Lee Rivett

Canadian Retailers Face New Cost and Sourcing Pressures from U.S. Counter-Tariffs

Lee Rivett -
Canada’s $27.6-billion counter-tariff package targets 874 U.S.-origin goods, creating new pricing, margin and sourcing challenges for Canadian retailers.

Home Depot Canada Sales Accelerate Despite Challenging Housing Market

Lee Rivett -
Home Depot Canada outperformed the broader company in Q2 as comparable sales, transactions and unit growth improved despite a subdued housing market.

Cargojet Sees E-Commerce Growth as Retail Shifts in Smaller Canadian Markets

Lee Rivett -
Cargojet says e-commerce is driving growth in secondary Canadian markets as store closures and changing inventory strategies reshape retail distribution.

Pandora Expands Canadian Footprint While Reshaping Jewellery Strategy

Lee Rivett -
Pandora is expanding its Canadian business while reducing promotions, investing in stores and preparing a broader shift toward platinum-plated jewellery.

Coach Expands Store Investment as Gen Z Drives Global Growth

Lee Rivett -
Coach is raising handbag prices, reducing promotions and investing in stores as Gen Z drives growth, with 29 locations operating across Canada.

Shake Shack Expands Canadian Footprint With New Ontario Restaurants

Lee Rivett -
Shake Shack is expanding in Canada with new restaurants in Oakville, Burlington and London as it adds drive-thrus and grows beyond the GTA.

Plaza Retail REIT Draws Takeover Interest as Retail Space Tightens

Lee Rivett -
Plaza Retail REIT draws takeover interest as tight retail supply, high occupancy and rising rents strengthen its Canadian property portfolio.

Pet Valu Sees Room for 1,200+ Stores Across Canada

Lee Rivett -
Pet Valu sees room for more than 1,200 stores across Canada as it expands in Alberta, Quebec and underserved rural markets.

Columbia Sportswear Navigates Softer Canadian Wholesale Sales

Lee Rivett -
Columbia Sportswear reported lower Canadian sales in the second quarter as wholesale orders softened and shipment timing affected results, while the company continues investing in footwear, digital channels and a broader brand repositioning strategy.

CT REIT Sees Tight Retail Property Market as Rents Rise

Lee Rivett -
CT REIT reports 99.5% occupancy and double-digit rent increases as tight Canadian retail real estate conditions drive competition for properties.

Scholastic Highlights Canadian Growth as Dog Man and Hunger Games Drive Book Sales

Lee Rivett -
Scholastic says Canada helped drive international growth as Dog Man and Hunger Games boosted children's book sales, underscoring the strength of graphic novels and school-based retail channels.

Spin Master Enters Critical Holiday Toy Season as Canadian Market Gains Momentum

Lee Rivett -
Toronto-based Spin Master heads into the 2026 holiday toy season with stronger results, a major PAW Patrol movie launch and a growing Canadian toy market.

Jollibee Plans Major Canadian Expansion as 26 New Restaurants Committed Through Franchising

Lee Rivett -
A 16-restaurant development agreement in British Columbia follows a 10-store commitment in the Edmonton market as Jollibee shifts toward franchise-led growth in Canada.

Tim Hortons Targets Stronger Canadian Growth With New Stores, Beverages and Loyalty

Lee Rivett -
Tim Hortons is opening 80 Canadian restaurants while expanding cold beverages and loyalty initiatives after same-store sales growth slowed to 0.1%.

What Mattel’s Strategy Says About the Future of Canada’s Toy Market

Lee Rivett -
Canada's toy market is evolving, and Mattel's latest strategy shows how Hot Wheels, building sets, collectibles and Barbie are shaping the industry's next chapter.

McDonald’s Canada Beverage Platform Shows Early Success

Lee Rivett -
McDonald’s says its new permanent beverage platform is outperforming expectations in Canada as the company targets afternoon traffic with Crafted Sodas, Refreshers and Cloud Iced Coffees while expanding its global growth strategy.

Canada’s Furniture Market Still Trails U.S. Recovery, Wayfair Results Suggest

Lee Rivett -
Wayfair’s latest results highlight a growing divide between Canada and the U.S., with Canadian furniture demand remaining subdued as American consumers begin returning to the market.

World Cup Drives 35% Increase in International Card Spending in Canada: Visa

Lee Rivett -
Visa says inbound international card spending in Canada rose more than 35% during the opening weeks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto and Vancouver.

Belleville Costco Warehouse Planned as Canadian Expansion Continues

Lee Rivett -
Plans for a new Costco warehouse in Belleville, Ontario, have moved forward following an announcement by Mayor Neil Ellis. The project highlights Costco's continued Canadian expansion and the retailer's strategy of serving growing regional markets.

Study Finds Grocery Stores Could Cut Plastic Produce-Bag Use

Lee Rivett -
University of Toronto research involving 30 Toronto grocery stores and a Longo’s pilot suggests retailers could reduce disposable plastic produce-bag use through signage, reusable alternatives and changes to dispenser placement.

Lululemon Opens Massive Automated Distribution Centre in Brampton

Lee Rivett -
Lululemon’s new one-million-square-foot Brampton distribution centre will support e-commerce fulfillment across Eastern Canada and the eastern U.S.

Quebec Removes QST from Select Foods and Household Essentials

Lee Rivett -
Quebec has removed QST from selected foods, toilet paper and facial tissues, requiring retailers to update product classifications and checkout systems.

New Retail-Theft Sentencing Rules Take Effect in Canada July 15

Lee Rivett -
New federal retail-theft sentencing reforms take effect July 15, adding an aggravating factor for theft intended for resale, barter or fraudulent return.

Costco Canada Sales Growth Moderates as Warehouse Expansion Continues

Lee Rivett -
Costco Canada's June comparable sales growth slowed from earlier in the year, but the warehouse retailer continues to post healthy underlying gains while expanding its Canadian store network.

Lotus Capital Expands Retail Platform with First Kelowna Acquisition

Lee Rivett -
Vancouver-based Lotus Capital has acquired Plaza 33 in Kelowna, extending a growing Canadian strategy focused on grocery-anchored and necessity-based retail centres.
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