TOP STORIES

Salesforce Brings AI Agents Closer to Checkout and Store Inventory at Dreamforce

Craig Patterson -
Salesforce expands agentic commerce at Dreamforce 2026, connecting AI agents with checkout, store inventory and customer data as adoption grows in Canadian retail.

Canada’s Retail Market Is Polarizing. Where Does That Leave the Middle?

Retail Insider -
Canada’s retail market is increasingly polarized between value and premium. Linda Farha examines why differentiation, positioning and a clear customer proposition are becoming critical for retailers caught in the middle.

Preparing Retail for the Age of Autonomous Commerce: Why Trust and Fraud Prevention Matter

Craig Patterson -
As AI shopping agents emerge, retailers face new challenges around fraud, trust and authentication. Here's what merchants should know about preparing for autonomous commerce.

Grocery Inflation Tests Brand Loyalty as Parents Trade Down to Store Brands: DOSS

Mario Toneguzzi -
DOSS research finds parents are cutting or replacing children’s favourite grocery products as higher prices push families toward cheaper alternatives.

Quartz Co. Plans Broader Canadian Retail Expansion with New Montréal Store

Craig Patterson -
Quartz Co. is opening a new Montréal boutique as the Canadian outerwear brand considers Toronto, expands its women's business and navigates U.S. tariffs.

New Private Event Space in Toronto’s Entertainment District to open as UP Events

Mario Toneguzzi -
Located above PAI on Duncan Street, the new venue will pair a flexible event space with curated menus by chef Nuit and culinary experiences from across the By Chef Nuit restaurant portfolio.

How familiar breakfast foods continue to outperform: OEB Breakfast

Mario Toneguzzi -
"Something doesn’t need to be complicated to be special.

AI Hiring Tools Help Retailers Tackle Holiday Season Staffing Challenges: Hirevue

Mario Toneguzzi -
HireVue’s Dina Taylor discusses how retailers can use AI to screen candidates, identify job-relevant skills and streamline high-volume hiring.

Daily Synopsis: September 29, 2026

Retail Insider -
Aritzia withstands U.S. tariff pressures while growing revenues, and Canadian brands STEFF ELEOFF and Craig’s Cookies broaden their retail reach through pop-ups and franchising, and other news.

Aritzia Absorbs U.S. Tariff Hit as Growth Outpaces the Cost

Lee Rivett -
Aritzia is absorbing significant U.S. tariff costs as strong American sales growth and margin expansion continue to offset the pressure.

Retail trade sector dips in July: Statistics Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
Retailing activity at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (-3.5%) contracted in July, offsetting most of the increase recorded in the previous month.

STEFF ELEOFF Builds Canadian Retail Presence with Holt Renfrew Pop-Ups

Craig Patterson -
Toronto-based jewellery brand brings experiential concepts to Yorkdale and Bloor Street as physical retail becomes a larger part of its growth strategy.

Craig’s Cookies Grows to 25 Locations as Franchise Brand Expands Nationally

Craig Patterson -
Craig’s Cookies has grown to 25 locations across Canada, with Edmonton expected next and Vancouver under consideration as the franchise network expands.

40% of Canadians drinking more coffee today than a year ago: Field Agent report

Mario Toneguzzi -
91% of Canadians consume coffee on a regular basis.

E-Commerce Brands Expand Creative Capabilities in the Age of AI: Neato

Mario Toneguzzi -
New Content Studio connects creative production, social commerce, and marketplace performance

FEATURED ARTICLES

How to Manage Peak Season Risks: Safeguard Profits and Customer Loyalty When Shipping Volumes Surge

Retail Insider -
Join Retail Insider and UPS Capital Canada on October 7 at 11:00am ET for a free webinar on peak-season shipping risks, and protecting profits.

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CURATED NEWS

Retail Insider Articles, by Category, can be found below.

RETAILER NEWS

Latest retail store openings, closings, expansions, etc.

RETAILER FINANCIALS & DATA

Latest retail financial results, industry data, and third-party research affecting Canadian retail.

News

Aritzia Absorbs U.S. Tariff Hit as Growth Outpaces the Cost

Lee Rivett -
Aritzia is absorbing significant U.S. tariff costs as strong American sales growth and margin expansion continue to offset the pressure.

Retail trade sector dips in July: Statistics Canada

Payroll employment increases in retail trade: Statistics Canada

Retail sales dip in July: Statistics Canada

RBC: Canadian Consumer Spending Broadens as Cardholder Purchases Rise in August

RETAILER PEOPLE NEWS

Latest retail news focused on leaders, recognition, etc.

RETAILER OP-EDS

Latest retail opinion editorials.

News

Canada’s Retail Market Is Polarizing. Where Does That Leave the Middle?

Retail Insider -
Canada’s retail market is increasingly polarized between value and premium. Linda Farha examines why differentiation, positioning and a clear customer proposition are becoming critical for retailers caught in the middle.

From The Desk: Retailers adapt formats and expansion amid labour, cost and consumer shifts

Grocery Prices Face New Pressure as Diesel Costs Rise Across Canada

From The Desk: Strategic growth, pricing resilience and retail real estate shifts

How Premium Brands Defend Pricing as Products Become Easier to Copy

RETAILER NEWS (Con't)

RETAILER FINANCIALS & DATA (Con't)

News

Reitmans (Canada) Limited reports Q2 financial results, net revenues decrease 1.9% y/y

Mario Toneguzzi -
Net earnings were $10.1 million ($0.20 basic and diluted earnings per share) as compared with net earnings of $13.1 million ($0.26 basic and diluted earnings per share) a year earlier.

Dollarama Q2 sales increase 17.6% y/y to surpass $2 billion

Consumer prices rise 3% y/y in August: Statistics Canada

North West Company Sees Northern Retail Spending Rise as First Nations Settlement Payments Accelerate

Canadian Small Businesses Grapple With Late Payments and Rising Debt

RETAILER PEOPLE NEWS (Con't)

RETAILER OP-EDS (Con't)

News

Why Food Inflation Is Running Hotter in Canada Than the U.S.

Sylvain Charlebois -
Canadian grocery prices have risen faster than in the U.S. Sylvain Charlebois examines tariffs, productivity, competition, processing capacity and scale.

How SMBs can deliver like large retailers this holiday season: UniUni (Opinion)

Canadian Consumers Keep Spending Despite Weak Economy and Trade War

Canada’s New Counter-Tariffs to Impact Food Sector Supply Chains

From The Desk: Canadian Retail Navigates Expansion, Consumer Shifts, and Supply Challenges

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