Bruce Winder reviews the defining Canadian retail stories of 2025, from Hudson’s Bay’s collapse to AI, discount growth, tariffs, and shifting consumer behaviour.
"lululemon needs revitalization and an infusion of new skills to get back to being a product-first company that creates real, long-term shareholder value."
The Blue Jays command one of the largest fan bases in Canadian pro sports, with 6.3 million fans nationwide — more than 70 per cent of all MLB fans in the country.
Amazon sellers have sold $2.5 trillion worth of merchandise over the last 25 years and about 55,000 sellers have reached the $1 million annual sales threshold in Amazon’s store in 2024.
Roots reports Q2 2025 sales up 6.3% with record 17.8% comp growth, driven by Molson and Canada Dry collaborations and strong direct-to-consumer results.
Claire's said its retail stores in North America will remain open and continue to serve customers while the company continues to explore all strategic alternatives.
Canadian Tire’s $30M purchase of Hudson’s Bay’s trademarks opens the door to new product lines, revived brands, and national retail expansion, says an expert.
As Canada’s retail industry continues to evolve post-pandemic, labour and staffing remain front and centre for businesses grappling with shifting economic realities, worker expectations, and technological change. From declining job vacancies to an industry-wide push for skills-based hiring, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year for the retail workforce.
American companies, with Canadian operations, employ hundreds of thousands of Canadians at stores,
warehouses, delivery companies and buy from thousands of Canadian suppliers.
As the Buy-Canadian movement continues to grow, it remains to be seen whether it will become a lasting trend or a temporary response to current geopolitical and economic challenges.