innovation

Instacart launches AI grocery assistant Clementine in Canada, U.S.

Mario Toneguzzi -
Clementine is designed to use customers' preferences, previous shopping behaviour and real-time store inventory to help with meal planning, grocery lists, reordering and finding deals.

Apple Launches AirPods 5 with Advanced Active Noise Cancellation in Toronto

Lee Rivett -
Apple has introduced its latest AirPods 5, featuring advanced open-ear Active Noise Cancellation and enhanced sound quality. Priced at $179, pre-orders begin today with in-store availability set for September 18.

Apple Introduces iPhone Duo with Breakthrough Foldable Design

Lee Rivett -
Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, featuring a groundbreaking foldable design that allows for enhanced multitasking and productivity. With two displays and a focus on durability, the new model aims to redefine the smartphone experience for users in Canada and beyond.

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.

Apple Canada Launches Enhanced Siri AI Features

Lee Rivett -
Apple Canada has unveiled a significantly upgraded version of its voice assistant, Siri AI, offering advanced capabilities and personal context understanding. The new features will begin developer testing immediately and will be available to users later this year.

Instacart expands Fulfillment Pro with new delivery management, picking capabilities

Mario Toneguzzi -
Designed to help grocers streamline order fulfillment by bringing delivery, picking and labour management into a single system, addressing inefficiencies caused by disconnected tools.

AWS launches AI shopping assistant service for retailers, expanding Amazon technology beyond its platform

Mario Toneguzzi -
The new tool can reduce development timelines for retailers seeking to build AI-powered interfaces, with deployments possible in a matter of weeks rather than years.

Randstad Digital report finds gap between AI investment and workforce readiness

Mario Toneguzzi -
Organizations are deploying AI across their operations and technology environments at a rapid rate, while facing challenges in ensuring employees have the skills required to use the technology effectively.

Daily Synopsis: May 20, 2026

Retail Insider -
More 'maple washing' complaints as retailers accused of mislabeling Canadian products, 200th member joins Grocery Code, Canadian Tire settles racial profiling case, Lego store opening at Square One in Mississauga, Byward Market hosting immigrant entrepreneurs, and other news.

Johny Srouji Appointed Apple’s Chief Hardware Officer in Significant Leadership Shift

Lee Rivett -
Apple has appointed Johny Srouji as its Chief Hardware Officer, succeeding John Ternus. Srouji has been instrumental in driving the company's silicon strategy and will now lead an expanded role in hardware engineering.

Première Vision Montreal Returns for Second Edition

Craig Patterson -
Première Vision Montreal returns April 21–22, reinforcing the city’s role in the global fashion and textile supply chain.

Walmart Canada launches Scintilla Digital Landscapes to deliver deeper e-commerce shopper insights

Mario Toneguzzi -
Walmart Data Ventures continues to scale its Scintilla platform — delivering innovative, market-relevant solutions that help suppliers grow alongside Walmart Canada while improving the shopping experience for customers at every touchpoint.

Mars Canada Invests $180M in Ontario Manufacturing

Lee Rivett -
Mars Canada completes $180M investment across Ontario to boost manufacturing, sustainability, and production capacity.

Apple Launches AirPods Max 2 with Enhanced Features in Toronto

Lee Rivett -
Apple has unveiled the AirPods Max 2, showcasing significant improvements including advanced Active Noise Cancellation and innovative features like Live Translation. The headphones will be available for order starting March 25 in Canada.

Amazon Ads unBoxed Toronto Showcases AI Expansion

Craig Patterson -
Amazon Ads unBoxed Toronto highlights AI tools, unified campaign management and expanded Prime Video ad inventory for Canada.

AI becoming increasingly more critical for retailers: Mastercard report

Mario Toneguzzi -
Mastercard’s new Agentic Commerce Report projects this shift will drive a $1.7 trillion market by 2030.

Software solutions that strengthen Canadian innovation

Mario Toneguzzi -
Entrepreneur Shawn Freeman launches BuyCanadianSoftware.ca to boost local innovation, data sovereignty, and support for Canadian-built software.

The Time Thief Has Many Faces – Intuit Op-Ed

Mario Toneguzzi -
AI becomes relevant less because it’s shiny and new, but because it helps you recover your attention, says Intuit.

Tommy Bahama chooses Aptos ONE to power next-gen retail experience

Mario Toneguzzi -
Based in Seattle, Tommy Bahama is part of Tommy Bahama Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxford Industries, Inc.

Amazon Calgary employees recognized for innovative safety solutions using Dragonfly tool

Mario Toneguzzi -
In 2024, over 130,000 Amazon employees globally used Dragonfly to provide suggestions for safety

A new era of stadium retail: Vidir’s Merchandise Vending Machine

Mario Toneguzzi -
Vidir Solutions is a global leader in automated storage and retrieval systems, specializing in high-density storage solutions that maximize space, efficiency, and safety.

Google Canada launches $13M AI Opportunity Fund to upskill over 2 million Canadians

Mario Toneguzzi -
Google Canada is aiming to ensure that Canadians not only keep pace with AI innovation but help shape its future across sectors and communities.

Walmart Canada partners with ARC to roll out smart device lockers nationwide

Mario Toneguzzi -
By deploying ARC device lockers, Walmart Canada is emphasizing its dedication to equipping its associates with the best tools to do their jobs. 

Square Launches Unified Point-of-Sale App for Sellers

Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said the power and ease of Square Point of Sale resides in its modes – easy-to-understand feature sets, purpose-built for each industry, to give sellers a personalized POS experience that instantly sets them up with the right tools for their business.

SpreeAI redefines retail with AI-powered photorealistic try-ons and $1.5B valuation

Mario Toneguzzi -
SpreeAI is led by Co-founder and CEO John Imah, a seasoned executive with experience at global tech giants.
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