Playdium

Entertainment operators are taking larger positions in Canadian shopping centres as landlords redevelop former department stores and add attractions designed to extend visits. JLL is tracking a 16.5-million-square-foot North American pipeline as concepts including Playdium, Activate, Splitsville and Forever Young expand.

Vaughan Mills staged a 1.7-kilometre chain reaction using 10,000 pasta boxes before donating them to Vaughan Food Bank, extending the initiative through the weekend with its After-Tumble activation combining community programming, entertainment and retail promotions.

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.

Vaughan Mills is celebrating the opening of its new Playdium with the Swish & Strike activation and a special appearance by Toronto Tempo star Kia Nurse, highlighting the growing role of experiential retail in Canadian shopping centres.

Cineplex has opened a 24,000-square-foot Playdium at Vaughan Mills featuring the most attractions of any Playdium in Canada.

Cineplex will open its largest Playdium location at Vaughan Mills in summer 2026, expanding its family entertainment footprint in the GTA.

Execs from Cineplex and the landlord discuss the strategy for opening the entertainment facility, and how non-retail uses are helping drive foot traffic to malls.

Other News: H&M expands/renovates Vancouver flagship, Uniqlo Opens in Oshawa, Cineplex announces 1st Playdium in Atlantic Canada, Boutique Colori shutters only store outside of Quebec.