The value of the Canadian dollar continues to drop, tumbling below the 80 cent threshold to its lowest level in almost six years. And many are predicting it could fall another five cents yet.

While some economists say the currency’s drop represents a return to the Canadian dollar's "natural" value, what it will also mean is changes in the way Canadians shop. Here's a sampling of who benefits from a lower loonie, and who will be hurt.

WINNERS

Drivers – Part of the reason the Canadian dollar has dropped so low is because of lower global oil prices. While the commodity price drop is hitting western energy producers, the plus side is that cheaper gas is good news for drivers. Though it remains relatively cheaper to fill up a gas tank in the U.S., fuel prices in Canada are much lower here compared to a year ago.

Canadian tourist towns – Canadian tourist regions were hit hard over the last few years by the weak U.S. dollar. But with the loonie dropping, it should mean a fresh wave of U.S. travellers into Canada. Travel writer Jody Robbins of Vacay.ca says Canada is already seeing a pick-up in international visitors who are also taking advantages of the cheaper price of driving.

"Certainly, we're seeing an increase visitors to Canada, particularly Americans, and when you combine it with the lower price of gas, I think you can expect to see more 'rubber traffic' heading north this year," she told CTV News Channel this week.

Canadian airports – Canadian travellers made millions of trips over the border last year to save a few dollars by flying out of U.S. airports. But our falling dollar raises the cost of driving and parking at U.S. airports, and that means travellers are likely to return to flying from their local airport.

LOSERS

Online and cross-border shoppers – Canadian shoppers have spent the last few years gobbling up deals from U.S. shopping sites over when our two currencies were almost on par. That trend is likely to end now. Outlet malls in U.S. border towns are also likely to soon see a drop in sales, as Canadian shoppers decide to stay home to shop.

Grocery shoppers – A drought in California was already causing spikes in produce prices, including lettuce, grapes and strawberries. Now, with the loonie not going as far, and with many food costs set in U.S. dollar prices, Canadian grocery stores are likely to pass on the costs to consumers. That should hit Canadian shoppers who need to rely on imported produce through the winter, but it could translate to higher sales at Canadian farmers markets come the springtime.

Travellers to the U.S. – There's no way around this one: travel to the U.S. has now become more expensive. Several vacation operators, including Air Canada Vacations, Transat and Sunwing Travel have already added surcharges to accommodate the currency fluctuation. And the lower loonie is going to hurt Canadians with properties south of the border.

But on the bright side for Canadian travellers, the euro is doing even worse than the loonie, so if you're looking to travel this summer, a trip to the French Riviera may make more sense than a visit to Disney World.

Canadian hockey teams NHL player salaries are paid in U.S. dollars, but game tickets are sold in Canadian dollars, so the loonie’s plunge is going to hurt Canadian teams. While well-heeled teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs can handle the hit to their bottom line, other teams may be in trouble in the longer term. The last time the loonie stayed well below the U.S. dollar, back in the mid-1990s, the Quebec Nordiques and the Winnipeg Jets both went south.