The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t just change our lives. It completely transformed how Canadians shop. From the explosive growth of e-commerce to the rise of contactless payments and a newfound love for local businesses, these shifts are here to stay. As shopping experts at Dealhack, we’ve tracked these trends closely and discovered 11 Surprising Ways COVID-19 Changed Canadian Shopping Habits that will shape the future of shopping in Canada.
Ready to uncover how your shopping habits have evolved? Let’s dive in!
In this post, you’ll learn:
- How COVID-19 accelerated e-commerce growth in Canada.
- The rise of contactless payments and digital shopping methods.
- How local and sustainable shopping gained momentum during the pandemic.
- The impact of hybrid shopping models like BOPIS and curbside pickup.
- Why Canadians shifted their priorities to essentials and health products.
- About the long-term effects of these changes on Canadian shopping habits.
1. The Explosion of E-commerce in Canada
The pandemic forced many Canadians to abandon their traditional shopping habits, pushing them online in record numbers. E-commerce sales in Canada doubled during 2020, a trend driven by convenience and necessity. With non-essential stores closing their doors, consumers had no choice but to turn to the internet to meet their shopping needs.
Key Reasons for the E-commerce Boom:
- Convenience: Lockdowns and safety concerns made online shopping the most convenient option.
- Availability: With physical stores closed or understocked, online retailers like Amazon and Walmart kept their virtual shelves stocked.
- Necessity: Products like groceries, household essentials, and clothing moved online.
Here’s a look at the growth of online sales across key product categories:
| Category | % Increase in Online Sales (2020) |
| Groceries & Essentials | 75% |
| Electronics | 45% |
| Clothing | 30% |
| Health & Wellness Products | 55% |
Retailers adapted quickly to meet this surge in demand, with many investing in better online platforms and logistics to cater to Canadians’ needs. The click-and-collect or BOPIS (buy online, pick up in-store) model became a lifesaver for shoppers and businesses. With its convenience, this hybrid shopping method will likely remain popular beyond the pandemic.
2. Digital Payments: The Age of Contactless Shopping
Even before the pandemic, contactless payments were on the rise. However, with COVID-19 came an overwhelming shift away from cash and physical cards. Canadians embraced digital wallets, tap-to-pay, and e-wallets at an unprecedented rate to reduce physical contact and keep themselves safe.
Top Contactless Payment Methods:
- Tap-to-Pay Credit & Debit Cards: The most common form of contactless payment.
- E-Wallets: Services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal saw a massive uptick in use.
- Mobile Payment Apps: Apps like Square and Venmo made it easier for consumers and small businesses to interact without cash.
By 2021, more than 70% of Canada’s in-person transactions will be handled via contactless payment methods, signaling a permanent shift in how Canadians prefer to pay.
3. Consumer Priorities Shift: Essentials Over Everything
When COVID-19 hit, consumer priorities changed overnight. Shoppers became laser-focused on essential items like groceries, health products, and home office equipment, while non-essential categories like fashion suffered.
Key Shifts in Spending:
- Health & Wellness: Demand for health and wellness products, from vitamins and supplements to personal hygiene items, was sharply increased.
- Home Office Supplies: With millions working from home, sales of desks, chairs, monitors, and other home office equipment surged.
- DIY & Home Improvement: With extra time, Canadians invested in home renovations and gardening projects, making hardware stores and online craft retailers busier than ever.
Interestingly, many shoppers became more price-conscious due to economic uncertainty. Coupons, discount codes, and cashback deals became essential for saving money, while businesses offered more flexible pricing to attract cost-conscious consumers.
4. Supporting Local: A Surge in Conscious Consumerism
With global supply chains under strain and international shipping delays becoming the norm, Canadians focused on local businesses. The desire to support local retailers became more than a trend. It became a necessity. Consumers recognized the vulnerability of small businesses during the pandemic and began actively supporting them.
Why Local Shopping Grew:
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Global shipping delays pushed consumers to seek local alternatives.
- Community Support: Many shoppers felt a stronger sense of responsibility to keep small businesses alive.
- Ethical Considerations: More Canadians prioritized sustainable and ethically produced goods, which local businesses often excel in providing.
Local products not only helped alleviate supply chain issues but also satisfied consumers by reducing their carbon footprint and supporting their communities.
5. Sustainability: A Growing Priority
In addition to supporting local businesses, sustainability became a key factor in shopping decisions. Now more conscious than ever of their environmental impact, shoppers increasingly sought out eco-friendly products, reusable goods, and low-waste packaging.
Sustainable Shopping Trends:
- Eco-Friendly Packaging: Many businesses started adopting biodegradable or reusable packaging solutions.
- Reusable Products: Cloth masks, metal straws, and reusable shopping bags became hot-ticket items.
- Ethical Brands: Shoppers leaned toward brands that promoted sustainable practices, such as reducing waste and using ethically sourced materials.
With more Canadians choosing eco-conscious brands, this shift is expected to have a lasting impact on the retail landscape.
6. The Permanent Adoption of Hybrid Shopping Models
One of the most lasting impacts of the pandemic on Canadian shopping habits is the rise of hybrid shopping models like click-and-collect and curbside pickup. As lockdowns forced brick-and-mortar stores to rethink their business models, many embraced the idea of merging online shopping with physical store pickup.
This approach allowed customers to enjoy the convenience of shopping online while avoiding shipping delays and enjoying immediate access to their purchases.
Benefits of Hybrid Models:
- Convenience: Shoppers could buy items online and pick them up at their nearest store, often on the same day.
- Flexibility: These models gave consumers multiple ways to shop, whether fully online or a mix of online and in-store.
- Reduced Shipping Costs: Many customers saved on delivery fees by opting for curbside pickup or BOPIS.
Retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Home Depot quickly optimized their websites to offer seamless hybrid experiences, and this trend is expected to continue. In fact, BOPIS has become a significant factor in customer retention, offering a shopping method that blends speed, safety, and convenience.
7. A New Focus on Home-Centered Shopping
As Canadians spent more time at home, their shopping habits reflected this shift. People started investing more in their homes, from upgrading home offices to making their spaces more comfortable and functional.
Key Areas of Investment:
- Home Office Equipment: With remote work becoming the norm, there was a surge in demand for items like ergonomic chairs, desks, and computer accessories.
- Home Improvement: With extra time on their hands, many Canadians turned to DIY home projects, increasing sales in the hardware and garden sectors.
- Entertainment: Canadians also spent more on home entertainment, including streaming services, board games, and at-home fitness equipment.
This focus on making the home a central hub for work, play, and relaxation is a trend likely to persist, especially with more companies adopting hybrid or fully remote work models.
8. The Rise of Health-Conscious Consumers
The pandemic heightened Canadians’ awareness of their health and well-being. As a result, many turned to health and wellness products, leading to a dramatic increase in sales of items such as vitamins, personal protective equipment (PPE), and home fitness gear.
Health-Conscious Shopping Trends:
- Personal Hygiene Products: Hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, and face masks became household staples.
- Fitness and Wellness: As gyms closed, home workout equipment like treadmills, dumbbells, and yoga mats experienced an incredible rise in demand.
- Mental Health: Products aimed at improving mental wellness, such as mindfulness apps, meditation gear, and self-care products, saw a significant boost.
These health-focused shopping habits are likely to stay as Canadians place a stronger emphasis on maintaining physical and mental wellness.
9. Changing Brand Loyalty: Convenience and Availability First
The pandemic also shifted brand loyalty. As certain products became scarce, Canadians were more willing to try new brands and alternatives. Stock shortages led consumers to prioritize availability and convenience over brand loyalty.
Why Brand Loyalty Changed:
- Stock Shortages: Popular brands faced supply chain disruptions, forcing shoppers to switch to lesser-known alternatives.
- Price Sensitivity: With economic uncertainty, many Canadians prioritized price over brand loyalty, hunting for deals and discounts wherever possible.
- Convenience: Online platforms made it easier to compare prices and switch to other brands, allowing consumers to make choices based on what was in stock or on sale.
Many retailers took advantage of this by offering more personalized experiences, loyalty programs, and exclusive discounts to attract new customers and retain them post-pandemic.
10. An Increase in Ethical Consumerism
As consumers became more mindful of their purchasing decisions, the rise of ethical consumerism became evident. Canadians began to examine the values and practices of the brands they supported more closely.
Ethical Consumerism Trends:
- Support for Fair Trade Products: There was a growing interest in fair-trade products that ensured ethical labor practices.
- Environmentally Conscious Brands: Canadians increasingly support companies that are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and promoting sustainable production.
- Corporate Responsibility: Shoppers paid more attention to how companies treated their employees during the pandemic, rewarding businesses that provided fair wages and safe working conditions.
This shift indicates that ethical consumerism is not a fleeting trend but a more permanent change in how Canadians choose where to spend their money.
11. The Future of Canadian Shopping: What’s Next?
While some changes in shopping habits were temporary, others will likely stick around well into the future. As Canadians continue to navigate a post-pandemic world, certain behaviors and trends are expected to become the new normal.
Predicted Future Trends:
- E-commerce dominance: Online shopping will remain a primary channel, with continued innovations in delivery speed, customer service, and personalized shopping experiences.
- Hybrid shopping: The combination of online and in-store shopping will continue to grow, especially as more retailers offer curbside pickup and same-day delivery options.
- Sustainable and local shopping: Ethical and locally produced goods will remain in demand as consumers prioritize sustainability and community support.
- Health and wellness focus: Canadians will keep prioritizing their health, opting for products that promote physical well-being, mental health, and overall self-care.
Key Changes in Canadian Shopping Habits Due to COVID-19
| Best Things to Do | Approximate Cost | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| Transition to Online Shopping | Free (Internet access cost varies) | Shift from physical stores to e-commerce, especially for essentials and groceries. |
| Adopt Contactless Payments | Accessible to minimal (depending on device or card) | Switch to digital wallets and tap-to-pay to reduce physical contact at checkout. |
| Use Local Delivery Services | $5 – $15 (delivery fees) | Support local businesses through online ordering and home delivery of goods. |
| Explore Curbside Pickup Options | Free – $10 (service fees may apply) | Pick up online purchases from stores without entering, offering a safer way to shop. |
| Utilize Loyalty Programs for Online Shopping | Free (sign up) | Take advantage of digital rewards, discounts, and exclusive offers from loyalty programs. |
| Subscribe to Meal Kits and Grocery Boxes | $50 – $100 per week | Use subscription services to deliver groceries and meal kits directly to your home. |
| Shop from Local Canadian Brands | Varies (based on products) | Support local businesses and buy from Canadian-made brands, which gained popularity during the pandemic. |
| Invest in Home Fitness Equipment | $100 – $500+ | With gyms closed, many Canadians purchased equipment for at-home workouts. |
| Switch to Digital Coupon Platforms | Free | Use digital coupons to save money online shopping, with many apps offering deals. |
| Explore BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store) | Free | A hybrid shopping model where customers order online and pick up items in-store for convenience. |
| Prioritize Essential Purchases | Varies (depending on products) | During the pandemic, focus on buying essentials like groceries, hygiene products, and health supplies. |
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped how Canadians shop, with e-commerce, contactless payments, and local business support leading the way. These shifts toward convenience, sustainability, and digital innovation are here to stay. As Canadian consumers embrace these changes, the future of shopping looks more flexible and customer-focused than ever.
At Dealhack, we’re committed to helping you navigate these trends with the best shopping hacks and money-saving tips to maximize your shopping experience.
FAQ
The pandemic accelerated the shift to e-commerce, increased the use of contactless payments, and boosted support for local businesses as people sought safer, more convenient shopping options.
Yes, the convenience and variety offered by online shopping are expected to keep growing, with many Canadians now accustomed to purchasing goods online.
BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store) allows customers to purchase items online and pick them up at the store without entering. It became popular because it offers both convenience and safety.
The pandemic encouraged many Canadians to support local businesses due to supply chain disruptions and a desire to strengthen the local economy.
The future of shopping will focus on e-commerce, contactless payments, hybrid shopping models, and increased demand for sustainable and local products.
Retailers revamped their loyalty programs to adapt to the online environment, offering digital rewards, personalized offers, and exclusive discounts to retain customers.
Health concerns and economic uncertainty led people to focus on essential goods like groceries and health supplies.
Contactless payments made transactions safer and faster, eliminating the need for physical contact at checkout.
Yes, sustainability will remain a priority as consumers seek eco-friendly and ethical products.
Hybrid shopping models like curbside pickup and BOPIS blend online ordering with in-person pickup.
Dealhack Canada
Dealhack, led by a group of seasoned e-commerce experts, operates an advanced deal search engine and browser extension. With over a decade of experience, our team specializes in meticulously sourcing and authenticating promo codes, sales, and valuable shopping advice from thousands of popular retailers, dedicated to optimizing your online shopping experience. If you know of a great promo code, sale, or shopping tip we can share, please email [email protected], where it will be evaluated and potentially shared with our network of savvy shoppers.
