How Canadians’ Shopping Habits Are Evolving

Shopping in Canada is transforming from in-store to online. More Canadians than ever are looking closely at where they are spending and how they are comparing prices and using price comparison techniques. More Canadians than ever are paying close attention to where they are spending, how they are comparing prices, and what the best way is to compare prices to get the best price. New data from retail reveals that online and offline shopping are key, and the journey is becoming more flexible for customers.

Online and In-Store Shopping Now Work Together

Cigarette delivery services using online shopping are on the rise. But there are a lot of things which are still physically related. Retail sales on the Internet exceeded $73.7 billion in 2024, up 9% from 2023, according to Statistics Canada. Meanwhile, a recent survey of shoppers discovered that many Canadians continue to walk the aisles of their local store to ultimately find out what and where to purchase.

This creates a shopping experience that can switch between a number of channels. A shopper may search the web for prices, go to the store and look at an item and then make their selection based on price and convenience. Retailers who integrate these experiences seamlessly are more likely to be able to adapt to changing consumer expectations.

Price is Playing a Bigger Role

Cost of living has begun to be a key factor in consumers' shopping choices. Overall, consumer prices increased by 2.1% on average in 2025, and prices were nearly 20% higher than five years prior, said Statistics Canada. This has brought many consumers to scrutinize their purchases, look at advertisements, and give a second thought to the decision of what to buy.

Canadian consumers also have become fewer brands loyal when shopping for a similar product from another retailer with greater value. According to a recent study from the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), price is one of the factors that spur consumers into many shopping trips, and they turn to various retailers across a range of retail channels to get it.

Convenience is Becoming More Personal

There is more to convenience than ordering something online. Some people appreciate fast online delivery, hassle-free returns, local outlets, pick-up options or browsing the product details before heading out of the house. This can vary depending on customer requirements, product and speed of delivery.

There are a number of things that can now impact a purchase:

• Easy price comparison: Customers can easily compare the competing offers.
• Flexible delivery: Flexible fulfillment options include home delivery, pickup or store visit.

In conclusion, futuristic shopping will very much be hybrid and blend technology with retail. Customers seek fair prices, valuable information, ease and reliability, and do not need to buy in one manner. Retailers who are able to identify these shifts in priorities can design experiences that feel more flexible, easier and more rewarding.