SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Sleep Country strategy to expand its portfolio of brands: Interview with CEO Stewart Schaefer

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Over the past few years, Sleep Country has been on a buying spree of different brands.

Retail Insider “Loss Prevention & Security Report”: Retail Risk Moves Beyond Theft

News Lee Rivett -
Retail risk is moving beyond merchandise theft as organized crime, violence, cyberattacks, fraud and data failures reshape store operations, customer experience and investment decisions across Canada. Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 report examines the widening mandate for loss prevention.

Canada’s Furniture Market Still Trails U.S. Recovery, Wayfair Results Suggest

News Lee Rivett -
Wayfair’s latest results highlight a growing divide between Canada and the U.S., with Canadian furniture demand remaining subdued as American consumers begin returning to the market.

Australian Beef Could Help Keep Canadian Consumers in the Beef Aisle

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Australian beef imports may help keep Canadians buying beef as domestic prices remain high, preserving long-term demand while Canada's cattle industry rebuilds.

Kits Eyecare reports Q2 2026 results, record revenue

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Glasses revenue grew 54.0% to $11.1 million, representing 18.9% of revenue, compared to 14.5%

AFA Canada United in Style Marketplace Opens Next Week in Toronto

News Retail Insider -
AFA Canada’s United in Style Spring/Summer 2027 marketplace runs August 11–13 at the Toronto Congress Centre. Retailers have less than a week to register.

Consumers assume brand content is AI-generated: Cashew

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Nearly nine in 10 consumers (87%) believe the ads, social posts, product images and other content they see from brands are at least partly created using AI.

Fendi Opens Only Standalone Canadian Boutique at Vancouver’s Oakridge Park

News Craig Patterson -
Fendi has opened its only standalone Canadian boutique at Vancouver's Oakridge Park, bringing the Italian luxury house back to standalone retail in Canada nearly three decades after its first Vancouver boutique.

Dr. Phone Fix completes New Brunswick acquisition, expands corporate network to 45 stores

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said the acquisition supports its strategy of expanding a national integrated device care platform through acquisitions, selective greenfield expansion and strategic partnerships.

Goodfood seeks CCAA Protection

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The CCAA process is intended to provide the time and flexibility needed to pursue the Company's financial restructuring while continuing to operate the business and implement its operational turnaround plan.

May Retail Sales Growth Masks Continued Weakness in Discretionary Categories

News J.C. Williams Group -
Canadian retail sales rose 4.0% year over year in May 2026, but JC Williams Group finds that fuel prices and inflation continue to pressure discretionary spending.

Daily Synopsis: Aug 4, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Proposed Canadian Tire class action lawsuit, Calgary weightlifting store faces bankruptcy due to Trump's tariffs, Walmart warehouse workers unionize, Spirit Halloween begins opening temp stores in Canada, and other news.

RioCan sees committed retail occupancy climb to 98.8% in Q2

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Completed 1.0 million square feet of leasing in the Second Quarter, including 0.9 million square feet of renewals.

Retail Insider “Retail Logistics Report”: Optionality Replaces Lean Efficiency

News Lee Rivett -
Canadian retailers are redesigning supply chains for recurring disruption, trading some lean efficiency for diversified sourcing, stronger inventory visibility and more flexible fulfilment networks. Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 report examines the operating and competitive implications of this shift.

SportChek to open Destination Sport store at CF Chinook Centre as Calgary mall accelerates retail transformation

News Mario Toneguzzi -
SportChek will consolidate its two CF Chinook Centre locations into a larger Destination Sport concept store in 2027 as the Calgary shopping centre adds new retailers including Shake Shack, Hollister, New Balance, and Wingstop while continuing its retail transformation.

Staples Canada launches annual school supply fundraising campaign supporting United Way, Kiwanis

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The campaign, which runs until Sept. 27, allows customers to make donations at checkout in Staples stores across Canada.

New 50% U.S. tariffs add pressure on retailers as trade uncertainty disrupts pricing, inventory and growth: DOSS Report

News Mario Toneguzzi -
A new DOSS report finds the latest 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods are intensifying pressure on retailers, forcing companies to rethink pricing, inventory management and supply chains while delaying long-term growth plans.

Fairleigh Dickinson University Opening New Campus at Oakridge Park in Vancouver

News Craig Patterson -
Fairleigh Dickinson University will open a 70,000-square-foot Vancouver campus at Oakridge Park, bringing new weekday activity to the mixed-use development.

Fall Toronto Gift + Home Market Opens August 9: Everything Retail Buyers Need to Know

News Retail Insider -
The Fall Toronto Gift + Home Market opens August 9 in Toronto, giving qualified retail buyers four days to discover suppliers, products and holiday merchandise.

Small businesses face mounting financial pressure: Merchant Growth

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Ontario restaurants and small businesses are struggling with wildfire smoke, extreme heat, rising utility costs and new U.S. tariff threats. Merchant Growth's latest survey reveals growing financial strain, reduced U.S. trade and cautious consumer spending.

Leyad announces two senior appointments

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Experienced leaders from First Capital REIT and Agellan join national real estate platform.

Air Canada and Hyatt Show Where Loyalty Partnerships Are Heading

News Retail Insider -
Air Canada’s Aeroplan and World of Hyatt have announced a comprehensive loyalty partnership, offering members new ways to earn and redeem points. The partnership enables more integrated travel experiences across both platforms, enhancing customer loyalty.

Second Cup Appoints Joe Walker as CEO to Lead International Franchise Growth

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian-founded Second Cup has named Joe Walker CEO of its international franchise business as the company looks to expand its global footprint, with the Middle East serving as a strategic growth hub.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 31, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Sleep Country completes Sleep Number acquisition, ranking Canada's grocery loyalty programs, Atlantic salmon prices jump in July, Giant Tiger shutting downtown Winnipeg store, Quebec gov't extends hours for 'erotic' stores, and other news.

What Couche-Tard Could Gain from Żabka Beyond 13,000 Stores

News Craig Patterson -
Couche-Tard’s Żabka acquisition adds more than 13,000 stores, while giving the Canadian retailer access to advanced convenience technology, compact formats and digital capabilities. Retail strategist Carl Boutet says the Polish convenience retailer’s compact stores, autonomous technology and digital capabilities could make the US$8.6-billion acquisition particularly significant for Couche-Tard’s global business.

Kate Spade New York names Tyla global brand ambassador as artist fronts fall campaign (Video)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The partnership will see Tyla featured in brand campaigns, social media content and in-store advertising, beginning with the fall campaign and continuing through additional promotional initiatives the company plans to unveil later this summer.

Casavogue Extends Summer Sale with Savings of Up to 50 Percent

News Retail Insider -
Casavogue has extended its Summer Sale for a limited time, with savings of up to 50% across all categories and up to 60% on select liquidation pieces.

Couche-Tard reaches deal to acquire controlling stake in Poland’s Żabka Group in transaction valued at US$8.6 billion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
If completed, the deal would be the largest acquisition in Couche-Tard's history.

Home Depot restructures leadership to streamline operations and accelerate growth strategy

News Mario Toneguzzi -
At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the company operated 2,361 retail stores and more than 1,280 SRS locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, all 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico.

Sobeys surpasses food waste reduction target five years ahead of UN goal

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Empire said the food loss and waste reduction included 40.6 million pounds of food donated across Canada during fiscal 2026, while another 5.2 million pounds of food was diverted through the FoodHero program.

Employment in retail continues to increase: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The monthly increase in May was concentrated in food and beverage retailers (+5,100; +1.0%), motor vehicle and parts dealers (+1,100; +0.5%) and general merchandise retailers (+1,000; +0.4%).

Loblaw Plans About 75 Store Openings in 2027 as Discount Expansion Continues

News Craig Patterson -
Loblaw expects to open about 75 stores in 2027 as it expands No Frills, Maxi and its pharmacy network amid sustained demand for discount grocery shopping.

Canada Goose’s Year-Round Strategy Gains Momentum as New Categories Drive Growth

News Craig Patterson -
Canada Goose says apparel, rainwear and windwear generated nearly 40% of first-quarter revenue as the luxury retailer expands beyond winter parkas, with Canada outperforming the U.S. market.

T&T’s Record California Debut Fuels U.S. Expansion Plans

News Craig Patterson -
T&T Supermarket's first California store generated the highest first-week sales in Loblaw history as the Canadian retailer accelerates its U.S. expansion.

Daily Synopsis: July 30, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Shoppers Drug Mart Expanding lower-priced fresh food, Aesop expanding Canadian store network, World Cup drove international card use in Canada, Canada Goose reports positive earnings, and other news.

Shoppers Drug Mart Expands Pharmacy Care as Loblaw Tests Lower-Priced Food Offer

News Craig Patterson -
Shoppers Drug Mart is expanding pharmacy care clinics and testing lower-priced food as healthcare-services sales outpace front-store growth.

Aesop Expands Canadian Store Network with New CF Richmond Centre Location

News Craig Patterson -
Aesop, an Australian skincare retailer, is opening a boutique at CF Richmond Centre, continuing its expansion across Canada. This move marks a significant milestone in Aesop's strategy to establish standalone stores and enhance direct-to-consumer connections.

Gildan reports “strong” Q2 results, net loss of $50 million, announces sale of HanesBrands Australia

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Second quarter net sales from continuing operations were $1.58 billion, up 72.3% over the prior year.

Pattison Food Group arrives on DoorDash, bringing Western Canada’s grocery staples home

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Save-On-Foods and five additional banners are now on DoorDash, offering in-store prices and member-exclusive pricing for More Rewards members.

Canada Goose reports Q1 Fiscal 2027 results while company expands year-round relevance

News Mario Toneguzzi -
“We’re successfully evolving Canada Goose into a year-round luxury brand, with customers engaging across more seasons and categories."

Loblaw reports Q2 revenue growth of 4.1% 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Retail revenue was $15,046 million, an increase of $589 million, or 4.1%.

Primaris REIT announces Q2 2026 results, leasing momentum “exceptionally strong”

News Mario Toneguzzi -
At June 30, 2026, approximately 600,000 square feet of former HBC space was leased to high-quality tenants under long-term lease agreements with occupancy dates ranging from early 2027 to mid-2029.

World Cup Drives 35% Increase in International Card Spending in Canada: Visa

News Lee Rivett -
Visa says inbound international card spending in Canada rose more than 35% during the opening weeks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto and Vancouver.

Daily Synopsis: July 29, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Bay Street Video thrives after 33 years as people rediscover DVDs, HEAL Wellness opening first Victoria location, Vancouver bakery proposes 30 storey hotel project, Vancouver 'Villages' plan scrapped, Union claims Alberta flags in Sobeys stores promote separatism as grievance is filed, and other news.

GUESS to Expand Product Categories in Canada Through New Licensing Network

News Craig Patterson -
GUESS will expand its Canadian product assortment with new home, children’s, apparel and accessories categories beginning in late 2026, with a broader rollout planned by spring 2027.

Pop Mart to Relocate into Larger CF Toronto Eaton Centre Store

News Craig Patterson -
Pop Mart will relocate from its initial CF Toronto Eaton Centre pop-up into a larger Level 1 store, nearly tripling its footprint at the downtown Toronto mall.

Belleville Costco Warehouse Planned as Canadian Expansion Continues

News Lee Rivett -
Plans for a new Costco warehouse in Belleville, Ontario, have moved forward following an announcement by Mayor Neil Ellis. The project highlights Costco's continued Canadian expansion and the retailer's strategy of serving growing regional markets.

Tim Hortons to launch Harry Potter-themed menu, merchandise and promotions Aug. 12

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The limited-time campaign will add themed food and beverages, collectible merchandise, special packaging, an in-store trivia event and a national contest, expanding the company's seasonal promotional offerings through collaborations tied to a major entertainment brand.

Walmart Connect launches self-serve onsite display platform to expand retail media capabilities

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The platform introduces an auction-based buying model, enabling advertisers to set bids dynamically and align spend to real-time demand.

BodyMods to open first Alberta studios with two Calgary locations

News Mario Toneguzzi -
BodyMods said the Alberta expansion is part of a broader growth plan that includes establishing 12 additional studios by 2028.
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