Retail Insider Canada
Canadian retail news and analysis.
Adyen Expands Giving Program Worldwide
Adyen is scaling its free checkout‑donation platform, Adyen Giving, beyond Canada and the United States by partnering with adidas to launch the feature in Europe, Brazil and Mexico. The program helped shoppers at 216 adidas stores in Canada and the U.S. contribute more than $1 million to causes such as the Terry Fox Foundation, and Canadian donation volumes tripled between 2024 and 2025 despite cost‑of‑living pressures. Adyen’s data shows that transparent, opt‑in giving drives stronger brand affinity than traditional tipping, prompting retailers to view charitable checkout prompts as a loyalty engine.
Small Business: Elevating First Impressions Online
VistaPrint’s Erin Shea argues that packaging is the new storefront for small businesses, with 72% of shoppers saying design influences purchase decisions and 61% getting excited to open a parcel. The article highlights how simple custom touches—branded tissue, thank‑you notes, or...
Golf Town and Brooke Henderson Cement Decade-Long Partnership
Golf Town, Canada’s largest specialty golf retailer, announced a three‑year extension of its partnership with LPGA star Brooke Henderson and her sister Brittany, now running through 2028. The renewal marks over a decade of collaboration focused on expanding the game’s...
RONA Foundation’s 2026 Build From the Heart Campaign Is On
The RONA Foundation will launch its 2026 Build from the Heart campaign on April 18, pledging to allocate one million Canadian dollars (about $730,000 USD) to seven nonprofit groups for construction or major‑renovation projects. Fundraising will run through customer donations, a $5 contribution...
UniverCell Canada Expands Through Franchising Growth
UniverCell Canada, a bootstrapped electronics repair retailer, opened a new store in Mississauga, bringing its footprint to 17 locations across Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec. The company’s growth is driven by a franchise model that allows rapid expansion without heavy corporate...
Canadian Spending Holds Steady as Consumers Shift Priorities
Moneris data shows Canadian consumer spending held steady in Q1 2026, slipping only 0.27% year‑over‑year while average transaction size edged up 0.18%. Shoppers are reallocating dollars toward essentials and value‑oriented retailers, with grocery sales up 3% and mass‑merchant growth near 7%....
The Ball Depot Launches E-Commerce Platform
The Ball Depot, a Canadian startup founded by Terri‑lyne Gedanitz, launched an e‑commerce site on April 7, 2026 featuring more than 1,000 ball‑related products across sports, fitness, children’s play, novelty and pet categories. The niche platform consolidates a fragmented market...
Spruce Meadows Selects Liberty Oak View Entertainment to Lead Hospitality Experience
Spruce Meadows, Calgary’s premier equestrian and entertainment venue, has appointed Liberty Oak View Entertainment (LOVE) as its exclusive hospitality provider. LOVE will oversee food and beverage operations across sporting events, concerts, and private functions, introducing menus that showcase regional Alberta...
Once You Spot Your Dream Piece at Milan Design Week, Here Is When You Can Actually Buy It
Milan’s Salone del Mobile showcases design concepts that often remain unavailable for months after the fair. Brands use the event to gauge market reaction, set production volumes, and allocate limited inventory to key distributors. Typical lead times range from three...
Combating Rising Store Theft in Canada: A 2026 Local Guide
Retail shrink in Canada has surged to roughly $9 billion CAD (about $6.7 billion USD) in 2026, nearly double the 2018 level. Violent theft incidents have spiked 300%, turning ordinary shoplifting into organized, high‑risk crime. Retailers are urged to replace reactive loss‑prevention...
SEO for Skincare, Beauty & Cosmetic Brands: Key Tips You Need to Know
Beauty and skincare brands face a research‑heavy consumer journey, where shoppers evaluate ingredients, compare products, and read reviews before purchasing. Search engines reward sites that provide transparent ingredient information, detailed usage guidance, and authoritative educational content. Visual assets and user‑generated...
Canada’s Mall Redevelopment Boom Hits a Wall
Canada’s mall‑redevelopment boom is stalling as a weak condo market, rising construction costs and tighter credit curb mixed‑use projects. High‑profile plans such as Cloverdale Mall’s 4,000‑unit tower have been cancelled after pre‑sales fell below the 70 % threshold. Lenders are pulling...
MBI Brands Taps New President to Lead Next Phase of Strategic Growth and Global Expansion
MBI Brands, the parent of Mary Brown’s Chicken and Fat Bastard Burrito, has named Karen Tam as its new President. Tam, who joined the company in July 2025 as CFO and Chief Development Officer, will steer overall strategy and daily...
The Thrift Shift: Majority of Canadians Plan to Shop Second-Hand This Year
A Habitat for Humanity ReStore survey of 1,536 Canadians shows 60% plan to shop second‑hand this year, driven chiefly by cost‑of‑living pressures. Sixty‑eight percent thrift to save money, while 83% view it as both economically and environmentally sensible. Thrifting is...
Kits Eyecare Appoints Tai Silvey as President
Kits Eyecare Ltd. promoted Tai Silvey to President, tasking him with day‑to‑day oversight of supply chain, customer experience and commercial execution. Silvey, who joined in 2022 and previously led business development, brings two decades of scaling experience at Red Bull and...