Retail Insider Canada
Canadian retail news and analysis.
HEYTEA Opens First Canadian Lab in Toronto
HEYTEA opened its first Canadian HEYTEA Lab on Level 1 of Toronto’s CF Eaton Centre, marking the brand’s experimental flagship debut in Canada and its second Lab in North America after New York. The 1,800‑sq‑ft store showcases research‑driven tea concepts, limited‑edition drinks and immersive design, with menu prices ranging from $5 to $12.90. Opening promotions—including BOGO offers and exclusive merchandise—target app members for the first 18 days. The Lab serves as a testing ground for products that could roll out to standard locations nationwide.
RONA Foundation Opens Applications for $1M Build From the Heart Campaign
RONA Foundation has launched its 2026 Build from the Heart campaign, allocating $1 million to support construction and renovation projects for vulnerable Canadians. Applications are open from February 16 to March 13, and seven nonprofit organizations will be selected to receive grants. The...
Daily Synopsis: Retailers Embrace Sustainability and Experiential Growth
Retailers across Canada are doubling down on sustainability and experiential growth. Toronto chocolatier Aline Nasseh used a seasonal pop‑up at Holt Renfrew Yorkdale to showcase customizable bonbons, proving a low‑cost path to premium retail exposure. Montreal‑based Leyad acquired Winnipeg’s St. Vital Centre for...
Diamonds-USA.com: Luxury Jewelry. Personal Attention. Real Trust
Diamonds‑USA, founded by gemologist David Braverman in 1997, blends boutique‑level service with an online platform to sell certified diamonds and custom jewelry. The company’s hand‑checked ordering process and 100% money‑back guarantee have produced a near‑zero return rate, a rarity in...
Aline Nasseh Chocolates Pop Up at Holt Renfrew
Toronto‑based Aline Nasseh Artisan Chocolates launched a seasonal pop‑up at Holt Renfrew Yorkdale, running through February 22 and featuring a limited‑edition Valentine’s collection. The activation gave the two‑year‑old brand exposure to a luxury retail audience and generated stronger‑than‑expected sales despite post‑holiday lulls...
Kildonan Place Announces $30-Million Redevelopment and New Zero Waste Food Court (Renderings)
Kildonan Place in Winnipeg is investing $30 million to redevelop its centre, featuring a new zero‑waste food court, a redesigned entrance, and the demolition of the former theatre. The food court will expand from eight to ten vendors, increase seating from...
Canadians Plan to Drink Less Alcohol and Power up Protein in 2026: Square
Canadians are dialing back alcohol, with 28% intending to reduce consumption in 2026, according to a Square survey. While non‑alcoholic drink sales rose 4.3% in early January, alcoholic‑beverage sales still grew 8.6%, indicating moderation rather than abstinence. Health and cost...
Return Policies Deterring Nearly Half of Shoppers Before Checkout: Cashew Research
Cashew Research’s "Data Drop: The Returns Revolt" surveyed 2,000 North‑American shoppers and found that 47% hesitate to buy when return shipping isn’t free. The study shows returns act as a trust signal that shapes conversion rates before checkout, not just...
First Capital REIT Delivers “Solid” Financial Results with Total Portfolio Occupancy up to 97.1%
First Capital REIT reported solid Q4 and full‑year 2025 results, with operating FFO per unit rising 7% YoY to $0.34 and total portfolio occupancy reaching 97.1%, a 30‑basis‑point improvement. Lease‑renewal spreads jumped 15.8% and average net rental rates hit a...
Slate Grocery REIT Sees 1.7 Million Square Feet of Total Leasing in 2025
Slate Grocery REIT reported completing 1.7 million square feet of total leasing in 2025, underscoring the durability of grocery‑anchored assets amid a shifting macro environment. Renewals were secured at 14.9% above expiring rents while new leases commanded a 34.9% premium to...
GARAGE Launches U.K. E-Commerce as Part of International Expansion
GARAGE, the Montreal‑based women’s apparel brand, has launched a dedicated e‑commerce platform for the United Kingdom, offering shipping to all four nations. The digital rollout precedes the opening of its first physical stores on London’s Oxford Street and at Bluewater...
Consumer Insolvencies Reach Second-Highest Annual Level on Record in 2025 as Business Filings Fall
Consumer insolvencies in Canada rose 2.3% in 2025 to 140,457 filings, the second‑highest on record and averaging 385 per day. Household debt hit $2.62 trillion, up 3.4% YoY, while average non‑mortgage debt reached $22,321. Business insolvencies fell 21.8% to 4,840 filings...
Dr. Phone Fix Reports Preliminary 2025 Revenue of $12.1 Million, EBITDA Improvement
Dr. Phone Fix Canada Corp. posted preliminary 2025 results showing revenue of about $12.1 million, a 19% increase over 2024, and adjusted EBITDA rising to roughly $0.6 million. Gross margins remained in the high‑40% range while the store base expanded from 35 to...
Canadian Apparel Market Rebounded Strongly in 2025
Canadian apparel sales are projected to grow about 8.5% in 2025, erasing the 2.8% decline recorded in 2024. The rebound is anchored by a pronounced consumer shift toward value, fueling a 16.7% surge in resale apparel. Retailers that excelled in...
Steve’s Music Restructures, Closing Most Stores
Steve’s Music, the Montreal‑born musical instrument retailer founded in 1965, announced a major restructuring that will close four of its five Canadian stores, leaving only its flagship on Rue Sainte‑Catherine East open. The company has launched “everything must go” liquidation...
Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For February 9, 2026
Canadian retail headlines on Feb 9, 2026 highlight heightened regulatory pressure, aggressive discount expansion, and a surge in experiential initiatives. Canadian Tire agreed to pay a $1.29 million fine for false‑pricing in Quebec, while Loblaw rolled out new Maxi discount stores and Walmart...
Consumers Approaching Valentine’s Day Comfortably and Intentionally: Lightspeed Commerce
Lightspeed Commerce’s latest consumer data shows Valentine’s Day is shedding traditional gifting pressure, with 62% of North American shoppers feeling little obligation to spend. Instead, more than a quarter are already purchasing gifts for themselves, and 57% say they spend...
Monthly Vs. Quarterly Bookkeeping: Which Is Right for Your Business?
Choosing between monthly and quarterly bookkeeping hinges on transaction volume, cash‑flow volatility, and growth complexity. Monthly bookkeeping delivers near real‑time financial visibility, smoother tax readiness, and proactive cash‑flow management, making it ideal for fast‑growing or transaction‑heavy firms. Quarterly bookkeeping cuts...
DX3 2026 Reimagines Canada’s Leading Retail Conference
DX3 2026 will return to Toronto with a redesigned, intimate format that moves away from traditional trade‑show crowds toward senior‑level strategy sessions and curated networking. Under the Economic Club of Canada’s ownership, the conference positions itself as a thought‑leadership platform...
Trends in the Franchising Industry: Canadian Franchise Association
The Canadian Franchise Association projects the franchise sector to reach $133.3 billion by 2026, highlighting foodservice and retail as key growth engines. Full‑service restaurants, culturally rooted concepts, and AI‑driven operations are reshaping dining, while pet care and health‑fitness dominate retail franchising....
Reclaiming Privacy: The 8th Street’s Mission to Safeguard Spaces
The 8th Street, founded by former cybersecurity experts, is launching its flagship Hidden Camera Detector to combat the surge of covert surveillance in homes, offices, and hotels. The compact device combines RF and GPS detection to locate hidden cameras with...
What Is Malvertising and Protecting Yourself From Ad-Based Attacks Online
Malvertising—a form of malicious advertising—saw a 42% month‑over‑month surge in the first half of 2023, underscoring its rapid adoption by cybercriminals. A recent case involved Lowe’s employees being duped by spoofed Google ads that mimicked the MyLowesLife portal, leading to...
When Fashion Meets Fallout: What Luxury Store Closures Reveal About Cities—And the Law
Luxury retailers are pulling flagship stores from major downtowns such as San Francisco, Portland, and Manhattan, using closures as a barometer of city safety and legal climate. The exodus reflects rising crime, softened penalties for property offenses, and heightened insurance costs....
Canadian Retailers Turn to Contact Intelligence Platforms to Source Specialized Talent Amid Workforce Shortage
Canadian retailers are increasingly deploying contact‑intelligence platforms to locate niche talent for e‑commerce, supply‑chain and analytics roles, a shift driven by a widening skills gap. The technology has slashed time‑to‑hire for technical positions by roughly 40 percent, while specialized roles...
UGC Product Videos that Actually Reduce Returns
User‑generated content (UGC) videos are emerging as a practical tool to curb e‑commerce returns by filling the information gap that static images and copy often leave. Short, authentic clips demonstrate fit, material feel, color fidelity, setup steps, and performance, turning...
Cooler Co. Moves Manufacturing to Canada
Cooler Co., a fast‑growing Canadian yerba mate and kombucha brand, has shifted all manufacturing to Canada, consolidating kombucha brewing in Coquitlam, B.C., and yerba mate production at National Dry in Toronto, Ontario. The move eliminates cross‑border logistics, cuts unit costs,...
Walmart Connect Canada Academy Ad Certification Designed to Educate and Empower Advertisers
Walmart Connect Canada has launched the Walmart Connect Canada Academy Ad Certification, a free, self‑paced program designed to teach advertisers and partners the fundamentals of retail media and Sponsored Products on its platform. The certification includes two initial courses—Retail Media...
French Connection Group Looking to Expand in North American Market
French Connection Group announced a long‑term licensing partnership with G‑III Apparel Group to design, source, and distribute men’s and women’s apparel and accessories across North America. The deal leverages G‑III’s extensive retail relationships and supply‑chain infrastructure, giving French Connection a...
Why Canada’s Grocery Code of Conduct Won’t Lower Food Prices
Canada’s Grocery Code of Conduct became fully effective on Jan. 1, 2026, establishing an independent framework for retailer‑supplier relations among the nation’s five largest grocers. The code emphasizes transparency, dispute‑resolution and fair dealing, but it does not contain any mechanisms to cap...
Zucora and HealthGuard Expand Retail Partnership in Canada
Zucora and HealthGuard have deepened their Canadian retail partnership by launching the SmartOne Sleep Plan, a 10‑year protection program for mattresses and adjustable bases. The new bundle pairs the plan with a complimentary HealthGuard mattress protector and a Zucora mattress...
Birks Group Reports 11.8% Holiday-Period Sales Increase
Birks Group reported an 11.8% increase in net sales for its FY2026 holiday period, ending Dec. 27, 2025. The growth was driven by recent European Boutique store acquisitions and stronger sales of branded jewelry and timepieces across both physical locations and e‑commerce...
Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For January 30, 2026
Canada’s retail sector shows mixed signals as e‑commerce orders surged 20% in 2025 while payroll employment slipped 1.5% in November. Major players are investing heavily: GoodLife Fitness rolled out a year‑long multichannel campaign, Empire Company expects a $95 million operating‑income lift...
GoodLife Fitness Launches National Marketing Campaign as It Expands Canadian Locations
GoodLife Fitness, Canada’s largest fitness‑club chain, unveiled a national marketing campaign titled “Canada’s Gym. Built Here, Built for Everyone.” The rollout coincides with the opening of 14 new locations in 2026, including two clubs focused exclusively on women’s programming. The...
Empire Company to Close Alberta E-Commerce Facilities, Expands Third-Party Delivery Partnerships
Empire Company and its Sobeys subsidiary announced a restructuring of their grocery e‑commerce network, closing the Calgary and Edmonton fulfillment centers in Alberta. The move, combined with an expanded partnership with DoorDash, is projected to generate about $95 million of annualized...
Larry’s Catch Draws Three Offers on CBC’s Dragons’ Den
Larry’s Catch, a Canadian direct‑to‑consumer seafood delivery startup, appeared on CBC’s Dragons’ Den and secured three investor offers during its national television debut. The founders used the platform to showcase a subscription model that sources wild‑caught fish from sustainable family fisheries...
Canadian Ecommerce Orders Rose 20% in 2025, with Top Brands Driving Half the Growth: Omnisend
Canadian ecommerce order volume jumped 20% year‑over‑year in 2025, but the surge was unevenly distributed. The top 10% of brands captured half of all order growth, highlighting a widening performance gap. Shoppers engaged with marketing less often, yet those interactions...
Discover Decathlon’s New Shopping App Today
Decathlon has launched a dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android that consolidates its full product catalog, promotions, membership benefits, and order management in a single interface. Shoppers can browse inventory, check in‑store stock, scan barcodes for detailed product data,...
Apple Reports Record Q1 2026 Financial Results
Apple posted a record Q1 2026 revenue of $143.8 billion, a 16% increase year‑over‑year, and diluted earnings per share rose 19% to $2.84. The surge was driven by strong iPhone demand across all regions and a 14% jump in Services revenue. Operating...
Lane Bryant Enters Canada via Walmart Partnership
Lane Bryant, the U.S. plus‑size fashion leader, is entering Canada through an exclusive partnership with Walmart Canada. The brand’s collection goes live online immediately and will appear in 320 Walmart stores nationwide starting February 1, 2026. In‑store sizes range from 1X to...
The Role of AI Transcription in the Future of Video Search and Discovery
AI transcription is turning spoken video into searchable, timestamped text, addressing the long‑standing difficulty of locating information within growing video libraries. Modern speech‑recognition models now handle diverse accents and technical vocabularies with high accuracy, enabling instant navigation to exact moments....
Commercial Solar Panels for Businesses – Benefits, Grants & Expert Advice
Excel Energy UK outlines a comprehensive guide for UK businesses considering commercial solar panel installations, highlighting cost reductions, sustainability gains, and property value boosts. The guide compares monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin‑film technologies, emphasizing monocrystalline’s superior return on investment. It details...
Starbucks Canada Rolls Out Tiered Rewards Program
Starbucks Canada launched a revamped Starbucks Rewards program on March 10, introducing three tiers—Green, Gold, and Reserve—to deliver faster, more personalized benefits. The redesign, driven by extensive member feedback, adds features such as a 60‑Star $2‑off redemption, non‑expiring Stars for higher...
How Did Yves Saint Laurent Build a Long-Term Retail Strategy?
Yves Saint Laurent built a durable retail strategy by pioneering owned boutiques that separated ready‑to‑wear from haute couture, giving the brand direct control over pricing, presentation, and customer experience. The 1999 acquisition by the Gucci Group (now Kering) introduced corporate discipline,...
Food Waste Cuts that Protect Margins Witha Shelf-Life Strategy
Food waste in U.S. grocery stores stems from ambiguous date labels, poor rotation, and cold‑chain lapses, turning sell‑through potential into costly shrink. A shelf‑life strategy that standardizes dating rules, embeds FEFO rotation, and enforces repeatable temperature checks can cut write‑offs...
Affordable Glasses That Match Your Business Wardrobe – Where to Shop Smart
Professional eyewear is a key component of a business wardrobe, influencing perception and confidence. The article highlights five retailers—Eyemart Express, Zenni Optical, Target Optical, Zeelol, and Eyebuydirect—that combine style, speed, and affordability for corporate attire. It outlines each brand’s strengths,...
The Growing Popularity of Functional Training Machines in Canada: Budget-Friendly Shopping Guide
Functional training machines are gaining traction across Canada as home‑gym owners seek versatile, space‑saving equipment. The guide highlights four budget‑friendly models—IRONAX XFT, Northern Fitness GRID, Body‑Solid GS348Q Smith Machine, and MAXUM X2—that combine dual weight stacks, modular attachments, and compact...
Canadians Spending Intentions Cool Off in January but Remain Positive: Stifel
Stifel’s latest quarterly consumer survey shows Canadian spending intentions easing in January 2026, with six of eight categories posting sequential declines versus October 2025. The dip is most pronounced among female, low‑income and 18‑34‑year‑old shoppers, reflecting lingering trade and geopolitical...
Why Ethical Products Struggle to Sell — and the Simple Pricing Fix That Could Change That
New research from Toronto Metropolitan University finds ethical products can boost sales by offering the same shelf price as conventional items but in slightly smaller, clearly labeled quantities. Six experiments with about 2,500 shoppers in Canada, the United States and...
Code Ninjas Opens in Vaughan, Inspiring the Next Generation of Coders
Code Ninjas, the nation’s fastest‑growing kids‑coding franchise, opened a new centre in Woodbridge, Vaughan at 6175 Highway 7. The dojo serves children aged 5‑14, teaching coding, robotics, and game development through a martial‑arts‑inspired belt system. In addition to weekly drop‑in sessions,...
GASPARD PREMIER Charts Measured Growth as Niche Fragrance Maker Leans on Small-Batch Model
GASPARD PREMIER, a Montreal‑based niche fragrance and skincare label, has sustained growth by producing ultra‑small batches of natural, botanical‑based products. Founder Raphaël Gaspard keeps production, bottling and distribution under one roof, resulting in frequent sell‑outs, including two December launches. The...