SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Promenades St-Bruno to invest $49.5M in food court redevelopment, new retail space

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The project will relocate the existing lower-level food court to the current Marché des Promenades location, allowing the former food court area to be converted into retail space.

Joseph Ribkoff launches global direct-to-consumer platform, names Elizabeth Hurley campaign face

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The campaign is built around its new brand philosophy, Elegance in Motion, which focuses on the idea that elegance changes with the women who wear the clothing.

Record results for Happy Belly Food Group in Q2

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Record system-wide sales of $28.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, representing an increase of approximately 75% compared to $16.2 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2025.

Grocery, pharmacy and fitness fuel strong leasing demand for RioCan properties

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company’s retail portfolio is now effectively 99 per cent leased, supported by population growth, limited new retail supply and a tenant base that has become more resilient and necessity-focused.

MadHatters poised for continued growth

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The new store has been designed around a simple philosophy: keep a good store, a happy ambiance, and happy staff, so customers have fun while they shop.

Canadian Restaurants Avoid Broad Food Tariff Hit as Supply Costs Face Pressure

News Craig Patterson -
Restaurants Canada welcomes Ottawa’s targeted tariff approach, but new duties on packaging, equipment and selected foods could add costs for operators.

Knix Opens First Atlantic Canada Store in Halifax as Retail Expansion Continues

News Craig Patterson -
Knix has opened its first Atlantic Canadian store at Halifax Shopping Centre as the Toronto-based intimates brand continues expanding its physical retail network.

Cadillac Fairview’s It’s Better in Real Life campaign targets today’s consumers

News Mario Toneguzzi -
New consumer research suggests shoppers are looking for more than just stores, with nearly one-third of visits to its properties now driven by social reasons such as meeting friends or spending time together.

IKEA study finds household clutter creating tension as living spaces get smaller

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The IKEA Store & Organise Report 2026: Finding Meaning in the Mess surveyed 31,488 people across 31 markets and found that 38 per cent of homes have someone who leaves things out with the expectation that another person will deal with them.

Canadian Retailers Face New Cost and Sourcing Pressures from U.S. Counter-Tariffs

News Lee Rivett -
Canada’s $27.6-billion counter-tariff package targets 874 U.S.-origin goods, creating new pricing, margin and sourcing challenges for Canadian retailers.

Birks names Sophie Nélisse brand ambassador as it launches new national campaign

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Nélisse, who was born in Montreal and is known for her performances in Yellowjackets and Heated Rivalry, said the brand has been familiar to her since childhood.

Daily Synopsis: August 25, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Loblaw backtracks on dropping country-of-origin produce labels, cosmetic tariffs threaten beauty, fashion and other sectors, Criterion opening video storefront in Toronto, shop-Canada app surges amid trade war, and other news.

Canada announces $27.6B in counter-tariffs on U.S. goods as retailers, restaurants and small businesses weigh impact

News Mario Toneguzzi -
“Canada’s retail sector will shoulder a significant share of this burden, with so many essential consumer goods targeted."

Toronto’s Woodbine Mall and Fantasy Fair getting a roller rink this fall

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The concept has opened more than 15 pop-ups in vacant retail spaces across the GTA and welcomed more than 250,000 skaters since 2021.

Evening Coffee Orders Nearly Triple in Canada as Restaurants Tap New Beverage Trend: Lavazza

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Coffee is no longer just a morning ritual. Restaurants across Canada are finding a new use for their espresso machines well after the dinner rush.

Canadian SMEs remain optimistic but take more cautious approach to hiring and AI investment: Employment Hero

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The survey suggests businesses are increasingly looking at AI as a tool for day-to-day operations rather than simply experimenting with the technology, with productivity and efficiency among the stated priorities.

Back-to-School lunch basket falls 2.8%, but relief may be temporary: report

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Promotions are easing costs for families, while seasonal pressures and geopolitical risks could push some prices higher by December

Maureen Simon Foods launches Rolliis in 7-Eleven stores across Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said the products are being introduced across the convenience-store chain as it seeks to bring its lineup of Caribbean-inspired foods to a wider Canadian customer base.

Toronto Waterfront Looks to Events and Activation as District Builds Toward 2035

Retailer News Craig Patterson -
Waterfront BIA is mapping a new events and activation strategy as transit, development and commercial growth reshape Toronto’s waterfront through 2035.

Most Canadian small businesses unaware of new open banking law: Xero survey

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Eighteen per cent of respondents said they currently share their online banking username and password with an accountant, bookkeeper, employee or software tool. Twenty-two per cent said they had done so at some point.

Arc’teryx Sees Potential for 200 Stores in North America as Expansion Accelerates

News Craig Patterson -
Arc’teryx sees potential for roughly 200 stores across North America as the Vancouver-founded brand expands retail, women’s and footwear.

Canadian Retailers Push Sustainability Deeper Into Operations as Business Case Evolves

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian retailers are integrating sustainability into stores, logistics, packaging, resale and supply chains as regulation and business economics evolve.

Daily Synopsis: August 24, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Canadians still head to malls, Ilia Beauty grows out of Vancouver roots, Reformation opening at CF Toronto Eaton Centre Sept. 1, Toronto camera store closing after 25 years, and other news.

Casavogue Highlights Made-in-Italy Design from Calligaris

News Retail Insider -
Casavogue showcases Calligaris, the Italian furniture brand known for refined extendable dining tables, elegant chairs and Made-in-Italy craftsmanship.

Westcliff acquires Kingsway Mall in Edmonton

News Mario Toneguzzi -
On a 41.8-acre site, the 880,049-square-foot shopping centre features more than 160 stores and services.

Walmart+ Takes Bigger Role as Walmart Expands Canadian Digital Strategy

News Craig Patterson -
Walmart is expanding its Canadian digital strategy as Walmart+ membership, e-commerce, Marketplace and fulfillment investments gain importance.

Ottawa’s Tariff Retaliation Risks Raising Grocery Prices for Canadians

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Sylvain Charlebois warns that Canadian counter-tariffs on U.S. food, ingredients and agricultural inputs could raise grocery prices and increase costs across the food supply chain.

AI’s Growth Reveals a Hidden $381.3 Million Problem for Retail Brands: Outdated and Unmanaged Enterprise Content

News Mario Toneguzzi -
88% of retail executives say high-quality, well-maintained digital content will be more important to their business success over the next two years than it has been in the past

AI Is Shaping Back-to-School Shopping for Canadian Consumers: Accenture

News Mario Toneguzzi -
AI is influencing how Canadians plan back-to-school purchases, with parents using AI tools to compare prices, build shopping lists and find products.

Canadian, U.S. and Mexican franchise groups sign trilateral agreement

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The agreement is intended to help franchise businesses better understand and enter each other's markets, including through greater information sharing on regulations, intellectual property, costs, supply chains, consumers and market-entry strategies.

From The Desk: Strategic Adaptation and Growth Define Canadian Retail in August 2026

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail shows resilience and strategic growth with expansions, AI-driven transformations, and evolving consumer behaviours amid economic challenges.

Daily Synopsis: August 21, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
FreschCo opens 1st Atlantic stores, Apple stores prepare for product expansion, Lordco expands in Western Canada, thrift stores deal with excess donations, Columbia House Records shuting down, and other news.

Canada/U.S. trade talk collapse to lead to immediate and significant impact on small business: CFIB

News Mario Toneguzzi -
"A full 40% of small Canadian exporters will be directly hit by these tariffs and nearly one-third expect their revenues will drop by 50% or more as a result."

Joe Mimran Outlines Product and Global Growth Plans for Roots

News Craig Patterson -
Joe Mimran discusses plans for Roots product, stores and U.S. growth as Marquee Brands and Roots CEO Meghan Roach point to significant international expansion.

Shoppa.ca launches online marketplace for Canadian-owned businesses

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The marketplace includes businesses from across the country and products in categories including beauty and skincare, apparel, home and living, pets, kids and baby, food and wellness.

Canadian retail sales surpass $74 billion in June: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Core retail sales rose 1.2% in June, posting their second consecutive monthly gain.

Good Earth Coffeehouse opens new location at Indigo Metrotown in Burnaby

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The opening adds another location to Good Earth's network of more than 50 coffeehouses across Canada.

TJX Says Winners, Marshalls and HomeSense Are Gaining Major Market Share in Canada

News Craig Patterson -
TJX says Winners, Marshalls and HomeSense are gaining major market share in Canada as customer transactions rise and the retailer expands in prominent malls and downtown locations.

Home Depot Canada Sales Accelerate Despite Challenging Housing Market

News Lee Rivett -
Home Depot Canada outperformed the broader company in Q2 as comparable sales, transactions and unit growth improved despite a subdued housing market.

AutoCanada Sees Canadian Auto Market Remaining Challenging

News Craig Patterson -
AutoCanada says affordability pressures continue to weigh on Canadian vehicle buyers as it improves dealerships, used sales and collision operations.

Canadian sponsorship spending reaches $4.7B as industry study marks 20 years

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Professional sport continues to account for the largest and most significant sponsorships, but the study found that brands are spreading spending across a broader range of categories.

Daily Synopsis: August 20, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
FreshCo expands in Nova Scotia, Circle K promotes customized drinks, downtown Ottawa retail expected to return to pre-pandemic levels, Kiokii and opens in Windsor, and other news.

Roots to Go Private as Joe Mimran Takes Key Operating Role

News Craig Patterson -
Roots has agreed to go private in a $4.10-per-share deal that will see Joe Mimran and Frank Rocchetti’s JM&A take a central operating role in the Canadian retailer.

Cargojet Sees E-Commerce Growth as Retail Shifts in Smaller Canadian Markets

News Lee Rivett -
Cargojet says e-commerce is driving growth in secondary Canadian markets as store closures and changing inventory strategies reshape retail distribution.

Boston Pizza Accelerates Canadian Restaurant Renovations, Adds New Locations

News Craig Patterson -
Boston Pizza is ramping up investment across Canada with more than 40 restaurant renovations possible in 2026 and three new locations under construction.

HelloFresh Expands Factor Across Canada as Ready-to-Eat Strategy Grows

News Craig Patterson -
HelloFresh is expanding Factor across Canada as it invests in ready-to-eat meals, new distribution channels and a broader convenience-food strategy.

Public safety and construction deal heavy blows to Edmonton downtown businesses

News Mario Toneguzzi -
"The once vibrant pulse of Edmonton’s downtown is fading further, leaving behind a landscape that feels increasingly desolate.”

Empire to acquire nine Morelli’s pharmacies in Ontario

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The pharmacies will be brought into Sobeys’ National Pharmacy operations as part of the transaction.

Canadian Tire Prepares for AI Shopping as Retail Strategy Evolves

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian Tire is using AI to reshape merchandising, back-to-school assortments and digital content as shoppers increasingly turn to AI for product discovery.

Healthy Planet expands to Yonge and Eglinton with 45th Ontario location

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Launches Annual Good Food Drive to help fight food insecurity across Canada
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