Amazon, the multinational online retailer, reports that it is closing about 70 Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go grocery stores across the U.S., consolidating its physical grocery strategy under the Whole Foods banner. The company stated that the formats failed to deliver a distinctive, scalable customer experience. Some locations will convert to Whole Foods, which plans 100 new stores, including smaller Daily Shop formats. Amazon will continue testing new physical concepts. (Amazon – www.amazon.com) & (Whole Foods – www.wholefoodsmarket.com)……
Construction is well underway on Plaza REIT’s new Longo’s– anchored centre at Quaker and Niagara streets in Welland. The 104,000 square foot project is on track for possession in Q2 2026 with several opportunities to join Dollarama, CIBC, etc. (Plaza REIT – www.plaza.ca)………….
Birks Group Inc. reported strong results for its FY2026 Holiday Period, posting an 11.8 percent increase in net sales for the eight weeks ended December 27, 2025, compared with the prior year. Comparable store sales rose 2.5 percent. Growth was driven by the acquisition of European Boutique stores and higher sales of branded timepieces and Birks jewelry across retail and eCommerce. Management credited strong execution and customer service for the performance. (Birks Group Inc. – www.maisonbirks.com)…………
H&R REIT announced the closing of several previously disclosed retail and office asset sales totaling approximately $1.1 billion in gross proceeds. One Canadian retail property was sold on November 27, 2025. H&R’s non-managing 33.1 pecent ownership interest in Echo Realty, L.P.’s U.S. retail portfolio was sold on January 6, 2026 and 23 Canadian retail properties were sold on January 27, 2026. In addition, 145 Wellington and 88 McNabb, two Greater Toronto Area office properties were sold on January 27, 2026. The REIT also entered into management agreements for the sold properties and expects to complete additional asset sales in early 2026. Separately, Lantower Residential will externalize property management effective April 1, 2026, partnering with Greystar, a move expected to generate US$5 million in annual cost savings and improve scalability. (H&R REIT – www.hr-reit.com)………..
Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd. has acquired a fully leased portfolio of 24 assets, including 22 retail properties and two office buildings, totaling nearly one million square feet. Concentrated mainly in Ontario, with assets in Quebec and Manitoba, the portfolio is anchored by essential-service retailers such as Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart and Sobeys. The portfolio includes two office assets, the first being a Class A building, 145 Wellington St. W., in Toronto’s financial core, located in close proximity to the subway. The second office asset is located in Markham, and is a fully occupied 75,000 square foot, single‑tenant office building on a 3.5‑acre site, conveniently located near Warden Ave. and Hwy 407. The acquisition was made on behalf of Crestpoint’s Opportunistic Real Estate Strategy, its fourth acquisition to date. (Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd. – www.crestpoint.cclgroup.com)………
Sutton – Québec, a large player in the real estate brokerage industry, has officially opened a new agency in its network – Groupe Sutton – GO, located at 455 Blvd de la Gappe, Suite 201, in Gatineau. Jesse Bigras is heading up the new agency. To ensure an organized launch, he will be supported by JP Chartrand, owner of Groupe Sutton – Ottawa and holder of the title of agency executive in Quebec, in the opening and deployment of the new franchise. Thanks to the natural proximity between Gatineau and Ottawa, Groupe Sutton – GO has adopted a business model that reflects the unique reality of the interprovincial market. The agency will welcome brokers authorized to operate in Quebec, as well as brokers who also hold a real estate license in Ontario, providing expertise tailored to the unique realities of the interprovincial market. (Groupe Sutton – www.suttonquebec.com)……….
Halifax-based Killam Apartment REIT reports that it has completed the acquisition of Forrest Green Apartments, a 13-storey, 109-suite apartment building located in the Clayton Park neighbourhood of Halifax. The acquisition closed on January 27, 2026, for a gross purchase price of $29.6 million. “This acquisition represents a strong addition to our Halifax portfolio and aligns directly with our long-term strategy for growth in our core markets. The large suites and affordable in-place rents position us well to meet the strong demand for this product,” noted Philip Fraser, President and CEO. Killam Apartment REIT is one of Canada’s largest residential real estate investment trusts, owning, operating and developing a $5.6 billion portfolio of apartments and manufactured home communities. (Killam Apartment REIT – www.killamreit.com)……….
Pizza Nova has donated $18,108 to Student Nutrition Ontario through its ongoing Coins for Breakfast fundraising program. This contribution brings Pizza Nova’s total support to over $305,000 during its long-standing partnership, helping provide students with nutritious meals and snacks that support learning, focus, and well-being. “Coins for Breakfast is a program that truly reflects the power of community,” said Domenic Primucci, President of Pizza Nova. “On behalf of Pizza Nova, I want to sincerely thank our franchisees and customers for their continued dedication to this cause. Their generosity, one coin at a time, continues to make a meaningful impact on students across Ontario.” (Pizza Nova – www.pizzanova.com)………..
Okay, everybody is back from Whistler and it’s now time to do a personal evaluation on the expenses. Did you bring back any fresh new deals? Did you seal up any deals that were already in play? Will all that ‘networking’ pay-off later this year or next? After all, from a business standpoint, that’s what these gatherings are all about – business!
Now is the time to see if the conference was successful and to start making plans for the next big one, ICSC Las Vegas in May.
And don’t forget, Buy Canadian…………