Canadian Holiday Spending Holds Steady, Intentional Purchasing Rises

The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) recently released the 8th annual RCC X Leger 2025 Holiday Shopping Survey report, detailing how Canadian consumers plan, shop and celebrate the holiday season. The survey found spending will remain steady while consumers more deliberately consider the value and meaning of the purchases they make this season. 

Here are top highlights from the study: 

• Canadians plan to spend an average of $975 on gifts, the same amount as 2024.
• 73% of Canadian shoppers will maintain or increase their holiday budgets, yet they are shopping with intention by weighing every purchase to balance celebration and value.
• When it comes to shopping behavior, 85% of shoppers plan to wait for sales to shop, 80% compare prices online and 78% buy more discounted or promotional items.
• 47% of consumers plan to purchase gift cards.
• 44% of shoppers would consider gifting second-hand.
• 86% of Canadians plan to shop close to home during the holidays and 84% will consider Canadian-made products.