2 in 5 Canadians Cutting Back on Holiday Gift Spending: Survey

Of 1,013 Canadians surveyed, 42 percent say they will spend less this holiday season, while 23 percent plan to spend more, and 28 percent will keep their budget unchanged. The survey was commissioned by marketing platform Omnisend and published on Nov. 20.
These figures make Canadians the “most cautious” shoppers compared to those in other countries, said a release on the survey results. The survey found that 37 percent of Americans and Britons, and 34 percent of Australians, also plan to spend less.
“While financial constraints are still top of mind, it’s very promising to see an increase in purchase intent leading into the holiday shopping season,” said Ann-Marie McIntosh, Vice President Global Brand at FedEx.
Sixty percent of Canadians are primarily shopping for their spouses, followed by parents at 55 percent and children at 48 percent. Additionally, 24 percent plan to buy gifts for their pets, according to the survey.
Sixty-nine percent of shoppers plan to purchase gifts from major online marketplaces, with Amazon (97 percent), Walmart (43 percent), and Etsy (13 percent) leading the way. Meanwhile, Chinese online marketplaces Temu and Shein are used by 19 percent and 15 percent of Canadian shoppers, respectively, Omnisend said.
For in-person shopping, 60 percent of Canadians plan to buy gifts at large retailers, 31 percent at discount stores, 25 percent at small businesses, and 14 percent at specialty or boutique shops.
Despite the popularity of online shopping, 67 percent of shoppers are concerned about package theft, FedEx reported. However, more than half (59 percent) plan to continue shopping online, with many citing the convenience of e-commerce as a key reason.
Shoppers are also taking measures to protect their packages, with 58 percent using delivery tracking tools, such as photo proof of delivery, real-time tracking, mobile apps, and notifications, as their primary method of protection against theft, according to FedEx.