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How AI-Powered Shopping Recommendations Are Changing Holiday Retail and Brand Loyalty: Amperity

Mario Toneguzzi -
Amperity Co-CEO Derek Slager explains how retailers can turn AI-driven product discovery into repeat purchases through customer data, personalization and stronger brand relationships.

Retail Insider “Q3 2026 Health & Beauty Report”: Growth Depends on the Return Visit

Lee Rivett -
Pharmacy services, beauty distribution and wellness formats are expanding in Canada. The Q3 report examines why repeat purchasing, service use and credible value matter beyond the initial launch.

Small businesses risk losing holiday shoppers by failing to plan for repeat business: Constant Contact

Mario Toneguzzi -
Constant Contact research finds 75 per cent of consumers plan to try a new small business this holiday season, but most owners lack strategies to retain those customers.

Alberta Small Businesses Face Rising Costs as 40% Report Weaker Performance: Merchant Growth

Mario Toneguzzi -
Merchant Growth's 2026 report finds Alberta small businesses struggling with inflation, trade-related costs and cash flow, with 14% planning to close.

NatureWell Launches in Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart, Expanding to 1,000 Stores Nationwide

Mario Toneguzzi -
U.S. beauty brand NatureWell enters Canada through an exclusive Shoppers Drug Mart partnership, bringing fragrance, body, hair and lip care products to 1,000 locations.

Advent Calendar Demand Surges 63% as Independent Retailers Expand Holiday Offerings: Faire

Mario Toneguzzi -
Faire data shows Advent calendar wholesale orders up 63% year over year, with toy, squishy, Halloween, tea and snack calendars driving demand among independent retailers.

Retailers expand physical security strategies beyond loss prevention: Genetec

Mario Toneguzzi -
A Genetec report finds retailers are using physical security data to improve operational efficiency, employee safety and customer experiences while modernizing aging systems.

More than half of self-employed Canadians used credit to cover everyday expenses: Money Mentors

Mario Toneguzzi -
A Money Mentors survey finds 53 per cent of Canadians earning self-employment income relied on credit for everyday expenses, highlighting financial pressures from unpredictable earnings.

Daily Synopsis: November 2, 2026

Retail Insider -
Birks names CEO, retail cyber attack concerns following European freezer hack, Western Canada's largest Christmas store returns, 7-Eleven looks to bring liquor to Sask stores, and other news.

Imaginaire and WINNERS Join Splitsville in CF Sherway Gardens Nordstrom Redevelopment

Craig Patterson -
Cadillac Fairview has announced Imaginaire and WINNERS for the former Nordstrom at CF Sherway Gardens in Toronto. Together with Splitsville Bowl, the three tenants will occupy approximately 100,000 square feet of the former department store, with openings targeted for fall 2027.

RioCan raises 2026 earnings outlook as retail occupancy reaches record 98.9%

Mario Toneguzzi -
RioCan reports 5.1% growth in third-quarter Core FFO per unit, record retail occupancy and higher leasing rents as it updates its 2026 financial outlook.

First Capital REIT reports higher third-quarter earnings as rental rates rise

Mario Toneguzzi -
First Capital REIT reported 9.2 per cent growth in operating FFO per unit in the third quarter, supported by higher rental income and lease renewals, while portfolio occupancy edged lower.

Happy Belly signs agreement for 150 Heal Wellness locations in Texas

Mario Toneguzzi -
Happy Belly Food Group has signed a binding agreement to develop 150 Heal Wellness restaurants across Texas, expanding its U.S. franchise pipeline.

Cadillac Fairview outlines 2026 holiday programming across Canadian shopping centres

Mario Toneguzzi -
Cadillac Fairview is introducing interactive holiday displays, Santa experiences, seasonal events and extended shopping hours at its Canadian retail centres for 2026.

Walmart Brings Sparky AI Shopping Assistant to Canada

Lee Rivett -
Walmart has launched its Sparky AI shopping assistant in Canada, bringing conversational product discovery and shopping-list tools to Walmart.ca and its mobile app. The rollout follows U.S. findings of higher average order values among Sparky users as Canadian retailers expand their AI commerce strategies.

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How Retailers Are Reducing Store Rollout Costs Without Compromising Their Customer Experience

Craig Patterson -
Rodmell & Company explains how its Customer Experience Value Engineering approach helps retailers identify repeatable savings in store development while preserving the elements of the customer experience that matter most. Patrick Rodmell discusses the role of specifications, cross-functional decisions and long-term value.

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In the Age of AI, Investing in the Human Touch Is Fundamental for Retailers

Retail Insider -
Charles de Brabant of McGill University's Bensadoun School of Retail Management argues that as artificial intelligence transforms retail, investing in knowledgeable store teams, personal relationships and consumer trust will become an increasingly important competitive advantage.

From The Desk: Experiential Retail and Leadership Moves Shape Canadian Market

Canada’s Food Affordability Crisis Goes Beyond Grocery Prices

Weak Canadian Dollar Could Drive Grocery Prices Higher in 2027: Sylvain Charlebois

From The Desk: Retail Growth Divides and AI’s Expanding Role in Canadian Retail

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