Craig Patterson

Crombie REIT Reports Strong Rent Growth Driven by Grocery-Angled Retail

Craig Patterson -
Crombie REIT posted a seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit renewal rent growth as demand remains strong for grocery-anchored retail space across Canada.

How Quarks Built a Canadian Footwear Business Over Nearly Five Decades

Craig Patterson -
Winnipeg-based Quarks is approaching its 50th anniversary while continuing to expand across Canada. Retail Insider examines the family-owned footwear retailer's growth strategy, merchandising approach and plans for the future.

Canada’s Freight Market Is Shifting Unevenly. Here’s What Retailers Should Watch

Craig Patterson -
TFI International’s latest results and analysis from supply chain strategist Gary Newbury suggest Canadian retailers should prepare for uneven freight conditions, changing transportation capacity and evolving logistics costs.

Birks to Leave NYSE American as Canadian Jeweller Reshapes Finances

Craig Patterson -
Birks Group will leave the NYSE American for the OTCQB as the Canadian jeweller reports stronger sales, refinances debt and continues retail investment.

Yoto Expands Into 90 Indigo Stores Following Strong Canadian Growth

Craig Patterson -
Yoto has expanded into 90 Indigo stores across Canada, marking its largest retail rollout after strong Canadian growth and years of building its direct-to-consumer business.

Fendi Opens Only Standalone Canadian Boutique at Vancouver’s Oakridge Park

Craig Patterson -
Fendi has opened its only standalone Canadian boutique at Vancouver's Oakridge Park, bringing the Italian luxury house back to standalone retail in Canada nearly three decades after its first Vancouver boutique.

Fairleigh Dickinson University Opening New Campus at Oakridge Park in Vancouver

Craig Patterson -
Fairleigh Dickinson University will open a 70,000-square-foot Vancouver campus at Oakridge Park, bringing new weekday activity to the mixed-use development.

Second Cup Appoints Joe Walker as CEO to Lead International Franchise Growth

Craig Patterson -
Canadian-founded Second Cup has named Joe Walker CEO of its international franchise business as the company looks to expand its global footprint, with the Middle East serving as a strategic growth hub.

What Couche-Tard Could Gain from Żabka Beyond 13,000 Stores

Craig Patterson -
Couche-Tard’s Żabka acquisition adds more than 13,000 stores, while giving the Canadian retailer access to advanced convenience technology, compact formats and digital capabilities. Retail strategist Carl Boutet says the Polish convenience retailer’s compact stores, autonomous technology and digital capabilities could make the US$8.6-billion acquisition particularly significant for Couche-Tard’s global business.

Loblaw Plans About 75 Store Openings in 2027 as Discount Expansion Continues

Craig Patterson -
Loblaw expects to open about 75 stores in 2027 as it expands No Frills, Maxi and its pharmacy network amid sustained demand for discount grocery shopping.

Canada Goose’s Year-Round Strategy Gains Momentum as New Categories Drive Growth

Craig Patterson -
Canada Goose says apparel, rainwear and windwear generated nearly 40% of first-quarter revenue as the luxury retailer expands beyond winter parkas, with Canada outperforming the U.S. market.

T&T’s Record California Debut Fuels U.S. Expansion Plans

Craig Patterson -
T&T Supermarket's first California store generated the highest first-week sales in Loblaw history as the Canadian retailer accelerates its U.S. expansion.

Shoppers Drug Mart Expands Pharmacy Care as Loblaw Tests Lower-Priced Food Offer

Craig Patterson -
Shoppers Drug Mart is expanding pharmacy care clinics and testing lower-priced food as healthcare-services sales outpace front-store growth.

Aesop Expands Canadian Store Network with New CF Richmond Centre Location

Craig Patterson -
Aesop, an Australian skincare retailer, is opening a boutique at CF Richmond Centre, continuing its expansion across Canada. This move marks a significant milestone in Aesop's strategy to establish standalone stores and enhance direct-to-consumer connections.

Samsung Canada Reinforces Role of Physical Retail as Technology Evolves

Craig Patterson -
Samsung Canada is investing in experience-led stores that support product discovery, education and service as consumers increasingly move between digital and physical shopping channels.

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.

Longines to Open First Canadian Boutique in Downtown Vancouver

Craig Patterson -
Swiss watchmaker Longines will open its first Canadian boutique in downtown Vancouver’s Luxury Zone.

Canadian Consumers Increasingly Verify Wellness Claims Before Buying: CHFA Study

Craig Patterson -
New CHFA research finds Canadian consumers are increasingly verifying wellness claims through packaging, professionals, reviews and AI before buying.

Inside the Redesign of CF Toronto Eaton Centre’s High-Traffic Washrooms

Craig Patterson -
WZMH Architects redesigned the Level 2 washrooms at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, adding capacity, durable materials and a water-inspired interior.

Wilkes & Bowens Debuts at Toronto’s Stackt Market Ahead of Bloor Rebrand

Craig Patterson -
Wilkes & Bowens has opened a temporary Stackt Market residency ahead of the rebranding of Toronto Designers Market on Bloor Street.

Retail Insider Books & Entertainment Report: Fandom, Community and Experience Reshape the Market

Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider's latest Books & Entertainment Report examines how Canadian retailers are using fandom, community, intellectual property and experiential formats to strengthen customer engagement, with insights into bookstores, collectibles, entertainment venues and evolving consumer behaviour.

Gen Z is Redefining the Checkout Experience for Canadian Retailers

Craig Patterson -
Many Gen Z shoppers are reshaping checkout expectations by prioritizing privacy, trust and payment choice, creating new opportunities and challenges for Canadian retailers.

From The Desk: Navigating Retail Growth Amid Trade Shifts and Experience-Driven Strategies

Craig Patterson -
This week in Canadian retail highlights strategic expansions, evolving consumer experiences, and the complex impacts of trade tensions shaping growth opportunities.

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.
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