SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Why Retail Spaces Aren’t Converting Despite Demand

News Craig Patterson -
Retailers are leaving money on the table as poor merchandising and layout prevent stores from converting demand into sales, says an expert.

ROYALMOUNT Expands Luxury Race Week Experience in Montreal

News Lee Rivett -
Concours ROYALMOUNT returned during Formula 1 week with luxury automotive displays, retail activations and public programming.

Tourism sector set to deliver more than $100M in sales at Canada’s largest international tourism trade show

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Travel and tourism revenue is projected to increase by six per cent and reach $140.9 billion this year.

MEC to open first permanent Gear Swap Store in Canada as part of Kelowna store refresh

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The pilot will allow members to trade in used outdoor gear for credit, shop secondhand equipment and access repair services through a dedicated 2,200-square-foot adjacent retail space staffed by MEC experts.

Dr. Phone Fix enters New Brunswick market through strategic acquisition and store expansion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Founded in 2019, the Company now operates 44 corporately owned retail locations nationwide.

CFIB calls out lack of progress on direct-to-consumer alcohol agreement ahead of month-end deadline 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
77% of small businesses think Canadians should have the freedom to order Canadian wine, beer, and craft spirits directly from any province or territory without restrictions.

AI-powered cyber attacks hit 1 in 3 Canadian businesses: QBE research

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Artificial Intelligence is becoming ubiquitous in the Canadian economy, with 97% of businesses using it or looking into it.

Daily Synopsis: May 25, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Ontario eyes highway licence-plate cameras to address retail theft, Billy Biship Airport unveils walkthrough duty free store, Yonge-Eglinton Centre begins renos, and other news.

Open Banking to Reshape Retail Payments in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Open banking is set to change how Canadians pay, as trust begins to influence checkout decisions for retailers.

Canadiens Playoffs Drive Restaurant Spending Surge in Montreal

News Lee Rivett -
Moneris data shows Canadiens playoff games boosted restaurant spending near the Bell Centre and across Montreal during the NHL postseason.

Tre’dish launches SproutAI, the first AI grocery assistant built to optimize budgets

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Grocery affordability remains one of the most acute financial pressures facing Canadian households.

Tim Hortons launches campaign to hire 10,000 local people, addresses Temporary Foreign Worker Program

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Tim Hortons is the largest restaurant chain in Canada, with 4,000 restaurants – more restaurants per capita than any other brand anywhere in the world.

Taxing Convenience Foods Punishes the Wrong Canadians

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Quebec’s food tax changes are reigniting debate over whether taxing convenience foods unfairly burdens seniors, single households, and working Canadians.

The Brick launches the Shaq-O-Pedic Collection

News Mario Toneguzzi -
O’Neal partnered with The Brick to bring his vision of comfortable, stylish and accessible furniture to Canadians.

Calgary-based Wild Rose Brewery celebrating 30 years

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Wild Rose expanded its brewing operations with the opening of a state-of-the-art production facility in Foothills Industrial in 2013.

Double Click: Big Foot, The Easter Bunny & Surveillance Pricing: Bruce Winder

News Bruce Winder -
Surveillance pricing or algorithmic pricing has become a buzzword over the last few months and involves the use of specific consumer data points.

Daily Synopsis: May 22, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Canadians making more trips with smaller baskets at the grocery store, questions about future of downtown Vancouver Hudson's Bay, Sobeys debuts new store concept in Welland ON, dollar store opens in Elliott Lake, and other news.

From The Desk: Retail Resilience and Experiential Growth in Canadian Markets

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian retailers expand experiential and sustainable footprints while navigating inflation and evolving consumer behaviours shaping urban and mixed-use markets.

Luxury Shoppers Are Still Spending, But More Carefully: Canada Goose

News Craig Patterson -
Canada Goose’s latest earnings call suggests luxury shoppers remain active, but retailers are seeing more cautious and selective spending patterns.

Retail sales jump to $72.7 billion in March: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Retail sales were up 2.1% in the first quarter of 2026, marking a seventh consecutive quarterly increase.

Tim Hortons to build or renovate 480 restaurants across the country

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Canadian restaurant owners are investing $270 million, in addition to Tim Hortons corporate investing an additional $130 million.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities launches national initiative to build 25 new community soccer pitches

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Jumpstart has provided more than 4.5 million opportunities for Canadian kids to get into the game since 2005.

Canadians shifting focus to everyday loyalty rewards, Scene+ and Bond report says

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Canadians are holding an estimated $13 billion to $15 billion in unredeemed loyalty points.

Tahini’s to roll out Shawarma Ramen across Canada after initial test launch

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The national launch marks a broader expansion of a product the company has spent two years developing as it looks to build on customer interest in fusion-style menu offerings and social media engagement.

SKYBIRD Asian Grill opens fourth location as it prepares for continued growth

News Mario Toneguzzi -
SKYBIRD Asian Grill has opened its fourth location at 2183 Rue Ste-Catherine West in Montréal, continuing its fast-casual growth.

Sports Retail Shows Resilience in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
SportChek growth, fanwear demand, and rising interest in soccer highlight resilience in Canada’s sports retail sector.

Jersey Mike’s to open second downtown Toronto location as Redberry expands Canadian footprint

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Redberry continues a broader plan to grow Jersey Mike’s presence in Canada, where the company says it aims to reach 300 locations by 2035.

Daily Synopsis: May 21, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Fuel charges on grocery hits economy, Rona leads radio spend, campus thrift store opens in Calgary, Time Out Market prepares to open at Oakridge Park, 500 charges in retail theft scheme, and other news.

Vivobarefoot to Open Second Canadian Store in Toronto

News Craig Patterson -
Vivobarefoot plans to open its second Canadian store on Toronto’s Queen Street West as barefoot footwear gains momentum in Canada.

adidas Taking Over Toronto’s STACKT Market for FIFA World Cup

News Craig Patterson -
adidas is turning Toronto’s STACKT Market into a massive FIFA World Cup fan destination with watch parties, retail, food, and soccer experiences.

Small business confidence falls steeply in May: CFIB

News Mario Toneguzzi -
"Demand is weak, costs, especially fuel, are high and conditions don’t show signs of improving."

31% of Canadians have side hustle to cover every day expenses: Omnisend

News Mario Toneguzzi -
85% admit they started for financial reasons rather than personal fulfillment or fun.

Time Out Market Vancouver prepares for May 28 opening date at Oakridge Park

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Across 51,000 sq ft there are 18 kitchens, a dessert counter, a coffee counter, 3 bars, multiple event spaces and a large outdoor terrace onto a public park.

Survey reveals Canadians have reached breaking point: Harris & Partners

News Mario Toneguzzi -
57.3% of respondents said their income did not cover basic expenses including rent, food, and bills.

Expectations mismatch fueling Canada’s youth unemployment challenges: CFIB

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of small businesses recruit through personal connections, referrals from people they trust.

Spruce Meadows partners with Mattel for Barbie™ x Spruce Meadows

News Mario Toneguzzi -
A weekend of branded activations, entertainment, and a women-centered leadership forum running June 12 to 14 during the 'National' Tournament

Happy Belly Food Group exercises right to acquire remaining 50% of PIRHO Fresh Greek Grill

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Happy Belly’s portfolio consists of 686 contractually committed retail franchise locations across multiple emerging brands in various stages of development, construction, and operation.

Leger and Plus Company Introduce Smart Persona for Real-Time Consumer Insights

News Craig Patterson -
Leger and Plus Company launch Smart Persona, enabling real-time consumer insights through AI-powered synthetic personas.

Daily Synopsis: May 20, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
More 'maple washing' complaints as retailers accused of mislabeling Canadian products, 200th member joins Grocery Code, Canadian Tire settles racial profiling case, Lego store opening at Square One in Mississauga, Byward Market hosting immigrant entrepreneurs, and other news.

PLANTA Closes Toronto Restaurants in Yorkville and Queen West

News Craig Patterson -
Toronto-founded PLANTA has closed its flagship Yorkville and Queen West restaurants as the upscale plant-based brand focuses on continued U.S. growth.

George Minakakis Says Municipalities Must Modernize Like Businesses

News Craig Patterson -
Milton mayoral candidate George Minakakis says municipalities must modernize through AI, economic development, and operational leadership.

VIDEO: Soul7 Produce eyes U.S. growth with affordable snacks made from upcycled produce

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Soul7 Produce uses fresh fruits and vegetables that might otherwise be discarded because of appearance issues.

Luxury Resale Growth in Canada Signals Consumer Shift

News Craig Patterson -
Luxury resale in Canada is surging as consumers shift spending habits, with Mine & Yours reporting strong growth amid changing demand.

DUER expanding brand to Banff, Alberta

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The brand is already in 25 countries through wholesale.

Toronto, Vancouver businesses brace for FIFA World Cup supply chain surge ahead of June 11 kickoff

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Inventory means nothing if you're short-handed on a match day.

Grocery pricing strategies shift as Canadians prioritize value amid inflation pressures

News Mario Toneguzzi -
With consumers more price-conscious, yet still spending in key categories, companies are rethinking how they price, promote, and position products in real time.

Boston Pizza turning restaurants across Canada into live music stages

News Mario Toneguzzi -
From bands and solo acts to acoustic performers and hidden local talent, anyone ready to shoot their shot can connect with their local BP and hit the stage.

Tropoly Passes 1,000 Automations as Retailers Accelerate AI Adoption

News Maya Johnson -
Tropoly has surpassed 1,000 automations as retailers across Canada and the U.S. increase investment in AI-driven operations and workflow efficiency.

Daily Synopsis: May 19, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Inflation up due to gasoline, inside the wave of jewellery heists in Canada, clearance begins at Warehouse One and Bootlegger, retail crime claims another Winnipeg 7-Eleven, Robert Kenneth Irving passes, and other news.

Food Inflation Cools, But Canada’s Grocery Pain Is Far From Over

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Canada’s food inflation slowed in April, but grocery affordability pressures continue as structural costs and global risks weigh on consumers.
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