Canadians plan to spend more this holiday shopping season: survey
A new holiday shopping survey is giving retailers hope that consumers are ready to return to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.
Retail Council of Canada’s fourth annual Holiday Shopping Survey found that Canadians are more optimistic going into this holiday season than last year, and are ready to get back into physical stores and spend more money.
“I think the underlying message here is that consumers are ready to shop," Diane Brisebois, President and CEO of the Retail Council of Canada, told CTV News Toronto.
The survey found that 30 per cent of participants plan to start shopping before November and 36 per cent during November — higher numbers than last year.
Canadians will spend, on average, $792 leading up to the holidays, with Ontario shoppers spending more — an average of $863.
While many will still order gifts online, the survey found there is a desire to get back into malls and stores to interact with retailers face-to-face.
"We are all feeling it. That we want that connection, we want that in-store experience,” Brisebois said.
The survey found that 63 per cent want to make purchases in-store, compared with 37 per cent online.
However, shoppers are still concerned about COVID-19 protocols and want to shop early to avoid crowds. Another reason to shop sooner rather than later is due to concerns about supply chain issues that could make some products harder to find.
More than half of shoppers also said one of the most important things they look for when buying something is a sale, which is why 43 per cent plan to shop on Black Friday, 35 per cent on Cyber Monday and 34 per cent on Boxing Day.
The council says one trend that shows things may be returning to normal is that sales of fine clothing, jewelry and footwear are all expected to be up.
This time last year, the top sellers in clothing were items to lounge around in, like sweatpants and pyjamas.
“We do know that people are buying clothes to go out, versus what we would call leisurewear, like t-shirts and sweat pants. That’s to the benefit of apparel retailers who suffered quite a bit during the pandemic,” Brisebois said.
Gift cards are always a popular present, but this year, fewer people are planning to give them. Only 16 per cent said they will give gift cards this year, compared to 21 per cent last holiday season.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.