SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

40% of Canadians admit hiding online purchases as budget pressure reshapes shopping habits: Omnisend

News Mario Toneguzzi -
64% have switched to cheaper products in the past year, and 57% abandon carts expecting a discount.

MTY Food Group continues to expand footprint, reports Q4 results

News Mario Toneguzzi -
At the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, MTY’s network had 7,080 locations in operation, of which 6,831 were franchised or under operator agreements and 249 were corporate-owned.

Canadian Tire Corporation reports strong Q4 and Full-Year 2025 results, significant progress in 1st year of True North Transformation Strategy

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Automotive was up for the 22nd consecutive quarter, with Automotive Service reaching record annual sales of $1 billion in Q4.

VIDEO: Nearly half of Canadian restaurants losing money or barely breaking even, warns Restaurants Canada CEO

News Mario Toneguzzi -
44 per cent of restaurants were in that position as of November 2025, a sharp increase from pre-pandemic norms when roughly 10 to 12 per cent struggled to turn a profit.

Daily Synopsis: Feb 18, 2026 – Retail real estate and expansion

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Retail landscape strong despite HBC and Toys R Us says RioCan, SEENSE founders get buyout approval, Northern store exits Fond du Lac after 100 years, Pearson Airport expanding food options, Broadview and Gerrard as a retail destination, remember Toys R Us in Saskatchewan, and other news.

Canadian Tire expands Microsoft partnership to scale AI-driven retail intelligence platform

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The rollout will extend to the company’s major banners, including Canadian Tire, Mark's and SportChek, spanning stores and digital platforms.

Study Reveals 70% of Shoppers Use AI to Seek Promotions

News Lee Rivett -
A recent study by XCCommerce and SmartBrief shows that more than 70% of consumers are utilizing AI tools to find better deals, prompting retailers to re-evaluate their promotional strategies in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Cozey opens largest store yet on Calgary’s 17th Avenue as brick-and-mortar expansion accelerates (Photos)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
At 5,500 square feet, the Calgary outlet is significantly larger than Cozey’s other stores.

RioCan REIT reports ‘strong year’ for 2025 with 5 million square feet of leasing activity

News Mario Toneguzzi -
During 2025, development projects totaling approximately 366,000 square feet were completed and transitioned into income producing properties.

KITS issues first-quarter guidance, projects revenue of up to $60 million

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Revenue would reflect organic growth of 25 to 29 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier.

CT REIT reports Q4 and 2025 annual financial results, portfolio continues to expand

News Mario Toneguzzi -
In 2025, CT REIT said it invested approximately $235 million in completed projects and ongoing developments and grew the portfolio by approximately 893,000 square feet of GLA.

Rising Costs Reshape Canadian Retail Development

News Craig Patterson -
Higher construction costs, cautious consumers, and data-driven decisions are reshaping Canadian retail development, says CCIM’s Adam Palmer.

Daily Synopsis: Feb 17, 2026 – Retail Insights

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
HBC coat of arms to be auctioned off, Sheertex maker sold, Vancouver coffee shop ranked 15th in the world, Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver to see huge redevelopment, downtown Yonge remains strong, and other news.

Ford Considers Family Day Mall Openings in Ontario

News Craig Patterson -
Ontario may review Family Day retail closures as Premier Doug Ford signals possible changes to mall opening rules.

Canadian startup Typical launches stretchable towels with patent-pending technology

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Integrating two per cent spandex into conventional cotton to improve flexibility and comfort.

Big Handshake Loyalty Conference to debut in Toronto amid economic squeeze

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Organizers expect between 120 and 130 attendees for the one-day event, which has operated for four years in Europe.

Canada’s Food Prices Rising Faster Than Any G7 Nation

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Canada now has the highest food inflation in the G7, with structural costs and productivity challenges driving prices above global peers.

Consumer prices decelerate in January: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
But prices for food purchased from stores rose 4.8% year over year in January following a 5.0% increase in December.

HEYTEA Opens First Canadian Lab in Toronto

News Craig Patterson -
HEYTEA has opened its first Canadian HEYTEA Lab at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, introducing its experimental flagship tea concept.

Canada business exits outpace entries for 5th straight quarter: CFIB economist

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Regionally, every province is in negative territory except Quebec, where entry and exit rates are roughly balanced.

Montréal visitor numbers rise 7.3% in 2025 as tourism spending holds steady

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Domestic travel led the gains in 2025, with the Canadian market rising 10 per cent.

Winnipeg Retail Market Sees Major Investment Wave

News Lee Rivett -
Winnipeg’s retail market sees major investments, redevelopments, and new tenants across key shopping centres and suburban districts.

Daily Synopsis: Feb 16, 2026 – Sustainability and Experiential Growth

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Eddie Bauer sets gift card deadline in Canada, Toys R Us Canada extends creditor protection, Toronto mall landlords re-evaluate condo tower plans, and other news.

Canada’s Grocers Turn to AI, Shoppers to Pay [Op-Ed]

News Sylvain Charlebois -
AI moves from back-end systems to shopper-facing tools, raising new questions around pricing, privacy, and trust in Canadian grocery retail.

Aline Nasseh Chocolates Pop Up at Holt Renfrew

News Craig Patterson -
Toronto’s Aline Nasseh Artisan Chocolates debuts a pop-up at Holt Renfrew Yorkdale, marking a key step in the young brand’s luxury retail growth.

From The Desk: Canadian Retail Navigates AI Shifts and Operational Pressures

News Craig Patterson -
AI innovation, store closures, and labour challenges shape mid-February’s retail landscape as Valentine’s Day spending approaches.

Los Angeles underwear brand KENT eyes Canadian wholesale growth amid tariff pressures

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Launched in June 2020 by founder and chief executive Stacy Grace, it produces plant-based underwear for women and men designed to be compostable at the end of its life.

Kildonan Place announces $30-million redevelopment and new zero waste food court (Renderings)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
This project reflects the centre’s ongoing commitment to offering a welcoming, modern, and community‑focused environment for shoppers and tenants.

Canadians plan to drink less alcohol and power up protein in 2026: Square

News Mario Toneguzzi -
1 in 4 Canadians (28%) plan to reduce their alcohol consumption in 2026.

Return policies deterring nearly half of shoppers before checkout: Cashew Research

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Return policies are affecting conversion rates and repeat purchasing behaviour before customers reach checkout.

Canadian small business owners lose 31 working days a year to stress: Xero report

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Owners spend an average of nine hours a week feeling stressed, concerned or worried about their business, with financial management cited as a key pressure point.

Adonis rolls out Ramadan promotions and catering menu in Quebec and Ontario stores

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Ramadan accounts for a significant share of seasonal sales for the retailer.

eBay launches livestream shopping platform in Canada with auctions tied to fan conventions

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The interactive platform combines real-time video streaming with buying and bidding tools, allowing shoppers to connect with sellers and participate in auctions during live broadcasts.

Leyad Acquires St. Vital Centre for $160.5 Million

News Craig Patterson -
Leyad buys Winnipeg’s St. Vital Centre for $160.5 million as Uniqlo prepares to join the dominant regional mall.

Tim Hortons Upgrades Muffins, Espresso and Drinks

News Lee Rivett -
Tim Hortons announces English muffin improvements, new espresso machines and fountain drink rollout as part of its back-to-basics strategy.

From Pandemic Layoff to Building Businesses in Alberta

News Craig Patterson -
After a 2020 layoff, Alberta entrepreneur Darcy Skarsen and his wife Elaine built Pita Pit locations, a bowling alley, and other businesses.

Pattison Food Group Switches to Equifruit Bananas

News Lee Rivett -
Pattison Food Group, a leading grocery operator in Western Canada, has shifted its entire organic banana program to Equifruit Fairtrade organic bananas, impacting several grocery chains in the region.

Loblaw Launches Grocery Shopping in ChatGPT

News Craig Patterson -
Loblaw launches grocery shopping in ChatGPT, positioning the retailer as an early mover in AI-assisted food retail in Canada.

Restaurants brace for more obstacles in 2026: Restaurants Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Restaurants Canada expects real commercial foodservice sales to have grown by 2.4% in 2025 and to decline by 1.1% in 2026.

Couche-Tard Details New Long-Term Growth Strategy

News Craig Patterson -
Couche-Tard outlines a new long-term growth strategy with a Core + More framework and updated financial targets through fiscal 2030.

IKEA Canada to offer $1 breakfast in support of Breakfast Club of Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The one-day promotion, available to IKEA Family members from store opening until 11 a.m. on Feb. 14.

Canadian Boycott of U.S. Goods Gains Measurable Traction

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Scanner data suggests Canadian consumers are reducing purchases of U.S. goods, signalling a measurable boycott with potential long-term retail impacts.

SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust Releases Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results for 2025

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Strong leasing momentum in all retail categories, resulting in an industry-leading 98.6% in-place and committed occupancy rate at year-end.

Storytelling Doesn’t Fail. It Just Rarely Makes It to the Consumer (Opinion)

News Retail Insider -
"Narratives only survive if they are tested, interpreted, and lived by consumers."

Toys “R” Us Canada Plans More Ontario Store Closures

News Lee Rivett -
Toys “R” Us Canada plans to close Newmarket and St. Catharines stores as CCAA filings signal further shutdowns across its 22-store network.

Canadian Retail Faces Labour Paradox in 2026

News Lee Rivett -
New report shows layoffs and labour shortages co-exist as retailers struggle with turnover, wages, and employee experience.

Primaris REIT announces “strong” Q4 and full year 2025 results

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Primaris significantly augmented its portfolio in 2025 recycling capital with $1.6 billion of leading enclosed shopping centre acquisitions, and $400 million of non‑core dispositions.

Cineplex sets annual records for box office and concession per patron

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Cineplex has 170 movie theatres and location-based entertainment venues.

Altea Active to Replace Cineplex in Toronto’s Beaches

News Craig Patterson -
Altea Active will replace the Cineplex in Toronto’s Beaches with a 59,000-square-foot fitness and wellness club opening in 2028.

VIDEO: Calgary’s Chinook, Market Mall post double-digit holiday sales gains: Cadillac Fairview executive

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Continued leasing demand could push occupancy even higher by the end of next year.
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