Is the Era of Skimpflation Over?
Skimpflation describes manufacturers swapping premium ingredients for cheaper substitutes while keeping shelf prices steady, a practice that has flown under the consumer radar compared with the more visible shrinkflation. The tactic has long been justified by inflationary pressure and cost‑sensitive shoppers, but growing label scrutiny is prompting a reversal. Jell‑O launched the "Simply" line, eliminating synthetic dyes and cutting sugar by 25 %, and Kraft Heinz pledged to remove all certified synthetic colors from its portfolio by 2027. These moves signal a shift toward higher‑quality formulations as brands respond to demand for transparency.
Eataly Launches La Piazza Dining Concept in Toronto
Eataly is rolling out a new dining concept called La Piazza in Toronto’s upscale Yorkville district. The venue will open at the chain’s Eaton Centre and Sherway Gardens locations, recreating an Italian public square with live music, surprise tastings, and...
How PepsiCo Used Walmart's Data to Rethink U.S. Launch Playbook
PepsiCo launched its new Pepsi prebiotic cola as a limited‑time online drop on Black Friday 2025, selling out in less than 24 hours. Using retail media signals from Walmart Connect, the company analyzed buyer data to refine flavor, messaging, and...
Retailers and Brands Celebrate 2026 FIFA World Cup
Lay’s, the official snack partner of FIFA World Cup 2026, is rolling out four limited‑edition chip flavours—Bacon Poutine, Cheese Soufflé, Steak & Chimichurri, and Cheese & Onion—across Canada and globally beginning mid‑May. The brand also launches a contest that awards two tickets to a Canadian...
No Name Still Generates Buzz Nearly 50 Years After Its Launch
No Name continues to refresh its private‑label image nearly five decades after debut, expanding its Naturally Imperfect produce line and the Simple Check clean‑ingredients symbol. The brand recently rolled out the Grocery Goss campaign, a retro‑styled activation with physical tabloids,...
How to Spot and Prevent Employee Burnout
Robert Half’s 2025 survey of 1,500 Canadian professionals shows 47% feel burned out, up from 33% in 2023. Heavy workloads, long hours and mental fatigue are the top drivers. In an interview, senior regional director Mike Shekhtman outlines warning signs—absenteeism,...
How Federated Co-Op Is Rebuilding Its Grocery Business
Federated Co‑operatives Limited (FCL) has overhauled its grocery division, splitting it into three core functions—category management, operations, and shared services—to tighten store‑level execution. The new operations model pairs a commodity team that builds fully documented programs with regional pods that...
Lessons From the Social Media Food Battle
In March, a promotional video of McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski taking a tiny bite of the new “Big Arch” burger went viral for all the wrong reasons, prompting memes and criticism for its lack of authenticity. Competing chains and grocery...
What’s Hot in Frozen Meals, Premium Desserts and Snacks
The Canadian frozen food market is set to surpass $14 billion by 2030, nearly doubling its 2023 size of $8.5 billion. Manufacturers are shifting from “emergency food” perception toward premium, health‑focused products, especially desserts that mirror restaurant quality. International and ethnic flavors...
Health and Beauty Brief: The Ordinary Donates to Second Harvest, Loblaw on GLP-1 Growth
The Ordinary launched The Markup Marché pop‑up in Toronto and other global cities, pricing everyday foods with luxury labels to expose beauty industry markups. The brand has donated more than $100,000 CAD (≈$74,000 USD) to food‑bank partners in each city...
Sperri Control
Sperri Control is a ready‑to‑drink meal replacement that blends high protein, high fibre and low sugar. Each 12‑ounce bottle delivers 20 grams of plant‑based protein, four grams of soluble fibre and just four grams of natural sugar. The product launches in...
This Week in Grocery News: Loblaw’s Q1 Call, a New Food Basics for Ontario and More
Loblaw Companies told investors that rising fuel costs have not yet been passed on to shoppers, as the retailer fights supplier price hikes. Discount chain Food Basics opened its 154th Ontario store, a 32,000‑sq‑ft format featuring local and private‑label items....
PepsiCo Talks Bubly’s Expansion Into Soda Category with Bubly POP
PepsiCo introduced Bubly POP, a low‑sugar soda, in Canada on April 22, positioning it as the brand’s natural next step beyond sparkling water. The beverage contains three grams of sugar or less per 355 ml can, real fruit juice and no artificial colours,...
Mother's Day 2026: How Grocers Are Marking the Occasion
Canadian grocers are turning Mother’s Day into an experiential shopping event. Eataly will host a spring‑inspired Festa with hands‑on pasta and tiramisu classes in Yorkville and Sherway Gardens. Farm Boy is offering a pre‑ordered, chef‑prepared brunch kit and ready‑gift floral...
DoorDash Reports Record Membership Signups, New High for Monthly Active Users in Q1
DoorDash reported $4 billion in Q1 2026 revenue, a 33% year‑over‑year increase, alongside a 27% jump in orders to 933 million. Adjusted EBITDA rose 28% to $754 million, and the company posted record membership signups and its highest monthly active‑user count. Growth was...