Most Canadians plan to shop local this Canada Day: Survey

Canada Day is around the corner, and with it the first licks of summer in Canada. Between stocked ice cream freezers and churning slushy machines, c-stores are a popular stop for holiday shoppers. 

With more than 56% of Canadians planning to celebrate the Nation’s birthday, new research by Caddle and the Retail Council of Canada surveyed Canadians to better understand consumers’ shopping intentions around the summer holiday. 

[Read more: “Canadians worried that inflation will impact their holiday shopping this year”]

So how do Canadians plan to shop this year? The biggest takeaway for your c-store is that nearly double (38%) of Canadians say they will make a dedicated shopping trip to buy things for Canada Day this year – versus 20% last year. 

With that spike in holiday shoppers, most consumers also say they are eager to support their local retailers this year. In fact, 87% of consumers said they preferred to shop at a local store this year, versus buying items online; a steep increase from 45.6% in 2022. 

What are Canadians buying for Canada Day? 

A whopping 85% of Canadians expect to spend more or the same amount for Canada Day this year compared to last year. About 40% of Canadians who plan to celebrate Canada Day say they plan to spend more than $50 this year. But where will they spend their holiday cash?

The top spending categories for the holiday are:

• Food
• Alcohol
• Candies
• Full-service restaurants 
• Quick service restaurants

[Read more: "Selling summer"]

How do Canadians spend their July 1? 

This year, more than one in four Canadians said they will be having a meal to celebrate the occasion. In fact, 26.4% of Canadians said they would be hosting or joining a meal or party this year. 

Spending time in nature took the second spot, with 20.4% of Canadians saying they planned to take a nature walk on Canada Day this year. A lower percentage (15.8%) planned to ring in the occasion by watching a play/movie/television, 9.1% said they would travel outside the city and 6.2% said they planned to play sports or work out. 

Whether its with bug spray or sunscreen for your nature-loving customers, enhanced water or healthy beverages for your sporty shoppers, or popcorn and snacks for the movie lovers, make sure your c-store is stocked for the holidays.