Quebec

Q3 2026 Policy & Regulation: Tariffs, Grocery Competition and Tax Changes

Craig Patterson -
Retail Insider’s Q3 2026 Policy & Regulation report examines tariffs, grocery competition, Quebec tax changes, consumer rules and investment incentives, focusing on how policy implementation affects retailer costs, market access, systems and capital decisions.

La Cordée Closure Ends Six-Year Turnaround Attempt in Quebec Outdoor Market

Lee Rivett -
Quebec outdoor retailer La Cordée is shutting down after 73 years, ending a six-year turnaround that included new ownership and store expansion. The retailer returned to creditor protection in July 2026 with more than $13 million in obligations.

UNIQLO Expands Canadian Footprint While Reworking Montreal Flagship

Lee Rivett -
UNIQLO reopened its renovated Montreal Eaton Centre flagship on September 18 with customization, embroidery and repair services as the retailer continues expanding its Canadian network. The company now operates 39 stores in Canada, with further locations expected.

MONTONI partners with Super C and Jean Coutu to develop new retail complex in Mascouche, Quebec

Mario Toneguzzi -
MONTONI develops, builds and manages real estate projects and it has completed more than 700 projects representing over 30 million square feet of industrial, commercial, institutional and residential construction and 30 corporate campuses, with another 25 million square feet under development–an impressive portfolio of properties across Québec.

Samsung Canada Reinforces Role of Physical Retail as Technology Evolves

Craig Patterson -
Samsung Canada is investing in experience-led stores that support product discovery, education and service as consumers increasingly move between digital and physical shopping channels.

Permanent Daylight Time Could Redirect Canada’s Food Spending

Sylvain Charlebois -
Sylvain Charlebois examines how permanent daylight time could shift Canadian food spending between grocery stores, restaurants and other businesses.

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.

Canada’s U.S. Alcohol Bans Are Coming Back to Haunt Provinces

Sylvain Charlebois -
Provincial bans on U.S. alcohol are emerging as a new Canada-U.S. trade flashpoint, writes Sylvain Charlebois, as American lawmakers push for scrutiny of provincial liquor monopolies.

Empire Co. Ltd. CEO Charts Growth Strategy with Discount Focus

Craig Patterson -
Empire plans to open 70 new stores across Canada over the next three years, with more than 75% of locations focused on discount retail as the grocery giant expands FreshCo, pharmacy and wholesale operations.

Taxing Convenience Foods Punishes the Wrong Canadians

Sylvain Charlebois -
Quebec’s food tax changes are reigniting debate over whether taxing convenience foods unfairly burdens seniors, single households, and working Canadians.

lululemon Opens Large Downtown Montreal Store

Craig Patterson -
lululemon has opened a new two-level downtown Montreal flagship store on Sainte-Catherine Street West, featuring localized design inspired by Vancouver and Montreal.

Dunkin’ Return to Canada Signals New Coffee War

Sylvain Charlebois -
Dunkin’ is returning to Canada under Foodtastic, reigniting competition in a coffee market long dominated by Tim Hortons and increasingly shaped by shifting consumer habits.

Canadian Retailers Keep Expanding, So Why Are Jobs Disappearing?

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retailers continue expanding while retail employment declines, raising questions about staffing, service levels, and the future of in-store retail.

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 to Close Third Montreal Store Amid Quebec Investment

Lee Rivett -
Walmart will close its Dorval store this summer, marking a third Montreal exit as it invests $150M in Quebec store upgrades.

Empire Acquires Mayrand, Enters Quebec Discount Grocery Market

Craig Patterson -
Empire acquires Mayrand, gaining entry into Quebec’s discount and warehouse grocery market through a court-supervised sale process.

Rising Carbon Pricing in Canada Strains Grocery Supply Chains

Sylvain Charlebois -
Opinion: Rising carbon pricing in Canada may increase transportation and logistics costs across grocery supply chains and food distribution networks.

From The Desk: Canadian Retail Reinvention amid Expansion and Rising Costs

Craig Patterson -
This week’s Canadian retail landscape blends strategic expansions with cost pressures, highlighting physical growth and evolving shopping behaviours amid economic chal...

Quebec’s New Weekend Store Hours Win Support and Criticism

Lee Rivett -
Quebec allows stores to stay open until 9 PM on weekends under a new pilot, drawing support from some retailers and criticism from others.

Galeries de la Capitale Adding Retail Tenants

Craig Patterson -
Lululemon is set to open a new store at Galeries de la Capitale in Quebec this fall, joining other new retail additions including Winners and Kiokii.

Quebec Retail Hours Pilot Expands Weekend Shopping

Lee Rivett -
Quebec launches a retail hours pilot ending 5 PM weekend closings to help stores compete with e-commerce giants.

Quebec SMEs Leading Retail Innovation [Op-Ed]

Retail Insider -
Quebec SMEs like Omy, BonLook, and Matt & Nat show how personalization, omnichannel, and sustainability drive retail success.

Quebec Retail Brands and Global Expansion Strategies

Retail Insider -
Quebec retailers like Aldo and Tim Hortons show how cultural adaptation, partnerships, and strategy drive success in global markets.

SAQ reports net income of $307.5 million for Q1 Fiscal 2025-2026

Mario Toneguzzi -
SAQ reports $307.5M net income in Q1 2025–26, with sales up 1.1% to $913.2M despite declining volume. Gross margin rises 4.3% as expenses increase.

Japanese global apparel retailer Uniqlo opens two new stores in Quebec

Mario Toneguzzi -
Uniqlo is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese retail holding company with global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
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