The Retail Insider Podcast Network

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 taking over its prime spot. This episode delves into the dynamics of retail real estate, showcasing how majo...

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, emphasizing the lack of awareness about retail real estate opportunities during his university days. He...

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 future of Saks Fifth Avenue at the mall is uncertain, with the store having significantly downsized i...

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, introducing a vast retail and grocery space to the area. They highlight the store’s layout, including a...

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 upscale shift for the shopping center. With about 20% of its retail space dedicated to luxury brands, Oak...

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 the Dollar One Hub, offering tools for goal setting, tax planning, and invoicing, along with a mindful...

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 developments around Granville Street. He notes the arrival of high-profile brands like Balenciaga, s...

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 business models. From Canadian initiatives like Good Foot Delivery, promoting employment for neuro-div...

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 challenges small businesses face in visual merchandising, noting that it often gets neglected due to va...

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 success of the relaunch and potential challenges in the future, such as low foot traffic and the popularity...

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 landlords. Casdin Parr sheds light on the exciting trajectory over the past 18 to 24 months, noting the shrin...

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 as a boutique brokerage, emphasizing its ownership structure and empathetic approach to client services...

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 keen focus on experiential shopping, Tony emphasizes the significance of providing unique in-store expe...

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, showcasing its relevance in optimizing the layout and ambiance of homes, businesses, and, notably, reta...

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 reality that 35% of the workforce comprises new Canadians, urging a shift in mindset towards embracing...

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 legislation’s primary intent – addressing the gender pay gap and fostering diversity, equity, and inclu...

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 popular areas like Robson Street and Granville Street. The conversation takes a somber turn as they address...

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 vibrancy of suburban shopping centers and the decline of downtown cores. The conversation unfolds with...

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 of a potential recession on consumer sentiment, particularly among the wealthy. The discussion emphasi...

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 critical challenges: the need for robust cybersecurity, the rapid evolution of technology, and the competi...

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 world. Their commitment to improving shopper satisfaction, boosting online sales, and reducing the envi...

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 navigating these trends, offering insights for property owners and investors.   Property management has e...

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 segment. They highlight the architectural grandeur of Union Square, wide sidewalks, and a concentration of...

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 and commercial leasing industry, attracting attendees from both Canada and the United States.   One o...

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 highlights the grand arrival of Ferragamo, a renowned Italian luxury brand, on Bloor Street. He shares insigh...