SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

METRO names Marc Giroux as next President and CEO

News Mario Toneguzzi -
With annual sales of more than $22 billion, METRO Inc. is a food and pharmacy leader in Québec and Ontario, providing employment to more than 97,000 people.

Millennials Are Trading Down And Splurging At The Same Time: Study

News Craig Patterson -
A Calgary-based Cashew Research study finds Millennials are trading down in some categories while still spending selectively on premium products and experiences.

Consumers Are Losing Trust in Influencers Says Canadian Study

News Lee Rivett -
Field Agent Canada research finds consumers increasingly trust real people and reviews over influencers when making purchases.

Rewards being repositioned from passive perks to active financial strategy: Chexy

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Cashback transaction volume among users under 40 rose 125 per cent between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026.

VIDEO: Edmonton entrepreneur warns of growing small business crisis across Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
“For many business owners, survival has become a daily battle."

Motion-based digital billboards outperform static ads: Vistar Media

News Mario Toneguzzi -
3D motion creative was found to be 67% more effective at driving brand awareness compared to standard DOOH creative 

Inside Harry Rosen’s Reimagined Oakridge Park Store in Vancouver

News Craig Patterson -
Harry Rosen's new Oakridge Park store in Vancouver reflects the retailer's evolving strategy, featuring luxury brands, hospitality and innovative design.

Daily Synopsis: Jun 1, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Canada sees middle market squeeze, Metro's Carmen Fortino and London Drugs' Clint Mahlman retire on same day, Pepper Lunch closes in Richmond, 16,000 fake World Cup merch items seized, No Frills opens 1st Lloyminster store, and other news.

Canada’s Economy Is Shrinking. Why Hasn’t the Food Sector Followed?

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Canada's economy is shrinking, but the food sector remains resilient. Sylvain Charlebois examines why agri-food has held up and the risks ahead.

Casavogue Emphasizes Personalized Design Guidance for Montréal Homes

News Craig Patterson -
Casavogue offers personalized furniture guidance, customizable options, and curated interiors for homeowners seeking high-end furniture in Montréal.

Mirvish Village Comes to Life as Toronto Retail District Opens

News Craig Patterson -
Mirvish Village begins opening at the former Honest Ed’s site with independent retail, food halls, heritage restoration, and public gathering spaces.

Mailo’s The Pasta Project to open first North American location in Toronto

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The concept is a fast-casual restaurant brand known for its signature "street pasta" concept, combining premium ingredients with the convenience of modern urban dining.

Dr. Phone Fix reports record Q1 2026 results

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Gross profit increased 34% to $1.62 million, compared to $1.21 million in Q1 2025.

Why Grocery E-Commerce Still Struggles With Impulse Discovery

News Lee Rivett -
Canadian grocers are investing heavily in digital grocery, but physical stores still outperform online platforms in product discovery and impulse buying.

Businesses brace for more cost-related obstacles: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Nearly half (48.8%) of businesses expect inflation to be an obstacle over the next three months, marking it as the most commonly expected obstacle among businesses.

One Year After Hudson’s Bay Closed Its Stores

News Craig Patterson -
One year after Hudson's Bay closed its stores, redevelopment, new retail concepts, and a changing marketplace continue to reshape Canadian retail.

High Sociétéa debuts in Toronto

News Mario Toneguzzi -
At its heart, High Sociétéa is a social experience, celebrating connections between loved ones, longtime friends, and new relationships.

From The Desk: Retail Reinvention Through Experience, Sustainability and Strategic Growth

News Craig Patterson -
This week’s retail insights show Canadian brands expanding thoughtfully with experiential stores, circular economy initiatives, and strategic hiring amid recessionary ...

Daily Synopsis: May 29, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Oakridge Park opens in Vancouver, Buy-Low Foods stores transition to new format, Mac's Convenience found liable in court for exploiting nearly 900 workers, and other news.

Sephora Canada to open its first-ever small store in Kitsilano, Vancouver

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The opening marks Sephora Canada's 147th store nationwide.

Canada moves into a technical recession, but retail sector sees quarterly growth

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Retail trade rose 1.0% in the first quarter, with health and personal care retailers (+3.5%) and general merchandise stores (+3.2%) contributing the most to the sector's quarterly growth.

Tilley Expands Retail Footprint With Three New Stores

News Craig Patterson -
Tilley is expanding its Canadian store network with new locations at The Well, Victoria and Bayview Village as the brand evolves beyond hats.

Canadians Turn Stores Into ‘Third Spaces’: Adyen

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Gen Z’s lead the adoption of stores as third spaces (69%), followed by Millennials (61%), Gen X (57%), and Boomers (51%).

OAKBERRY Açaí Launches 2026 Canada Expansion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Additional locations are currently in development, with more to be announced soon, bringing the Canadian total to over 40 stores by the end of 2026.

Jobs in retail and hospitality sectors continue to decline: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in retail trade was down by 20,300 (-1.0%).

Canada’s Counter-Tariffs Result in Temporary Price Increases

News Craig Patterson -
In 2025, Canada imposed counter-tariffs on US imports, causing a notable increase in retail prices. The analysis reveals that these price hikes were short-lived, largely dependent on retailers' expectations and transparency with consumers.

Oakridge Park Opens to Crowds in Vancouver

News Craig Patterson -
Oakridge Park opened to large crowds in Vancouver, unveiling 500,000 square feet of retail with luxury brands, dining and more to come.

Daily Synopsis: May 28, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Retail Insider's latest articles cover Toronto retail evolution, brand strategy shifts, grocery trends, and leadership updates in Canadian retail.

L’Oréal Canada announces appointment of Stéphane Bérubé as President and CEO

News Mario Toneguzzi -
L'Oréal Canada Canada is a subsidiary of the L'Oréal Group, the world's leading beauty company.

Toronto’s Retail Corridors Are Evolving, Says Arlin Markowitz

News Craig Patterson -
Toronto retail corridors are evolving as wellness, dining, fashion, and lifestyle brands reshape the city’s urban shopping streets.

KOMBI Expands Beyond Winter With New Rainwear Collection

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian brand KOMBI is expanding beyond winter accessories with a new rainwear collection focused on urban commuting and year-round growth.

Brands Retreat From Pride Sponsorships in Canada as Consumers Scrutinize Support

News Craig Patterson -
Major brands are scaling back Pride sponsorships in Canada as consumers increasingly demand authentic, year-round LGBTQ+ support, according to a new study.

EMERGE reports “strong” Q1 2026 results with increase in revenue and gross profit

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Q1 revenue grew to $5.9M vs. $5.0M, an increase of 17.5% YoY, marking the 8th consecutive quarter of YoY revenue growth.

Why Physical Grocery Retail Still Drives Product Discovery

News Lee Rivett -
Canadian consumers still discover and try food products primarily in-store despite growing digital grocery engagement.

The Scented Market founder Kristy Miller recognized for entrepreneurial growth and community impact: Video

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Scented Market is expanding retail partnerships across Canada and the United States while continuing community-focused initiatives.

Happy Belly Food Group signs multi-year exclusive national partnership with Uber Eats Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company's portfolio includes Heal Wellness, Rosie's Burgers, Yolks Breakfast, Via Cibo Italian Street Food, and others.

 43% of consumers deterred by hidden costs when shopping internationally: Landmark Global

News Mario Toneguzzi -
This concern is even more pronounced in Canada, where 59% of consumers cite hidden costs as a key barrier.

Canadian beverage sector exceeds national calorie reduction target two years ahead of schedule

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Canadians purchased 23 per cent fewer calories from nonalcoholic beverages in 2024 than in 2014.

Daily Synopsis: May 27, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Lululemon reaches agreement with Chip Wilson over board nominees, thrift store popularity up, Longo's opening in King City, Shein accused of stealing Indigenous designs, and other news.

Why Chicken Prices in Canada Could Surge Again This Summer

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Chicken prices in Canada could rise again this summer as supply shortages, imports, and market pressures intensify across the poultry industry.

Out on the Street Opens New Toronto Village Store

News Craig Patterson -
Out on the Street has opened a redesigned Toronto Village store after 34 years, expanding accessibility, brands, and retail offerings.

Merrithew Opens STOTT PILATES Flagship at Yonge and Bloor

News Craig Patterson -
Toronto-based Merrithew opens a new STOTT PILATES flagship and academy at Yonge and Bloor amid growing wellness demand.

Jersey Mike’s, Redberry commit to raise $1 million for Make-A-Wish Canada by 2030 (Video)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The fundraising commitment follows nearly $270,000 raised by Jersey Mike’s locations in Canada since the start of 2024.

Toronto hospitality industry braces for FIFA World Cup surge: Video with Val Upfold

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Restaurants, bars, hotels, and event-related businesses have struggled with labour shortages for years, even before the pandemic.

Tim Hortons moves to defend market share as Dunkin’ plans Canadian return: Video with Bruce Winder

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company’s pledge to hire 10,000 local workers may help improve public perception while addressing high youth unemployment.

Canadian fashion boutique Aldila celebrates four decades of dressing women

News Mario Toneguzzi -
What began in 1986 as a single shop on Vancouver’s Robson Street has blossomed into a multigenerational family legacy.

eBay Live gains momentum in Canada with interactive shopping experiences

News Mario Toneguzzi -
eBay Live is described as a whole new interactive livestream shopping experience, a whole new way to shop.

Canadians cool down summer spending as cost pressures heat up: TD survey 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
35% of Canadians plan to spend less this summer

Daily Synopsis: May 26, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Second-hand shopping grows as fuel prices increase, Flight Centre Canada appoints leader, Shell partners with Scene+, Healthy Planet opening Toronto store, Dressew sells Vancouver building with permanent closure date, Oakridge Park opens this week, and other news.

Food World Plus Set to Transform Former Highland Farms in Mississauga

News Lee Rivett -
Food World Plus is preparing to open a massive international grocery and food destination in a former Highland Farms space in Mississauga.
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