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Small Business

Curated Digest

Daily Synopsis: Mar 4, 2026

Retail Insider -
SSENSE lays off more than 200, Joe Fresh 1st apparel retailer on DoorDash, Save-on-Foods opening in new Langley retail project, Brampton charging retailers $100 for every abandoned shopping cart in city, and other news.
News

Mastercard Small Business Fund opens for 2026 applicants

Mario Toneguzzi -
According to Statistics Canada, women-owned businesses represent almost one-fifth of private sector businesses in Canada.
News

Canadian small business sales growth drops to pandemic-era levels: Xero

Mario Toneguzzi -
Canadian small business sales growth dropped 4.1% year-over-year (y/y), the largest quarterly decline in sales since the September quarter 2020, falling well below the long-term series average of 4.5% y/y. 
News

Businesses anticipate obstacles ahead: Statistics Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
In the first quarter of 2026, nearly three-quarters (73.1%) of businesses are either very or somewhat optimistic about their outlook over the next 12 months, higher than the proportions of businesses that reported the same in the third (66.7%) and fourth (66.3%) quarters of 2025.
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Small business optimism climbs above historical norms for the first time since 2022: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
Confidence levels among almost all provinces hovered just above or around their historical averages, while most sectors saw gains in their 12-month outlook.
News

CFIB survey: Tax burden tops small business concerns in Canada as retailers cite costs, regulation and crime

Mario Toneguzzi -
Overall for all sectors, the CFIB said the total tax burden has been the top concern for over 25 years.
News

Canadian small business owners lose 31 working days a year to stress: Xero report

Mario Toneguzzi -
Owners spend an average of nine hours a week feeling stressed, concerned or worried about their business, with financial management cited as a key pressure point.
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Small Businesses double down for 2026: Majority plan to increase marketing budgets to combat inflation: Constant Contact

Mario Toneguzzi -
Small business owners are meeting economic uncertainty with aggression rather than retraction.
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Lessons learned along the entrepreneurial journey: Marc Lafleur

Mario Toneguzzi -
Lafleur is a founder at heart and has taken a particular interest in mentoring up-and-coming founders.
News

CFIB Business Barometer: Small business confidence remains steady in January

Mario Toneguzzi -
More businesses reported struggling with tax and regulatory costs (70%), followed by insurance (69%) and wage costs (62%).
Retailer News

Small businesses must be top priority as MPs return to Ottawa: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
“2025 was a rollercoaster for small businesses."
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Small Business Saturday kicks off holiday shopping season: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
According to CFIB’s latest data, one third (33%) of small businesses count on the upcoming holiday sales.
News

Optimism slowly coming back ahead of holiday season: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
The CFIB reports a boost in small business confidence to 55.5 index points. Learn what this means for the holiday season.
News

How retailers can lean into their small business competitive advantages: ADP analysis

Mario Toneguzzi -
By Jonathon Meany, Head of Service, Small Business, ADP Canada October is Small Business month in Canada. A time to celebrate the heart and hustle that keep our communities and economy thriving. Across the country, small retailers aren’t just selling...
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Small business confidence creeps down in October as demand stays low: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
This indicator has been higher than its historical average for the past 24 consecutive months, says the CFIB.
News

Alberta teacher strike disruptive to small business: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
When Saskatchewan’s teachers went on strike in 2024, one-third (33%) of small businesses reported a negative impact on their operations, said the CFIB.
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Small business confidence creeps up in September: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
Tax and regulatory costs remain top of mind for 67% of small firms, followed by insurance costs (66%), says the CFIB.
News

2025 Small Business Marketing Trends: Digital strategies, community focus, and the rise of AI

Mario Toneguzzi -
Small business owners in the retail space are doubling down on their digital marketing efforts, with an eye towards creating unique customer experiences.
News

Nearly 2 in 3 small businesses may permanently drop Canada Post if strike resumes following vote: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
Four in five businesses still use Canada Post, according to the CFIB
News

Walmart Canada sparks opportunities for homegrown businesses at inaugural Canada Growth Summit

Mario Toneguzzi -
Walmart Canada's first Growth Summit is part of Walmart's global Growth Summit series, following similar events in the United States, Chile, India, Mexico and Africa.
News

This Canada Day, shop local: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
New CFIB data shows that since the start of the trade war, nearly four in ten (39%) small businesses have seen increased sales of Canadian/locally made products – especially in the retail (44%), hospitality (43%) and wholesale (41%) sectors.
News

Only 21% of Canadian small businesses report strong economic health: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
CFIB said its special release on tourism shows that long-term optimism among tourism businesses sits at pandemic-era levels
News

Small businesses worry about U.S.-Canada trade war impact: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
New data from CFIB found that 37% of those surveyed noticed changes in tourists’ behaviour.
News

CFIB May Business Barometer: Small business confidence goes up, price plans go down 

Mario Toneguzzi -
“The optimism glass is not even half-full, it’s still fairly empty," says the CFIB.
News

CFIB urges parties to avoid another unnecessary Canada Post strike

Mario Toneguzzi -
"If no deal is reached between Canada Post and its union and strike action takes place in the coming weeks, the impact on small business will be significant." - CFIB
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