March Break: Consumers are resilient in their spending
February 26, 2025Montreal, February 26, 2025 – The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) today released the results of its March Break 2025 Shopping Survey of 10,000 adults across the country. The uncertainty linked to the trade crisis with the United States does not seem to affect consumers’ purchasing intentions.
March break does not concern all consumers: the study reveals that only 20% of respondents plan to make purchases for this period, a stable rate compared to 2024. However, 84% of these people plan to spend as much or more than last year, demonstrating a certain resilience despite an uncertain economic context. In addition, 55% intend to spend more in local or independent shops, compared to 35% who say the opposite.
What will consumers do?
Of those who plan to spend for March break, one in 5 plans to spend more than $400, which is partly due to travel plans. In fact, 32% planned to travel during March break.
The other major categories of spending remain dining out (34%), followed by entertainment and activities (33.5%). There is also a growing interest in sustainable products, with 35% of respondents looking for eco-friendly packaging or products with less impact on the environment.
A notable trend this year, already observed in our previous surveys, is the marked increase in the use of flyers as a source of inspiration for purchases. This has increased from 25% in 2024 to 37% in 2025.
“These data show a shift in purchasing behaviours towards more thoughtful consumption, focused on local and sustainability, said Michel Rochette, President of RCC – Quebec. More than ever, we hope that the population will be there to support retailers in their community. Our consumer surveys are a valuable tool to help merchants better plan their operations and understand long-term trends.”
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About the Retail Council of Canada
Recognized as the Voice of Retailers™ in Quebec and Canada since 1963, the Retail Council of Canada is an industry-funded, not-for-profit association that represents small, medium and large retail businesses that are embedded in people’s daily lives. The organization has more than 17,000 businesses and establishments, including the largest banners in Quebec – and nearly 60,000 in Canada –; from department stores to food distribution, specialty stores, pharmacies, independent retail and online stores. RCC is a hub where unique expertise converges, developing guides, tools and certified training, in addition to being a true source of data and analysis. The retail sector employs more than half a million Quebecers and generates sales of nearly $110 billion (2022).
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