11 Ways Work From Home Has Transformed Canadian Shopping

Working from home hasn’t just changed how Canadians work. It’s completely transformed how we shop. From upgrading home offices to embracing online groceries, working from home has surprisingly reshaped spending habits. At Dealhack, we’re here to help you adapt with brilliant shopping hacks and discount tips. Ready to see how these changes can help you save? Let’s dive into 11 ways the work-from-home has transformed Canadian shopping habits.

In this post, you’ll learn:

• How remote work has influenced Canadian shopping habits.
• The most popular products Canadians are now buying.
• Why online shopping is more essential than ever.
• How retailers have adapted to these changes.
• Money-saving tips for shopping smarter from home.
• Ways to leverage discounts, delivery services, and subscriptions for better deals.

1. Surge in Demand for Home Office Essentials

As remote work became the norm, Canadians rushed to upgrade their home workspaces. Demand for items like ergonomic chairs, standing desks, and monitors spiked. According to StatCan, nearly 50% of Canadian remote workers invested in new home office setups during the pandemic.

Key purchases include:

• Ergonomic furniture: Comfortable chairs and adjustable desks have become must-haves for Canadians working long hours at home.
• Tech upgrades: The need for reliable connectivity led to a surge in purchases of high-speed routers, webcams, and noise-cancelling headphones.
• Office supplies: Even basics like planners, notebooks, and stationery saw increased demand.

For those still looking to optimize their home office, using promo codes and checking for seasonal sales on tech and furniture can help cut costs.

2. Shift to Online Grocery Shopping

Before the pandemic, Canadians were slow to embrace online grocery shopping, but remote work dramatically accelerated this trend. By 2021, grocery e-commerce grew by 170%, according to NielsenIQ. Remote workers looking to save time and avoid in-store crowds found online shopping a convenient solution.

Popular online grocery options include:

• Instacart & Walmart Same-Day Delivery: Instacart and Walmart offer convenient same-day delivery options, allowing Canadians to deliver groceries directly to their door without delays.
• Goodfood & HelloFresh Meal Subscriptions: Subscription-based services like Goodfood and HelloFresh provide weekly pre-portioned meal kits, perfect for busy remote workers.
• Digital Coupons: Digital coupon use is now widespread, and many retailers offer app-based discounts and loyalty programs to help shoppers save on groceries.

If you’re new to online grocery shopping, consider signing up for delivery services that offer first-time discounts or free delivery on your first few orders.

3. Increased Spending on Comfort and Leisure Products

The shift to working from home has also driven Canadians to invest in comfort. With more time spent indoors, products like loungewear, kitchen gadgets, and home fitness equipment became popular purchases.

Key trends include:

• Loungewear: Comfort was a top priority, with sales of sweatpants, pajamas, and cozy outfits surging.
• Home fitness: With gyms closed, items like dumbbells, yoga mats, and Peloton bikes were flying off shelves.
• Kitchen appliances: Canadians invested in air fryers, coffee machines, and intelligent cooking tools to enhance their at-home culinary experience.

Look out for bundle deals or discounts during major shopping events like Black Friday to save on comfort and leisure products.

4. Expansion of Subscription Services

With the rise of remote work came a growing appetite for subscription services, ranging from meal kits to entertainment. Canadians increasingly signed up for services that delivered convenience and variety to their doorsteps.

Popular subscriptions include:

• Meal kits: Goodfood and HelloFresh offer healthy, pre-portioned meals that save time and effort.
• Streaming services: Canadians are spending more on Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime, which offer a wide range of entertainment at home.
• Subscription boxes: Canadians opt for curated boxes that bring monthly surprises from skincare products to pet supplies.

Many subscription services offer first-month discounts, making them a budget-friendly option to explore.

5. Focus on Health and Wellness Products

As work-from-home took center stage, Canadians became more conscious of their mental and physical well-being. This resulted in increased spending on products that promote self-care and wellness.

The top categories include:

• Vitamins and supplements: Immune-boosting vitamins like vitamin C and zinc have become essential in many households.
• Meditation and relaxation: Apps like Calm and Headspace saw an uptick in downloads as Canadians focused on managing stress.
• Home fitness equipment: Yoga mats, fitness trackers, and smartwatches became everyday purchases as Canadians sought to maintain their health from home.

Use Dealhack to find promo codes for top wellness brands, helping you save on essential products.

6. The Rise of E-commerce Shopping

As Canadians adapted to remote work, the convenience of online shopping became a staple. E-commerce platforms experienced rapid growth, with many retailers shifting their focus to online sales. Statista states that Canadian e-commerce sales grew by 70% in 2020, showing no signs of slowing.

Key factors driving this growth:

• Convenience: Shopping from home means less time spent in stores and more flexibility in comparing products and prices.
• Deals and discounts: Online retailers often offer exclusive discount codes, flash sales, and cashback opportunities.
• Variety: Canadians have access to a broader selection of products online than ever before, from clothing to electronics.

When shopping online, use cashback tools or sign up for loyalty programs to maximize savings on your purchases.

7. Increased Popularity of Curbside Pickup

While online shopping has surged, many Canadians still prefer the immediacy of curbside pickup. This option allows consumers to shop online and collect their purchases at a physical location, often on the same day. According to Canada Post, 50% of Canadians used curbside pickup during the height of the pandemic.

Retailers offering this service include:

• Walmart & Best Buy Fast Pickup: Walmart and Best Buy allow shoppers to order online and pick up items within hours
• Loblaws & Metro: Curbside Groceries: Grocery stores like Loblaws and Metro provide curbside options for fresh produce and pantry staples

Curbside pickup often comes with fewer or no additional fees, making it a cost-effective option for those looking to save on shipping.

8. Growing Popularity of Digital Payments

With the increase in online shopping, digital payment methods have become popular. Canadians are more likely to use contactless payments, mobile wallets, and buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) options to manage their purchases. According to Payments Canada, 65% of Canadians prefer using digital payments over cash for convenience and safety.

Key payment methods driving this trend include:

• Apple Pay and Google Pay: Mobile wallets allow consumers to pay quickly and securely with their phones.
• PayPal: A popular payment gateway for secure and easy transactions, especially for e-commerce.
• BNPL services: Companies like Afterpay and Klarna have made it easier for Canadians to split their payments over time without interest.

To maximize digital payments, consider linking them to reward credit cards or cashback programs, which offer incentives for using these services.

9. Rise of Ethical and Sustainable Shopping

With more time spent at home, Canadians have become increasingly aware of their consumption habits, leading to a growing demand for sustainable and ethically produced products. Consumers are more likely to support brands that align with their values, such as eco-friendly, fair-trade, or cruelty-free products.

A Deloitte survey revealed that 40% of Canadian shoppers now prioritize sustainability in their purchasing decisions.

Key trends include:

• Eco-friendly packaging: Brands are shifting to biodegradable or recyclable packaging to reduce waste.
• Locally sourced products: Supporting local businesses and Canadian-made products has become more important to consumers.
• Fair-trade certifications: Canadians are actively seeking out products that are ethically sourced and produced.

Look for brands offering discounts or rewards for shopping sustainably. Many companies incentivize customers to choose eco-friendly options, such as refill programs or recycled product lines.

10. Emphasis on Fast and Free Shipping

Remote work has led to an expectation for faster, more efficient delivery services. Canadians increasingly seek retailers offering free shipping or same-day delivery, especially for essential items. According to Canada Post, 68% of Canadians are likelier to purchase from retailers that provide quick and affordable shipping options.

To meet these demands, retailers are offering:

• Free shipping thresholds: Many online stores offer free shipping when customers meet a minimum spend requirement.
• Same-day delivery services: Companies like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart have expanded their same-day delivery options for major cities.
• Membership programs: Services like Amazon Prime offer free two-day shipping for an annual fee, making it easier to get items quickly.

Consumers can maximize savings by timing their purchases around shipping promotions or signing up for memberships that offer shipping discounts.

11. Emergence of Social Shopping

The pandemic also spurred the rise of social shopping, where Canadians discover and purchase products directly through social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Social commerce lets shoppers engage with brands, influencers and reviews in real-time before buying. A survey by Hootsuite found that 30% of Canadians have purchased a product after seeing it on social media.

Key factors driving social shopping include:

• Shoppable posts: Brands can tag products in social media posts, making it easy for users to purchase with one click.
• Influencer partnerships: Influencers often share promo codes or exclusive deals with their followers, driving engagement and sales.
• Live shopping events: Platforms like Instagram Live and Facebook Live offer real-time shopping experiences, during which viewers can interact with brands and take advantage of limited-time offers.

To get the most out of social shopping, follow brands and influencers for exclusive discounts and use Dealhack’s curated list of social shopping deals to save on the products you love.

Impact of Remote Work on Canadian Shopping Habits – Key Trends and Growth

Shopping Habit	Growth/Impact	Description
Surge in home office products	48% of remote workers	Increased demand for ergonomic furniture, tech upgrades, and office supplies as Canadians optimized workspaces.
Shift to online grocery shopping	170% growth	Canadians turned to online grocery services like Instacart and Walmart for convenience and safety.
Rise in subscription services	30% increase	Meal kits and streaming services like Goodfood and Netflix became more popular for convenience and entertainment.
Increased spending on health and wellness	25% increase	More focus on self-care, with higher spending on vitamins, supplements, fitness equipment, and meditation apps.
Growth in e-commerce shopping	70% growth	Online shopping expanded significantly, driven by convenience, discounts, and a broader product range.
Increased use of curbside pickup	50% of Canadians	Curbside pickup became popular for those seeking immediate assistance without entering stores.
Adoption of digital payments	65% of Canadians	Mobile wallets and buy-now-pay-later options like Apple Pay and Afterpay became the go-to for secure payments.
Higher demand for comfort and leisure products	Not specified	Loungewear, home fitness gear, and kitchen appliance sales surged as people spent more time at home.
Rise in sustainable shopping	40% of consumers	More consumers prioritized eco-friendly products, supporting local and ethical brands.
Increased demand for fast/free shipping	68% of Canadians	Consumers preferred retailers offering same-day or free shipping, especially for essential items.
Growth in social shopping	30% of Canadians	Shopping via social media platforms like Instagram surged, driven by influencers and interactive content.

Conclusion

The work-from-home lifestyle has reshaped Canadian shopping, from home office upgrades to online groceries and digital payments. As these trends continue to evolve, shopping smarter and saving money is more important than ever. Whether you’re upgrading your workspace or exploring new services, there are countless opportunities to make better, cost-effective purchases.

For exclusive discounts, cash-back offers, and unbeatable savings, visit Dealhack now to explore amazing deals and start saving on all your purchases today!

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