From Roots to Canada Goose, Canadian retailers use collaborations to woo customers

Canadian retail heavyweights like Lululemon and Canada Goose have all introduced collections created through collaborations. The limited-time products often generate hype and sell out quickly.

Just ask Karl Kowalewski, head of the Canadian brand's leather factory since the company was founded nearly 50 years ago.

He's designed shoes for Richard Gere and Eugene Levy, a leather goods collection with writer and visual artist Douglas Coupland and more recently a varsity jacket with The Weeknd and the XO brand.

Some of the collaborations were commercialized. Most weren't.