SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

Faubourg Contrecœur retail lineup now complete as Harden and Crombie sign Dollarama and McDonald’s

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Dollarama will occupy approximately 9,726 square feet and McDonald’s approximately 3,046-square-feet.

Winners/HomeSense to open first Fort McMurray location at Parsons Creek Town Centre

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The announcement follows the development of a new approximately 142,000-square-foot Walmart Supercentre at Parsons Creek, which will relocate Walmart’s existing Fort McMurray store and establish the site as the city’s dominant retail destination.

Daily Synopsis: July 8, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
7-Eleven marks 60 years with new flavours, Leon's opens Welland flagship, 1st non-alcoholic beverage store opens in Saskatchewan, retail theft involving kids, and other news.

MHRA Hospitality expands portfolio with Holy Chuck Burgers

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Founded by Johnny Prassoulis, Holy Chuck earned its reputation through fresh, never-frozen beef, handcrafted burgers and indulgent shakes that quickly became a staple in the Greater Toronto Area.

Marilyn Brooks, Trailblazer of Canadian Fashion Retail, Dies at 93

News Craig Patterson -
Marilyn Brooks, a celebrated Canadian fashion designer known for popularizing 1960s mod fashion in Toronto, has died at the age of 93. Her influence extended through her innovative retail practices and mentorship of emerging designers.

Retail Insider “Food Service Report”: Scale, Value and New Formats Reshape Canadian Restaurants

News Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 Canadian Food Service Report examines resilient restaurant spending, tougher traffic competition, franchise platform growth, value-led QSR strategy, coffee and breakfast pressure, and the growing role of food halls, mixed-use projects and flexible formats.

Walmart opening new Supercentre in Bramalea City Centre

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The approximately 140,000-square-foot location will become a new anchor tenant at the shopping centre and offer a full grocery assortment, general merchandise, pharmacy, and pickup and delivery services.

AFA Canada to Host United in Style Spring/Summer 2027 Event in Toronto This August

News Craig Patterson -
AFA Canada will bring together retailers, brands and industry partners at its United in Style Spring/Summer 2027 event, taking place August 11-13, 2026 at the Toronto Congress Centre.

Food Inflation Creates More Tactical Grocery Shoppers in Canada

News Lee Rivett -
A new Milesopedia survey finds grocery shoppers are comparing prices more often, buying more private label and questioning whether loyalty rewards meaningfully offset rising food costs.

Bang & Olufsen Opens Yorkville Flagship as Luxury Audio Brand Bets on Canada

News Craig Patterson -
Bang & Olufsen has opened a new Yorkville flagship in Toronto, marking its first dedicated store in the city since 2019 and highlighting Canada's growing importance within the luxury audio brand's North American expansion strategy.

Pop Mart Plans Major Canadian Expansion After Strong Early Demand

News Craig Patterson -
Pop Mart is planning major growth in Canada after stronger-than-expected demand, with Valen Tam outlining expansion opportunities in Quebec, the GTA, Vancouver and future retail formats.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 7, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Canadians turn to 'pay later' for groceries amid struggles, Subaru sees increased sales, Innovative eyewear launching in Canadian stores, Toronto Metro rebranding as Food Basics, St. Vital Walmart fire deemed arson, and other news.

Retail Insider “Grocery Report” Examines How Value Is Reshaping Canadian Food Retail

News Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider’s latest Industry Intelligence Report examines how value is reshaping Canadian grocery retail, from discount expansion and private label to grocery-anchored real estate, digital tools, prepared foods and shifting consumer behaviour.

Lotus Capital Expands Retail Platform with First Kelowna Acquisition

News Lee Rivett -
Vancouver-based Lotus Capital has acquired Plaza 33 in Kelowna, extending a growing Canadian strategy focused on grocery-anchored and necessity-based retail centres.

Helios AI Seeks to Bring Demand Intelligence to Independent Retailers

News Craig Patterson -
Montreal-based Helios AI is turning years of retail buying experience into a merchandising intelligence platform designed to help independent retailers make better inventory, pricing and assortment decisions.

Canadian Consumers Signal Unexpected Rebound in Spending Intentions

News Craig Patterson -
A new Stifel Canada survey finds 57% of Canadians expect to increase discretionary spending, with gains in apparel and dollar stores but weakness in furniture.

Cannes Lions Activated: 14 brand experiences ranked by Gradient’s I.M.P.A.C.T. methodology

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The strongest experiences did not just surround guests with branding. They turned the brand’s product, platform, or point of view into something people could actively experience.

Living Beauty sees spectacular growth since launching flagship store a year ago

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Since opening: month-over-month growth averaging 86% since launch, and a customer base with a 51% return rate on services and 40% on products. The top 20% of customers are spending an average of over $7,000 CAD per year.

Fairtrade Canada reports record US$10 million in producer premiums as certified coffee sales rise

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Research found that nearly 60 per cent of Canadians would be willing to pay more for Fairtrade products.

Five Canadian brands launch contest centred on limited-edition promotional coat

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The campaign featured local Toronto personality 6 Mom (Andrea Bolley).

Canada’s new tariff on imported canned vegetables expected to add pressure to grocery prices, MEI says

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The new tariff could place additional financial pressure on households, particularly those already facing higher grocery bills.

Daily Synopsis: July 6, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
RioCan gains from slow construction, Sephora introduces low-sensory store experience, Beer Store loses 'sabotage' real estate lawsuit, Flying Tiger opening at Vaughan Mills this week, 60 grocers receive Foodland Ontario award, and other news.

Bank of Canada reports weaker business, consumer sentiment as inflation expectations rise

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Sales outlooks have softened slightly, reflecting a slowdown in business and consumer spending associated with rising fuel-related costs and heightened geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East.

Demolition of Former Hudson’s Bay Store Marks End of a Retail Landmark in Windsor

News Craig Patterson -
The former Hudson's Bay store at Windsor's Devonshire Mall, which opened as a standalone Simpsons department store in 1974 and featured The Room fashion concept, will be demolished following its acquisition by Primaris REIT.

McEwan Grocery Store to Open at Bayview Village in Former Pusateri’s Space

News Craig Patterson -
McEwan Fine Foods will open a store at Bayview Village in Toronto in 2027, replacing Pusateri’s with a new chef-led gourmet grocery concept.

Furniture retailer CouchHaus targets Calgary and Toronto expansion as national demand drives growth

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The expansion reflects a shift from operating a single flagship showroom to establishing a physical presence in markets where the company says online demand has already demonstrated customer interest.

Canada Gold opens first Manitoba store, signs Winnipeg Blue Bombers partnership

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Founded in Vancouver in 2008, Canada Gold operates as a physical bullion dealer.

Canadian pharmacies generated $22.9B in GDP, supported more than 273,000 jobs in 2024: report

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Canada has 12,558 pharmacy locations, the report said, with nearly two-thirds operating as independently owned or banner-affiliated community pharmacies.

Fairmont Waterfront completes first phase of renovation as Vancouver cruise traffic climbs

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The downtown Vancouver hotel said the initial phase of the project includes 96 redesigned guest rooms and comes as cruise passenger volumes continue to rise at the Port of Vancouver.

Daily Synopsis: July 3, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Marilyn Brooks passes at 93, Forever 21 and Bluenotes exit CF Polo Park, West Edmonton Mall roller coaster under construction, Old Navy replacing Toys R Us at Dufferin Mall items recovered in major Holt Renfrew theft, and other news.

St. John Knits Closes Last Canadian Boutique in Vancouver

News Craig Patterson -
American luxury fashion brand St. John Knits has closed its Vancouver boutique at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, ending its standalone retail presence in Canada after helping shape the city's luxury retail district.

First Capital Sale Marks End of an Era in Canadian Retail Real Estate

News Craig Patterson -
First Capital REIT unitholders have approved the company's sale to KingSett Capital and Choice Properties, marking a turning point for one of Canada's most influential retail real estate companies and raising questions about the future of key urban retail districts including Toronto's Yorkville.

Casavogue Launches New Website to Enhance the Customer Experience

News Retail Insider -
Casavogue launches a new website featuring expanded product selections, enhanced photography, detailed specifications, and improved navigation.

Marcos, Carney visit Vancouver Jollibee as restaurant chain plans Canadian expansion

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said it intends to continue expanding its presence in Canada as part of its long-term growth strategy through franchising over the next five years.

Villages Calgary finds a new home in Calgary’s Inglewood neighbourhood

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The organization said the sale closes a chapter that began with its occupancy of the building in 1984 and ownership since 2015.

Why visual search is reshaping beauty personalization: Pinterest (Opinion)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Beauty consumers have never had more choice, yet finding the right product can feel harder than ever.

Petsecure, Pet Valu announce multi-year collaboration offering discounts, shared benefits to pet owners

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The companies say the collaboration is intended to create what they describe as a more connected experience for pet owners, linking everyday retail purchases with longer-term insurance coverage.

Online clothing leads e-commerce returns, with sizing driving most send-backs: Overnight Glasses

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Clothing accounted for 38.3 per cent of all reported online returns in the survey.

Daily Synopsis: July 2, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Costco expanding in Canada, Sundays opens California showrooms, RYCO acquires Calgary mall from Primaris, Olive Garden opens location amid expansion, and other news.

Costco Expands Retail Footprint Across Canada with New Warehouses Planned

News Craig Patterson -
Costco is advancing a significant expansion in Canada, with new warehouses set to open in various communities. This growth reflects the retailer's confidence in the Canadian market as it targets both new regions and existing locations with high demand.

Canadian Furniture Brand Sundays Expands in Southern California

News Evan Nagy -
Canadian furniture brand Sundays is expanding in Southern California with new showrooms in Pasadena and Santa Monica, building on a showroom strategy first tested in Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary.

GARAGE to open new New York City flagship store in Manhattan’s Flatiron District

News Mario Toneguzzi -
This opening marks a key step in GARAGE's North American expansion, securing one of the most coveted retail footprints in Manhattan.

RYCO Properties announces acquisition of Calgary’s Marlborough Mall

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The mall, which opened in 1971, is 385,000 square feet on 47 acres.

Moving Canadian Grand Prix to May boosts Montréal tourism, hotel demand, Tourisme Montréal says

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Hotel demand in May increased 12.9 per cent compared with June 2025, when the Canadian Grand Prix was still held that month.

Canadian venture capital downturn hits early-stage startups, RBCx data shows

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Both the number of early-stage companies securing venture capital and the total capital raised declined 40 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.

Recipe opens first Ontario Olive Garden as part of national expansion plan

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Olive Garden operates more than 920 restaurants and employs more than 96,000 people. The brand is a division of Darden Restaurants.

Federal government announces $5.6 million for Black entrepreneurs in Alberta

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The funding will support organizations delivering programming intended to address barriers facing Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the province.

Daily Synopsis: Jun 30, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
JD Sports accused of gutting downtown Montreal heritage building for store, PST cut on snacks in Manitoba retailers, hybrid sewing studio/bar opening in The Annex, Canadian Tire launches pop-up vending machine for Montreal's Moving Day, and other news.

Walmart Takes Former Hudson’s Bay Space at Place d’Orléans

News Craig Patterson -
Walmart Canada will open a 115,500-square-foot Supercentre in the former Hudson's Bay store at Place d'Orléans in Ottawa, providing an early example of Primaris REIT's strategy to repurpose former HBC spaces with new anchors.

Maison Territo Introduces Moooi’s Distinctive Design World to Montréal

News Craig Patterson -
Maison Territo is now an official destination for discovering and ordering Moooi furniture, lighting, and accessories in Montréal.
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