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Craig Patterson

Located in Toronto, Craig is the Publisher & CEO of Retail Insider Media Ltd. He is also a retail analyst and consultant, Advisor at the University of Alberta School Centre for Cities and Communities in Edmonton, former lawyer and a public speaker. He has studied the Canadian retail landscape for over 25 years and he holds Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws Degrees.
Retail Insider Reports

Q1 2026 Value + Discount + Off-Price Retail Report: Value Gets Costlier To Deliver

Q1 2026 showed value retail is still winning trips, but it’s getting costlier to deliver. Expansion, discount formats, and real estate moves raised the stakes.
Retail Insider Reports

Q1 2026 Luxury Retail Report: Flagships Expand as Brands Seek Greater Control

Q1 2026 luxury in Canada split in two: brands doubled down on flagships and boutiques, while platforms and department stores faced restructuring risk.
Retail Insider Reports

Q1 2026 Policy & Regulation Retail Report: Compliance Costs Rise As Provinces Diverge

Q1 2026 saw hiring rules, Quebec pilots, tariff volatility, and food affordability moves collide—raising compliance costs and widening gaps between prepared and exposed operators.
Retail Insider Reports

Q1 2026 Broad Retail Trends Retail Report: Polarized Spending Forces Hard Choices

Q1 2026 split Canadian retail into premium worth paying for and value cheap enough to forgive. Here’s who’s winning, who’s exposed, and what to watch next.
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Royal de Versailles Builds Multi-Brand Luxury Hub on Bloor Street

Royal de Versailles unveils a major Bloor Street renovation including new Tudor and Omega boutiques in Toronto.
Retail Insider Reports

Q1 2026 Marketing & Media Retail Report: AI And DOOH Reprice Attention In Canada

Q1 2026 repriced attention: AI reshaped discovery, DOOH and CTV moved toward performance, loyalty partnerships deepened ecosystems, and promo automation protected margins.
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Accencis Opens Osha Mookata Thai Restaurant in Scarborough

Accencis Group has opened Osha Mookata, a new Thai restaurant in Scarborough featuring interactive tabletop grill and hot pot dining inspired by Thailand’s mookata tradition.
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Creative Production Supports Retail Growth in Canada

Brandomatic Studios helps retailers scale creative production across digital and in-store channels with consistent execution.
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Canada’s Luxury Retail Market Enters a More Strategic Era

Canada’s luxury retail market is evolving through flagship expansion, mixed-use development, and shifting urban retail ecosystems. Craig Patterson interviews Casdin Parr.
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DAVIDsTEA Returns to Oshawa Centre as Expansion Continues

DAVIDsTEA has opened a new store at Oshawa Centre as the retailer continues its Canadian expansion with locations planned in Mississauga, Edmonton and Burnaby.
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Retail Remains an Outlier as Canada’s Labour Market Rebounds

Canada added 88,000 jobs in May, but retail lost 35,000. Suzanne Sears explains how careers, hiring and AI are reshaping retail employment.
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From The Desk: Strategic Expansion and Consumer Shifts Define Canadian Retail in Early June

Canadian retail continued to evolve this week, with store expansions, leadership changes, consumer trends, and economic insights shaping the industry's direction.
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Veronica Beard Opens Third Canadian Store at Vancouver’s Oakridge Park

Veronica Beard has opened its third Canadian store at Vancouver's Oakridge Park, building on strong growth in Toronto, Montreal, and online.
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Inside the Brokerage Deals Reshaping Luxury Retail in Canada

Luxury retail expansion at Oakridge Park and Yorkdale is reshaping Canada’s retail landscape as brokerages help global fashion brands secure flagship locations in the country’s top luxury destinations.
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Lululemon Sees Canadian Sales Decline as North American Growth Slows

Lululemon reported declining sales in Canada and lowered its annual outlook as the retailer works to rebuild momentum in North America amid growing competition.
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MEC Owner Tim Gu Acquires McAllister Place Mall in Saint John

MEC owner Tim Gu has acquired McAllister Place in Saint John for $64 million, expanding Smart Investment's growing Canadian shopping centre portfolio. Craig Patterson speaks with Gu in an exclusive interview.
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What Best Buy Says About Consumer Spending in Canada Right Now

Best Buy's latest results suggest Canadian consumers remain cautious and value-focused, but continue spending when products offer innovation and clear value.
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Jacques Pérusse and Daughter Scale Teaology Across Canada

Beauty industry veteran Jacques Pérusse and daughter Valérie are expanding Teaology across Canada through major pharmacy retailers.
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Kiokii and… Expands Across Canada’s Top Malls Ahead of U.S. Growth

Kiokii and… is expanding across Canada’s leading shopping centres while preparing for U.S. growth as Asian beauty retail gains momentum.
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How AI Personas Are Transforming Retail Decision-Making

AI-powered personas are reshaping retail decisions, enabling faster insights across marketing, merchandising, and customer experience.
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Millennials Are Trading Down And Splurging At The Same Time: Study

A Calgary-based Cashew Research study finds Millennials are trading down in some categories while still spending selectively on premium products and experiences.
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Inside Harry Rosen’s Reimagined Oakridge Park Store in Vancouver

Harry Rosen's new Oakridge Park store in Vancouver reflects the retailer's evolving strategy, featuring luxury brands, hospitality and innovative design.
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Casavogue Emphasizes Personalized Design Guidance for Montréal Homes

Casavogue offers personalized furniture guidance, customizable options, and curated interiors for homeowners seeking high-end furniture in Montréal.
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Mirvish Village Comes to Life as Toronto Retail District Opens

Mirvish Village begins opening at the former Honest Ed’s site with independent retail, food halls, heritage restoration, and public gathering spaces.
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One Year After Hudson’s Bay Closed Its Stores

One year after Hudson's Bay closed its stores, redevelopment, new retail concepts, and a changing marketplace continue to reshape Canadian retail.
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