SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

High energy prices drive spike in consumer prices: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 2.8% year over year in April, up from an increase of 2.4% in March.

Why Aritzia Keeps Winning in a Fragmented Apparel Market

News Craig Patterson -
Aritzia’s growth highlights shifting consumer habits, premium positioning, and the widening divide in apparel retail.

L’Oréal Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart Launch First Multi-Brand Fragrance Refill Fountain

News Lee Rivett -
L’Oréal Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart introduce Canada’s first multi-brand fragrance refill fountain in select Beauty Boutique stores.

Michaels Expands Into Celebration Retail with Experiential In-Store Concepts

News Lee Rivett -
"Michaels expands celebration retail with a 60% party assortment expansion and experiential customization bars in stores across North America."

Liberty Entertainment Group Celebrates 40 Years of Shaping Toronto’s Hospitality Evolution

News Craig Patterson -
Liberty Entertainment Group marks 40 years after helping transform Toronto through immersive dining, nightlife, entertainment, and experiential hospitality.

The Home Depot sees sales reach $41.8 billion US in Q1 2026

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Sales grew by $1.9 billion US or 4.8% from a year ago.

Jones Soda expands distribution to 700 more Circle K stores in Eastern Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The expansion includes roughly 550 stores in Quebec and another 150 locations across the Maritimes, bringing Jones Soda products to about 1,750 points of sale across Canada.

Swatch x AP Launch Sparks Chaos at Canadian Malls

News Craig Patterson -
Swatch x Audemars Piguet’s Royal Pop launch triggered overnight lineups, store closures, and crowd-control concerns at Canadian shopping centres on Saturday.

From The Desk: Strategic Brick-and-Mortar Growth and Consumer Caution Shape Canadian Retail

News Craig Patterson -
Strong Canadian retailer expansions coexist with cautious consumers amid evolving experiential retail, supply challenges, and shifting workforce dynamics.

Daily Synopsis: May 15, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Liquidation grocery stores boom, theft at Canadian grocers up, Uniqlo opens 1st Winnipeg store, Ontario stores open for first time on Victoria Day, Etobikoke fireworks store blows up after vehicle drives in, FIFA World Cup store opens at Vancouver International Airport, and other news.

Recycling Rules Are Quietly Driving Food Inflation in Canada

News Sylvain Charlebois -
New recycling policies are adding hidden costs to Canada’s food system, contributing to higher grocery prices and reduced product choice.

Shoot 360 Opening Largest Canadian Facility in Oakville

News Lee Rivett -
Sport-tech basketball company Shoot 360 will open its largest Canadian facility in Oakville this month as the AI-driven training concept expands across Canada.

Felicia Launches in Canada with Retail Expansion

News Craig Patterson -
Italian pasta brand Felicia expands into 800+ Canadian stores while launching a $55 million manufacturing hub in London, Ontario.

RioCan says grocery, pharmacy and value retailers fuel leasing momentum

News Mario Toneguzzi -
With retail occupancy reported in Q1 at 98.6%, it’s pretty much a record for the REIT.

Intimates retailer Knix keeps expanding across Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The brand is opening its first store in Atlantic Canada in Halifax in mid-June.

Canadian luxury beauty retailer Rennaï launches e-commerce platform across Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Rennaï said the website introduces a refined and intuitive experience, allowing users to explore a carefully selected range of brands.

Flying Tiger Copenhagen Enters Canada with GTA Expansion

News Craig Patterson -
Flying Tiger Copenhagen is entering Canada with its Scandinavian-inspired discovery retail concept and an initial GTA expansion.

Everist looks to next phase of growth

News Mario Toneguzzi -
One of the biggest strategic shifts has been evolving its messaging to lead with the unique consumer benefits of Everist for supporting hair and scalp health.

Deloitte report warns rising trade tensions and labour disruptions reshaping Canadian supply chains

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Global disruptions are up 38% year over year.

Daily Synopsis: May 14, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Sobeys ditches maple leaf symbol in stores as it and Loblaw under fire for 'maple washing', Pet Valu reported cautious Canadian consumers, Ikea launches collection, and other news.

Canada Goose Pushes Beyond Parkas as Apparel Sales Surge

News Craig Patterson -
Canada Goose reported strong fiscal 2026 growth as apparel, spring collections, and retail conversion helped drive momentum beyond winter outerwear.

Pet Valu Earnings Reveal a More Cautious Canadian Consumer

News Craig Patterson -
Pet Valu earnings reveal how inflation, fuel costs, promotions, and loyalty programs are reshaping Canadian consumer shopping behaviour.

Article to open first U.S. stores in San Francisco, Bellevue

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Since launching in 2013, Article said it has delivered nearly three million orders to customers across the U.S. and Canada.

Toronto-Based Menswear Brand Guardin Launches with TNT

News Craig Patterson -
Toronto-based menswear brand Guardin launches with TNT, offering minimalist suede and leather outerwear at accessible premium price points.

Rising fertilizer prices, supply disruptions hitting over 4 in 10 Canadian agri-businesses: CFIB 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Most (90%) agri-businesses said they’re worried about the future of Canadian agriculture due to the regulatory burden.

Happy Belly Expands iQ Food Co. Into Calgary

News Lee Rivett -
Happy Belly is bringing iQ Food Co. to Calgary as the wellness-focused chain expands beyond Toronto into Western Canada.

Atelier Munro Opens Vancouver Flagship House

News Lee Rivett -
Atelier Munro has opened its Vancouver flagship House, expanding its hospitality-driven menswear concept in Canada.

Canadian Tire Corporation reports Q1 2026 results as retail sales dip

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Retail sales were $3,375.7 million, down 1.4%.

FoodHero expands platform to independent food retailers across Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said it is now present in more than 1,100 grocery stores across Canada.

Maison Territo Celebrates First Anniversary at Royalmount

News Craig Patterson -
Maison Territo marks its first anniversary at Royalmount with a celebration of luxury interiors, curated design, and immersive experiences.

Princess Auto to open flagship Winnipeg store as part of retail strategy shift

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The privately-owned retailer is shifting toward a more experiential retail model focused on community engagement and hands-on customer experiences.

Daily Synopsis: May 13, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Jones soda launches at 700 Circle K's, Amazon Prime class-action lawsuit approved in Quebec, retail cannabis growth cools, 6% milk in Ontario grocery stores, only grocery store in Salisbury NB reopens 8 months after fire, and other news.

SHEIN Opening Toronto Pop-Up in Former Zara Queen West Space

News Lee Rivett -
SHEIN is opening a Toronto pop-up inside the former Zara store on Queen Street West as the retailer expands its experiential retail strategy across Canada.

lululemon Opens Large Downtown Montreal Store

News Craig Patterson -
lululemon has opened a new two-level downtown Montreal flagship store on Sainte-Catherine Street West, featuring localized design inspired by Vancouver and Montreal.

AFA Canada Sets August Dates as Spring/Summer 2027 Trends Take Shape

News Retail Insider -
AFA Canada returns August 11–13, offering retailers an early look at Spring/Summer 2027 trends and industry insights.

Slate Grocery REIT reports Q1 2026 results with rental revenue growth of nearly 12% yoy

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Portfolio occupancy remained stable at 94.4% as at March 31, 2026.

Happy Belly Food Group reports $19.3 million in Q1 system wide QSR sales

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The increase is attributed to organic baseline restaurant growth, alongside increased restaurant count, which reached 87 operating restaurants at the end of Q1 2026.

Cavallo Custom Clothing Opens Toronto Showroom

News Craig Patterson -
Cavallo Custom Clothing launches an appointment-based showroom in Etobicoke, blending tailoring with hospitality-driven retail.

Calgary retail market stable with healthy demand: JLL

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The vacancy rate remains stable at 2.4 per cent − among the lowest in North America.

Dunkin’ Return to Canada Signals New Coffee War

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Dunkin’ is returning to Canada under Foodtastic, reigniting competition in a coffee market long dominated by Tim Hortons and increasingly shaped by shifting consumer habits.

Daily Synopsis: May 12, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
George Weston reports Q1, retail crime numbers concerning, Walmart Canada expands retail leader's role, men's formalwear booms in Saskatchewan, Cape Bretton woman marks 50 years at Canadian Tire, and other news.

Pet Valu reports Q1 2026 results, sales increase to $375.2 million

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Revenue was $287.9 million, up 3.2% versus Q1 2025.

Dunkin’ and Foodtastic sign deal to open hundreds of locations in Canada

Retailer News Mario Toneguzzi -
Foodtastic said it will have exclusive rights to develop the Dunkin’ brand nationally through both corporate and franchise-operated locations.

Primaris Reshapes Canada’s Enclosed Mall Sector

News Craig Patterson -
Primaris has transformed into one of Canada’s most influential mall owners through acquisitions of dominant regional shopping centres.

Consumer insolvencies surge in first quarter to highest level since 2019

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Equivalent to roughly 17 Canadians filing for insolvency every hour during the quarter, on average.

Cineplex reports Q1 2026 results, highest quarterly revenue since 2019

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Recorded $291.0 million in total revenues, the highest first quarter revenue since 2019.

Scarborough Town Centre Growth Driven by Community Strategy

News Craig Patterson -
Scarborough Town Centre surpasses $1,000 per square foot as community programming and cultural events drive retail growth.

Graze Craze Enters Canada with First Ontario Location

News Craig Patterson -
Florida-based charcuterie franchise Graze Craze enters Canada with a Stoney Creek, Ontario opening and broader franchise expansion plans.

Daily Synopsis: May 11, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Atelier Munro opens in Vancouver, Ikea opens plan-and-order store in Gatineau, PST retailer relief discussed in Manitoba, Golf Canada expands merch offerings, and other news.

CT REIT announces 3.5% distribution increase and “strong” Q1 2026 results

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The REIT also announced three new investments which will require an estimated $43 million to complete.
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