Tariffs

Empire Rejecting Tariff-Related Supplier Price Hikes as Trade Tensions Escalate

Lee Rivett -
Empire says it is rejecting tariff-related supplier price increases for now, citing sourcing alternatives as Canada-U.S. trade tensions escalate.

From The Desk: Navigating Retail Expansion Amid Economic Pressure and Innovation

Craig Patterson -
This week in Canadian retail: strategic expansion, shifting consumer behaviour, innovation, tariffs and operational discipline shape the market.

Canadian Retailers Rethink Pricing Strategies as U.S. Tariffs Hit Nearly 900 Product Categories

Mario Toneguzzi -
Continued trade tensions reinforce the importance of diversification across international markets.

Trade war puts over 50,000 Canadian small businesses at risk: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
The CFIB is calling for immediate tax relief for small businesses through a Small Business Corporate Tax Rate cut.

How Canadian consumers can soften the blow of tariffs: NerdWallet

Mario Toneguzzi -
Canada’s latest batch of counter-tariffs affect a wide range of consumer goods, including beauty supplies, milk products, clothes, home appliances and exercise equipment. 

Daily Synopsis: Sep 8, 2026

Retail Insider -
Canadian retail highlights include MEC's trail running expansion and challenges from U.S. tariffs impacting margins and staffing strategies.

VIDEO: Retailers face margin pressure, uncertainty as Canada’s U.S. counter-tariffs take effect

Mario Toneguzzi -
Retailers should examine their supply chains, seek Canadian suppliers and consider sourcing from other countries to reduce risk.

Alberta launches tariff portal for businesses

Mario Toneguzzi -
The government said the portal launches as businesses continue to assess the impact of recent U.S. tariffs and Canada's planned retaliatory measures.

Grocery Prices Face New Pressure as Ottawa Imposes Counter-Tariffs

Sylvain Charlebois -
Sylvain Charlebois examines how Canada’s new counter-tariffs could affect grocery prices, food inflation and affordability as Ottawa extends fuel-tax relief.

New U.S. Tariffs Add to Cost Pressures for Canada’s Restaurant Industry: Restaurants Canada 

Mario Toneguzzi -
Restaurants Canada research shows that 41% of operators are now operating at a loss or barely breaking even, compared with 12% in 2019.

Daily Synopsis: August 27, 2026

Retail Insider -
Chapman's Ice Cream to cut American ingredients, Montreal Shein pop-up sees protest, Saskatchewan launches 50% US alcohol tariff, Drake launching U of T collection for fall, SSENSE grapples with new tariffs, and other news.

Canadian retailers could face higher costs and rising prices due to tariffs: Coface

Mario Toneguzzi -
Furniture, cosmetics, hardware, appliances, dairy and seafood are among the retail categories most exposed to the current tariff measures.

Canadian Restaurants Avoid Broad Food Tariff Hit as Supply Costs Face Pressure

Craig Patterson -
Restaurants Canada welcomes Ottawa’s targeted tariff approach, but new duties on packaging, equipment and selected foods could add costs for operators.

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.

Daily Synopsis: August 25, 2026

Retail Insider -
Loblaw backtracks on dropping country-of-origin produce labels, cosmetic tariffs threaten beauty, fashion and other sectors, Criterion opening video storefront in Toronto, shop-Canada app surges amid trade war, and other news.

Daily Synopsis: August 24, 2026

Retail Insider -
Canadians still head to malls, Ilia Beauty grows out of Vancouver roots, Reformation opening at CF Toronto Eaton Centre Sept. 1, Toronto camera store closing after 25 years, and other news.

Canada/U.S. trade talk collapse to lead to immediate and significant impact on small business: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
"A full 40% of small Canadian exporters will be directly hit by these tariffs and nearly one-third expect their revenues will drop by 50% or more as a result."

Daily Synopsis: Aug 13, 2026

Retail Insider -
Pajar expands, Metro converting 10 stores to Food Basics, Canadian Tire reports results, Pet Valu aims for 1200 stores, Nespresso unveils new concept store, and other news.

New 50% U.S. tariff on CUSMA-compliant goods to hit Canadian small exporters hard: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
More than one in three (35%) expect revenues to fall by at least 50%.

Retail Insider “Policy & Regulation Report”: Affordability Promises Collide With Retail Costs

Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 policy report finds affordability promises colliding with rising compliance, trade, labour and public-safety costs, while grocery property controls and public-store proposals expose how government action is reshaping Canadian retail operations today.

Retail Insider “Retail Logistics Report”: Optionality Replaces Lean Efficiency

Lee Rivett -
Canadian retailers are redesigning supply chains for recurring disruption, trading some lean efficiency for diversified sourcing, stronger inventory visibility and more flexible fulfilment networks. Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 report examines the operating and competitive implications of this shift.

New 50% U.S. tariffs add pressure on retailers as trade uncertainty disrupts pricing, inventory and growth: DOSS Report

Mario Toneguzzi -
A new DOSS report finds the latest 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods are intensifying pressure on retailers, forcing companies to rethink pricing, inventory management and supply chains while delaying long-term growth plans.

Trump’s proposed 50% tariffs on Canadian imports spark uncertainty for retailers, supply chains

Mario Toneguzzi -
Trump’s proposed 50% tariffs on Canadian imports are creating uncertainty for retailers, with leaders warning of higher costs and disrupted planning.

Trump’s New Tariffs Put Canada’s Food Economy at Risk

Sylvain Charlebois -
Sylvain Charlebois argues that Canada must urgently re-engage with Washington as new U.S. tariffs threaten alcohol, dairy and broader food-sector trade.

Q2 2026 Canadian Retail Logistics: From Efficiency to Optionality

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retailers are redesigning supply chains around flexibility, diversification, and resilience as tariffs, geopolitical tensions, labour disruptions, and changing consumer expectations make volatility a permanent operating condition.
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