Online shopping by Canadians in 2020: Results from the Canadian Internet Use Survey

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Release date: June 22, 2021 Correction date: December 14, 2022

Correction notice

On December 14, 2022, a correction was made for the 2018 estimate of online shoppers.

Infographic: Online shopping by Canadians in 2020: Results from the Canadian Internet Use Survey
Description: Online shopping by Canadians in 2020: Results from the Canadian Internet Use Survey

Online shopping by Canadians in 2020: Results from the Canadian Internet Use Survey

82 % of Canadians shopped online in 2020, versus 77% in 2018.

Canadians spent a total of $ 84.4 billion online, versus $57.4 in 2018.

Canadians who shopped online

90% of those 15 to 24 years old

95% of those 25 to 44 years old

83% of those 45 to 64 years old

55% of those 65 years old and over

What did Canadians buy online in 2020?

68% bought digital goods or services

76% bought physical goods

9% bought peer-to-peer accommodation services

49% bought other services

Physical goods by subscription

16% of Canadians had an online subscription for physical goods: 7% for meal kits boxes. 5% for groceries such as food or beverages. 9% for other physical goods.

Did you know?

13% of Canadians ordered groceries online for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. 9% bought other physical goods online for the first time.

Canadians shopped more online, but they still encountered problems...

Speed of delivery slower than indicated : 38%

Foreign retailer did not sell or ship to Canada : 24%

Product was lower quality than expected : 20%

Technical failure of website : 19%

Among those who didn't shop online:

73% reported no need or no interest, 23% had security or privacy concerns, 18% wanted to see, hold, or try the product before buying it, and 16% said it was too difficult to order online.

Source:

Statistics Canada, Canadian Internet Use Survey 2018 and 2020.

Note:

The data in this infographic are for individuals aged 15 and over living in Canada's provinces. Respondents who used the Internet in the three months preceding the survey answered the questions in the E-commerce module.

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