Toronto 
Retail Council of Canada has released the results of the annual Holiday Shopping Survey of over 2,500 Canadians from coast to coast.
Credit: Monika Stawowy /Unsplash
Retail Council of Canada says this year Canadians to spend $792, up from $693 in 2020.
As per the survey results, Canadians are looking forward to returning to their pre-pandemic holiday traditions wherever possible: in-person celebrations and shopping at brick-and-mortar stores and that holiday sales and promotions (50%) and free shipping (49%) have the most influence on where Canadians will choose to shop.
Regional Spending:
According to the results of 2021 Holiday Shopping Survey:
- Ontario: Ontarians are estimating that they will spend $863 this holiday season vs the national average of $792.
- Quebec: Quebecers are to spend the least this holiday, $565 vs the national average of $792, and are more likely to spend on themselves during the holiday vs the rest of Canada.
- Atlantic: While Maritimers’ planned spending is at $807 vs the national average of $792, they also plan to spend more on gifts for others (vs themselves) at 84% vs the national average of 80%.
- Manitoba / Saskatchewan: The estimated average spend is $692 vs the national average of $792. They also say they will spend more on gifts for others (vs themselves) at 83% vs the national average of 80%.
- Alberta: Albertans estimate they plan to spend $869 this year vs the national average of $792.
- British Columbia: On average, respondents in BC plan to spend $958 vs the national average of $792.
Canadians plan to spend most on clothing surpassing food, alcohol, and candy with the top categories being clothing (16% vs 15% in 2020), food, alcohol, candies or sweets for entertaining (12% vs 19% in 2020), toys (10% vs 10% in 2020) and personal electronics (8% vs 8% in 2020).
