News Summary

• The patriotic intentions of cash-strapped Canadians are about to run up against hard economic reality, say retail experts.
• PwC is forecasting a 10 per cent decline in Canadians’ purchases this season compared with last year, at an average $1,675 spend per shopper.
• But Deloitte Canada’s holiday retail outlook report said it expected spending to increase slightly, by three per cent compared with 2024.
• Nearly three-quarters of Canadians prefer to support local or Canadian-owned businesses.