Food Inflation

Retail Insider “Consumer Behavior & Retail Economy Report”: Canada’s Market Grows Increasingly Divided

Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider's latest Consumer Behavior and Retail Economy Report examines how affordability pressures, selective spending, retail real estate polarization, and widening differences between value and premium segments are reshaping Canada's retail landscape and influencing strategic decisions across the industry.

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

Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 Grocery Report examines how value is reshaping Canadian grocery, from discount expansion and private label to digital tools, prepared foods, grocery-anchored real estate and shifting consumer behaviour.

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 Policy & Regulation: Affordability Promises Meet Retail Operating Realities

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retailers faced rising compliance costs, trade uncertainty, retail crime, labour challenges, and growing regulatory scrutiny in Q2 2026 as policymakers grappled with affordability and competition concerns.

Daily Synopsis: July 8, 2026

Retail Insider -
7-Eleven marks 60 years with new flavours, Leon's opens Welland flagship, 1st non-alcoholic beverage store opens in Saskatchewan, retail theft involving kids, and other news.

Food Inflation Creates More Tactical Grocery Shoppers in Canada

Lee Rivett -
A new Milesopedia survey finds grocery shoppers are comparing prices more often, buying more private label and questioning whether loyalty rewards meaningfully offset rising food costs.

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.

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.

Q1 2026 Retail Economy Retail Report: Inflation Sticks, Consumers Trade Down

Craig Patterson -
Q1 2026 saw sticky food inflation, oil-driven cost risk, and cautious consumers reshape strategy. Winners lean value; independents, restaurants, and duty-free feel it.

Daily Synopsis: May 19, 2026

Retail Insider -
Inflation up due to gasoline, inside the wave of jewellery heists in Canada, clearance begins at Warehouse One and Bootlegger, retail crime claims another Winnipeg 7-Eleven, Robert Kenneth Irving passes, and other news.

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.

Loblaw Says ChatGPT Grocery Integration Is Ahead of Plan

Lee Rivett -
Loblaw says customer adoption of its ChatGPT grocery integration is ahead of expectations as the retailer expands AI initiatives.

Q1 2026 Grocery Retail Report: Discount Expansion and the Shift to Value

Craig Patterson -
Canadian grocery sector sees rising inflation, discount growth, and increased consolidation as retailers adapt to cost pressures and shifting demand.

Grocery Prices Stabilize, but Affordability Remains a Challenge in Canada

Sylvain Charlebois -
Grocery prices are stabilizing in Canada, but affordability challenges persist as many households continue to struggle with rising food costs.

Meat and Produce Prices Rise Together in Canada

Sylvain Charlebois -
Meat and produce prices are rising together in Canada, signaling ongoing food system pressure and persistent grocery inflation.

From The Desk: Strategic Growth and Market Polarization Shape Canadian Retail

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail hits a turning point as expansion, real estate deals, and shifting consumer behaviour reshape performance across the sector.

Canada’s Shrinking Middle Class Is Fueling Food Inflation

Sylvain Charlebois -
As Canada’s middle class erodes, the country’s food economy is splitting, driving persistent inflation and weakening innovation.

Why Imports Won’t Fix Canada’s Beef Price Problem

Sylvain Charlebois -
Canada’s beef prices remain elevated as domestic supply constraints persist, with imports offering limited relief, explains Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.

Why a Ceasefire Won’t Lower Grocery Prices in Canada

Sylvain Charlebois -
Oil volatility, not falling prices, is driving sustained food inflation across Canada, says Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.

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’s Urban Expansion and Inflation Pressures Shape 2026 Outlook

Craig Patterson -
This week’s coverage highlights Canadian retailers doubling down on urban growth and discount formats amid persistent grocery inflation outpacing wages.

Grocers Double Down on Discount Banners in Canada

Craig Patterson -
Loblaw, Metro and Empire accelerate discount banner growth as Canadians trade down amid food inflation and tighter budgets.

VIDEO: Food inflation in Canada: Why grocery prices remain high and what’s next: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Mario Toneguzzi -
Charlebois indicates Canada has recorded higher food inflation than other G7 countries in recent months.

Canada Still Leads G7 as Grocery Inflation Outpaces Wages

Sylvain Charlebois -
Canada still leads the G7 in grocery inflation at 5.4%, with food prices rising faster than wages despite a recent slowdown.
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