Tariffs

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.

Canada’s Counter-Tariffs Result in Temporary Price Increases

Craig Patterson -
In 2025, Canada imposed counter-tariffs on US imports, causing a notable increase in retail prices. The analysis reveals that these price hikes were short-lived, largely dependent on retailers' expectations and transparency with consumers.

Some Canadian businesses may be eligible for U.S. tariff refunds: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
Approximately one-third of small Canadian exporters faced tariffs on goods that did not qualify for the CUSMA exemption.

Canadian SMBs Question Strength of Buy Canadian Movement

Lee Rivett -
Ignite Digital survey finds Canadian SMBs question the strength of the Buy Canadian movement as rising costs reshape consumer behaviour.

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.

Tariff uncertainty and affordability pressures causing Canadians to put brakes on car ownership: Turo

Mario Toneguzzi -
Three in four Canadians (75%) are concerned tariffs will push vehicle prices higher in 2026.

One year into the trade war, half of Canadian small businesses no longer feel the U.S. is a reliable trading partner: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
Three-quarters (75%) of small businesses say the tariff fight has strained their relationships with U.S. partners or clients, up sharply from 49% in March 2025.

How U.S. Tariff Turmoil Could Hit Canadian Grocery Bills

Sylvain Charlebois -
U.S. tariff uncertainty could raise costs across Canada’s $100B agri-food corridor, putting pressure on the Canadian grocery bill.

U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Trump tariffs a welcome development for Canadian businesses, but President announces more tariffs

Mario Toneguzzi -
But many questions remain on future impact of the ruling.

Trump tariff threat could be “massive blow” to Canadian economy

Mario Toneguzzi -
"Any threat to our economy can cause consumers and businesses to pause spending and decisions."

The Canadian Retail Stories That Defined 2025

Bruce Winder -
Bruce Winder reviews the defining Canadian retail stories of 2025, from Hudson’s Bay’s collapse to AI, discount growth, tariffs, and shifting consumer behaviour.

Canada’s Top Food Stories of 2025 Reveal Structural Shifts

Sylvain Charlebois -
Dalhousie’s Top 10 Food Stories of 2025 highlight structural forces shaping food prices, trust, regulation, and affordability across Canada.

U.S. Tariff Reversal Expected to Ease Food Costs for Canada

Sylvain Charlebois -
Canada stands to benefit as the U.S. rolls back food-related tariffs, lowering input costs for retailers and easing pressure on the supply chain.

U.S. Tariffs Threaten Canadian Agri-Food Exports

Sylvain Charlebois -
Escalating U.S. tariffs and strained diplomacy are disrupting Canada’s agri-food trade, raising risks for exporters and cross-border retail supply chains.

Tariffs & trade tensions strain Canadian consumer confidence and business outlook: Bank of Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
Canadians plan to buy local amid trade tensions, while businesses face soft demand, muted hiring, and inflation concerns, says the Bank of Canada.

B.C. exporters offered up to $5K for CUSMA help

Mario Toneguzzi -
Export Navigator offers up to $5,000 to help B.C. exporters meet CUSMA requirements through expert trade services.

Canada’s Food Inflation Climbs as Tariffs Drive Grocery Costs

Sylvain Charlebois -
Canadian food inflation hit 3.4% in August as counter-tariffs and GST policies pushed grocery prices above overall inflation rates.
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