Articles

Ottawa is easing the pain at the pump while its new counter-tariffs will put upward pressure on grocery bills Ottawa’s decision to extend the federal fuel-tax suspension just days before a new round of counter-tariffs takes effect suggests that the government has finally done its homework on affordability. The federal …

Help your customers make memories through food with these festive merchandizing tips By Carolyn Camilleri The holiday season is one of the busiest and most profitable times of the year for grocery retailers. During the peak holiday season, grocery retail spending increases by 15% to 20% overall compared to an …

Dereck Hein discusses guiding Associated Grocers to new strengths By Robin Brunet Veteran grocer Dereck Hein has recently assumed the role of Vice President, Wholesale & B2B Partnerships at Associated Grocers, a division of Pattison Food Group. The former vice president of retail operations for Buy-Low Foods is excited about …

By Sylvain Charlebois — August 5, 2026 Now it is holding it back Donald Trump’s latest tariff threat should not become another excuse to avoid reforming supply management. His response is excessive and disruptive, but that does not mean Canada’s dairy system is beyond criticism. Ottawa will undoubtedly denounce Trump …

AI is not only helping the grocery industry with operational logistics. Today, AI is being used to dig deeper into loyalty programs through greater personalization. These programs use AI and machine learning to analyze individual purchase histories, app behavior, and real-time contextual data. This allows grocers to unify in-store and …

By: Lynsey Walker, vice-president, marketing & communications, CHFA. From functional foods to targeted supplements and emerging wellness products, consumers are being presented with more choice — and more claims — than ever before. WGSN predicts the global health and wellness industry will grow by more than $542 billion between 2023 …

By Sylvain Charlebois — July 20, 2026 Food safety isn’t just about finding the source of an outbreak anymore. It’s about helping Canadians understand the evidence Every summer, Canadians are reminded that fresh produce, while essential to a healthy diet, can also pose food safety risks. This year’s Cyclospora outbreak …

By Sylvain Charlebois — June 25, 2026 Inflation and supply chains aren’t the whole story. Bureacratic red tape is quietly adding costs that end up in the cost of food Canadians often wonder why food costs so much. Many economists are quick to blame U.S. President Donald Trump, climate change, …

By Dr. Alejandra Regand, Senior Director, Research & Development and Baking Technology, Bimbo Canada Protein has shifted from a once-niche ingredient to a mainstream dietary priority – and it’s reshaping how Canadians shop, including in the bakery aisle. Today, seventy percent of Canadians are actively seeking more protein in their …

What CBSA’s Own Data Is Telling Western Canadian Importers By Carl Rodgers Disclosure: I run ClearBorder, a Canadian customs compliance tool. I have a commercial interest in this topic. Every source below is public and can be checked directly. For independent grocers and specialty food importers across Western Canada, managing …