TOP STORIES

Daily Synopsis: August 31, 2026

Retail Insider -
Happy belly expanding, 35 years since Simpsons shuttered, Westcliff expanding following Kingsway Mall acquisition, and other news.

CHFA NOW Toronto Is Coming Up: Why Retailers Should Attend

Retail Insider -
CHFA NOW Toronto returns September 25–27, 2026. Discover new wellness products, emerging Canadian brands and industry connections at Exhibition Place.

Happy Belly Could Reach 183 Restaurants by 2027: Stifel

Lee Rivett -
Happy Belly Food Group could reach 183 restaurants by the end of 2027 as franchising, development agreements and U.S. expansion drive growth, according to Stifel.

35 Years Since Simpsons Disappeared: The Story of a Canadian Department Store Icon

Craig Patterson -
Thirty-five years after Simpsons disappeared, a look back at the department store’s rise, HBC takeover, St. Regis Room, Queen Street flagship and 1991 end.

Scandinavian furniture brand OMHU expands into the Canadian market

Mario Toneguzzi -
OMHU is best known for its TEDDY—the modular, boneless sofa that’s taken over the internet.

Toronto’s newest wellness destination – The Practice

Mario Toneguzzi -
From psychotherapy to sound baths, red light yoga to a rooftop patio - everything your nervous system has been asking for, under one 4-story roof 

Westcliff Open to Further Acquisitions Following Kingsway Mall Deal

Craig Patterson -
Westcliff discusses its Kingsway Mall acquisition, return to Western Canada and strategy for further shopping centre acquisitions across Canada.

AI, Traceability and Resilience Reshape Global Retail Supply Chains: TradeBeyond Executive

Mario Toneguzzi -
"Three decades in fashion and retail supply chains have taught me that change is constant, but the pace and complexity of change have accelerated dramatically."

Food Basics Launches ‘More Flavours of Home’ Cookbook Series Celebrating Ontario’s Cultural Food Traditions

Mario Toneguzzi -
An opportunity to dive deeper beyond the hundreds of imported products key to many ethnicities that it carries, and into showcasing the people, recipes and traditions that make culture worth experiencing.

KFC Canada’s $30M bet on beverages

Mario Toneguzzi -
The scale of the expansion is significant: Kwench is rolling out to more than 170 locations by summer’s end, with plans to reach 600 locations in 2027. 

Canadians Are Grocery Shopping More Often but Buying Less Each Time

Sylvain Charlebois -
Canadian grocery shoppers are making more frequent purchases with smaller baskets as traditional grocers lose share, private labels gain ground and consumers increasingly spread spending across multiple retail channels.

Community pharmacies play a bigger role in Canadians’ health and local economies than many realize (Opinion)

Mario Toneguzzi -
Community pharmacy contributes nearly $23 billion annually to Canada’s economy.

From The Desk: Expansion and Adaptation Define This Week’s Canadian Retail Landscape

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail accelerates expansion with new stores and strategic investments amid evolving consumer demands and trade challenges.

Daily Synopsis: August 28, 2026

Retail Insider -
RCC cautions against boycotting American retailers, Harley-Davidson becomes trade war flash point, pharmacy opportunity for grocers, BC duty free retailer says things are bad, Tim Hortons sues Vancouver airport for shutting store, and other news.

Iconic BIC® Cristal Reimagined as Seletti Lamp, Available for Pre-Order at Maison Territo

Retail Insider -
Maison Territo introduces Seletti’s new BIC® Lamp, a 12:1 reimagining of the iconic BIC® Cristal pen, now available for pre-order in Montréal.

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Retail Insider Introduces Canadian Retail Sector Analysis

Craig Patterson -
New reporting series from Retail Insider delivers sector-level insight into Canadian retail, connecting trends across categories and consumer behaviour.

CURATED NEWS

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

RETAILER NEWS

Latest retail store openings, closings, expansions, etc.

News

CHFA NOW Toronto Is Coming Up: Why Retailers Should Attend

Retail Insider -
CHFA NOW Toronto returns September 25–27, 2026. Discover new wellness products, emerging Canadian brands and industry connections at Exhibition Place.

Happy Belly Could Reach 183 Restaurants by 2027: Stifel

35 Years Since Simpsons Disappeared: The Story of a Canadian Department Store Icon

Scandinavian furniture brand OMHU expands into the Canadian market

Westcliff Open to Further Acquisitions Following Kingsway Mall Deal

RETAILER FINANCIALS & DATA

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

News

Canadian economy bounces back in Q2: Statistics Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
"The problem going forward is that trade uncertainty is back with new U.S. tariffs now imposed, Canadian retaliation due early next month, and the prospect of further escalation hard to dismiss."

Retail payroll employment declines in June: Statistics Canada

Corby Spirit and Wine Limited sees record full-year Fiscal 2026 results 

Canadian retail sales surpass $74 billion in June: Statistics Canada

The Home Depot sees Q2 fiscal sales reach $47.9 billion

RETAILER PEOPLE NEWS

Latest retail news focused on leaders, recognition, etc.

RETAILER OP-EDS

Latest retail opinion editorials.

News

Canadians Are Grocery Shopping More Often but Buying Less Each Time

Sylvain Charlebois -
Canadian grocery shoppers are making more frequent purchases with smaller baskets as traditional grocers lose share, private labels gain ground and consumers increasingly spread spending across multiple retail channels.

Community pharmacies play a bigger role in Canadians’ health and local economies than many realize (Opinion)

From The Desk: Expansion and Adaptation Define This Week’s Canadian Retail Landscape

Lessons for Mid-Market Retail from the Roots Acquisition

Ottawa’s Tariff Retaliation Risks Raising Grocery Prices for Canadians

RETAILER NEWS (Con't)

News

Food Basics Launches ‘More Flavours of Home’ Cookbook Series Celebrating Ontario’s Cultural Food Traditions

Mario Toneguzzi -
An opportunity to dive deeper beyond the hundreds of imported products key to many ethnicities that it carries, and into showcasing the people, recipes and traditions that make culture worth experiencing.

KFC Canada’s $30M bet on beverages

Iconic BIC® Cristal Reimagined as Seletti Lamp, Available for Pre-Order at Maison Territo

DUER expands to Winnipeg market with new store at CF Polo Park

IGA Returns to Longtime Edmonton Grocery Site Following L’OCA Closure

RETAILER FINANCIALS & DATA (Con't)

RETAILER PEOPLE NEWS (Con't)

RETAILER OP-EDS (Con't)

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