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Judge Halts Retailer’s Bid for Former Hudson’s Bay Space at Yorkdale

Judge blocks department store from moving into former HBC space at Yorkdale mall. A proposed plan to open a new retailer in the former Hudson’s Bay space at Yorkdale Shopping Centre has been stopped by an Ontario judge. The decision blocks a deal that would have transferred the large anchor location to a discount-focused department store operator. The court found that the arrangement did not meet the standards required for such a major tenancy change, supporting Yorkdale’s position that the retailer was not an appropriate fit for the mall’s upscale environment. The ruling ends months of dispute over the future of the vacant three-level space and underscores the challenges malls face as they try to repurpose former department store footprints. Yorkdale, known for its luxury brands and high-end positioning, is now expected to pursue alternatives that better align with its long‑term strategy.

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Grocery prices to rise by up to 4.5% in 2024, report predicts

 

The annual Canada’s Food Price Report forecasts that the average Canadian family of four will spend $700 more on food in 2024, reaching a total of $16,297.20. The report, which is produced by four Canadian universities, projects that bakery, meat and vegetables will see the highest price increases, up to 7 per cent.

The report attributes the rising food costs to several factors, including interest rates, energy costs, climate change, transportation expenses and geopolitical risk. However, it also notes that the rate of increase is slowing compared to the previous two years, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the food supply chain and caused inflation to spike.

Some essential items, such as dried pasta, sauces and canned goods, could become cheaper in 2024, as grocery chains compete for customers and benefit from lower commodity prices. The report also suggests that families spent less on groceries in 2023 than in 2022, possibly due to higher housing costs and debt levels.

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