SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Retail market in Calgary remains resilient amid uncertainty, says JLL’s Ron Odagaki

News Mario Toneguzzi -
About 1.6 million square feet were absorbed in 2024, higher than in 2023, with greater net absorption in general retail, said JLL.

Canadian confectionary Chocolats Favoris opens 1st Vancouver location in Gastown (Photos)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Chocolats Favoris said the 1,250-square-foot Gastown store represents a major investment in the local economy, creating 30 new jobs and adding to the neighbourhood’s vibrant culture.

Knix Reimagines Queen Street Flagship as Expansion Accelerates

News Craig Patterson -
Knix has reimagined its Queen Street West flagship store in Toronto with a new layout and expanded product offerings, while planning five new store openings across Canada in 2025.

GameStop Canada President on Why EB Games is Coming Back

News Craig Patterson -
GameStop Canada President Jim Tyo shares why the company is rebranding to EB Games, highlighting a renewed focus on collectibles, tech investment, and Canadian retail roots.

First Capital REIT reports strong Q1 2025 results with 5.3% NOI growth, 96.9% occupancy, and robust leasing activity

News Mario Toneguzzi -
First Capital owns, operates and develops grocery-anchored, open-air centres in neighbourhoods with the strongest demographics in Canada.

BonLook Opens New Store at Royalmount in Montreal

News Craig Patterson -
BonLook opens a new boutique at Royalmount in Montreal, blending art, optometry, and fashion eyewear in its latest retail expansion.

Food Basics to Open at ROQ City in Downtown Toronto

News Craig Patterson -
Food Basics will open a 33,000 square foot store at ROQ City in Downtown Toronto, joining Shoppers Drug Mart in the growing mixed-use development by Tricon Residential.

Happy Belly Food Group exercises right to acquire remaining 50% of Heal Wellness QSR

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Happy Belly portfolio has 531 units under development agreements

Pet Valu reports 7% revenue growth in Q1 2025, returns to positive same-store sales with expansion plans ahead

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Pet Valu opened 7 new stores and ended the quarter with 830 stores across the network.

RioCan announces strong Q1 results and updates situation with Hudson’s Bay Company

News Mario Toneguzzi -
As at March 31, 2025, its portfolio is comprised of 177 properties with an aggregate net leasable area of approximately 32 million square feet (at RioCan's interest).

EB Games Canada Returns with GameStop Acquisition

News Craig Patterson -
GameStop Canada is being rebranded as EB Games Canada after its acquisition by Stephan Tetrault, with a renewed focus on Canadian gamers, collector culture, and in-store experiences.

Shop Makers Expanding Rapidly Across Canada Supporting Artisans

News Craig Patterson -
Shop Makers grows to 19 stores across Canada, providing artisans with a unique platform to sell handmade goods directly to consumers.

Ralph Lauren Opens 2nd Full-Priced Store in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Ralph Lauren expands in Canada with a new 5,500-square-foot store on Vancouver’s Alberni Street, joining a growing luxury retail corridor downtown.

Restaurant sales projected to contract in 2025 amid trade war with U.S.: Restaurants Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Restaurants Canada expects annual commercial foodservice sales to contract between 0.4% and 1.5% in 2025 and between 0.6% and 1.4% in 2026, depending on how the tariff dispute with the U.S. evolves.

Canadian skincare brand Three Ships sees soaring demand amid tariffs, embraces ‘Made in Canada’ movement

News Mario Toneguzzi -
As U.S. trade tensions mount and tariffs weigh heavy on cross-border business, Canadian natural skincare brand Three Ships is turning pressure into opportunity—with homegrown support fueling explosive growth.

Pita Pit celebrates 30 Years of fresh, customizable eats with $100K giveaway and new brand refresh

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Founded on July 21, 1995, in Kingston, Ontario, Pita Pit has grown from a single storefront into a global franchise with 242 Canadian locations and a presence in international markets.

CT REIT reports strong Q1 2025 results, increases monthly distributions by 2.5%—45.9% growth since IPO

News Mario Toneguzzi -
CT REIT also entered into a ground lease with a third party to facilitate the development of a new Canadian Tire store in Kelowna, BC.

Majority of North American consumers brace for long-term economic impact from tariffs, NielsenIQ study finds

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Data from NielsenIQ’s (NIQ) recent North America Tariff Sentiment Study reveals that most consumers are bracing for a long-term economic hit.

Loblaw releases 2024 Live Life Well® Report

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Loblaw Companies Limited says its success as a proud Canadian company is directly linked to the success and prosperity of Canada as a whole.

Hudson’s Bay Turns 355—But This Birthday Could Be Its Last

News Craig Patterson -
Hudson’s Bay Company turns 355 on May 2, 2025, but amid bankruptcy protection and liquidation, it could be the final anniversary for the iconic retailer.

WAXON Laser + Waxbar Expands with New Investment

News Craig Patterson -
WAXON Laser + Waxbar partners with wellness leader Fraser Clarke to drive national expansion and support franchise growth across Canada.

A&W Canada reports Q1 2025 sales growth, opens 7 new restaurants despite economic and weather challenges

News Mario Toneguzzi -
A&W Food Services of Canada saw a 2% System Sales increase and opened 7 new restaurants in Q1 2025, despite severe weather and economic uncertainty. CEO highlights strong value offerings and launch of A&W Rewards program.

Couche-Tard Advances 7-Eleven Bid with Data Access Deal

News Craig Patterson -
Couche-Tard secures NDA to review Seven & i’s financials in bid to acquire 7-Eleven, with insights from retail strategist Carl Boutet.

Aritzia reports 38% Q4 revenue growth, driven by U.S. expansion and ecommerce momentum

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Aritizia opened its iconic Fifth Avenue flagship in New York.

Interview: Thomas Caldwell on Hudson’s Bay IP Bid

News Craig Patterson -
Urbana Corp. CEO Thomas Caldwell discusses his bids on Hudson’s Bay assets, aiming to preserve the brand’s legacy and royal charter in Canada.

Tilley Sport Pops Up at Holt Renfrew in Toronto

News Craig Patterson -
Tilley Sport opens a Holt Renfrew pop-up in Toronto, led by designer Kim Newport-Mimran, blending luxury and performance for a modern sportswear edge.

Luxe Du Jour targets $13M Series B raise to fuel retail and tech expansion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Luxury resale platform Luxe Du Jour is planning a major expansion and aiming to double sales once again and grow its physical retail and digital platform across North America.

VIDEO: Calgary’s Downtown Transformation Strategy Boosts Housing, Business, and Vibrancy

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Calgary is undergoing a significant downtown transformation aimed at revitalizing the core while addressing major challenges stemming from the 2014 oil crash.

Primaris REIT announces “strong” Q1/25

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Primaris is Canada’s only enclosed shopping centre focused REIT, with ownership interests in leading enclosed shopping centres located in growing Canadian markets.

Cadillac Fairview Dominates Canadian Mall Productivity Rankings

News Craig Patterson -
Cadillac Fairview places nine malls in the top 20 nationally in ICSC’s 2024 rankings, leading Canada in retail productivity and portfolio strength.

Specsavers Expands Rapidly in Canada, Exceeding Growth Targets

News Craig Patterson -
Specsavers surpasses 150 stores in Canada, aiming to reach 1 million patients by 2025 with a focus on affordability, quality, and eye health.

Walmart Canada launches in-store pharmacy clinics in Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Walmart's goal is to help ease the strain on emergency departments and traditional walk-in medical clinics.

Loblaw reports revenue growth of 4.1% in Q1

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Delivering against its capital investment plans to open approximately 80 new stores and 100 new clinics in 2025, Loblaw brought Hard Discount banners to five new communities and opened four new pharmacies with expanded clinics in the quarter, and opened a second T&T Supermarket in downtown Toronto.

Urbana Bids to Buy Hudson’s Bay Brand and Royal Charter

News Craig Patterson -
Urbana Corp. aims to acquire the Hudson’s Bay brand and Royal Charter as bidders emerge ahead of court deadline in HBC liquidation.

Hakim Optical Enters Restructuring Amid Industry Challenges

News Craig Patterson -
Hakim Optical files for restructuring as competition intensifies in Canada’s eyewear market, with new owners potentially stepping in.

Vessi names new Chief Marketing Officer to support global expansion and brand growth

People Mario Toneguzzi -
Founded in Vancouver, BC, Vessi’s mission is simple yet impactful: to inspire happiness in the rain.

Marcon and QuadReal to launch community-first TriCity Pavilion in Coquitlam

News Mario Toneguzzi -
TriCity Pavilion is a purpose-built destination and a tangible expression of what’s to come at TriCity Central

Canadian consumers driving major shift toward private labels: EY Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
While private label has long held sway in categories like fresh food, it’s now expanding into new territory.

Shake Shack Canada launches exclusive collaboration with MIMI Chinese in Toronto

News Mario Toneguzzi -
This collaboration brings together Shake Shack’s elevated take on classic comfort food with MIMI Chinese’s modern interpretation of traditional Chinese flavours.

Champlain Apparel Expands with Harry Rosen Partnership

News Craig Patterson -
Champlain Apparel grows from startup to national menswear brand, now featured at Harry Rosen and over 50 retailers across Canada.

Maxi expands outside Quebec with 1st New Brunswick store set for Caraquet

News Mario Toneguzzi -
With over 185 stores across Québec, Maxi has been a fixture in the province for nearly 40 years.

Clutch expands physical retail presence across Canada as online car sales accelerate

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Clutch allows consumers to sell their vehicles directly to the company and buy fully inspected and reconditioned cars online.

Stable retail vacancy, lack of new development define Calgary’s retail market: Cushman & Wakefield

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Calgary witnessed a continuing move toward retail density à la mixed-use development, says Cushman & Wakefield.

Queen Street Hudson’s Bay Sees Crowds as Liquidation Begins

News Craig Patterson -
Crowds descend on Hudson’s Bay Queen Street flagship as liquidation sales begin, marking a possible final chapter for Canada’s oldest retailer.

EMERGE Commerce sees strong Q4 and Full-Year 2024 results, eyes growth with Tee 2 Green acquisition

News Mario Toneguzzi -
EMERGE is a premium Canadian e-commerce brand portfolio, operating subscription, marketplace, and retail businesses in grocery and golf.

Anatomy of a Leader: Bojana Sentaler, Founder of SENTALER

News Mario Toneguzzi -
From humble beginnings to international acclaim, Bojana Sentaler continues to lead with vision, resilience, and a commitment to making women feel confident in every season

“From Novelty to Selling Point”: Canadian artisans rally at Butterdome Spring Craft Sale

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Over 35 years, the Butterdome community has flourished from humble 1990s beginnings to a bustling 70,000+ sq ft marketplace, featuring local creators, multi-generational family businesses, and craft food and drink purveyors from coast to coast.

Hudson’s Bay Closes Final Chapter as Flagship Stores Fall [Photos]

News Craig Patterson -
April 24 marked the final day of Hudson’s Bay as a traditional department store before all stores entered nationwide liquidation. 

T&T Supermarket to open its 1st Southern California store in Irvine in Winter 2026

News Mario Toneguzzi -
T&T Supermarkets is the largest Asian supermarket chain in Canada, with over 38 locations across North America.

Court Blocks HBC’s Pick for Employee Counsel, OKs Art Auction

News Craig Patterson -
Ontario court denies Hudson’s Bay’s choice of legal counsel for employees, approves art collection auction amid deepening liquidation process.
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