Canadians have fully embraced online shopping. Many Canadian businesses fear they can’t compete with international eCommerce, but 65% of Canadians have shown a clear preference for shopping online within Canada, at least when the option is available to them.
A survey commissioned by CIRA and conducted by The Strategic Counsel indicates Canadians love the Internet. They love it even more than fast food, alcohol, chocolate and coffee. Our enthusiasm for online comparison shopping and eCommerce has been supported by data and analytics, time and time again.
Online Shopping in Canada
79% of online Canadians say they almost always compare prices online before making a major purchase.
38% of online Canadian shoppers prefer shopping online to in-store shopping.
What Do Canadians Buy Online?
It wasn’t long ago that online purchases were limited to a few categories that were easy and inexpensive to ship. Now, Canadians are shopping for a wide range of products and services.
- Clothing 56%
- Flights and Travel 55%
- Household Goods 41%
- Books 40%
- Entertainment Tickets 40%
- Electronics 34%
- Government Services 34%
- Device Games and Apps 28%
- Music 27%
- Moves, Video and TV 24%
Why Do We Prefer to “Buy Canadian”?
- 39% want to support the Canadian economy
- 25% cite the low value of the Canadian dollar
- 21% want to avoid Customs charges
- 13% are trying to avoid higher shipping costs
Clearly, the Internet offers the opportunity for Canadian businesses to increase sales and leads. Too many businesses in this country view eCommerce as a competitor they can’t win against. In reality, selling online and embracing multi-channel options may be the only way to remain relevant and competitive in today’s retail environment.
Today’s eCommerce software is user-friendly and feature-rich. Learn, evolve, hire the best people, and get to know the digital expectations of your target market. Then find a Canadian digital marketing superstar to bring it all home.
How are you serving Canadian online shoppers? Please share your experience or questions in the comments below.
✔ You may also be interested in reading:
Report: Connected Canadian Customers on Tech, Trust and Experience
Canadian Shopping Data Reveals How to Capture Sales Online & In-Store
Online Marketplaces for Canadian Sellers
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Melody McKinnon is an internet entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in a wide range of online business models, backed by a formal business education and enhanced by training and mentorship. She has owned or managed both educational and ecommerce websites. Her book, 7 Recession Proof Online Businesses to Start From Home, is available from all major ebook retailers.
Melody has worked with many businesses & brands in a multitude of capacities. She can often be found on CanadianDigitalMedia.com, CanadiansInternet.com, CanadianFamily.net, and AllNaturalPetCare.com, as well as other quality digital publications. Her content has earned reference links from highly-respected websites, magazines and university textbooks.
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As always very detailed and great information for a person just getting started with online grocery shopping! Thanks for sharing such a great article.
Thanks for sharing such an informational blog.
No wonder we’re into online shopping there’s no local selection for most of us! Like NONE! I wish there was more online IN CANADA though because paying in american money makes it so expensive.
I’m one of those crazy canadians. If i can’t find it online then I go to a store not the other way around. I’d love to open an online store but I’m still trying to pick a niche that amazon doesn’t rule. There’s a few possibilities. They kind of suck in Canada for selection.