Given inflation, the rising cost of living, and issues with supply chains, the majority of Canadians have made at least one change to their purchase behaviours in the last three months.

  • Half are going without/buying less
  • A third are buying in bulk in case things run out

October 5, 2022:

Recent rising prices and interest rates have had an impact on the buying habits of most Canadians. Our recent survey results show that the majority of residents are becoming more wary of what they can afford in terms of goods and services, and on average, Canadians have made 1.7 changes to their recent purchasing.

A strong majority of Canadians say they have made at least one change to their consumption and purchasing habits in the past three months. Interestingly, while going without and buying less (46%) is a negative impact of inflation, buying local (46%) can be seen as a positive contribution to local economies, and about half of residents have turned to this purchasing strategy to fight supply chain issues. About a third of Canadians mention they buy in bulk in case things run out, and a quarter are buying second hand or trading with others, about two-in-ten are growing their own food. Only sixteen percent of respondents report that they have done none of the above.

Buying second hand or trading with others is a much more common response among Millennials than any other age group. Furthermore, lower-income earners are more likely to have gone without or have bought less in the past three months. The Prairies were most likely to report growing their own food, and the ability to buy more locally increased with household income.


Results are from a survey conducted in partnership between Narrative Research and the Logit Group. The survey was conducted online between September 6 and 9, 2022 with 1,230 Canadians 18 years of age or older from the Logit Group’s Canadian Omnibus. Data were weighted based on the 2016 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect actual population distribution. As a non-probability sample (i.e., a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), and in accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied.   

The question asked was:
In the last three months, which of the following changes have you made to your purchase behaviours?

  • Going without/buying less
  • Buying local when possible
  • Buying in bulk in case things run out
  • Buying second hand/trading with others
  • Growing my own food
  • None of the above

For more information, please contact:

Margaret Chapman, COO & Partner, Narrative Research – 902.493-3834, mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca

OR

Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com

Narrative Research (www.narrativeresearch.ca), is a leading public opinion and market research company headquartered in Canada. The company was recently certified as a WBE (Women Business Enterprise). As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, Narrative Research is dedicated to providing clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services. 

The Logit Group (https://logitgroup.com/) is a leading North American data collection and market research execution company headquartered in Toronto, conducting large-scale projects for a variety of well-known research agencies and brands. Logit employs industry-best technologies across an array of methodologies, and is independent, experienced and quality-oriented. 

Follow us on Twitter at @EveryNarrative and @LogitGroup

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