and an expanded beverage menu.
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