You may not have ever heard of the Japanese lifestyle brand MINISO, but this time next year you could very well have one operating at your local mall. The brand, which only just opened its first Canadian store last month in Vancouver, has ambitious plans to operate 500 more stores across the country in the next few years.

The self-described lifestyle brand offers everything from cosmetics to home appliances, but offers all of these products at extremely low prices. Picture a Japanese dollar store, but with the aesthetics of UNIQLO – who happen to be one of the brand’s main forms of competition.

In the next year, MINISO hopes to add 30 to 50 more retail locations across Canada with the second location being added to Vancouver’s Tsawwaseen Mills. As you can tell, MINISO’s plans for breaking into the Canadian market are beginning on the west coast and will make their way to bigger cities throughout the year (Toronto, Montreal, Calgary) and then begin branching off into the smaller markets.

Should MINISO have the success their envisioning for themselves in the Great White North, then there could be some serious disruption amongst value lifestyle retailers, more specifically retailers like Dollarama.

Click here to shop MINISO Canada.

The long weekend is looking to be even hotter than the temperatures are predicted to be, particularly when you take this save the tax event at Lowe’s Canada into the equation. For this weekend only, beginning today until Thursday, May 24, you can save the tax on almost everything in-store, including major appliances.

The online discount will be 11.5% and it will be taken before the tax is added to your cart. So if you were buying something like this allen + roth Valleymede 3-Piece Counter Height Bistro Set, now only $379 (reg. $449), your discount would like something like this once you add the promo code, SALE, at checkout:

If you’re buying in-store, the tax discount will vary by province depending on what the Government sales tax is. In Ontario, that will be 13%, BC will be 12%, Saskatchewan will be 11% and Alberta will receive 15% off.

Plus, for four days only, ending on May 21, Lowe’s will be offering free shipping on purchases that include a major appliance. Otherwise, Lowe’s offers free parcel shipping on all orders that are $49 or more.

Click here to begin shopping at Lowe’s Canada.

Under Armour Canada is well known to have amazing deals within their outlet section, but right now you can actually save a little more in their outlet section, more specifically on select pairs of women’s shorts.

The shorts come in a number of fun and exciting colours to give you that extra push of enthusiasm for getting your workout out of the way. Whether you’re grabbing the UA Fly By shorts or the UA Play Up Short 2.0, both are on sale right now for just $22.49, though normally they would cost you $29.99.

Another great offer going on within the outlet section is that if you buy any pair of shoes, or sandals, Under Armour will ship it for free.

You will only qualify for free shipping at Under Armour other than that when you spend $75 or more.

Click here to begin shopping the outlet sale at Under Armour Canada.

You may or may not be aware of Joe Fresh Canada’s amazing promo code offer going on this long weekend, where you can save an additional 25% off on almost everything sitewide when you enter the promo code, LONGWEEKEND, at checkout. But what’s really great about this offer is that it can be stacked on top of clearance items, meaning you can save on top of the up to 60% discounts going on already reduced items.

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect spring jacket, something I myself have been looking for, then this sale is just the place for you as you can grab practical jackets, like this grey rain jacket for just $11.20 (reg. $24) or this barn jacket for just $22.45 (reg. $69).

If you’re wanting something a little more flashy and less on the practical side, but still a great deal, then this crop jacket in JF midnight could be right up your alley. The jacket was normally being sold for $69, but is currently on sale for just $34. However, when you add the extra 25% off promo code, the jacket is further reduced to being $26.20.

Joe Fresh will only be offering the LONGWEEKEND promo code until May 22.

Joe Fresh offers free shipping on all orders that are $50 or more.

Click here to begin shopping at Joe Fresh Canada.

Swiss Chalet Canada is kicking off what may be one of the tastiest menu additions all summer. Starting today, you can pick up the brand new Kick’N Crispy Chicken from Swiss Chalet, which is essentially the Canadian chain’s take on a certain southern colonel’s brand of deep-fried chicken, except the Swiss Chalet adaptation will feature hints of the rich Chalet sauce baked right into the crispy skin.

You can buy the Kick’n Crispy Chicken in five different meals, but you will only have until June 11th to experience this deep-fried goodness!

Here are the prices for the meals in my region, but be sure to check online to see if the prices vary by your region as they could:

• Crispy Quarter Chicken: – 2 pieces, a combination of dark and white meat, your choice of 2 sides, coleslaw, white or multigrain roll and Chalet Sauce, costs $14.99.
• Crispy Chicken Half Chicken: – 4 pieces, a combination of dark and white meat, your choice of 2 sides, coleslaw, white or multigrain roll and Chalet Sauce, costs $19.99
• Crispy Chicken Pak – 8 Piece  comes with 8 pieces of Crispy Chicken on its own – a combination of dark and white meat, costs $29.99
• Crispy Chicken Pak – 16 Piece includes 16 pieces of Crispy Chicken on its own – a combination of dark and white meat, costs $56.99
• Crispy Family Pak: – 8 pieces, a combination of dark and white meat, your choice of 4 sides, a large coleslaw, 12-oz of Chalet Sauce, and 4 white or multigrain rolls for $38.99

Click here to find your nearest Swiss Chalet Canada.

Looking to get your summer shorts and skirts in one shopping trip done? Why not head over to Addition Elle Canada where you can pick up one, and get the second one for free as they’re running a buy one, get one free offer on select bottoms until Thursday, May 18.

The second item of equal or lesser value will be the discounted item, so if you grab a pair of jeans and a pair of shorts (or skirt) that are equally priced, you’ll essentially be getting each item for half-off the regular price. I was able to find these funky embroidered jean shorts for just $62, and these soft high rise capri jeans for the same price, which means that in total I would just pay $62. This makes each article of clothing work out to just costing $31!

Addition Elle offers FREE shipping on all orders that are $120 or more.

Click here to begin shopping at Addition Elle Canada.

There’s no feeling as satisfying as cracking open the spine of a new book. This love of course did not grow overnight, it was one that was fostered from a young age with the help of kind librarians and teachers. McDonald’s Canada has apparently recognized the importance of instilling a love of reading from a young age and so are offering books alongside their iconic Happy Meals in lieu of plastic figurines.

From May 16 to July 17, kids will have the choice of grabbing either a toy or a book with their Happy Meal. The launch of these books is the result of McDonald’s partnering with Kids Can Press, a Canadian publisher of both fiction and non-fiction children’s books. The books will be rolled out in sequences, with the first sequence including the choice between either Scaredy Squirrel At the Beach and Hurry Up, Franklin.

Click here to learn more about McDonald’s Canada’s Happy Meal books.

It’s the Big Chair Event at Staples Canada, which means that you can refurnish – or simply furnish – your office space for a fraction of the regular price, as chairs and other office furniture essentials are being sold for up to 50% off the original price.

For instance, this Montessa II Luxura Managers Chair is currently being sold for half-off the regular price of $134.95, as it is just $67.46. This would be great option for those of you looking to furnish your conference room in style, without breaking the bank.

And even for those of you looking for a new desk or bookcase, Staples is including some rather good deals on other office furniture. For instance, this Pro-Linea L-Desk is currently on sale for 20% off the regular price as it is just $615.16 (reg. $768.95).

You can see more of the hottest deals being offered in this week’s Big Chair Event in the Staples weekly flyer.

Staples Canada offers FREE shipping on all orders that are $45 or more.

Click here to begin shopping at Staples Canada.

If you’re able to look at winter outerwear right now, though the days may be getting tiptoeingly close to being summer weather, then this clearance sale from Sears Canada might be just for you. Especially if you consider that shoes, outerwear and sweaters, both for men and women, are being discounted by up to 80% off their original price.

I was able to find this really great deal on a men’s faux wool hooded jacket by Levi’s – which might actually work for brisker, damp spring nights – as it is now only $149.94, though normally it would cost $230.

In the women’s shoe clearance sale, there are a number of styles to choose from, a lot of which would be considered ‘year-round’ looks, as they can easily be worn with a pair of jeans and cute top, or a summer dress. For instance, these Sam Edelman leather boots are currently on sale for just $49.94 (reg. $134.99) and these Franco Sarto flats are also being sold for the lowly price of $49.94 (reg. $134.99). Both of these shoes would work for fall, winter, spring and even summer!

Sears Canada offers FREE shipping on all orders that are $99 or more.

Click here to begin shopping the clearance sale at Sears Canada.

Whether you lived through them the first time around, or are embracing them for the first time with your pencil skirts and sportswear, the 90s are back and with them are coming the epic return of the fashion choker. This trend of wearing a limp piece of leather tied around your neck is one that will immediately up your outfit’s trendiness level from being a ‘blah’ to an ‘on point’, but it’s also a trend that you don’t want to spend a whole lot of money on, seeing as it vanish as quickly as it resurfaced from the depths of Mariah Carey’s 1998 closet. That’s why this offer from Forever 21 Canada, where you can buy one, get one free on any choker – essentially making each choker 50% off – is such a timely and practical offer.

If you can’t decide between going daring or dainty in your choker options, then fret no more as you can do both in this offer and still only pay the price of one. So you could grab this Crochet Lace Choker ($4.90) and this more risk taking Faux Suede Layered Choker ($8.90) for just $8.90, since the less expensive choker will be the discounted one.

And if you’re looking to get in on this season’s other hot trend of wearing lace everything, then you should also look no further than the doorstep of Forever 21. Lacey underwear, bralettes, shorts, skirts, tops and cover-ups are starting for as little as $3.90 in this offer. In fact, I was able to find this adorable lace halter bralette being sold for just $16.90.

Forever 21 Canada offers free shipping on all orders that are $50 or more.

Click here to begin shopping at Forever 21 Canada.

Atmosphere Canada has a new roundup of weekly sales and offers for those keen outdoor enthusiasts on the hunt for a good deal on hiking gear for the summer. A lot of these offers will only be available for a limited time, so be sure to check when they expire, especially the no tax offer.

• save 20% off on Osprey backpacks
• save 20% off select packs
• up to $50 off on select FitBit fitness trackers
• up to $50 off on select on outdoor shoe and hiking boot doorcrashers

And as for the no tax offer, it will be available from May 16 to May 22 (order must be placed by May 23 at 1:59am MT to qualify). You will have to enter the promo code, NOTAXON, at checkout and you will automatically be discounted the HST or PST and GST in your province at the time of purchase.

Atmosphere is offering free standard shipping on all orders for a limited time.

Click here to begin shopping at Atmosphere Canada.

Hudson’s Bay Canada is hosting a flash sale today that will be ending at 11:59pm ET, but if you’re able to get in there before it closes, then you’ll be able to save up to 60% off on bedding, pillows, duvets, bath and more bedroom essentials.

The best discount of the day is by far going to be this Bellisimo 7-piece comforter set, which can be found in the sheets and bedding sale. There are seven different colours available of this set, and each of them are being sold for only $79.99, though normally it would cost $149.99.

Within the duvet and pillow sale there are even steeper discounts to be found. For instance, this DISTINCTLY HOME Serenite Warmest Hungarian White Goose Down Duvet is currently being sold for just $280-$400 (depending on what size, twin, queen or king, you get). That’s a 60% discount from the regular price of between $700-$1000.

These deals are only going to be available until the end of the day, at 11:59pm ET.

Hudson’s Bay offers FREE shipping on orders that are $45+ (or $29+ on beauty purchases) when you pay with your Hudson’s Bay credit card, or $99+ (or $49+ on beauty purchases) when you pay with any other form of tender.

Click here to begin shopping at the Hudson’s Bay Canada.

The long weekend is coming up and for those of you who like to get outdoors and take advantage of having some extra time to spend in amongst the trees, then you may be interested in checking out the Columbia Sportswear Canada sale where jackets, fleeces, boots, pants, and gear are all on sale for up to 50% off their regular price.

Within the women’s sale, I was able to put together this rather inexpensive, but highly practical, hiking outfit for just $169.97. Regularly, these pants (now $37.49), fleece (now $79.99) and backpack (now $52.49) combo would’ve cost $304.97, but right now you can save yourself a whopping $135!

Within the men’s sale there is ample opportunity to save on everything hiking related. For instance, this three-piece outfit only cost $172.48. Normally, this outfit would’ve cost $294.98. The pants are now just $50.99 (reg. $84.98), the vest is now $49.99 (reg. $99.99), and the shoes are just $71.50 (reg. $110).

Columbia Sportswear offers flat rate shipping for $7 for orders within Canada.

Click here to begin shopping at Columbia Sportswear.

The unprecedented levels of rain that the east coast of Canada has been ravaged by over these past few weeks is continuing to have rippling effects on the community. The Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) waterfront specialist Nancy Gaffney has confirmed that Toronto Island Park will definitely be closed until June 30, and may even be closed “well into July”.

The TRCA expects water levels to rise in the next month, and that they could pose a risk of considerable flooding and even damage to some of the homes on the waterfront.

Other concerns, beside the fact that Toronto Island itself is closed for public access (only residents and essential workers have permits for accessing the island) Toronto Hydro station and the fire station have also been issued warnings on how to proceed should there be another storm.

The work permits for for activities taking place on the island leading up until June 30 have been revoked and we are still awaiting news about whether or not services will open up in July.

The Victoria Day fireworks scheduled for this weekend are still set to go off, but they will be relocated to the barge as opposed to the beach.

Click here to learn more about about the closing of Toronto Island.

Those of you familiar with Sephora Canada’s Beauty Insider program will know that this a great free membership program that routinely offers exclusive discounts, sales and freebies, and this week’s offers from the club do not disappoint.

For a limited time, you will be able to claim most of these freebies from Sephora simply by spending a minimum qualifying amount of $25, and then entering the matching promo code for the specific offer you’d like to redeem.

Here’s a full round-up of the offers from Sephora that you can take advantage of if you’re a Beauty Insider (which again, is free to join!):

• test drive a deluxe perfume sample for free when you spend $25 and enter the promo code, SMELLME
• free foundation mini when you spend $25 and enter the promo code, UHD4YOU
• free Too Faced lip mini when you spend $25 and enter the promo code, MELTEDLIP
• 7 free samples of OLEHENRIKSEN, when you spend $25 and enter the promo code, IMPROVE
• choose a Bumble and bumble Don’t Blow It deluxe sample for thick or fine hair when you spend $25 and enter the promo code, AIRDRY
• free Briogeo shampoo mini when you spend $25 and enter the promo code, REVIVE
• choose a free fragrance mini when you spend $25 and enter the promo code, SCENTGOALS
• free Drunk Elephant mini when you spend $25 and enter the promo code, ELEPHANT
• free Versace sample set when you buy select fragrances and enter the promo code, DYLANBLUE
• choose a skincare mini when you spend $25 and enter the promo code, SOLUTION
• choose a skincare mini when you spend $25 and enter the promo code, SKINSAVER
• free Marc Jacobs pouch with the purchase of select Marc Jacobs fragrances and enter the promo code, DAISYPOUCH
• free velvet Gucci pouch with the purchase of select Gucci fragrances and enter the promo code, VELVETGUCCI
• free Gucci sample set with the purchase of Bamboo Eau de Parfum and enter the promo code, BAMBOO

Sephora Canada offers free shipping on all orders that are $50 or more.

Click here to begin shopping at Sephora Canada.