Retail Insider Canada
Canadian retail news and analysis.
Pizza Pizza Releases Q4 and 2025 Annual Results
Pizza Pizza Royalty Corp. reported modest growth in its fourth quarter and full‑year 2025 results. Same‑store sales rose 0.2% in Q4 and 0.9% for the year, while the royalty‑pool system generated $164 million in the quarter and $635.5 million annually, up roughly 2‑2.5%. The restaurant network added four locations in Q4 and 18 net sites for the year, bringing the royalty pool to 794 outlets. Management highlighted a tougher consumer environment but emphasized menu innovation, digital upgrades, and a 2‑3% traditional‑store expansion target for 2026.
London Drugs President Clint Mahlman to Retire
London Drugs announced that longtime president and COO Clint Mahlman will retire on May 29, 2026 after a 41‑year career that began as a part‑time stock boy. The board named veteran technology executive Nick Curalli, who has spent over three decades at...
SHEIN Returning to Vancouver with Pop-Up at Metropolis at Metrotown
SHEIN is returning to Vancouver with a four‑day pop‑up at Metropolis at Metrotown from April 9‑12, unveiling its Spring/Summer 2026 collection. The event features seven curated trend installations—Boho Chic, Mermaidcore, Y3K, Poetcore, Preppy Rebel, Elevated Athleisure and Quiet Luxe—each refreshed daily to...
Costco Expands Business Centres Across Canada
Costco opened its 11th Business Centre in Winnipeg on March 27, marking the first location in Manitoba and expanding the retailer’s business‑focused format to five provinces. The 137,000‑square‑foot site repurposes a 35‑year‑old warehouse and offers a product mix that is 70%...
Understanding Mortgage Risks: A Guide for Homebuyers
Homebuyers face a maze of hidden mortgage risks that can turn a $300,000 loan into a costly long‑term burden. Adjustable‑rate mortgages, rising property‑tax and insurance costs, lender‑specific overlays, title defects, and undisclosed fees each add financial strain, with surveys showing...
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment and Management: A Comprehensive Guide
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) treatment follows a three‑phase protocol—induction, consolidation, and maintenance—to achieve remission and prevent relapse. Advanced options such as targeted therapies, CAR T‑cell immunotherapy, and stem cell transplantation are increasingly used, especially for high‑risk or relapsed patients. Long‑term...
Top Providers for NFT Domains: Lifetime Domains With Endless Ownership
NFT domain platforms are introducing permanent, blockchain‑based ownership of internet names, eliminating renewals and central registrar control. Freename leads by allowing users to mint entire top‑level domains as NFTs and earn 50% royalties on subdomains. Competitors such as Unstoppable Domains,...
Empire Pulls ‘Buy Canadian’ Grocery Signage
Empire Company Limited is removing its “Buy Canadian” signage from all its grocery banners, including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, FreshCo, Foodland and Thrifty Foods. The shift follows a decline in patriotic buying as inflation hit 5.4 percent in February, prompting shoppers to prioritize...
Toys “R” Us Canada Launches Sale Process
Toys “R” Us Canada has filed to start a formal sale process, seeking court approval in April 2026 with bids expected in May and a potential closing by mid‑July. The retailer’s footprint has shrunk from 81 stores in 2021 to just...
Designer Brands Unifies U.S. and Canada Retail
Designer Brands Inc. has merged its U.S. and Canadian retail operations into a single "Retail Segment," covering 88% of total sales. The unified division now runs 665 stores, generating $2.66 billion in net sales, though comparable sales fell 3.9% in 2025....
Casavogue Highlights Canadian Craftsmanship with “Made in Canada” Collections
Casavogue’s Montreal showroom is spotlighting a curated “Made in Canada” collection, featuring domestic furniture brands alongside its international lineup. New additions include Québec‑based Canadel, known for customizable solid‑wood dining pieces, as well as established names such as Verbois, Jaymar, and...
Canadian Tire and WestJet Launch Loyalty Partnership
Canadian Tire and WestJet have launched a joint loyalty program that links the retailer’s Triangle Rewards with WestJet Rewards. Members can earn Canadian Tire Money and WestJet points simultaneously on purchases at Canadian Tire, SportChek, Mark’s and on WestJet flight...
Essential Factors for Selecting the Correct Lawn Mower Blade
Choosing the right lawn mower blade is essential for clean cuts, mower longevity, and a healthy lawn. Blade size must match the mower deck, while blade type—high‑lift, mulching, or low‑lift—should align with grass conditions. Material quality, such as heat‑treated alloy...
Why Companies Use a 1099 Generator for Contractor Payments
Companies are turning to 1099 generators to streamline contractor payments, automating form creation and reducing manual effort. The tools validate data in real time, cutting costly errors and ensuring compliance with ever‑changing tax rules. Centralized, encrypted storage simplifies record‑keeping, audit...
What Are the Best AI SMS Platforms for Mortgage Lenders?
Mortgage borrowers choose lenders who respond fastest; SMS offers rapid, non‑intrusive follow‑up. AI‑driven SMS platforms can instantly reply, qualify, and route leads, reducing manual effort and compliance risk. The guide highlights Meera as the top purpose‑built solution, while Twilio, Salesforce,...
How to Value a Retail Business
Valuing a retail business requires more than formulaic calculations; it blends inventory cost with earnings analysis, typically using Seller’s Discretionary Earnings for small stores and EBITDA for larger operations. Multiples vary from 1.5‑3x for owner‑dependent shops to 4x or higher...
OLEN Launches Debut Collection of Minimalist Italian Leather Sneakers
Vancouver‑based OLEN has launched its debut collection of minimalist Italian leather sneakers, hand‑crafted in a three‑generation family atelier. Founder Ana Chi positions the shoes as timeless, high‑quality essentials that prioritize longevity over fleeting trends. The line is sold direct‑to‑consumer online...
Consulting Services Drives Business Performance and Strategic Growth
Consulting firms are increasingly essential as organizations confront rapid technology shifts, tighter regulations, and fierce competition. By delivering risk‑management frameworks, strategic planning tools, and operational‑efficiency audits, consultants help companies reduce compliance exposure and cut costs. Their cross‑industry expertise supplies market...
The Art of Desire in Luxury Marketing
Luxury marketing hinges on creating desire rather than competing on price or promotions. Douglas Mandel explains the "Haute Couture Principle," where an unattainable apex—like a hand‑beaded gown or a Formula 1 program—sets the aspirational tone for all product tiers. Brands reinforce...
Coca-Cola Launches FIFA World Cup 2026 Campaign in Canada
Coca‑Cola has launched a nationwide FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in Canada, featuring limited‑edition collectible cans, QR‑code contests, and Panini sticker‑tied bottles. The brand will also operate fan‑zone experiences in Toronto and Vancouver, offering product sampling, apparel customization, and social‑media‑ready installations....
Mars Canada Invests $180M in Ontario Manufacturing
Mars Canada completed a $180 million multi‑year investment across its Ontario manufacturing network, spanning 2022‑2026. The funding upgrades packaging lines and expands capacity at four sites—Bolton, Newmarket, Guelph—boosting production for snacking, pet nutrition and food brands. Sustainability measures cut water, electricity...
AI Tools Enter Retail Platforms as Canadian Adoption Grows
Canadian small‑business owners are moving from AI experimentation to everyday use, according to a 2026 Square survey showing 60 % of respondents already employ AI tools and 74 % are familiar with them. Commerce platforms such as Square, Shopify and Lightspeed are...
Square Report Finds Group of Loyal ‘Regulars’ Generates 6x More Revenue for Canada’s Small Businesses
Square’s inaugural Local Economy Report shows that repeat customers—defined as shoppers who visit four or more times a year—generate nearly six times more annual revenue for Canadian neighbourhood businesses than one‑time visitors. In Montreal, regulars produce seven times the value,...
Annual Inflation Cools to 1.8% in February: Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada reported Canada's consumer price index increased 1.8% year‑over‑year in February, a slowdown from January’s 2.3% gain. The deceleration was largely driven by the end of the GST/HST temporary break, which pushed restaurant prices higher while gasoline and other...
LSD°R Expands with New Toronto Location
Wellness studio LSD°R announced its second Toronto location in the Summerhill neighbourhood, slated to open at the end of March. The 3,000‑square‑foot space expands the brand’s low‑impact Pilates and breathwork method with 16 Re°formers, private sessions, and professional‑grade red light...
GoodLeaf Farms Launches Mobile Tour to Promote Indoor-Grown Greens in Ontario, Atlantic Canada
GoodLeaf Farms, in partnership with Sobeys, launched the 53‑foot “Good For Life” mobile tour to demonstrate indoor vertical farming across Ontario and Atlantic Canada. The tour, which began in Toronto on March 14, educates consumers on pesticide‑free, year‑round production and highlights...
IOPE Debuts in Canada Through Exclusive Sephora Retail Partnership
South Korean skincare brand IOPE, owned by Amorepacific, has launched in Canada through an exclusive partnership with Sephora Canada, making its products available both online and in physical stores. The debut features nine clinical‑grade items ranging from $9 to $93,...
Retail-to-Residential Conversions Gain Momentum in Canada
Retail‑to‑residential conversions are emerging as a national strategy to tackle Canada’s housing shortage by repurposing vacant department stores, suburban malls and under‑used parking lots. Developers highlight the advantage of fully serviced land, which slashes infrastructure costs compared with greenfield builds....
Inside Canada’s Growing Liquidation “Binz” Store Economy
Binz stores in Canada buy surplus inventory from retailers at liquidation auctions and resell it by the bin for as little as $25. The global recommerce market, which includes such secondary‑sale channels, now exceeds $200 billion a year. Rising cost‑of‑living pressures...
From The Desk: Canadian Retail Reinvention Amid Expansion and Rising Costs
Canadian retailers are pursuing aggressive physical expansion, with Abercrombie & Fitch opening stores in Winnipeg, Ottawa, Calgary and London, and MUJI launching its first British Columbia location. At the same time, rising inflation, higher operating costs and geopolitical uncertainty are tightening consumer...
Best POS System for Retail Stores in 2026
Choosing the right point‑of‑sale (POS) system is now a strategic decision for retailers, as modern platforms combine inventory, payments, reporting, and omnichannel capabilities into a single cloud‑based hub. In 2026 the market is led by Vibe, Square, Shopify, Lightspeed, and...
Store Openings Checklist: Stockroom & Receiving Setup
Store openings often falter not because of fixtures or POS issues, but due to chaotic back‑of‑house operations. The article outlines a checklist that treats stockroom and receiving as a launch system, defining zones, ownership, and verification steps. By establishing clear...
Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program Applauded by Business Groups
The federal government announced temporary adjustments to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program to alleviate acute labour shortages, especially in rural and tourism‑dependent areas. Restaurants Canada praised the move as a first step toward a more strategic, predictable workforce, noting that...
BAM BAM Arrives April 1 in Downtown Vancouver
Award‑winning Nemesis team launches BAM BAM, an all‑day nostalgic eatery, on April 1 in downtown Vancouver. The 2,800‑square‑foot space at 160 West Georgia seats 55 and was designed by McKinley Studios with a blend of 1960s varsity and futuristic décor. The...
Canada Loses 84,000 Jobs in February, Unemployment Rate Increases: Statistics Canada
Canada’s labour market contracted in February 2026, with Statistics Canada reporting a loss of 84,000 jobs, pushing the unemployment rate to 6.7%. The decline was driven by a 47,000‑job drop among youth and a 41,000‑job loss among men aged 25‑54,...
Happy Belly Food Group Targets up to 50 New Restaurant Openings as Same-Store Sales Remain Strong: Sean Black Interview
Happy Belly Food Group plans to open 30‑50 new restaurants across Canada this year, building on strong same‑store sales despite industry cost pressures. The expansion will focus on four core brands—Yolks, Rosie’s, Heal and iQ Food—and target growth markets in...
Butterly Trust Index Maps AI-Era Product Reviews
Butterly’s 2026 Trust Index, based on 2,100 Canadian shoppers, highlights that authentic, balanced reviews are essential for AI-driven product discovery. The report finds that specific, honest feedback—not polished star ratings—enhances AI interpretation, boosts consumer trust, and can even increase conversion...
Abercrombie & Fitch Expands Canadian Store Network
Abercrombie & Fitch is accelerating its Canadian footprint, announcing new stores in Winnipeg, Ottawa, Calgary and London, Ontario for 2026, while also reopening its West Edmonton Mall location. The rollout follows a record‑breaking fiscal year in which the company posted $5.27 billion in global...
Women Entrepreneurs Reshape Canada’s Franchise Industry
Women entrepreneurs are rapidly reshaping Canada’s franchise landscape, moving into traditionally male‑dominated sectors such as construction, automotive, and skilled trades. The Canadian Franchise Association reports that women now own about 20% of Canadian businesses, a 17.6% rise, generating over $90 billion...
Dr. Phone Fix Reports over 50% Same-Store Growth and Productivity Improvements Following Geebo Acquisition
Dr. Phone Fix Canada Corp. reported over 50% same‑store sales growth YoY in Jan‑Feb 2026, driven by higher repair volumes and new insurance repair programs. The recent acquisition of Geebo Device Repair added $175,000 in revenue, a 12% increase, and...
Pharmacy Brands Canada Partners with Horizon Healthcare on Integrated Care Pharmacy in Edmonton
Pharmacy Brands Canada has partnered with Horizon Healthcare to launch Horizon Pharmacy inside Edmonton's Covenant Community Health Centre. The integrated care model co‑locates pharmacy, medical, infusion and home‑health services, enabling real‑time linking of prescribing and dispensing. Pharmacy Brands Canada will...
Home Improvement Spending Shifts in Canada
Renovation demand in Canada remains robust, driven by affluent online mass‑merchandise shoppers who also purchase electronics and sporting goods. Environics Analytics finds these consumers, averaging $150K household income, are focusing on high‑intensity projects such as basement finishing, HVAC, and roofing....
Kettlemans Bagel Eyes Franchising Push as Sandwich Sales Drive Growth: Amer Wahab Interview
Kettlemans Bagel, an Ottawa‑based chain, is shifting its growth engine toward franchising and sandwich‑centric formats. The company reports an average unit volume of $4.3 million, with 63 % of sales coming from sandwiches, and is piloting 100‑sq‑ft sandwich hubs that generate $7,000...
Beavertails Eyes Growth Through Retail Expansion and Strategic Store Openings: Pino Di Ioia Interview
Beavertails is accelerating its brick‑and‑mortar footprint, posting double‑digit growth in 2026 across 164 Canadian locations while its amusement‑park and mobile‑truck segments lag with low single‑digit gains. The chain is targeting high‑traffic tourist sites such as an Alberta beach resort and...
Canadian Tech Company Launches the “Trivago of Groceries” App
Canadian startup One Red Maple has launched Gofer.run, a free iOS and Android app that compares unit prices across neighbourhood grocery stores to identify the cheapest total basket. The platform lets users input a grocery list and choose to shop...
Oil Prices Could Push Canadian Grocery Inflation Higher
Oil prices have breached $90 a barrel and could climb toward $100, reviving a pattern where energy spikes precede grocery inflation in Canada by six to nine months. Historical data shows each major oil surge lifts food price inflation by...
Wayfair Launches Loyalty Program in Canada
Wayfair has rolled out its Wayfair Rewards loyalty program in Canada, marking the first international expansion after a successful U.S. debut. Canadian members pay $39 per year to receive 5% back in reward dollars, free shipping on all orders, exclusive...
Block House Opening as Gastown’s only Hotel
Kalido House Hotels is launching Block House, a 19‑suite boutique property that becomes Gastown’s only dedicated hotel. The opening on March 21 marks the debut of Kalido’s unified brand after its Smithe House and Keefer House concepts. Block House blends mid‑century design, heritage architecture and...
How Brands Are Leveraging Live Commerce to Move Excess Inventory
Brands are turning to live commerce to liquidate excess inventory, gaining real‑time pricing, product visibility, and storytelling that traditional bulk liquidation lacks. Platforms such as Whatnot, eBay Live, and Poshmark Live let sellers showcase condition and price instantly, targeting niche...
Liquidation Vs. Markdown: What Retailers Get Wrong
Retailers habitually rely on successive markdowns before considering liquidation, harming profitability. The article explains that markdowns shift sales to low‑margin items and occupy valuable space, while liquidation, when executed via vetted platforms, recovers capital and restores assortment mix. It argues...