Holiday retail spending set to rise 4.4% in Canada from last year: Visa

Shoppers on Sainte-Catherine St. take advantage of deals on Black Friday in Montreal, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

TORONTO —Canadians appear to be spending more this holiday season.

Preliminary data from digital payments company Visa Canada shows holiday retail spending was up 4.4 per cent year-over-year across all payment types, including cash and cheque.

The report, which doesn’t adjust the figures for inflation, said 88 per cent of total holiday spending happened in-store, while 12 per cent came from online shopping.

E-commerce spending grew seven per cent year-over-year driven by extended promotions and as consumers sought convenience, the report said.

Other countries, including the U.S., U.K. and Australia, saw a similar upswing in holiday consumer spending, the data suggested.

The report said Canadians spent more on clothing and accessories, up 10 per cent from last year, while one-stop shops were the top choice for consumers.

Health and personal care items were also on many people’s wish lists as the category saw sales rise 5.4 per cent.

Visa chief economist Wayne Best says this season also marks a turning point for shoppers as artificial intelligence begins to shape how people discover products, compare prices and interact with offers.

“This led to a more informed, more intentional consumer, ensuring they could stretch their discretionary spending,” he said.

The VCA Retail Spend Monitor tracks and analyzes retail sales activity over a seven-week period starting Nov. 1, using some of its payments network data and survey-based estimates for other payment methods.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2025.

The Canadian Press