SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

The Brick Chick grows with LEGO popularity

News Mario Toneguzzi -
An independent parts and custom design business serving adult collectors across the U.S. and Canada.

Coast Appliances Files for CCAA After Leadership Exit

News Lee Rivett -
Coast Appliances enters CCAA after leadership resignations, mounting debt, and operational disruptions across Canada.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 27, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
DoorDash partners with Empire, Abercrombie & Fitch returning to Calgary's CF Chinook, No Frills opens in Edmonton, Michaels debuts 10-minute custom framing, Artizia opens flagship, and other news.

DoorDash Expands Grocery Reach Through Empire Partnership

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Lee Rivett -
DoorDash adds 1,000+ Empire grocery stores across Canada, expanding its role in on-demand grocery and retail delivery.

Aritzia Unveils Expanded Flagship at CF Toronto Eaton Centre

News Craig Patterson -
Aritzia unveils an expanded flagship at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, introducing a larger format store with integrated café and experiential retail features.

Woodbine Mall CCAA Signals Shift to Redevelopment

News Craig Patterson -
Woodbine Mall enters CCAA as lenders move to take control, signalling a shift toward redevelopment of aging retail assets in Toronto. Craig Patterson interviews Antony Karabus about the situation.

Canada losing businesses at an alarming rate: CFIB

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Business exits in Canada have outpaced new business entries since early 2024, and the problem seems to be getting worse.

Growth planned for QuickBite Collective brands

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Although the company was founded in 2024, its legacy brand Teriyaki Experience is celebrating 40 years in business.

GS25 Rumor Highlights Demand for Asian Convenience Retail in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
GS25 is not entering Canada despite recent rumours and a news article, but Toronto speculation highlights growing demand for Asian convenience retail concepts.

STRONG Pilates on aggressive expansion path

News Mario Toneguzzi -
STRONG Pilates is set to expand from seven studios at the end of 2025, to 22 locations by the end of 2026, with plans to reach 40 by 2027.

Yorkdale Outpaces Canadian Malls by $700 Per Square Foot

Market Studies Craig Patterson -
Yorkdale leads Canadian malls with $2,368 per square foot, outperforming competitors by over $700 in 2025 rankings.

Bath Depot Opens 50th Store, Expands Western Footprint

News Lee Rivett -
Bath Depot, a Canadian home retailer, is set to open its 50th store in Edmonton on April 24, 2026. This opening underscores the company's expanding footprint across Canada with a growing variety of home products.

Loblaws Humbertown Reopens Amid Major Redevelopment

News Craig Patterson -
Loblaws reopens at Humbertown as part of a major mixed-use redevelopment transforming the Etobicoke site into a modern retail hub.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 24, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Retail copycats, Freed & Freed’s fashion shoot, Lululemon future questioned with new CEO, 2 FreshCo stores open in one day, Manitoba to cut PST on ready-made food in smaller retailers, Goodwill dealing with breakins, and other news.

From The Desk: Retail Revitalization and Strategic Expansion in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
This week’s retail focus highlights strategic Canadian expansions, heritage retail innovation, and the evolving synergy between value and luxury amid shifting consumers, as well as many other topics.

Retail Leaders Outline Strategy Shifts at Rotman Event

News Craig Patterson -
Retail leaders discuss strategy, consumer shifts, and growth at Retail Insider’s first in-person event with Rotman.

Inside the Fashion Shoot Shaping Freed & Freed’s Next Chapter

News Craig Patterson -
Marissa Freed discusses the creative vision, storytelling, and emotional moments behind Freed & Freed’s latest fashion shoot.

Armco Capital acquires Stephen Avenue Place and adjacent buildings in downtown Calgary

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Landmark transaction brings together a prominent Class A office tower and a rare collection of contiguous high-street retail properties on Stephen Avenue, Calgary's most recognized pedestrian corridor.

Retail sales surpass $72 billion in February: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, were up 0.6% in February.

Retail security measures driving customers away: DALBAR study

News Mario Toneguzzi -
38% of shoppers have abandoned a purchase due to in-store security measures.

DoorDash launching unique Mother’s Day experience

News Mario Toneguzzi -
It’s built on a simple insight: moms want one less thing to think about, not necessarily more gifts.

Lunching with Lady Eaton Returns to Toronto May 17

News Craig Patterson -
Historic Eaton’s Round Room dining experience returns to Toronto on May 17, 2026, blending retail history with immersive hospitality.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 23, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Vegetable prices up in grocery stores, Lululemon shares fall following new CEO announcement, Pacific Mall in Markham adds 'better' tenants, Longchamp expanding to Vancouver, CF Fairview robber wanted for Oshawa heist, and other news.

Calgary Co-Op reports slight sales growth for fiscal 2025

News Mario Toneguzzi -
It reported net earnings of $6.1 million compared to a net loss of $10.04 million the previous year.

Value and Luxury Dominate Canadian Retail: JLL Study

News Craig Patterson -
Value and luxury retailers are driving Canadian retail growth as mid-market brands face pressure in a shifting consumer landscape.

EMMYDEVEAUX Opens Kelowna Store as Founder Runs for Mayor

News Craig Patterson -
EMMYDEVEAUX opens a Kelowna store as founder Emily Salsbury launches a mayoral bid.

Gastown Plan Targets Retail Revival in Vancouver

News Craig Patterson -
Vancouver approves Gastown Public Spaces Plan to boost retail, foot traffic, and tourism ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026.

Canadian GDP to rebound in the first two quarters of 2026: CFIB

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Canadian economy grew 1.6% in Q1 2026 and is expected to increase to 1.6% in Q2.

Government of Canada investing in quality tourism experiences and attractions in Alberta

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) launched in 2023 with $108 million over three years to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, small and medium-sized businesses, and not-for-profit organizations.

Atelier Munro Opening Vancouver Store, Expands West

News Lee Rivett -
Atelier Munro opens its third Canadian location in Vancouver, advancing its direct-to-consumer expansion strategy.

KFC Canada Brings Montreal Forum Seats to Restaurants

News Briefs (Bulletin/Quick Reads) Lee Rivett -
KFC Canada installs original Montreal Forum seats in select locations to tap hockey nostalgia during the NHL playoffs.

Sales at greenhouses rise for 5th consecutive year: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Total greenhouse area increased by 1.4% to 35.9 million square metres in 2025. Ontario accounted for just under two-thirds (64.9%) of total greenhouse area nationally in 2025.

Canadian Retail in Transition Conference Set for Toronto

News Retail Insider -
Retail leaders gather May 8 in Toronto to discuss restructuring, insolvency trends, and the future of Canadian retail. Craig Patterson will provide his perspective of the industry in a fireside chat.

VIDEO: 50 Years of Canada’s Commercial Real Estate Evolution

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Commercial real estate remains fundamentally a relationship-driven business, where in-person interaction, market insight, and trust continue to be essential for success.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 22, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Lululemon appoints CEO, Danier expands, Canadians lean to emotional purchases, Metro reports earnings, Ford rejects putting US booze on Ontario shelves, consumers 'trading down' on beef, clothing in Quebec landfills doubles in decade, and other news.

Lululemon Appoints Heidi O’Neill as CEO

News Lee Rivett -
Lululemon names Heidi O’Neill CEO as it looks to revive growth and address product and performance challenges in North America.

How Luxury Retail Actually Works: Retail Staff

News Craig Patterson -
Inside luxury retail staffing, from empowerment and culture to commission structures and team-based service models. Craig Patterson interviews expert Douglas Mandel.

Danier Debuts New Store Concept Amid Expansion Phase

News Craig Patterson -
Danier debuts a new store concept as it expands into Calgary and Mississauga, marking a new phase of growth for the Canadian retailer.

METRO reports Q2 financial results with sales rising more than 4% from last year

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Net earnings of $246.6 million, up 12.1%.

Asian lifestyle and beauty brand SUKOSHI opening at Calgary’s Southcentre Mall

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Since launching in 2018, SUKOSHI has expanded steadily across Canada and the United States, with more than 20 locations and plans to surpass 40 stores by the end of 2026.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 21, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Distillery District retail shift, discount grocery banners expand, Montreal man wanted in CF Fairview shooting, Costco to open in NE Edmonton, and other news.

Toronto’s The Distillery Historic District announces opening of The Cooperage Marketplace (Photos/Video)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The Cooperage Marketplace is in one of the site’s most historic buildings, from the 1860s.

Toronto aligns on the future of tourism with new Destination Master Plan

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Following a record-breaking year in 2025, with 28 million visitors generating over $9 billion in spending at businesses all throughout the city, Toronto is attracting more visitors than ever before.

Some Canadian businesses may be eligible for U.S. tariff refunds: CFIB

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Approximately one-third of small Canadian exporters faced tariffs on goods that did not qualify for the CUSMA exemption.

ByWard Market Launches Vendors at Hudson’s Bay Site

News Lee Rivett -
ByWard Market launches a vendor village at the former Hudson’s Bay site to boost foot traffic and support local businesses in Ottawa.

Hillberg & Berk Expands Toward 30 Stores in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Hillberg & Berk expansion in Canada accelerates with new Langley store and plans for 30 locations by 2027, with focus on Ontario and BC.

Proposal before Calgary Co-op AGM seeks clarity on CEO position

News Mario Toneguzzi -
A proposal at Calgary Co-op's 2026 AGM seeks a written update on the cooperative's long-running permanent CEO vacancy.

Ediya Coffee Enters Canada with First Toronto Store

News Lee Rivett -
Ediya Coffee opens its first Canadian location in Thornhill, marking a strategic North American expansion with a localized menu.

Pickleplex plans to double footprint by end of year

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Very strong, consistent demand for high-quality indoor and outdoor racquet sport experiences.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 20, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Reitmans marks 100 years, public grocery stores debated, male teens embrace fragrances, Sask food inflation worst in Canada, night market returns to metro Vancouver, and other news.
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