SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Celebrity Chef Stefano Faita opening Toronto’s first Bring-Your-Own-Pasta restaurant

News Mario Toneguzzi -
BYOPasta exclusively serves Stefano Faita’s signature sauces and turns leftover pasta into a restaurant-quality dish, leaving the pasta up to guests.

Sunterra closes another of its Market locations

News Mario Toneguzzi -
In May, Sunterra closed down its downtown Edmonton location on Jasper Avenue after three decades in business.

Calgary AI Startup StoriBot Targets Retail With ‘Narrative Intelligence’ Platform

News Craig Patterson -
Calgary-based AI startup StoriBot is targeting automotive, grocery and other retail sectors with its Narrative Intelligence platform as it builds enterprise adoption.

CF Fairview Pointe Claire Launches The B!G TV: A 27-Foot Retro Experience

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Until November 9, CF Fairview Pointe Claire brings the West Island community together with nostalgia-packed giant screen gaming, free movie nights, and daily surprises.

Donatella Versace and REVOLVE launch joint venture focused on beauty and fashion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The new business will combine Donatella's creative direction and cultural influence with REVOLVE’s digital commerce platform, technology, consumer intelligence and operating capabilities.

Tourism spending on the rise: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Tourism GDP accounted for 1.77% of nominal GDP in the second quarter, virtually unchanged from the first quarter.

Pharmacy Brands Canada Grows to more than 300 Locations in Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
PBC's growth has accelerated across the country, with particularly strong expansion in Ontario, where the network has added more than 50 locations over the past two years.

From The Desk: Retailers adapt formats and expansion amid labour, cost and consumer shifts

News Retail Insider -
Canadian retailers adjust store formats and expansion amid labour challenges, cost pressures and uneven spending, balancing growth with operational control.

Daily Synopsis: September 25, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Competition Bureau seeks info on grocers in new wave, Marc Giroux steps in as CEO of Metro Inc., Pokemon thefts rise, Starbucks closing some Canadian locations, ABC Books shutting on Yonge St. in Toronto, and other news.

Aritzia’s Store Network Has Shifted South as U.S. Expansion Accelerates

News Lee Rivett -
Aritzia now operates more boutiques in the United States than in Canada as the Vancouver-founded retailer directs most new-store growth south of the border. Its mature Canadian network offers a useful template for the company’s push toward a potential 180-to-200-store U.S. footprint.

Starbucks undertakes massive refresh of North American locations and closing 250 stores

News Mario Toneguzzi -
A refresh of Starbucks cafés is designed to bring customers back to what they love most about the coffeehouse: great coffee, craft, connection, and community.

Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop has ambitious growth plans in Canada and internationally

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Tommy Gun’s CEO Keenan Fisher discusses the Canadian barbershop brand’s growth, franchising strategy and plans for 80-plus new locations worldwide.

MEC to Open Small-Format Whistler Store as Retailer Tests New Concept

News Craig Patterson -
MEC will open a 2,200-square-foot store in Whistler Village, testing a smaller retail format backed by curated inventory and its broader online assortment.

Lavazza Targets Canadian Growth as It Moves to Double North American Business by 2028

News Craig Patterson -
Lavazza is expanding its Canadian presence as part of a strategy to more than double its North American business by 2028, with growth opportunities in distribution, Western Canada and experiential marketing.

Guac Mexi Grill Marks 10 Years With 56 Locations, Eyes U.S. Expansion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Oakville-based Guac Mexi Grill is marking its 10th anniversary with 56 Canadian locations and plans to add 10 to 15 restaurants annually while expanding into the U.S. and India.

Rawcology Founder Tara Tomulka turns personal health journey into growing plant-based food business

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Rawcology has grown from a nutrition blog into a food brand offering organic, low-sugar products, with founder Tara Tomulka eyeing further growth in Canada and international markets.

AI transforming retail pricing, from dynamic discounts to personalized offers

News Mario Toneguzzi -
McGill professor Maxime Cohen examines how artificial intelligence could reshape retail pricing, customer discounts, fairness and the future of AI-driven commerce.

Retailers face growing trust challenge as AI reshapes customer personalization

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Amperity co-founder Derek Slager explains why accurate customer data, privacy, transparency and governance are becoming critical as retailers expand AI-powered shopping experiences.

Daily Synopsis: September 24, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Economists optimistic amid new retail data, consumers could benefit from Empire ending property controls, Starbucks closing 250 North American locations, OVO marks 25 years of Degrassi, and other news.

Natural, organic and wellness sector facing growing pressure from tariffs

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) warns of impacts across the NOW industry that generates approximately $39.7 billion in economic output, contributes $18.7 billion to Canada’s GDP, and supports approximately 147,100 full-time equivalent jobs, according to research by MNP.

Central Walk Details Redevelopment of Former Bay Spaces at Woodgrove and Mayfair

News Craig Patterson -
Central Walk owner Ruby Liu details plans for 310,000 square feet of former Hudson’s Bay space at Woodgrove  Centre in Namaimo and Mayfair Centre in Victoria, including H Mart, Haidilao and TM Wander.

8 in 10 Canadians cutting back on restaurants: Restaurants Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Restaurant sales are expected to reach $130 billion in 2026, but rising costs and thin margins continue to depress bottom lines.

Retail sales dip in July: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The largest decrease was observed at general merchandise retailers, in which retail sales were down 1.9% in July, after increasing 2.5% in June.

7-Eleven Brings Korean Bestsellers to Canada as Global Food Strategy Expands

News Lee Rivett -
7-Eleven Canada is importing top-selling Korean snacks from another 7-Eleven market for the first time, extending a food strategy that increasingly draws on products tested elsewhere in its global network. The move follows the success of its Japanese-style egg salad sandwich.

Osmow’s reaches 250 locations as family-run restaurant marks 25 years

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company was founded by Sam Osmow in 2001 after he converted a small Streetsville sub shop into the first Osmow’s Shawarma location.

KaleMart24 preparing for rapid expansion in the coming months

News Mario Toneguzzi -
17 locations have now been secured, with eight of those under construction and expected to open by the end of the fall, while five additional franchisees are still looking for locations.

Altea leases 51,000 square feet for new wellness club in Toronto’s Leaside

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The deal marks the second project between Altea and RioCan and comes as the Canadian fitness and wellness operator looks for additional sites in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.

Gallery Streetwear brings exclusive streetwear brands to Downtown Kelowna

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Gallery Streetwear owner Todd Daniels discusses the boutique’s Kelowna roots, exclusive brands, community focus and plans for future expansion.

Oatly turned Toronto’s Ossington Avenue into a monochromatic Matcha Hotel Suite

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Oatly transformed a narrow Ossington Avenue storefront into its Matcha-tality Suite, an immersive green hotel-inspired experience in Toronto.

Packaging, EPR and ZEVs: Inside This Year’s RCC Retail Sustainability Conference

News Retail Insider -
Retail Council of Canada’s Retail Sustainability Conference runs October 27-28 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Daily Synopsis: September 23, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Juan Valdez coffee expands into Canada, RCC speaks to supply chain issues, Cozey bets on struggling Ste-Catherine St., cashierless grocery store gets mixes reviews in Ottawa, Danforth retailers struggle amid construction, Jersey Mikes enters Vancouver, and other news.

Healthy Planet launches $1M grant for emerging Canadian health and wellness brands

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Homegrown Grant will provide selected brands with Healthy Planet media value through visibility and promotional programs, with the company saying the initiative is intended to help smaller Canadian businesses reach more consumers.

Harry Rosen Opens New Yorkville Flagship in Toronto

News Craig Patterson -
Harry Rosen opened its impressive new 38,000-square-foot Yorkville flagship in Toronto on Wednesday, the largest single store investment in the company’s history.

Cineplex to consider potential sale of company in Strategic Review, appoints new CEO

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Board will consider a number of strategic alternatives including the potential sale of the company.

Four wellness trends to watch in 2027: CHFA

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Many of these trends take root in The Greenhouse, a new CHFA NOW program spotlighting emerging Canadian natural, organic and wellness brands.

Yorkdale Retail Shakeup Includes Zara Expansion, Indigo Move and New Luxury Stores

News Craig Patterson -
Yorkdale Shopping Centre is undergoing major changes as Zara expands, Indigo relocates and luxury brands including Gucci, Rolex and Van Cleef & Arpels prepare new stores.

Unique retail concept Makers expands with location in Saskatoon’s Midtown shopping centre

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The retailer’s business model is to charge artisans rent for displaying their products in the store but they keep 100 per cent of their sales.

Spruce Meadows gears up for another record-breaking International Christmas Market

News Mario Toneguzzi -
In the past two years, the Market has been breaking records. Last year it had its largest-ever single-day attendance with over 15,000 people.

DAVIDsTEA Eyes Further Canadian Expansion as Store Sales Gain Momentum

News Lee Rivett -
DAVIDsTEA is considering further Canadian store expansion in 2027 as comparable sales rebound, margins improve and new locations open across the country.

Grocery-anchored retail strong in Calgary market: CBRE

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Strong migration into Alberta and Calgary over the past five years has helped drive retail spending as newcomers establish households, buy vehicles and furnish their homes.

Toronto-based Alrifai Real Estate sees potential in Saskatchewan retail properties

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company, which focuses exclusively on commercial real estate, now owns more than 23 properties with a portfolio valued at more than $100 million, primarily in Ontario, and is expanding its presence in Western Canada.

Canadian food and beverage manufacturers will need 173,000 new workers by 2034: report

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The sector will need about 19,200 new hires annually to replace departing workers and support continued growth, with expansion accounting for 43 per cent of total hiring requirements.

Daily Synopsis: September 22, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Arc’teryx launched its largest Montreal store on Sainte-Catherine, while UNIQLO revamped its Eaton Centre flagship with new services. Adopt Parfums plans five new outlets in Quebec and Ontario, signalling growth in both urban and mall formats.

Arc’teryx Opens Montreal Alpha Store 20 Years After Entering the Market

News Craig Patterson -
Arc’teryx has opened a 9,599-square-foot Alpha Store in downtown Montreal, 20 years after establishing its first Canadian retail store in the city.

Competition Bureau reaches agreement with Empire over grocery property controls

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Under the agreement, Empire will no longer enforce existing restrictive covenants, enter into new restrictive covenants or ask other parties to establish restrictive covenants that benefit the company. It will also limit its use of exclusivity clauses.

Adopt Parfums plans five new stores as Canadian expansion continues

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Ideal spaces for the brand in its expansion range from 500 to 850 square feet. making Adopt a fit for a variety of regional mall environments.

AI Virtual Try-On could transform fashion e-commerce beyond static product photos

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Remark CEO Theo Satloff discusses how AI-powered virtual try-on technology could reshape fashion e-commerce, product photography and online shopping.

UNIQLO Expands Canadian Footprint While Reworking Montreal Flagship

News Lee Rivett -
UNIQLO reopened its renovated Montreal Eaton Centre flagship on September 18 with customization, embroidery and repair services as the retailer continues expanding its Canadian network. The company now operates 39 stores in Canada, with further locations expected.

Jaybird to open third Toronto studio in Midtown

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The new location at 2574 Yonge St. is scheduled to open in early October, joining Jaybird's existing studios in Yorkville and Queen West.

Roku expands NFL Zone to Canada, Mexico and Brazil

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The expansion extends a partnership between Roku and the National Football League that previously made the NFL Zone available to U.S. viewers.
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