The Retail Insider Podcast Network

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 be completed before merchandising could even begin — Arora launched The Reset Team in 2009 to handle...

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 driving adoption in payments. Built to give Canadians more choice, the system aims to solve pain point...

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 emphasized thoughtful design, supply chain transparency, and strong relationships with family-owned manu...

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 exciting new restaurants like Queen’s Harbour. Alizadeh-Shabani notes the summer’s delayed start due to...

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 his family acquired it in 1981 and expanded into gift boxes, bags, ribbons, and coordinated packaging p...

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, white-glove service to clients—and reflects on his first client, Bizou, a relationship that blossomed i...

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 apparel PLM to now supporting footwear, consumer electronics, and even formulated products like food a...

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 uncovers a surprising insight: luxury retail is increasingly failing to deliver the one thing its custom...

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. Myriam shares how her experience as a designer inspired the creation of a mid-range price point in leathe...

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 retailers to manage retail, POS, and ecommerce functions in one place. By consolidating essential retail...

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 rapidly across Canada and the U.S., with over 1.5 million square feet of operations in 10 markets.   GoB...

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 speakers, offering a comprehensive exploration of the latest trends and challenges in eCommerce. M...

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 rapid adaptations within the retail sector. Fuhs shares insights into how Retail Insider managed to...

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 dynamics. Simons’ diverse product assortment, combining private labels and luxury goods, is expected to att...

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 experiencing a resurgence, with significant openings. Parr highlights the momentum in Bloor-Yorkville in T...

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 top-sellers in the chain. The expansion reflects Simons’ strategy to grow its footprint and cater to the city’...

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 dedication to creating “unique soles for unique souls.” He describes how the brand’s independent spiri...

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 Toronto Eaton Centre. Power discusses INLAND's commitment to providing emerging designers with a public pl...

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 Ryerson University, leading him to discover the communicative power of fashion. Adam discusses his approach...

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 features will include a three-floor layout and expanded back-of-house operations, which are part of Ha...

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 and the innovative approaches taken by RioCan to navigate these challenging times, including the d...

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 develop a brand that combines high quality, performance-oriented apparel with size inclusivity up to...

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 store’s design, which pays homage to Halifax’s maritime heritage and the Simon family’s roots, with...

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 converting into a restaurant. The closure of Flo’s Diner, a beloved local eatery, follows a landlord...

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 competitive nature of these markets, driven by the pandemic’s influence on consumer mobility and retai...