Craig Patterson

Toronto

Editor-in-Chief at Retail-Insider

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Articles

17 Bids Filed for Hudson’s Bay as Store Liquidation Proceeds

1 week ago | retail-insider.com | Craig Patterson

A May 9 court filing reveals that 17 bids have been submitted for the Hudson’s Bay Company and its assets, as the historic Canadian retailer undergoes a sweeping sales process while liquidating all of its stores across the country. The bids were received following a broad outreach campaign by Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc., the court-appointed monitor overseeing the retailer’s restructuring under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).
Rotisseries Benny Debuts in China via Foodtastic Deal

1 week ago | retail-insider.com | Craig Patterson

Canadian restaurant franchisor Foodtastic has signed an exclusive franchise development agreement with NGU-Group for the expansion of Quebec-based Rotisseries Benny across Asia, starting with China. The deal marks a milestone in Canadian restaurant history, as Benny becomes the first Quebec restaurant chain to establish a national presence in China. The first two locations are set to open this fall in Shanghai, one of the largest and most dynamic cities in the country.
Canadians and Americans Report Rising Prices and Concerns

1 week ago | retail-insider.com | Craig Patterson

A new survey conducted by Leger between May 2 and May 4, 2025, reveals mounting concerns among Canadians and Americans regarding rising consumer prices, largely attributed to the ongoing trade tensions and tariffs imposed under the Trump administration. The survey provides insights from 1,626 Canadian and 1,014 American respondents, offering a detailed snapshot of shifting consumer sentiment.
FiiZ Drinks Launches in Canada with Dufferin Mall Store

1 week ago | retail-insider.com | Craig Patterson

FiiZ Drinks, the Utah-based soda chain known for its highly customizable “dirty soda” creations, has officially made its Canadian debut at Toronto’s Dufferin Mall—and it’s only the beginning. Founder Brands, which owns the exclusive Canadian rights to the brand, plans to open up to 100 FiiZ locations over the next 10 years through a franchise-based model.
The Comeback of Mid-Market Brands and Retailers in Canada

1 week ago | retail-insider.com | Craig Patterson

By: Charles de Brabant, Executive Director of the Bensadoun School of Retail Management at McGill UniversityRetail experienced a tough year in 2024 and the outlook into 2025 does not look much better. At best, we are going back to more normal growth rates that were present before COVID. There have been a few key highlights. The impacts of high inflation and high interest rates in the last couple of years have taken a toll on consumers and their pocketbook.
Leon’s Furniture Beats Q1 Expectations as Sales Rise: Report

1 week ago | retail-insider.com | Craig Patterson

Leon’s Furniture Limited, one of Canada’s largest home furnishings retailers, reported better-than-expected first quarter results for fiscal 2025, driven by a combination of higher same-store sales, robust furniture demand, and operational efficiencies. According to a new research note published by Stifel Canada on May 8, Leon’s Q1 results reflect a “comfortable beat” across multiple performance indicators, suggesting the company is well-positioned despite macroeconomic uncertainty.
London Drugs Unveils Future-Facing Concept Store at Brentwood

1 week ago | retail-insider.com | Craig Patterson

London Drugs is ushering in a new era for Canadian retail with the official opening of its most ambitious store to date — a 20,000-square-foot flagship at The Amazing Brentwood in Burnaby, British Columbia. Launching May 9, the concept store marks a significant evolution for the 80-year-old Western Canadian retailer as it focuses on innovation, human-centred design, and sustainability to reimagine the in-store experience for the decade ahead.
Hudson’s Bay Restructuring Proceeds Without Insiders

1 week ago | retail-insider.com | Craig Patterson

The Hudson’s Bay Company’s dramatic restructuring is entering a new phase, as new court filings confirm that no insiders — including executive chairman Richard Baker — submitted bids to regain control of the 355-year-old retailer.
Knix Reimagines Queen Street Flagship as Expansion Accelerates

1 week ago | retail-insider.com | Craig Patterson

Toronto-based Knix, known for revolutionizing intimate apparel with leakproof underwear and wire-free bras, has redesigned its Queen Street West flagship to better reflect the brand’s evolution. Originally one of the company’s first brick-and-mortar stores, the location now serves as a street-level flagship—what the company calls a “neighbourhood anchor”—blending immersive retail design with customer empowerment.
GameStop Canada President on Why EB Games is Coming Back

1 week ago | retail-insider.com | Craig Patterson

In a comprehensive interview with Jim Tyo, President of GameStop Canada, it was revealed that the beloved EB Games Canada brand is making a return. GameStop Canada President Jim Tyo spoke with Retail Insider about the company’s refraining to EB Games. The decision follows the May 2025 acquisition of Electronics Boutique Canada Inc. by French-Canadian entrepreneur Stéphane Tétrault, a move that has sparked excitement across the country’s gaming and collectibles communities.