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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.
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How Shipping Disruptions Threaten Canadian Retailers’ Profits and Customer Loyalty

A Retail Insider webinar with UPS Capital examines how lost, damaged and stolen shipments affect Canadian retailers' profitability and customer relationships. The discussion explores shipping risks, customer-service costs and InsureShield Shipping Insurance as an option for managing eligible financial losses.
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SMYTHE Appoints Former Canada Goose Executive Ana Mihaljevic CEO as Brand Expands

Toronto fashion brand SMYTHE has appointed former Canada Goose executive Ana Mihaljevic as CEO as it prepares to open at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in 2027. Mihaljevic will also speak at Retail Insider @ Rotman on November 3.
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Retail Insider @ Rotman Returns November 3 with Four Canadian Retail Leaders Exploring Customer Fit

Retail Insider and Rotman reunite November 3 for four fireside chats on finding customer fit. Leaders from Harry Rosen, Roots, SMYTHE and Absolutely Fabrics will discuss changing consumer expectations, retail strategy and the future of Canadian retail.
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Browns Shoes Expands Canadian Store Network Following Toronto Eaton Centre Flagship Opening

Browns Shoes opens a new Toronto Eaton Centre flagship and outlines Canadian store openings, renovations and relocations planned through 2027.
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Are Canadian Retailers Making Shopping Too Complicated? Samsung Research Raises Questions

New Samsung Canada research finds that 68% of Canadians say technology gives them more to manage. Samsung executive Tarik Akad tells Retail Insider why retailers should reconsider how apps, loyalty programs and digital communications affect the customer experience.
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Canadian Small Businesses Pursue Growth Despite Economic Uncertainty: Scotiabank

Scotiabank reports that 74% of surveyed small-business clients are optimistic about their business prospects. New findings also identify franchise acquisitions, multi-unit ownership, technology investment and succession planning as priorities for Canadian entrepreneurs facing economic uncertainty and rising operating costs.
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Sold-Out Dealmaking Floor Caps Strong ICSC@CANADA in Toronto

ICSC@CANADA returned to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre's North Building from October 5 to 7, drawing retail landlords, brokers, developers and retailers from across the country
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AI Could Push Retail Into a ‘Sea of Sameness’: Carl Boutet

In The Flip, retail strategist Carl Boutet explores how AI is reshaping commerce and why human judgment, distinctive experiences and trust matter more.
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Canada’s Retail Employment Puzzle: Why Store Expansion Isn’t Telling the Whole Story

Canada's retail employment picture is changing as stores expand. Suzanne Sears examines staffing, hiring trends and workforce challenges.
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From The Desk: Retail Growth Divides and AI’s Expanding Role in Canadian Retail

Canadian retail growth splits between value and premium players as AI reshapes merchandising and real estate adapts on varying performance and consumer demand.
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Toronto Fashion Label Demascaré Expands Into Ready-to-Wear as Shaun Mascarenhas Eyes Retail Growth

Toronto designer Shaun Mascarenhas is expanding Demascaré into ready-to-wear, with local production, selective retail growth and broader ambitions.
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Aritzia’s Stronger Store Performance Supports Continued North American Expansion

Aritzia is reporting stronger boutique productivity and customer traffic as it expands across North America. The Vancouver-based fashion retailer plans additional U.S. openings and repositionings in Quebec and California while continuing to invest in larger stores and digital commerce.
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Montreal’s Transformer Table Reaches $145 Million in Revenue as U.S. Retail Expansion Accelerates

Montreal-founded Transformer Table is expanding its U.S. retail footprint with new microstores and a Maryland flagship as CEO Chris Wantlin discusses the company's revenue growth, retail partnerships and future expansion plans.
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Canada’s Menswear Market Is Being Rebuilt as Retailers Invest in Premium and Luxury

Canada’s premium and luxury menswear market is attracting major investment as Harry Rosen, Holt Renfrew, Simons, independent retailers and global fashion houses expand, renovate and rethink physical retail across Canada, even after the loss of major department-store capacity.
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Ralph Lauren Home Joins Maison Territo in Montréal

Maison Territo adds Ralph Lauren Home to its curated catalogue, bringing the American brand’s furniture and distinctive design aesthetic to Montréal.
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Scarce Retail Space Gives Canadian Landlords New Leverage

Canada’s tight retail real estate market is shifting negotiating power toward landlords as limited construction and high occupancy constrain available space. JLL, Primaris, RioCan, McDonald’s and Empire executives discuss the implications, including the temporary opportunity created by former Hudson’s Bay locations.
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Weston Family’s Wittington to Acquire Boots in US$8.9-Billion Deal

The Weston family is making a major return to British retail with an US$8.9-billion acquisition of Boots, a pharmacy, healthcare and beauty giant with striking parallels to Shoppers Drug Mart.
People

Lululemon Overhauls Leadership, Taps Walmart Canada Executive as North American Sales Slide

Lululemon is restructuring its leadership team just 29 days into Heidi O’Neill’s tenure, recruiting senior executives from Walmart Canada and Athleta as the Vancouver-based retailer focuses on product, brand and operational execution.
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Retail Insider Releases Q3 2026 Canadian Retail Reports

Retail Insider has released 18 Q3 2026 reports examining Canadian retail sectors, consumer behaviour and the businesses supporting the industry. The collection brings together reporting and data on store investment, real estate, technology, supply chains, marketing, security and policy.
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Entertainment Becomes a New Anchor for Canadian Shopping Centres

Entertainment operators are taking larger positions in Canadian shopping centres as landlords redevelop former department stores and add attractions designed to extend visits. JLL is tracking a 16.5-million-square-foot North American pipeline as concepts including Playdium, Activate, Splitsville and Forever Young expand.
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Imaginaire Targets National Expansion with 2–3 New Stores Annually

Quebec-based hobby and collectibles retailer Imaginaire is prioritizing Ontario as it plans two to three new stores annually beginning in 2027 and builds toward a national footprint.
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Replacement Tenants Now Identified at All Former Nordstrom Stores in Canada

More than three years after Nordstrom exited Canada, replacement tenants are now known at all six former full-line stores. From SportChek, Winners and Old Navy in Calgary to Simons, Aritzia, Eataly and Splitsville elsewhere, the former department-store boxes are taking on very different configurations.
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Wild Fork Exits Canada, Abandoning Ambitious Ontario Expansion Plans

Wild Fork is exiting Canada and closing four Ontario stores after once planning nearly 30 locations and broader national expansion.
Retail Insider Reports

Q3 2026 Grocery: Capacity Expands as Competition for the Basket Intensifies

Canadian grocery retailers expanded and repositioned capacity during Q3 2026 despite limited underlying supermarket volume growth. The report examines discount conversions, specialty formats, former department-store projects and changing online fulfilment models, distinguishing announced investment from additions to operating grocery capacity.
Retail Insider Reports

Q3 2026 Food Service: Restaurant Growth as Consumers Become More Selective

Canadian foodservice receipts continued rising during Q3 2026, while inflation, consumer restraint and thin margins complicated the growth picture. The report examines restaurant development, beverages, value offers, loyalty and delivery, focusing on whether investment generates repeat demand and sustainable operator returns.
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