A new analysis looks at the fast-growing trends in online buying
With the annual shopping frenzies of Black Friday and Cyber Monday now behind us, a new analysis has looked at Canadians’ online spending habits.
The average Canadian spends an estimated $2,748 per year buying goods online according to the report from Toronto-based Environics Analytics.
Those in BC spend the most - $3,369 – while Quebecers are less prolific online shoppers, spending just $2,236 per year.
But it’s not just the amount spent that varies widely between provinces and even between individual cities and neighbourhoods.
For example, while households in Quebec City and Winnipeg each spend approximately $2,500 a year online, those in Quebec City tend to buy more food and groceries online, while Winnipeg households are more likely to buy recreational gear online.
And in Toronto, online purchases of electronics are concentrated in suburbs like Mississauga and Markham, but less so in Brampton and the city's East-End Danforth area.
Insights for retailers
The ClickSpend Survey in association with the JC Williams Group gives insights that could help traditional retailers mitigate the trend towards larger use of online merchants.
"For the first time in Canada, brick-and-mortar retailers will be able to assess the opportunity and potential competitive threat posed by online channels and shifting shopping habits," says Michele Sexsmith, Senior Vice President and Practice Leader for Retail, Real Estate, and Entertainment at Environics Analytics.
The 14 spending categories captured by ClickSpend represent $343 billion in household expenditures (excluding services), with $41 billion of those purchases occurring online.
“For the first time in Canada, brick-and-mortar retailers will be able to assess the opportunity and potential competitive threat posed by online channels and shifting shopping habits,” says Michele Sexsmith about our new database ClickSpend™. https://t.co/1XY3IsxxJW
— Environics Analytics (@EnvironicsA) November 27, 2018
