Retail Real Estate

Crombie REIT Expands Grocery-Anchored Portfolio with $350 Million in Canadian Retail Acquisitions

Craig Patterson -
Crombie REIT is pursuing approximately $350 million in acquisitions involving 28 Canadian retail properties, including 13 in Ontario. The expansion will increase its grocery-anchored holdings as the landlord reports strong leasing conditions, advances new developments and sells weaker shopping centres.

Daily Synopsis: November 11, 2026

Retail Insider -
Canadian textile maker eyes US production amid tariffs, RBC names Loblaw top stock pick, Toronto Valu-Mart grocery store shutting, storing holiday cash concerns for retailers, and other news.

Canada Lost Its Department Stores. Did It Have To?

Lee Rivett -
Writing from South Africa, Lee Rivett examines why Canada's department stores disappeared while leading shopping centres continue to thrive. From David Jones and Edgars to Simons' expansion, the column considers what retailers and landlords can learn.

Apple’s Historic Montreal Flagship Property Sells for $51.9 Million Following Major Restoration

Craig Patterson -
The historic Montreal building housing Apple's newly opened Sainte-Catherine store has sold for a reported $51.93 million to Deka Immobilien. The transaction follows extensive construction and heritage restoration by SAJO and concludes nearly 25 years of Gindi family ownership.

Royal Bank Plaza Marks 50th Anniversary with Chef Craig Wong Food Court Takeover

Craig Patterson -
Royal Bank Plaza is celebrating its 50th anniversary with Tray Chic, a two-week culinary collaboration featuring chef Craig Wong and five restaurants at The Eatery in downtown Toronto.

UNIQLO More Than Doubles Canadian Store Network as North American Growth Surges

Craig Patterson -
UNIQLO has more than doubled its Canadian store network since 2022, reaching 39 locations by September 2026. New shopping-centre openings, a longstanding Canadian leasing relationship and strong North American financial results point to continued expansion.

Decathlon Expands in Canada with New Quebec Stores Following Ontario Closures

Lee Rivett -
Decathlon is opening new stores in Quebec City and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville after closing five Greater Toronto Area locations in 2025. The French sporting goods retailer is also considering smaller store formats and further expansion in Western Canada.

The Children’s Place Bankruptcy Puts 56 Canadian Stores in Focus as Retailer Seeks Buyer

Lee Rivett -
The Children's Place has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, bringing its Canadian operations into a court-supervised sale process. The retailer reported 56 Canadian stores earlier this year, with the future of its network dependent on a buyer and the outcome of restructuring proceedings.

Walmart Canada Opens Holiday Pop-Up in Historic Downtown Toronto Building

Craig Patterson -
Walmart Canada has opened a three-day holiday pop-up at 2 Queen Street West in downtown Toronto, featuring themed merchandise displays and complimentary Santa photography. The activation follows an October fashion pop-up, while holiday windows remain until November 27.

Holt Renfrew Vancouver Sees Luxury Boutique Shakeup as Brands Arrive, Relocate and Depart

Craig Patterson -
Gentle Monster opened at Holt Renfrew Vancouver on October 30 with an installation of three moving sculptural heads. The opening comes as Brunello Cucinelli relocates its women's boutique and Tiffany & Co. and Loewe shift their Vancouver retail presence.

Primaris Expands Méga Parc with $1 Million Atlas Mini-Golf Attraction

Craig Patterson -
Primaris REIT is opening the nearly $1-million Atlas Mini-Golf attraction at Méga Parc in Quebec City. New interviews reveal the landlord's entertainment strategy, projected operating revenue, growing events business and plans for further investment in 2028.

Retail Insider “Q3 2026 Real Estate & Leasing Report”: Signed Space Must Become Paying Space

Lee Rivett -
High occupancy and stronger replacement rents coexist with costly anchor redevelopments. Retail Insider’s Q3 report examines why openings, rent commencement and capital returns will determine the value of current leasing progress.

KIT + ACE Expands Canadian Network to 18 Locations with Brentwood Store, Prepares U.S. Entry

Craig Patterson -
KIT + ACE is expanding to 18 Canadian locations with a new store at The Amazing Brentwood in Burnaby. CEO David Lui also confirms the Vancouver-founded apparel retailer is working toward finalizing its first U.S. store under Unity Brands.

Daily Synopsis: November 2, 2026

Retail Insider -
Birks names CEO, retail cyber attack concerns following European freezer hack, Western Canada's largest Christmas store returns, 7-Eleven looks to bring liquor to Sask stores, and other news.

Imaginaire and WINNERS Join Splitsville in CF Sherway Gardens Nordstrom Redevelopment

Craig Patterson -
Cadillac Fairview has announced Imaginaire and WINNERS for the former Nordstrom at CF Sherway Gardens in Toronto. Together with Splitsville Bowl, the three tenants will occupy approximately 100,000 square feet of the former department store, with openings targeted for fall 2027.

Primaris REIT Advances Hudson’s Bay Leasing as Mall Redevelopment Program Moves Forward

Craig Patterson -
Primaris REIT has increased long-term leasing commitments for former Hudson's Bay stores to 728,000 square feet. Its Q3 2026 results outline projected rental income, redevelopment spending, and the company's acquisition and disposition strategy across Canadian shopping centres.

Oakridge Park Partners with Moment Factory to Launch Interactive Entertainment Attraction in Vancouver

Craig Patterson -
Oakridge Park in Vancouver is partnering with Montreal-based Moment Factory to launch Wonderground on November 2. The ticketed interactive gaming attraction will also accommodate brand activations and events, adding another entertainment offering to the mixed-use retail development.

Daily Synopsis: October 27, 2026

Retail Insider -
Grocery store sought for downtown Saskatoon newspaper building, food court shuts amid concern at Peter Pond Mall, Halloween chocolate prices up, Aritzia donates coats, and other news.

Aritzia Targets $10 Billion as Canadian Store Strategy Shifts Toward Stronger Boutiques

Craig Patterson -
Aritzia is targeting up to $10.5 billion in annual revenue by fiscal 2032 while expanding to 160 U.S. boutiques. In Canada, the retailer expects a slight decline in store count as it optimizes existing locations and consolidates legacy branded stores.

WitchSchool Canada Tests ‘Reciprocal Retail’ Model in Ottawa’s ByWard Market

Craig Patterson -
WitchSchool Canada is testing a collaborative retail model in a 160-square-foot storefront in Ottawa’s ByWard Market. Founder Kiki Keskinen says the grant-supported residency connects independent entrepreneurs through shared programming, customer referrals and promotional opportunities, while raising questions about long-term operating costs.

Inside Dynamite 3.0: How Groupe Dynamite Is Reinventing Its Canadian Stores

Lee Rivett -
Groupe Dynamite is expanding its Dynamite 3.0 store concept across major Canadian shopping centres, bringing upgraded interiors, personalized styling and a more premium shopping experience to its established fashion banner. The investment reflects a broader focus on store productivity and brand positioning.

Daily Synopsis: October 20, 2026

Retail Insider -
Nova Scotia shoe retailer closing after 120 years, Wingstop's largest Canadian location opening at CF Chinook Centre, Choice acquires retail site, and other news.

Aritzia Could Target $10 Billion in Revenue as Stifel Examines Next Phase of Growth

Lee Rivett -
Aritzia could unveil a fiscal 2032 revenue target of up to $10 billion at its October 27 Investor Day, according to Stifel. The analysis examines U.S. store expansion, international growth, profitability and potential opportunities in menswear.

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.

Primaris to Sell $41.8 Million Stake in Kingston’s Cataraqui Centre Amid Portfolio Reshaping

Craig Patterson -
Primaris REIT has agreed to sell its 50% managing interest in Kingston's Cataraqui Centre for $41.8 million. The transaction follows its acquisition of Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket, signalling change.
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