Toronto

Authentic Takes Majority Stake in Drake’s OVO as Vince Takes Over Retail Operations

Craig Patterson -
Authentic Brands Group has announced its acquisition of a majority stake in OVO's intellectual property, co-founded by Drake. The partnership aims to expand OVO's global reach while maintaining its creative identity.

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.

Canadian Retailers Push Sustainability Deeper Into Operations as Business Case Evolves

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retailers are integrating sustainability into stores, logistics, packaging, resale and supply chains as regulation and business economics evolve.

RUDSAK Opening Bloor Street Store at Toronto’s Manulife Centre

Craig Patterson -
RUDSAK is opening a new store at Toronto’s Manulife Centre on Bloor Street, taking space that includes the former Birks Van Cleef & Arpels boutique.

Canada Could Lose 2,500 Restaurants in 2026 as Industry Pressures Mount

Sylvain Charlebois -
Canada may avoid the 4,000 restaurant losses once forecast for 2026, but Sylvain Charlebois says up to 2,500 could still disappear as industry pressures intensify.

Absolutely Fabrics Expands in Toronto with Summerhill Flagship

Craig Patterson -
Toronto fashion retailer Absolutely Fabrics is opening a 7,000-square-foot Summerhill flagship, adding menswear and expanding its curated multi-brand concept.

Luminaire Authentik Opens Toronto Flagship, Plans Canadian Expansion

Craig Patterson -
Luminaire Authentik has opened a Toronto flagship in the King East Design District as the Quebec lighting manufacturer plans further Canadian expansion.

CT REIT Sees Tight Retail Property Market as Rents Rise

Lee Rivett -
CT REIT reports 99.5% occupancy and double-digit rent increases as tight Canadian retail real estate conditions drive competition for properties.

Canada’s Wellness Industry Is Growing. Can Canadian Businesses Keep Pace?

Retail Insider -
Consumer demand for wellness products continues to grow, but Canadian businesses face increasing challenges as they scale. Learn how CHFA NOW Toronto's State of the Industry keynote will examine competitiveness, consumer demand and the future of the sector.

Chanel Opens New Beauty Boutique at Toronto Pearson Airport

Craig Patterson -
Chanel opens a standalone Fragrance & Beauty boutique at Toronto Pearson as the luxury brand expands its Canadian retail presence.

HANK. Opens First Stores as Caulfeild Targets Gap in Canada’s Menswear Market

Craig Patterson -
HANK. opens at Bayview Village and Upper Canada Mall with Ralph Lauren, BOSS, exclusive brands and a broader Canadian expansion plan.

AFA Canada United in Style Marketplace Opens Next Week in Toronto

Retail Insider -
AFA Canada’s United in Style Spring/Summer 2027 marketplace runs August 11–13 at the Toronto Congress Centre. Retailers have less than a week to register.

World Cup Drives 35% Increase in International Card Spending in Canada: Visa

Lee Rivett -
Visa says inbound international card spending in Canada rose more than 35% during the opening weeks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto and Vancouver.

GUESS to Expand Product Categories in Canada Through New Licensing Network

Craig Patterson -
GUESS will expand its Canadian product assortment with new home, children’s, apparel and accessories categories beginning in late 2026, with a broader rollout planned by spring 2027.

Pop Mart to Relocate into Larger CF Toronto Eaton Centre Store

Craig Patterson -
Pop Mart will relocate from its initial CF Toronto Eaton Centre pop-up into a larger Level 1 store, nearly tripling its footprint at the downtown Toronto mall.

Inside the Redesign of CF Toronto Eaton Centre’s High-Traffic Washrooms

Craig Patterson -
WZMH Architects redesigned the Level 2 washrooms at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, adding capacity, durable materials and a water-inspired interior.

Study Finds Grocery Stores Could Cut Plastic Produce-Bag Use

Lee Rivett -
University of Toronto research involving 30 Toronto grocery stores and a Longo’s pilot suggests retailers could reduce disposable plastic produce-bag use through signage, reusable alternatives and changes to dispenser placement.

Wilkes & Bowens Debuts at Toronto’s Stackt Market Ahead of Bloor Rebrand

Craig Patterson -
Wilkes & Bowens has opened a temporary Stackt Market residency ahead of the rebranding of Toronto Designers Market on Bloor Street.

Sweat and Tonic Sets October Opening for Yorkville Club

Craig Patterson -
Sweat and Tonic will open its 18,000-square-foot Yorkville club this October, bringing together strength training, cycling, yoga, recovery and hospitality as the Toronto wellness company continues to evolve.

Sleep Country Set for Major U.S. Expansion with Sleep Number Deal

Craig Patterson -
The Fairfax-owned Canadian retailer is preparing to take control of more than 570 U.S. stores through a court-supervised acquisition valued at approximately US$701 million.

Rains Opens Yorkdale Store as Canada Becomes Key Growth Market

Craig Patterson -
Danish lifestyle brand Rains has opened its second Canadian store at Yorkdale as it expands retail, wholesale and e-commerce operations in Canada.

Splitsville Bowl to Open at CF Sherway Gardens in Former Nordstrom Space

Craig Patterson -
Splitsville Bowl will open a 34,000-square-foot flagship at CF Sherway Gardens in 2027, marking a major redevelopment of part of the former Nordstrom store as Cadillac Fairview reshapes the shopping centre's anchor lineup.

Chrome Hearts Buys Yorkville Building for First Canadian Store

Craig Patterson -
Chrome Hearts has acquired the former Webster building in Toronto's Yorkville neighbourhood, paving the way for the luxury brand's first standalone Canadian store.

RioCan Sells 50% Share in FourFifty The Well to Woodbourne Capital for $188 Million

Lee Rivett -
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust has divested its 50% stake in FourFifty The Well in Toronto to Woodbourne Capital for $188 million. This marks a strategic move as RioCan focuses on its core retail operations while Woodbourne gains full ownership of the rental tower.

Why CHFA NOW Toronto Matters for Retailers Navigating the Future of Wellness

Craig Patterson -
CHFA NOW Toronto 2026 brings together retailers, suppliers and emerging brands to help businesses discover the products and trends shaping the future of wellness retail in Canada.
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