Back-to-school season is in full swing, and retailers across Canada are competing for their share of one of the year's biggest shopping occasions.
In our recent 2026 Back-to-School survey, Canadians named Walmart, Dollarama, Costco, Real Canadian Superstore and Staples as their top five destinations for school supplies. So, we sent Field Agents into stores to see what the back-to-school season actually looks like at retail.
Our Agents captured displays at four of those five retailers, giving us a snapshot of how brands and retailers are showing up in stores this August. Costco was the exception: by the time we visited, its back-to-school merchandise had already largely disappeared, offering an interesting reminder of just how early seasonal retail can move.
The photos reveal some very different approaches to capturing back-to-school shoppers.
At Walmart, large, colourful branded displays turn school supplies, and even lunchbox snacks, into something fun & exciting. Real Canadian Superstore also features highly visible branded displays, including school bus themed Crayola merchandising and dedicated lunch and school supply sections.
Dollarama takes a more product dense approach, with shelves packed with recognizable school supply brands alongside value priced alternatives. Meanwhile, Staples dedicates significant space to the occasion, from backpacks and pencil cases to school supplies organized around price points and recognizable brands.
For brands, it's a good reminder that winning the back-to-school shopper isn't just about being on the shelf. Seasonal placement, display visibility, pricing, availability and execution all play a role in what shoppers actually encounter once they walk into the store.
And stay tuned: we'll be sharing even more findings from our 2026 Canadian Back-to-School Report, including insights into where Canadians are shopping, what they're spending and what's influencing their decisions this school year.