Canada

Vaughan Mills Celebrates New Playdium with Kia Nurse Appearance and Interactive Activation

Craig Patterson -
Vaughan Mills is celebrating the opening of its new Playdium with the Swish & Strike activation and a special appearance by Toronto Tempo star Kia Nurse, highlighting the growing role of experiential retail in Canadian shopping centres.

Daily Synopsis: Jun 24, 2026

Retail Insider -
Co-op grocery store opening in downtown Winnipeg Portage Place redevelopment, Walmart opening GTA fulfillment centre, Costco opening in Milton ON, Bailey Nelson opening South Granville store in Vancouver, and other news.

Why Bureaucratic Delays Are Making Food More Expensive in Canada

Sylvain Charlebois -
Administrative delays affecting imported meat shipments may be adding millions in unnecessary costs to Canada's food supply chain, argues Sylvain Charlebois.

Circle K Advances 750-Store Expansion Plan as Foodservice and Loyalty Drive Growth

Lee Rivett -
Circle K parent Alimentation Couche-Tard is advancing its plan to build 750 new stores by 2030 while investing in foodservice, beverages, loyalty programs and digital engagement to drive future growth.

Canada’s Food Prices Have Outpaced Inflation Every Month Under Carney

Sylvain Charlebois -
Food inflation has exceeded Canada's overall inflation rate for 15 consecutive months under Prime Minister Mark Carney, highlighting ongoing affordability concerns for households.

The Hidden Cost of Grocery Promotions in Canada

Sylvain Charlebois -
Supplier-funded grocery promotions may be creating hidden costs throughout Canada's food supply chain. Sylvain Charlebois examines how these practices can affect prices over time.

Generation X Leads Canadians in Throwing Away Food Past Date Labels: Survey

Sylvain Charlebois -
New survey data suggest Generation X is the most likely Canadian age group to discard food after date labels pass, while Gen Z appears more willing to assess food quality before throwing it away.

Canada’s Economy Is Shrinking. Why Hasn’t the Food Sector Followed?

Sylvain Charlebois -
Canada's economy is shrinking, but the food sector remains resilient. Sylvain Charlebois examines why agri-food has held up and the risks ahead.

Canada’s Counter-Tariffs Result in Temporary Price Increases

Craig Patterson -
In 2025, Canada imposed counter-tariffs on US imports, causing a notable increase in retail prices. The analysis reveals that these price hikes were short-lived, largely dependent on retailers' expectations and transparency with consumers.

Daily Synopsis: May 27, 2026

Retail Insider -
Lululemon reaches agreement with Chip Wilson over board nominees, thrift store popularity up, Longo's opening in King City, Shein accused of stealing Indigenous designs, and other news.

Daily Synopsis: May 26, 2026

Retail Insider -
Second-hand shopping grows as fuel prices increase, Flight Centre Canada appoints leader, Shell partners with Scene+, Healthy Planet opening Toronto store, Dressew sells Vancouver building with permanent closure date, Oakridge Park opens this week, and other news.

Taxing Convenience Foods Punishes the Wrong Canadians

Sylvain Charlebois -
Quebec’s food tax changes are reigniting debate over whether taxing convenience foods unfairly burdens seniors, single households, and working Canadians.

Daily Synopsis: May 22, 2026

Retail Insider -
Canadians making more trips with smaller baskets at the grocery store, questions about future of downtown Vancouver Hudson's Bay, Sobeys debuts new store concept in Welland ON, dollar store opens in Elliott Lake, and other news.

Tropoly Passes 1,000 Automations as Retailers Accelerate AI Adoption

Maya Johnson -
Tropoly has surpassed 1,000 automations as retailers across Canada and the U.S. increase investment in AI-driven operations and workflow efficiency.

Food Inflation Cools, But Canada’s Grocery Pain Is Far From Over

Sylvain Charlebois -
Canada’s food inflation slowed in April, but grocery affordability pressures continue as structural costs and global risks weigh on consumers.

Recycling Rules Are Quietly Driving Food Inflation in Canada

Sylvain Charlebois -
New recycling policies are adding hidden costs to Canada’s food system, contributing to higher grocery prices and reduced product choice.

Pet Valu Earnings Reveal a More Cautious Canadian Consumer

Craig Patterson -
Pet Valu earnings reveal how inflation, fuel costs, promotions, and loyalty programs are reshaping Canadian consumer shopping behaviour.

Canadian Retailers Keep Expanding, So Why Are Jobs Disappearing?

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retailers continue expanding while retail employment declines, raising questions about staffing, service levels, and the future of in-store retail.

Affordability Is Changing How Canadians Eat Protein

Sylvain Charlebois -
Rising food costs and shifting consumer priorities are driving more Canadians toward flexible eating habits and changing protein consumption patterns.

Happy Belly Expands Footprint as It Nears 100 Locations

Lee Rivett -
Happy Belly rapidly expands its restaurant footprint across Canada, emerging as a growing tenant while managing expansion-related costs.

GLP-1 Drugs Trigger Multi-Billion Dollar Demand Shock in Food Sector

Sylvain Charlebois -
GLP-1 drugs are shifting Canadians from volume to value in food consumption, with major implications for retailers and restaurants.

Aritzia’s Rise from Canadian Brand to North American Powerhouse

Craig Patterson -
Aritzia’s rapid U.S. expansion and strong financial performance position it as a leading North American retail powerhouse.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 29, 2026

Retail Insider -
Hudson's Bay flagships sold, Simons signals shift in downtown Vancouver, Chip Wilson at odds with Lululemon board nominees, grocery store cuts seniors' discount, Winners opening in North Battleford, and other news.

DoorDash Expands Grocery Reach Through Empire Partnership

Lee Rivett -
DoorDash adds 1,000+ Empire grocery stores across Canada, expanding its role in on-demand grocery and retail delivery.

Lululemon Appoints Heidi O’Neill as CEO

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