SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Roots Opens New Store at Vancouver International Airport

News Craig Patterson -
Roots has opened a new store at Vancouver International Airport as the Canadian retailer expands travel retail and continues investing in key locations.

Why Retailers Should Attend the Fall Toronto Gift + Home Market

News Retail Insider -
Discover new products, Canadian brands and supplier connections at the Fall Toronto Gift + Home Market, August 9–12 in Toronto.

Retail Insider Convenience Retail Report: Food-Led Formats and Digital Loyalty Redefine the Channel

News Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider's latest Convenience Retail Report examines how foodservice, digital loyalty, beverages and modern store formats are reshaping Canada's convenience sector as operators respond to changing consumer behaviour, evolving revenue sources and growing competition across multiple retail channels.

Esprit Returns to Canada Exclusively at Walmart

News Craig Patterson -
Esprit has returned to Canada exclusively at Walmart as the retailer and Centric Brands build a growing portfolio of recognizable apparel labels.

Amazon launches Amazon Family and Add to Delivery for Prime members in Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Amazon has invested more than $65 billion in its Canadian operations since 2010, employing more than 46,000 people across the country.

Bota Bota opens second floating pavilion as Montréal spa expands wellness facilities

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Docked perpendicular to the original vessel, the expansion introduces additional amenities focused on relaxation while extending the spa’s signature water circuit.

Shoppers Drug Mart and Obesity Canada partner on obesity care, virtual weight management access

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The alliance will focus on improving awareness of obesity, promoting evidence-based care resources, and supporting multidisciplinary approaches to long-term weight management for eligible Canadians.

The Keg launches first-ever delivery service through exclusive DoorDash partnership

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Customers can now order a range of its signature menu items, including steaks, appetizers and desserts, through the delivery platform, marking a significant expansion of how the company serves customers beyond its restaurant dining rooms.

Medik8 to launch in all Sephora Canada stores as part of North American expansion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Products will become available online at Sephora Canada beginning Aug. 11 and in all 147 Sephora Canada stores starting Aug. 14.

Daily Synopsis: July 23, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Organic Traditions expanding, Bramalea City Centre transforming with new tenants, retail sales continue to climb, and other news.

Bramalea City Centre Builds Momentum with New Retailers and Future Growth Plans

News Craig Patterson -
Bramalea City Centre GM Andrew Butler discusses Walmart, new retailers, food investment, community programming and future mixed-use growth.

Retail Insider Jewelry Report: Experience and Accessible Premium Reshape the Market

News Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 jewellery report examines how experiential luxury, accessible premium brands, new luxury destinations and lab-grown diamonds are changing competition across the Canadian market.

Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust reports results for Q2 with a higher net loss

News Mario Toneguzzi -
On its website, the REIT said it had 699 properties, more than 18 million square feet in the development pipeline, 37 million square feet of grocery-anchored retail in the portfolio, and it had an industry-leading balance sheet with 7.0x Debt/EBITDA.

A&W Food Services releases Q2 results as sales and revenue grow

News Mario Toneguzzi -
During the quarter, the company opened eight new A&W restaurants and the first franchised Pret shop.

Small business confidence improves but new tariff threat looms: CFIB

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Fuel costs remained the top cost constraint affecting 60% of small firms across Canada, while shipping and receiving costs stayed elevated for 45% of businesses.

Retail sales continue to climb: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The largest increase in retail sales in May was observed at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+3.1%).

Groupe Dynamite appoints former Cohere executive Martin Kon to board of directors

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The appointment comes as Groupe Dynamite continues to expand its retail and digital operations internationally while focusing on technology, data and artificial intelligence as part of its business strategy.

Moxy Ottawa Downtown hotel opens in iconic Byward Market district

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The hotel also offers a variety of amenities designed to balance social energy with relaxation, including a fitness centre, and flexible gathering spaces for both work and play.

Canadian Pet Spending Holds Firm Amid Economic Pressures

News Craig Patterson -
A new Canadian pet shopping report finds owners are protecting pet budgets while seeking value, shopping across channels and embracing auto-ship.

Organic Traditions Secures $10.5M to Accelerate U.S. Expansion

News Craig Patterson -
Organic Traditions has raised US$10.5 million in Series A financing to expand across North America, grow U.S. retail distribution and invest in product innovation following more than 25 years of growth in Canada.

Retail Insider Sporting Goods & Outdoor Report: Participation and Experience Reshape Growth

News Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider's latest Sporting Goods & Outdoor Report examines how participation, community engagement and experiential retail are reshaping Canada's sporting goods sector, with implications for retailers, landlords, brands and investors as operators compete for long-term customer relationships.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 22, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Grocery code reports finds hesitancy to report concerns, Quebec Court of Appeal enforces SSENSE settlement, Happy Belly expanding Yolks to Edmonton's Brewery District, Ariana Grande hosting 'Petal' listening parties in Canadian record stores, and other news.

ZoRaw Chocolates Targets Mainstream Retail Growth with Chocolate-First Strategy

News Evan Nagy -
The Mississauga-based company is expanding through grocery and club retailers while using in-house manufacturing and automation to support its next phase of growth.

Sweat and Tonic Sets October Opening for Yorkville Club

News Craig Patterson -
Sweat and Tonic will open its 18,000-square-foot Yorkville club this October, bringing together strength training, cycling, yoga, recovery and hospitality as the Toronto wellness company continues to evolve.

Premiers sign final agreement towards Canada-wide direct-to-consumer alcohol sales 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
“Canada's independent wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries have waited a long time to see direct-to-consumer alcohol shipping finally become a reality.”

Casavogue Again Ranked Among Montréal’s Top 3 Furniture Stores

News Craig Patterson -
Casavogue has once again been recognized among Montréal's Top 3 Furniture Stores by ThreeBestRated, reflecting more than five decades of curated furniture, personalized service and family ownership.

RONA Acquires Five Atlantic Canadian Stores and DeliveryCentre

News Craig Patterson -
RONA has acquired five Atlantic Canadian stores and a regional delivery centre from RONA Atlantic Ltd., bringing the operation back under direct corporate ownership.

Jobs filled by temporary foreign workers are the ones Canadian youth don’t want: CFIB

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Harvesting labourers alone account for nearly a third (32%) of all temporary foreign worker positions in Canada, work that's physically demanding, outdoor and seasonal.

Amazon opens first Canadian Disaster Relief hub in Edmonton, specialized in wildfire response

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The hub specializes in wildfire response, stocking and donating supplies that nonprofits and responders need most.

Birks Group Inc. reports Fiscal 2026 results, with net sales increasing 15.5% year-over-year

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The increase in net sales is attributable in part, to the acquisition of the luxury timepieces and jewelry retail activities of European Boutique, as well as an increase in both Birks branded jewelry and third party branded jewelry.

UNIQLO to open second Winnipeg store at St. Vital Centre in August

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said it now operates 38 stores across Canada in addition to its online business.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 21, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Toronto mayor looks to ban 'surveillance pricing' in grocery stores, SPUD acquired by US company, French signage law reshapes commercial streets in Quebec, Uniqlo sets opening date for 2nd Winnipeg store, and other news.

Who Shopped HBC’s Men’s Floor, and Where They’ve Gone

News Retail Insider -
Environics Analytics examines who shopped Hudson's Bay's men's clothing department and where those customers may have shifted following the retailer's closure.

Retail Insider Home Furnishings Report: Service, Value and Accessibility Reshape the Market

News Lee Rivett -
Canadian home furnishings retailers are adapting to slower demand by investing in service, accessibility, omnichannel retail and operational resilience. Retail Insider's latest Home Furnishings Report examines how evolving consumer behaviour is reshaping competition across furniture, décor, mattresses, lighting and related categories.

After lengthy search, Calgary Co-op names new CEO

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company had been without a permanent CEO since the departure of Ken Keelor in October 2024.

Empire Company Limited no longer enforcing restrictive covenants

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Competition Bureau Canada announced in late June it was expanding its investigation into Sobeys and continuing a campaign that has already led to voluntary concessions from major grocers and new legislation in Manitoba.

Retail Insider Ranked Third Globally in FeedSpot’s 2026 Retail Rankings

News Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider has been ranked third worldwide and first in Canada in FeedSpot's 2026 retail publication rankings, recognizing the publication's coverage of Canada's retail industry.

Trump’s proposed 50% tariffs on Canadian imports spark uncertainty for retailers, supply chains

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Trump’s proposed 50% tariffs on Canadian imports are creating uncertainty for retailers, with leaders warning of higher costs and disrupted planning.

Home Hardware expands Quebec network as 90-year-old Matériaux Miron Plus joins Dealer-Owned system

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Home Hardware says the move reflects its strategy of attracting established independent retailers rather than simply adding new locations. 

Taco Bell Canada launches Crispy Chicken Nuggets, new Baja Blast flavour as expansion accelerates

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Limited-time offerings are intended to balance familiar favourites with fresh experiences that encourage repeat visits and generate buzz in an increasingly competitive quick-service market.

AI redesigns jobs, not cuts them: JLL study reveals business leaders expect workforce growth ahead

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Global study finds organizations further in AI adoption anticipate workforce growth, prioritize full-time roles and focus on productivity

Alberta CEOs plan to invest, hire despite uncertainty: Business Council of Alberta 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
65% of Alberta CEOs expect Alberta's economy to improve over the next year.

Trump’s New Tariffs Put Canada’s Food Economy at Risk

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Sylvain Charlebois argues that Canada must urgently re-engage with Washington as new U.S. tariffs threaten alcohol, dairy and broader food-sector trade.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 20, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Canadians turn to thrift stores, Trump threatens 50% tariff on Canada, HBC auction tied to world's biggest art fraud, KaleMart24 opening store, Flying Tiger opening 3rd GTA store, and other news.

Sleep Country Set for Major U.S. Expansion with Sleep Number Deal

News Craig Patterson -
The Fairfax-owned Canadian retailer is preparing to take control of more than 570 U.S. stores through a court-supervised acquisition valued at approximately US$701 million.

Retail Insider “Health & Beauty Report”: Scale, Integration and Trust Reshape the Market

News Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider's latest Health & Beauty Report examines how pharmacy services, loyalty ecosystems, wellness, digital care and consumer trust are reshaping Canada's health and beauty retail sector, with implications for retailers, brands, landlords, investors and the broader healthcare ecosystem.

Rains Opens Yorkdale Store as Canada Becomes Key Growth Market

News Craig Patterson -
Danish lifestyle brand Rains has opened its second Canadian store at Yorkdale as it expands retail, wholesale and e-commerce operations in Canada.

Rising costs outpace sales growth, eroding restaurant profitability: Restaurants Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Real commercial foodservice sales are expected to grow by 1.5% in 2026 (inflation-adjusted), a slight improvement over the Q1 forecast.

CFIB urges Premiers to champion tax relief and internal trade reform

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The federal small business tax rate has remained frozen at 9% since 2019, and the Small Business Deduction threshold has been unchanged at $500,000 since 2009.

Consumer prices rise 2.8% year-over-year in June: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Prices for food purchased from stores grew at a slower pace on a year-over-year basis in June (+3.9%) compared with May (+4.3%).
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