Western Canadian shoppers enjoy holiday shopping the least and plan to spend less this year, according to Maritz Research's annual holiday shopping poll.
Only 16% of Western Canadians said they enjoyed holiday shopping, less than Quebeckers (17%), Atlantic Canadians (18%) and Ontarians (19%). Coincidentally, the survey found that the majority (56%) of Western Canadians have not delayed their holiday shopping, with a third of respondents having started or finished their shopping before December. About 44% said they plan to finish their holiday shopping in the two weeks before Christmas.
This year's survey found that Western Canadians were the most likely to decrease their holiday spending this season (39%), followed by Ontarians (37%), Atlantic Canadians (33%), and Quebeckers (31%). Most plan to spend about $450, which is lower than the median spending average of $500 by Ontario and Atlantic Canadian consumers. Quebeckers plan to spend the least with a median average of $300.
Most consumers nationally are looking for deals with discount retailers among the most prominent holiday spending destinations this season with Walmart, Zellers and Winners among the top discount retail destinations.
Future Shop was the highest ranking destination of B.C.-based retailers, with 31% of electronics consumers planning to shop there, followed by Best Buy (22%) and HMV (13%). Consumers plan to spend about $94 at Future Shop, $89 at Best Buy and $73 at EB Games in the electronics category.
Lululemon, while not a top clothing destination with only 3% planning to shop there this holiday season, had among the highest level of anticipated average consumer spend of $128.
About 7% plan to shop at London Drugs with an average holiday spending by consumers of $88.