RCC's Retail This Week is your weekly retail news round up. Learn about the latest issues affecting retail in Canada and around the world.
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November 21, 2025

November - Top Leaderboard

RETAIL IN CANADA

Aritzia to open 40,000 sq. ft. Vancouver flagship store at former Nordstrom space

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Image source: Aritzia

The new Aritzia Vancouver Flagship Boutique will span 40,000 sq. ft. across four levels at the former Nordstrom space’s prominent corner with the intersection of Robson Street and Howe Street. (Daily Hive)

Home Hardware to close Home Furniture banner in 2026

“This strategic realignment will allow Home Hardware to concentrate on the areas where we can deliver the greatest value for our independent Dealers and customers." (Retail Insider)

How Ruby Liu’s contentious play for Hudson’s Bay stores fell apart

Ms. Liu’s team has portrayed her as a rags-to-riches business savant who would “save Canadian retail.” (The Globe and Mail)

Black Friday dominated 2024 holiday spending, Moneris data shows; will it lead again in 2025?

“With similar economic motivators at play this season, retailers should expect Black Friday to remain a key driver of holiday sales." (Retail Insider)

Grocery and drugstore retailer Metro reports $217M fourth-quarter profit

Food same-store sales for the quarter were up 1.6 per cent, while pharmacy same-store sales gained 4.8 per cent with a 5.5 per cent increase in prescription drugs and a 2.9 per cent increase in front-store sales. (Canadian Grocer)

The Voice of Retail™ Podcast

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IKEA Canada CEO & RCC Board of Directors member Selwyn Crittenden returns with big insights on affordability, sustainability, omni-channel transformation, and the future of Canadian retail. A fantastic conversation you won’t want to miss.

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Shared Responsibility, Shared Systems: How EPR Frameworks Are Accelerating Reuse in Packaging

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MUST SEE VIDEOS

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‘Buy Canadian’ could take a backseat to cost and convenience this Christmas

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STORE OPERATIONS

Target to invest billions to upgrade stores as sales slump continues

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Image source: David Walter Banks / WSJ

“Mission 1 through 10 is to get back to growth for us.” (The Wall Street Journal)

How tariffs and AI are giving secondhand platforms like ThredUp a boost

“When tariffs raise those costs, resale platforms suddenly look like the smart buy." (CNBC)

Toronto Public Library revives retail history with nostalgic shopping bags

“We have millions of items so our librarians are continuously rediscovering content.” (Toronto Today)

Hillberg & Berk to double stores in Canada by 2027

“Each of these new locations represents a chance to invite new people into our community of jewellery with purpose." (Retail Insider)

Jewellers contend with changing consumer behaviour this season amid high gold prices

“Anybody and everybody I believe is raising prices and if they’re not, they should be." (CityNews)

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RETAIL AROUND THE WORLD

Whole Foods Market debuts ‘store within a store’ concept

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Image source: Amazon

To enable this expanded selection, Amazon constructed a 10,000-square-foot automated micro-fulfillment center within the existing store’s back-of-house area. (Progressive Grocer)

T.J. Maxx and Marshalls owner hikes outlook as CEO says holiday season is off to a ‘strong start’ 

"The off-price chain’s sales rose 7% during the quarter and CEO Ernie Herrman said the holiday shopping season is off to a “strong start.” (CNBC)

Home Depot cuts earnings outlook as home improvement demand falls short of expectations 

“But what we saw was that ongoing consumer uncertainty and continued pressure in housing are disproportionately impacting home improvement demand.” (CNBC)

Skims valued at $5 billion after new funding round as it accelerates store expansion

“This milestone reflects continued confidence in our long-term vision and coupled with disciplined execution, positions Skims to unlock its next phase of growth.” (CNBC)

Target cuts profit outlook as shoppers look for deals, make fewer store trips

“We are focused every day on making the right investments and the right decisions to get Target back to growth as quickly as possible.” (CNBC)

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INDEPENDENT RETAILERS

B.C. retailers turning stores into hangouts to build loyalty

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Image source: Chung Chow / BIV

“How many people at the café are going to connect and become a luggage buyer?” (BIV)

Nations Experience to open in former Hudson’s Bay in Oakville

“This is much more than retail. It’s a destination designed for families who want to shop, play, dine, and connect all under one roof.” (Retail Insider)

Brant Street gift shop sells Canadian-sourced items that are sure to make you smile

“We do candle pouring, so it’s our local candle maker who comes in and teaches the class." (Burlington Today)

No Canada Post deal will hurt businesses this holiday season

“Older consumers are being left out, or at least consumers who aren’t as tech-friendly, who don’t have all the latest apps on their phone, who don’t use digital to shop." (CityNews Vancouver)

Thieves target memorabilia stores as price of trading cards soars

“If you’re looking at cards that have been in boxes, that have been kept in storage for a while, they can be even worth upward of $1,000, if not up to $10,000.” (CTV News Montreal)

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RESOURCES / SERVICES / PROGRAMS

RCC's Retail CyberSecure Program

RCC’s Retail CyberSecure program creates essential resources to inform how retailers can fortify their systems and train their staff on the best practices in preventing cyber crime. Learn More

Global Consumer Trends 2026 - Euromonitor International

This Euromonitor research explores four major 2026 consumer-behaviour shifts—Comfort Zone, Fiercely Unfiltered, Rewired Wellness and Next Asian Wave—using market intelligence to guide brands through volatility with strategies rooted in comfort, authenticity, tech-driven wellness and Asian-inspired innovation and value. Learn More

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