TOP STORIES

Retail Insider “Q3 2026 Convenience Report”: Food Growth Must Improve Store Economics

Lee Rivett -
Convenience retailers are investing in prepared food, exclusive products and repeat-visit rewards. The Q3 report asks whether those gains can improve merchandise sales and margins across the store.

Primaris Lines Up New Retailers for Former Toys “R” Us Stores Across Canada

Craig Patterson -
Primaris REIT has negotiated replacement tenant deals for six former Toys R Us stores spanning approximately 145,000 square feet. Higher rents are anticipated, with tenants expected to take possession during 2027. The article also examines Old Navy at Dufferin Mall and Jumbo at Vaughan Mills.

Hockey Card World Sales Jump 50% After Joining Temu Marketplace

Mario Toneguzzi -
Ontario-based Hockey Card World reports a 50% sales increase since joining Temu, with the online marketplace now accounting for about half of its sales.

Urban Barn opens first New Brunswick store in Moncton, expanding Canadian retail network

Mario Toneguzzi -
Urban Barn has opened a 6,200-square-foot store at Moncton's Mapleton Centre, creating 11 local jobs and bringing its Canadian store count to 55.

Canadians spend nearly 80 hours a year searching for something to watch: Roku

Mario Toneguzzi -
A Roku study finds Canadians spend an average of 13 minutes searching for streaming content, highlighting opportunities for advertisers as viewers navigate multiple platforms.

AI Shopping Agents Raise New Security Risks for Retailers Ahead of Holiday Season: Thales

Mario Toneguzzi -
As AI shopping agents reshape retail and e-commerce, Thales warns of growing data security risks, privacy concerns and accountability gaps facing retailers ahead of the holiday shopping season.

Buy Canadian Movement Creates New Opportunities for Advertisers: Vistar Media

Mario Toneguzzi -
The Buy Canadian movement is reshaping consumer expectations and advertising strategies. Vistar Media's Scott Mitchell explains how brands can use local relevance and out-of-home advertising to connect with Canadians

From The Desk: Retail real estate shifts, selective expansion and operational discipline

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail is shifting as landlords redevelop spaces, retailers focus expansion, and operations integrate technology amid cost and labour pressures.

Daily Synopsis: October 30, 2026

Retail Insider -
Galen Weston fears food inflation coming back, Metro expands with store investments in Quebec, family run Indonesian grocery store opening in Vancouver, and other news.

Retail Insider “Q3 2026 Discount & Off-Price Report”: More Transactions Put Value Models to the Test

Lee Rivett -
Dollarama and TJX Canada generated more purchases as value competition expanded. Retail Insider’s Q3 report examines the different retail models behind that demand and the margins needed to sustain it.

Halifax’s Iconic Mezza Lebanese Kitchen Expanding into Ontario

Mario Toneguzzi -
Mezza Lebanese Kitchen is coming to Ontario and bringing the tradition that has made them Halifax’s most beloved and #1 voted Middle Eastern Restaurant for over 35 years.

Hyatt plans 10 Canadian hotel openings in 2027 as portfolio expansion continues

Mario Toneguzzi -
Hyatt says its Canadian hotel portfolio has quadrupled since 2017, with more than 40 development deals in its pipeline and new brands preparing to enter the market.

Canadian employers respond to economic pressures with hiring freezes, layoffs and increased automation: Littler

Mario Toneguzzi -
A Littler survey of 200 Canadian business leaders finds economic uncertainty, U.S. tariffs, regulatory changes and artificial intelligence are reshaping workforce decisions and workplace policies.

Primaris REIT Advances Hudson’s Bay Leasing as Mall Redevelopment Program Moves Forward

Craig Patterson -
Primaris REIT has increased long-term leasing commitments for former Hudson's Bay stores to 728,000 square feet. Its Q3 2026 results outline projected rental income, redevelopment spending, and the company's acquisition and disposition strategy across Canadian shopping centres.

Retail trade rebounds in August on widespread strengths across most subsectors: Statistics Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
A rebound in motor vehicle and parts dealers (+1.8%) led the increase in August, driven by higher sales at new car dealers and more than offsetting the decline in July, said Statistics Canada.

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

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Primaris Lines Up New Retailers for Former Toys “R” Us Stores Across Canada

Craig Patterson -
Primaris REIT has negotiated replacement tenant deals for six former Toys R Us stores spanning approximately 145,000 square feet. Higher rents are anticipated, with tenants expected to take possession during 2027. The article also examines Old Navy at Dufferin Mall and Jumbo at Vaughan Mills.

Hockey Card World Sales Jump 50% After Joining Temu Marketplace

Urban Barn opens first New Brunswick store in Moncton, expanding Canadian retail network

Canadians spend nearly 80 hours a year searching for something to watch: Roku

AI Shopping Agents Raise New Security Risks for Retailers Ahead of Holiday Season: Thales

RETAILER FINANCIALS & DATA

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

RETAILER PEOPLE NEWS

Latest retail news focused on leaders, recognition, etc.

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Latest retail opinion editorials.

RETAILER NEWS (Con't)

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Buy Canadian Movement Creates New Opportunities for Advertisers: Vistar Media

Mario Toneguzzi -
The Buy Canadian movement is reshaping consumer expectations and advertising strategies. Vistar Media's Scott Mitchell explains how brands can use local relevance and out-of-home advertising to connect with Canadians

Halifax’s Iconic Mezza Lebanese Kitchen Expanding into Ontario

Hyatt plans 10 Canadian hotel openings in 2027 as portfolio expansion continues

Canadian employers respond to economic pressures with hiring freezes, layoffs and increased automation: Littler

Primaris REIT Advances Hudson’s Bay Leasing as Mall Redevelopment Program Moves Forward

RETAILER FINANCIALS & DATA (Con't)

RETAILER PEOPLE NEWS (Con't)

RETAILER OP-EDS (Con't)

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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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