Stephan's Thursday Picks

• Retail spending in Canada shows signs of slowdown (Globe and Mail)
• Dollar stores lead a surge in new store openings (WSJ)
• Manufacturing, importing of straws and other single-use plastics now banned in Canada (Globe and Mail)
• You're at the office and so are the unwanted holiday goodies (WSJ)
• Once considered a no-no, Canadians are turning to second-hand gifts amid inflation and high prices (Globe and Mail)