Self-checkouts have been on the rise for years, but some retailers including Canadian Tire have removed the lanes from some of their stores. One of Toronto's three Canadian Tire stores reported trading the slow, aging self-checkouts for a faster single line where shoppers wait for the next cashier.

Canadian Tire has installed automated pickup towers in five of its stores to give online shoppers a faster way to pick up their purchases, with plans to add the towers in more of its 1,700 stores over time. Walmart pioneered the concept in the US and will start installing towers in some of its 411 Canadian stores next year.

Toronto-based Canadian Tire will acquire Norwegian outdoor apparel and gear brand Helly Hansen in a deal valued at C$985 million, in a push to further diversify the retailer's offerings. Canadian Tire stores already stock high-end parkas and other gear from Helly Hansen, which sells through its own branded stores and other retailers in more than 40 countries.

Toasters highlighting hockey legends Jonathan Toews, Wayne Gretzky and Connor McDavid are being sold by Canadian Tire to support its in-house charity, Jumpstart Charities. The pictures of the sports greats are on the outside of the toasters, and the appliances toast their likeness onto bread.