consumer behaviour

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.

Q2 2026 Consumer Behavior and Retail Economy: A Market Increasingly Divided

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail in Q2 2026 was increasingly defined by a widening divide between value and premium, prime and secondary real estate, and resilient and vulnerable consumers.

Q2 2026 Home Furnishings: Service, Value and Accessibility Reshape the Market

Craig Patterson -
Canadian home furnishings retailers are adapting to cautious demand through service-led stores, omnichannel conversion, regional expansion, financing flexibility, and greater operational resilience.

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

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.

Q2 2026 Canadian Grocery: Value Reshapes the Market

Craig Patterson -
Canadian grocery retail is being reorganized around value, while discount expansion, food inflation, experiential grocery, digital tools, and grocery-anchored real estate reshape the sector.

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 Luxury Retail Market Enters a More Strategic Era

Craig Patterson -
Canada’s luxury retail market is evolving through flagship expansion, mixed-use development, and shifting urban retail ecosystems. Craig Patterson interviews Casdin Parr.

Daily Synopsis: May 29, 2026

Retail Insider -
Oakridge Park opens in Vancouver, Buy-Low Foods stores transition to new format, Mac's Convenience found liable in court for exploiting nearly 900 workers, and other news.

From The Desk: Strategic Brick-and-Mortar Growth and Consumer Caution Shape Canadian Retail

Craig Patterson -
Strong Canadian retailer expansions coexist with cautious consumers amid evolving experiential retail, supply challenges, and shifting workforce dynamics.

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.

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.

Canadian Retailers Bet Early on Outdoor Living in 2026

Lee Rivett -
Canadian retailers are prioritizing outdoor living early in 2026, signalling confidence in discretionary spending despite economic uncertainty.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 30, 2026

Retail Insider -
Loblaw launches pilot to spotlight small and emerging brands, BYD plans 20 Canadian stores, KaleMart24 expanding, some Metro employees in Quebec go on strike, FreshCo opening at Mic Mac Mal, and other news.

Food Prices Reshape Easter Dinner in Canada in 2026

Sylvain Charlebois -
Rising food prices in Canada are shifting Easter dinner choices in 2026, as consumers trade tradition for affordability.

Rising Grocery Prices in Canada Are Changing Consumer Behaviour

Sylvain Charlebois -
Rising grocery costs are forcing Canadians to change how they shop, revealing deeper structural challenges in food affordability.

From The Desk: Canadian Retail Reinvention amid Expansion and Rising Costs

Craig Patterson -
This week’s Canadian retail landscape blends strategic expansions with cost pressures, highlighting physical growth and evolving shopping behaviours amid economic chal...

Grocery Shoppers Embrace Pajama Wear Amid Economic Shift

Sylvain Charlebois -
Quick grocery trips and convenience-driven shopping habits are reshaping how consumers interact with food retailers.

Study Reveals 70% of Shoppers Use AI to Seek Promotions

Lee Rivett -
A recent study by XCCommerce and SmartBrief shows that more than 70% of consumers are utilizing AI tools to find better deals, prompting retailers to re-evaluate their promotional strategies in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Boxing Day Still Matters for Canadian Retail, New Data Shows

Craig Patterson -
Vividata data shows Boxing Day remains a major Canadian retail moment, driven by planned purchases, regional strength, and more affluent shoppers.

Canadian Shoppers Still Driven by Price: Study

Craig Patterson -
A new April 2025 study reveals Canadian shoppers prioritize low prices, but fresh products and inspiration could set retailers apart in physical stores.

Lightspeed Collaborates with the CQCD to Make Cloud Commerce More Accessible to Retailers

Jessica Finch -
Montreal-based Lightspeed collaborated with the Quebec retail association to assist businesses with adapting to changes in consumer behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic
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