Feb. 19, 2026 "Aritzia buys rights to U.S. fashion retailer Fred Segal, leases iconic Melrose site": Today I found this article by Tara Deschamps on BNN Bloomberg:
Aritzia Inc. says it has purchased U.S. fashion brand Fred Segal.
Vancouver-based Aritzia would not share the value or terms of its deal but says it includes Fred Segal’s intellectual property.
In tandem with the deal, Aritzia will also be leasing Fred Segal’s iconic Melrose Ave. property in Los Angeles.
Aritzia didn’t reveal what it will do with the brand but says it will restore the Melrose property’s ivy facade, which was damaged during a recent storm, and eventually turn the site into a space for curated products and immersive experiences.
Fred Segal is known for
selling trendy clothes
that garnered celebrity customers
and made the brand a cultural touchstone in Hollywood and beyond.
The company named after its entrepreneurial founder dates back to the 1960s but changed hands several times before closing its stores recently.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 19, 2026.
Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press
Mar. 3, 2026 "Retailer Roots launches strategic review that could lead to a sale": Today I found this article by Tara Deschamps on BNN Bloomberg:
Roots Corp. has launched a strategic review that it says could end with a sale of the clothing retailer.
The apparel business announced the review Tuesday, framing it as a way to
analyze
and evaluate
a range of mostly unspecified alternatives that will maximize value for shareholders.
Over its 53-year history, the business has cemented itself as a symbol of Canadiana by selling cosy, cottage-esque products like sweatpants, toques and mittens at its
100 corporately owned stores in Canada
and two more in the U.S.
It also has 100 partner-operated shops in Asia.
Though Roots’ majority shareholder is international private equity firm Searchlight Capital Partners LP, the company is headquartered in Toronto and trades on the city’s main stock exchange.
Its share price popped by 8.3 per cent or 25 cents on Tuesday, bringing it to $3.26 after the company said the review was underway.
Deanna Andersen, co-founder of advisory firm WADE, suspects Roots’ review will soon show the company is a powerful but “under-monetized heritage brand.”
“The equity in the name is stronger
than the business’s current performance
and scale,”
she said in an email.
“Roots has half a century of built‑in emotional equity,
but it’s still operating like a mid‑sized Canadian retailer
instead of a global lifestyle brand.
A strategic review will surface that gap very quickly:
strong gross margins,
solid brand love,
but subscale growth,
heavy Canada dependence,
and an underdeveloped U.S.
and digital story.”
To improve and avoid becoming “another generic athleisure player,” she said the business has to
double down on its lifestyle
and Canadiana positioning
and put even more weight into its director-to-consumer
and e-commerce businesses.
In recent years, the company has invested more heavily in
digital marketing,
brand ambassadors
and partnerships with household names like Barbie and Wicked.
It also relaunched in China and lately,
CEO Meghan Roach has been plotting to expand its presence even further into the U.S.
Wendy Salisko, Andersen’s co-founder at WADE, said the review will help Roots decide
which markets to double down on,
where to exit
and whether public markets are still the right home for the business.
Roots’ statement cautioned that it
can’t offer assurances that the review will result in any specific action
but said its management team remains dedicated to acting in the company’s best interests
and executing on its key objectives.
Roots was started by entrepreneurs Michael Budman and Don Green. They were raised in Michigan but met at a summer camp in Ontario in 1963 and 10 years later, decided to head north of the border to start a business.
Roots initially sold negative-heel shoes, which reduced pressure on backs,
but later started pumping out
sweats,
varsity jackets
and leather bags ideal for weekend getaways.
As they morphed into a Canadian staple,
they outfitted the country’s Olympic team,
launched a short-lived airline
and attracted Matt Damon and Ben Affleck to star in ads.
Eventually they sold a majority stake in Roots in 2015 to Searchlight Capital Partners L.P., a firm split between Toronto, New York, Miami and London.
Roach worked at the firm before joining Roots.
Grocer M&M Food Market,
kids apparel brand Gymboree
and rubber boot maker Hunter
are also part of the Searchlight Capital Partners L.P portfolio.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2026
Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press
My week:
Sun. Mar. 8, 2026:
Karine T, Whitby, Ontario, would like to know:
Do you like Daylight Saving Time?
No 69.66% (2438)
Yes 30.34% (1062)
My opinion: No.
Wed. Mar. 11, 2026:
Jodie R, Orillia, Ontario, would like to know:
Do you watch the local news daily?
No 51.46% (2135)
Yes 48.54% (2014)
My opinion: No, I read the news (mainly business news) on CBC and BNN Bloomberg. I read some news on Yahoo.
Thurs. Mar. 12, 2026:
Our Partner ParentsCanada would like to know:
Which of these do you most wish you could do more often as a family?
Outdoor activities (walks, parks, sports, nature)
32.34% (1299)
Eating meals together at home
20.24% (813)
Talking and hanging out with no devices
18.32% (736)
Not applicable
16.68% (670)
Watching TV, movies or playing video games together
6.27% (252)
Games, crafts or hobbies at home
6.15% (247)
My opinion: Not applicable. My family and I eat dinner together every night. However, there are times when 1 or more of us are not there.
Fri. Mar. 13, 2026:
Donna A, Sechelt, British Columbia, would like to know:
How much time do you dedicate to your hobby each week?
1-3 hours
30.56% (1227)
I don’t have a hobby
23.99% (963)
4-7 hours
18.46% (741)
Less than 1 hour
14.05% (564)
More than 8 hours
12.95% (520)
My opinion: 4-7 hrs. I read the business news as my hobby. It is about 1 hr or so a day Mon -Fri.
Sun. Mar. 8, 2026 The Community League Meeting: I went there last week.
The Safeway donuts: We had these. I ate a glazed and a jelly donut. They were average.
Tim Horton's donuts: We usually eat these. I kind of prefer Tim's more.
Shoppers Drug Mart: I went there and they were selling President's Choice Sour Cream and Onion chips (200 g). I like these because they're really seasoned.
There was a 25% off and a 50% off sticker on them because they're going to expire Mar. 17. I bought 6 of them because they had the sticker. I thought it was 50% off.
The cashier said that this was 75% off so I paid $6.74. I saved $25.74.
City Centre mall:
Flags International: This store closed down. I went there and the man said he was the only worker there. The store was usually quiet. I'm not surprised this store closed down.
Just Cozy: This store closed down -again. This is the store that is in the mall for some months to a year, and then it closes down. This opens at another part of the mall and closes down.
Gold Star Jewellers: This store opened in 2024 or 2025. They closed down.
Dreamscape Designs: This store sells women's clothes and furniture. It's quiet and I won't be surprised if this closes down.
Eternal Flame: This store sells candles. This opened in 2025. It's quiet and I won't be surprised if this closes down.
Table Top Cafe: This store opened in Nov. 2025. The woman who worked there said they were going to close on Dec. 23, 2025. The place is still open.
I'm not criticizing these stores.
