Canada

Daily Synopsis: August 25, 2026

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.

Ottawa’s Tariff Retaliation Risks Raising Grocery Prices for Canadians

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.

Shake Shack Expands Canadian Footprint With New Ontario Restaurants

Lee Rivett -
Shake Shack is expanding in Canada with new restaurants in Oakville, Burlington and London as it adds drive-thrus and grows beyond the GTA.

Canada’s Supply Management System Must Evolve: 10 Myths That Need Rethinking

Sylvain Charlebois -
Sylvain Charlebois examines 10 common myths about Canada’s supply management system, from dairy prices and subsidies to milk dumping, trade and reform.

Daily Synopsis: Aug 13, 2026

Retail Insider -
Pajar expands, Metro converting 10 stores to Food Basics, Canadian Tire reports results, Pet Valu aims for 1200 stores, Nespresso unveils new concept store, and other news.

Pet Valu Sees Room for 1,200+ Stores Across Canada

Lee Rivett -
Pet Valu sees room for more than 1,200 stores across Canada as it expands in Alberta, Quebec and underserved rural markets.

Jollibee Plans Major Canadian Expansion as 26 New Restaurants Committed Through Franchising

Lee Rivett -
A 16-restaurant development agreement in British Columbia follows a 10-store commitment in the Edmonton market as Jollibee shifts toward franchise-led growth in Canada.

Canadian Retail Hiring Rebounds, but Labour Market Remains Uneven

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail hiring is recovering, but employers face challenges involving wages, specialized talent, part-time work and career progression, says Suzanne Sears.

Tim Hortons Targets Stronger Canadian Growth With New Stores, Beverages and Loyalty

Lee Rivett -
Tim Hortons is opening 80 Canadian restaurants while expanding cold beverages and loyalty initiatives after same-store sales growth slowed to 0.1%.

Daily Synopsis: Aug 5, 2026

Retail Insider -
Toronto police lay thousands of shoplifting charges, Shopify shares surge as AI grows, FreshCo expands in Alberta, Centerpoint Hudson's Bay store being demolished, and other news.

Apple Reports Financial Growth in Q3 2026

Lee Rivett -
Apple Inc., an American technology company, announced significant revenue growth for the third quarter of 2026, reporting increases in both product and service sales compared to the previous year.

Daily Synopsis: July 29, 2026

Retail Insider -
Bay Street Video thrives after 33 years as people rediscover DVDs, HEAL Wellness opening first Victoria location, Vancouver bakery proposes 30 storey hotel project, Vancouver 'Villages' plan scrapped, Union claims Alberta flags in Sobeys stores promote separatism as grievance is filed, and other news.

GUESS to Expand Product Categories in Canada Through New Licensing Network

Craig Patterson -
GUESS will expand its Canadian product assortment with new home, children’s, apparel and accessories categories beginning in late 2026, with a broader rollout planned by spring 2027.

Pop Mart to Relocate into Larger CF Toronto Eaton Centre Store

Craig Patterson -
Pop Mart will relocate from its initial CF Toronto Eaton Centre pop-up into a larger Level 1 store, nearly tripling its footprint at the downtown Toronto mall.

Roots Opens New Store at Vancouver International Airport

Craig Patterson -
Roots has opened a new store at Vancouver International Airport as the Canadian retailer expands travel retail and continues investing in key locations.

Esprit Returns to Canada Exclusively at Walmart

Craig Patterson -
Esprit has returned to Canada exclusively at Walmart as the retailer and Centric Brands build a growing portfolio of recognizable apparel labels.

Daily Synopsis: July 23, 2026

Retail Insider -
Organic Traditions expanding, Bramalea City Centre transforming with new tenants, retail sales continue to climb, and other news.

Trump’s New Tariffs Put Canada’s Food Economy at Risk

Sylvain Charlebois -
Sylvain Charlebois argues that Canada must urgently re-engage with Washington as new U.S. tariffs threaten alcohol, dairy and broader food-sector trade.

Food Safety Needs an AI Upgrade: Why Better Risk Communication Matters for Grocery Retail

Sylvain Charlebois -
Opinion: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois examines how AI could transform food safety communications, helping grocery retailers, suppliers and consumers navigate recalls with greater precision and confidence.

Lululemon Opens Massive Automated Distribution Centre in Brampton

Lee Rivett -
Lululemon’s new one-million-square-foot Brampton distribution centre will support e-commerce fulfillment across Eastern Canada and the eastern U.S.

Canadian Retail Employment Rebounds but Remains Down Nearly 72,000 Jobs

Craig Patterson -
Canadian wholesale and retail employment rose in June but remains down nearly 72,000 jobs, with Suzanne Sears warning of staffing and service pressures.

New Retail-Theft Sentencing Rules Take Effect in Canada July 15

Lee Rivett -
New federal retail-theft sentencing reforms take effect July 15, adding an aggravating factor for theft intended for resale, barter or fraudulent return.

Canadian Shoppers Choose by Mission, Not Channel, New Research Finds

Craig Patterson -
A recent study from the Retail Council of Canada reveals how Canadian consumers navigate affordability through competitive shopping strategies, using both online and in-store resources to find the best deals.

Inside Aritzia’s Expanding Store and Infrastructure Strategy

Craig Patterson -
Aritzia’s latest filings reveal a larger retail platform taking shape across productive boutiques, major flagships, distribution and real estate.

Costco Canada Sales Growth Moderates as Warehouse Expansion Continues

Lee Rivett -
Costco Canada's June comparable sales growth slowed from earlier in the year, but the warehouse retailer continues to post healthy underlying gains while expanding its Canadian store network.
- Advertisement -