Inflation

CIBC says retailers and wholesalers may absorb higher costs, limiting Canadian inflation

Mario Toneguzzi -
CIBC economists say elevated retail and wholesale profit margins could help shield Canadian consumers from rising business costs and temper inflation in 2027.

Daily Synopsis: October 19, 2026

Retail Insider -
Grocery prices moderate, T&T Supermarket's Tina and Cindy Lee receive Ontario Family Business Award of Excellence, Maxi opens 3rd New Brunswick store, Kith prepares to open at Oakridge Park in Vancouver, and other news.

Canadian consumers facing higher prices: Statistics Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
Despite the year-over-year slowdown in prices for groceries, prices have increased 33.0% since September 2020.

Weak Canadian Dollar Could Drive Grocery Prices Higher in 2027: Sylvain Charlebois

Sylvain Charlebois -
Sylvain Charlebois warns that a weaker Canadian dollar and rising commodity costs could push grocery prices higher this winter and into 2027.

Q3 2026 Consumer Behaviour / Retail Economy: Spending Holds Up as Shoppers Become More Selective

Craig Patterson -
Canadian consumer spending remained resilient during Q3 2026, while household financial pressure produced widening differences in purchasing behaviour. The report examines retail sales, value seeking, credit use and shopping decisions, distinguishing aggregate spending growth from changes in individual household demand.

Dollarama’s $5 Ceiling Is Becoming a Test for Canadian Retail

Lee Rivett -
Dollarama is holding its $5 maximum price point as Canadian traffic continues to rise and cost pressures build. The widening performance gap with parts of mainstream retail raises questions about whether value shopping is becoming a permanent part of household spending.

RBC says grocery prices likely to keep rising faster than overall inflation in near term

Mario Toneguzzi -
The report said the largest recent spike occurred between 2021 and 2023, when grocery inflation reached its highest level since the early 1980s and food prices rose 11 per cent year-over-year in late 2022.

Daily Synopsis: August 17, 2026

Retail Insider -
Australian vs Canadian beef in grocery stores, Purdy's looks to relocate Vancouver factory, rare orange lobster named 'Pumpkin' in Chatham Superstore, Justin Trudeau seen dancing with Kaky at a Montreal Home Hardware, and other news.

Protein price spikes offset broad grocery relief in July: Agri-Food Analytics Lab

Mario Toneguzzi -
The Lab said its 50-item food basket increased by 0.3% from June to July, rising by approximately $0.89 to an equal-city average of $298.38.

Consumer prices rise 2.8% year-over-year in June: Statistics Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
Prices for food purchased from stores grew at a slower pace on a year-over-year basis in June (+3.9%) compared with May (+4.3%).

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 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.

Daily Synopsis: July 6, 2026

Retail Insider -
RioCan gains from slow construction, Sephora introduces low-sensory store experience, Beer Store loses 'sabotage' real estate lawsuit, Flying Tiger opening at Vaughan Mills this week, 60 grocers receive Foodland Ontario award, and other news.

Dollarama Surpasses 1,700 Stores in Canada, With Hundreds More Planned

Lee Rivett -
Dollarama has surpassed 1,700 stores in Canada and continues to pursue a long-term goal of approximately 2,200 locations nationwide as expansion plans move forward.

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.

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.

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.

High energy prices drive spike in consumer prices: Statistics Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 2.8% year over year in April, up from an increase of 2.4% in March.

Grocery Fuel Surcharge Fight Reshapes Pricing in Canada

Lee Rivett -
Fuel surcharges are dividing Canada’s grocery sector, widening gaps between major chains and independent grocers.

Canadian consumer still under pressure with food prices: Dalhousie report

Mario Toneguzzi -
Over 80% of Canadians identify food as the expense that has increased the most.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 20, 2026

Retail Insider -
Reitmans marks 100 years, public grocery stores debated, male teens embrace fragrances, Sask food inflation worst in Canada, night market returns to metro Vancouver, and other news.

Consumer Price Index accelerates in March: Statistics Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
Prices for food purchased from stores rose 4.4% on a yearly basis in March, after increasing 4.1% in February.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 15, 2026

Retail Insider -
Uniqlo announces Winnipeg opening date, Winners accused of closing some store washrooms, food suppliers adding surcharges, Ontario moves to ban employees paying for uniforms, Montreal businesses await boost as Canadiens clinch playoff spot, 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.
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