Episodes
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Bob Arora (The Reset Team): Growth and Expansion
Craig and Bob Arora, President of The Reset Team Corp., discuss how the company evolved from a traditional merchandising operation into a national partner specializing in fixture installations, store resets, and large-scale retail execution. After noticing a major industry gap — work that had to…
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Kris Zanuldin (Interac) Growth and Expansion of KONEK
Craig Patterson and Kris Zanuldin, head of KONEK at Interac Corp. (Interac), discuss how the new Canadian e-commerce payment solution was developed to address key gaps in online checkout experiences. KONEK focuses on accessibility, trust, and convenience—factors Zanuldin says are essential for...
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Albert Chow (Silk & Snow): Canadian Roots, Sleep Country, and Expansion
Craig Patterson and Albert Chow, co-founder & CEO at Silk & Snow, discussed the company’s origins and growth trajectory. Launched in 2017 as a mattress-in-a-box brand, Silk & Snow quickly distinguished itself by leveraging Toronto’s local manufacturing ecosystem. From the beginning, the brand...
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Kocur/Alizadeh (The Waterfront BIA): Transforming Toronto’s Waterfront
Craig Patterson discusses the Toronto Waterfront BIA with Tim Kocur, Executive Director and Dorsa Alizadeh–Shabani, Manager of Operations. The conversation ranges from the revitalization and rising energy across Toronto’s Waterfront, focusing on the seasonal buzz, new retail openings, and…
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(Ben Hertzman) Luv2Pak’s Century of Innovation
Craig Patterson and Ben Hertzman, President of Progress Luv2Pak and Gather Packaging, discuss the remarkable evolution of the Canadian packaging company since its founding in 1917. Hertzman shares how Luv2Pak began as a hat box factory supplying icons like Holt Renfrew and Hudson’s Bay, before…
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(Tony Flanz) Think Retail Turns 20
Craig Patterson and Tony Flanz, founder and CEO of Montreal-based brokerage Think Retail, discuss the 20-year journey of Think Retail, the Montreal-based brokerage firm founded by Flanz in 2005. Flanz shares the inspiration behind launching his business—a desire to provide a more personalized,...
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(Ravi Rangan) Centric Software’s AI-Powered PLM Transformation
Craig Patterson and Ravi Rangan, Chief Technology Officer at Centric Software, discuss how the company’s end-to-end product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions are revolutionizing fast-moving consumer goods, fashion, and adjacent industries. Rangan details how Centric evolved from its roots in...
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Jared Gordon (Faculty of Change): Inside the Mind of the Wealthy
Luxury brands may be misreading their most important customers, according to a new research report by Toronto-based consultancy Faculty of Change. The report, titled “The Secret Language of Wealth Your Company Isn’t Speaking,” dives into the shifting mindset of high-net-worth individuals and...
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Myriam Belzile (Maguire Shoes): Growth and Vision of Maguire Shoes
Craig and Myriam Belzile-Maguire, Founder and Designer at Maguire Shoes, discuss the remarkable growth the Montreal-based footwear brand she founded. Known for its direct-to-consumer model, the brand offers high-quality shoes at affordable prices by cutting out traditional wholesale markups.…
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Keren Halpern (Priority Software): Priority’s Omnichannel Solutions for Retailers
Craig and Keren Halpern, Product Marketing Director, Retail & Hospitality at Priority Software, discuss how Priority Software’s ERP solutions help small to mid-sized retailers streamline operations and enhance customer experience. Halpern highlights Priority’s tailored platform, which enables...
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Mark Ang (GoBolt): Logistics Company Expands with Technology
Craig and Mark Ang, CEO at GoBolt, discuss the company’s impressive journey from a consumer storage startup to a leading logistics company, offering fulfillment and last-mile delivery solutions for retailers. Ang highlights the company’s pivot in 2019, transitioning into logistics and scaling...
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Leucepe Martinez (eTail Toronto): Key Themes, Speakers And Networking at eTail Toronto
Craig and Leucepe (Leo) Martinez, Program Director at eTail Toronto, discuss the upcoming eTail Toronto conference, set to take place on September 25-26 at the Hyatt Regency Toronto (Register here). The event, known for its practical and actionable insights, will gather over 300 attendees and 75...
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Dustin Fuhs (Retail Insider): Farewell To Retail Insider Editor-In-Chief
Craig and Dustin Fuhs, Editor-in-Chief at Retail Insider, discuss nearly four years of retail industry evolution during Fuhs’ tenure with the publication. They reflect on the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought about numerous challenges such as lockdowns, bankruptcies, and...
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Liza Amlani (Retail Strategy Group): Latest Retail Developments
Craig and Liza Amlani, Principal and Founder of Retail Strategy Group, discuss the arrival of La Maison Simons in downtown Toronto and its potential impact on the retail landscape. They explore how the new stores at Yonge and Dundas will influence shopping habits, tourism, and local retail...
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Casdin Parr (JLL): Canada's Retail Leasing Market Trends
Craig and Casdin Parr, Vice President Retail Advisory Services at JLL Canada, discuss the current state of Canada’s retail leasing market, delving into the challenges and opportunities facing various retail sectors. They explore how high street retail in cities like Toronto and Vancouver is...
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Opinion: Simons Expands including Former Toronto Nordstrom
Craig and Lee discuss La Maison Simons’ ambitious expansion into Toronto, focusing on the retailer’s move into spaces vacated by Nordstrom at CF Toronto Eaton Centre and the Yorkdale Shopping Centre. With a $75 million investment, Simons plans to open two new stores which could become the...
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Stephen Bailey (Fluevog): Exploring Fluevog's Unique Footwear Philosophy
Craig interviews Stephen Bailey, Chief Marketing Officer of iconic Vancouver-based footwear brand John Fluevog. They discuss the evolution and unique positioning of John Fluevog Shoes within the footwear industry. Bailey reflects on his 20 years with the Vancouver-based company, emphasizing its...
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INLAND (Sarah Power): Inland Pop-Up Celebrates Decade
Craig and Sarah Power, Founder of INLAND, discuss the journey of the INLAND platform that has helped shape the landscape of Canadian fashion by showcasing over 500 designers since its inception in 2014. This year marks the 10th anniversary, and the celebration is set to take place at the CF…
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Adam X Atelier: Fashion's Artistic Journey
Craig and Adam X., Founder and Creative Director at Adam X Atelier, discuss the foundation and philosophy behind his designs, highlighting his multicultural background and his passion for art and fashion. Adam’s journey began with foundational courses at George Brown College and styling at…
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Opinion: Yorkville Harry Rosen Moves About In Yorkville
Craig and Lee discuss the relocation of Harry Rosen’s flagship store from 82 Bloor Street West to 153 Cumberland Street in Toronto’s upscale Yorkville neighborhood. This move from its long-standing Bloor Street location represents a major development in the city’s retail scene. The store’s design...
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Katz (RioCan): Commercial Real Estate Insights
Craig and Josh Katz, Assistant Vice President of Leasing at RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, discuss Katz’s extensive career in commercial real estate, starting with his entry into the industry right before the 2008 financial crisis. Katz highlights the resilience of certain retail categories...
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Morrow (Wicked Rose): Women's Martial Gear
Craig interviews Christina Morrow, Founder at Vancouver-based Wicked Rose, about Morrow’s journey of creating a groundbreaking women’s martial arts activewear brand. Morrow shares her personal motivation, driven by the lack of suitable clothing options for women in martial arts, which led her to...
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Leblanc (Simons): Halifax store and ongoing expansion
Craig Patterson and Bernard Leblanc, President and Chief Executive Officer at La Maison Simons, discuss the opening of Simons’ new store in Halifax, marking the Quebec City-based retailer’s first venture into the Atlantic provinces. Leblanc shares insights into the $20 million investment and the...
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Opinion: Yorkville's Pusateri's and Flo's Diner
Craig and Lee discuss the recent announcement of closures of two long-standing establishments in Yorkville, Toronto – Pusatiri’s grocery and Flo’s Diner. Pusatiri’s, known for its upscale grocery offerings, is closing due to a strategic decision by the owners, with plans for the space potentially...
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Ali Baker (Avison Young): Retail Trends Shift To Suburban Markets
Craig and Ali Baker, Vice President at Avison Young in Toronto, discuss the dynamic landscape of Canadian retail, focusing on the transformative effects of the pandemic and the shift towards suburban markets. In the conversation, Baker highlights the resurgence of suburban strip plazas and the...
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Opinion: Retail Changes on Robson
Craig and Lee discuss the latest retail developments on Robson Street, a key shopping area in downtown Vancouver. They highlight significant changes, such as the transformation of the former Victoria’s Secret location into an adidas Concept store and the relocation of Roots due to Arc’teryx…
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Eric Sherman (First Capital REIT): Retail Insights
Craig and Eric Sherman, Head of National Operations at First Capital REIT discuss Eric’s extensive experience in the retail real estate industry, highlighting his journey from a summer student to the head of national operations at First Capital REIT. Eric reflects on his start in the industry,...
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Opinion: CF Sherway Gardens: Strong Sales as Retailers Open
Craig and Lee discuss CF Sherway Gardens, a Toronto shopping centre that boasts high sales per square foot productivity as new retailers open. The mall is anchored by Hudson’s Bay, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Harry Rosen, and will be welcoming new retailers such as Arcteryx, Ray Ban, and Alo Yoga. The...
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Opinion: Loblaws Opens at Vancouver's Post
Craig and Lee discuss the recent opening of a Loblaws City Market in downtown Vancouver’s historic The Post building, an important addition to the city’s grocery shopping availability. The store occupies a substantial 45,000 square feet on the second floor of the renovated Canada Post building,...
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Opinion: Oakridge Welcomes New Vancouver Luxury Retailers
Craig and Lee discuss Oakridge Park's transformation into a luxury retail hub, as revealed in their latest podcast. The announcement includes a mix of luxury and upper contemporary brands, such as Christian Louboutin, Miu Miu, Alexander Wang, Maison Margiela, and Versace, marking a significant...
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Bailey (Interac) and Nagy (eCommerce Canada): Interac Insights and Small Business Success in Canada
Craig, Leo, and David delve into the realm of small and medium-sized businesses in Canada. Leo highlights Interac's focus on authentic support, emphasizing the importance of the small business community in Canada's economic landscape. The discussion unfolds around Interac's initiatives, including...
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Martin Moriarty (Marcus & Millichap): Vancouver Retail Insights
Craig Patterson and Martin Moriarty, Senior Vice President at Marcus & Millichap, discuss the dynamic nature of Vancouver’s retail market and growth. Moriarty sheds light on the transformation of key areas like the luxury zone along Alberni Street, the vibrancy of Robson Street, and the promising...
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Lisa Hutcheson (JCWG): Ebeltoft Group's Retail Innovations Book
Craig and Lisa (Phillips) Hutcheson, Managing Partner at J.C. Williams Group, discuss insights gathered in the Ebeltoft Group's newly released Retail Innovations 19 book. They highlight the role of sustainability in modern retail, both as an environmental concern and as a foundational element in...
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Ani Nersessian (VM-ID): Visual Merchandising Significance
Retail Insider’s Craig Patterson and Ani Nersessian, Founder at VM ID Inc., discuss the role of visual merchandising in the retail sector. Nersessian emphasizes the importance of visual merchandising in creating inviting retail environments and enhancing customer engagement. She highlights the...
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Opinion: 2023’s Most Read Articles and Upcoming
Craig and Lee delve into the most read articles of 2023, providing insights into the retail industry’s notable stories and trends. They begin by discussing Hudson’s Bay Company’s relaunch of Zellers, a major retail development that generated buzz and curiosity. The hosts evaluate the initial...
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Casdin Parr (JLL): Canadian Retail Landscape: Insights and Trends
Craig and Casdin Parr, Vice President of Retail Advisory Services at JLL Toronto, discuss Casdin's insights on the state of Canadian retail. The duo delves into the evolving trends and positive momentum the industry is witnessing, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between retailers and...
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Scott Mulligan (CDNGlobal): Expansion Strategies Revealed
Craig and Scott Mulligan, Managing Partner and Broker of Record at CDN Global, discuss an overview of CDN Global's recent expansion into the Toronto market through a successful merger with Ellington Partners Corporate Real Estate Advisors. The discussion unveils the unique position of CDN Global…
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Tony Flanz (Think Retail): Retail Trends and Insights
Craig and Tony Flanz, the founder and CEO of Montreal-based brokerage Think Retail, shed light on the ever-evolving Canadian retail landscape. The interview spans topics from the success story of Think Retail to Tony's valuable insights on international brands making their mark in Canada. With a...
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Mark Ainley (Sense of Space): Optimizing Retail Spaces with Feng Shui
Craig and Mark Ainley, a contemporary Feng Shui consultant and the founder of Sense of Space based in Vancouver. Ainley sheds light on the intricate interplay between design, colour, and functionality in retail spaces. He emphasizes the need to move beyond conventional perceptions of Feng Shui,...
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Suzanne Sears (Best Retail Careers): New Canadians in Retail Industry
Craig and Suzanne Sears, the CEO and founder of Luxury Careers Canada discuss the challenges faced by new Canadians in securing employment, emphasizing the vast pool of highly educated, underemployed individuals in the Canadian workforce. She stresses the importance of retailers adapting to the...
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Suzanne Sears (Best Retail Careers): Ontario's Salary Disclosure Legislation
Craig and Suzanne Sears, CEO and founder of Luxury Careers Canada, discuss Ontario’s salary disclosure legislation. Suzanne provides valuable insights into the origins of this legislation, its initial cancellation by the Ford government, and its recent revival. The conversation delves into the...
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Opinion: Vancouver and San Francisco Retail
Craig and Lee delve into a detailed comparison of the retail landscapes in Vancouver and San Francisco. The discussion starts with the alarming number of store closures in San Francisco, where Market Street and Union Square. Vancouver seems to be more resilient in this regard, especially in…
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Opinion: The Decline Of Downtown Retail
Craig and Lee delve into the intricate dynamics of downtown retail, honing in on the specific case of Edmonton in this episode of The Weekly by Retail Insider. Craig, having traversed the diverse retail landscapes from Vancouver to San Francisco, shares insights on the stark contrast between the...
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Opinion: Canadian Jewelry Trends and Insights
Craig and Lee discuss Craig’s recent talk at the Canadian Jewellers Association Summit in Vancouver. They delve into emerging trends in the Canadian jewellery industry, including the growing presence of luxury brands and the shift towards direct-to-consumer retail. They also consider the impact…
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Insights on Overcoming Retail Technology Challenges in an Interview with La Vie en Rose and GoCo [Interview]
Craig has a discussion with Eric Champagne, CIO of La Vie en Rose, and Benoit Simard, President of GoCo. They discuss the key challenges facing the retail industry, with a strong focus on La Vie en Rose's digital transformation with the support of GoCo by TELUS. Champagne highlights three…
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Passen (Garofalo/Campbell/Lewis): Revolutionary Digital Sizing Solution
Craig and the Passen leadership discuss their innovative digital measurement platform that is poised to revolutionize the fashion industry. Passen's digital solution is designed to help consumers find clothing that fits both online and in-store, addressing a long-standing challenge in the retail...
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Johanne Marcotte (JLL): Navigating Property Management Trends
Craig and Johanne Marcotte, Executive Vice President, Portfolio Management, Retail at JLL Canada, discuss property management trends, emphasizing the importance of a global network, sustainability, and adapting to changing tenant expectations and technology. They delve into JLL’s approach to...
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Opinion: San Francisco Retail vs Canadian Retail
Craig and Lee embark on a discussion centered around the contrasting retail landscapes of San Francisco's Union Square and Toronto's Yorkville. Their recent trip to San Francisco prompted them to explore the Union Square area, known for its diverse retail offerings, particularly in the luxury...
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Kyle Tomlin (ICSC): ICSC@CANADA Conference 2023 Preview
Craig and Kyle Tomlin, Director of Events in Canada for ICSC, discuss the highly anticipated ICSC@CANADA 2023 Conference, set to take place from October 2nd to 4th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Hall in downtown Toronto. This event serves as a pivotal moment for the Canadian retail...
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Opinion: Bloor Toronto Update with Luxury Brand Renovations/Openings
Craig and Lee dive into the dynamic changes taking place on Bloor Street West in downtown Toronto. The episode explores the city’s evolving luxury run, focusing on the influx of luxury brands, extensive renovations, and exciting store openings that are reshaping the retail landscape. Craig...
About this show
A collection of podcast episodes from both "The Weekly" and "The Interview Series" podcasts created by Retail Insider Canada.
Hosted by
Retail Insider Canada, Lee Rivett, Craig Patterson
Categories