To understand how Canadians are planning to celebrate (and shop) this year, we surveyed 901 Canadians between March 24–26. The results reveal not just what people are buying, but when, where, and what’s influencing their decisions most.
Here’s what we learned:
Spending Is Steady, but Significant
Easter spending remains consistent year-over-year, with 51% of Canadians planning to spend about the same as last year. Meanwhile, 24% expect to spend more, showing there’s still room for growth, especially with the right in-store execution.
Looking back at 2025, 85% of Canadians purchased Easter-related items like chocolate, candy, or gifts.
Big Box Still Dominates Easter Shopping
When it comes to where Canadians plan to shop:
- 53% → Box Stores
- 24% → Grocery Stores
- 17% → Dollar Stores
Smaller channels like online and local shops lag far behind.
For brands, this reinforces a key reality: Winning Easter means winning in-store at major retail locations.
Merchandising Matters More Than Ever
One of the most striking insights: 93% of Canadians say display and shelf presentation influence their purchase decisions
That’s not a small effect, that’s almost everyone.
Whether it’s:
- Empty shelves
- Poor product placement
- Missing signage
these issues directly impact sales.
This is where execution becomes everything, and where real-time, in-store visibility can make or break performance.
March Is the Moment to Win
Even though Easter products hit shelves early:
- 70% of Canadians make their purchases in March
- Only 14% in February
- Just 4% in January
The takeaway: Stocking early isn’t enough, you need flawless execution leading into March, when purchase intent peaks.
What This Means for Brands
Easter success isn’t just about having the right product. It’s about:
- Being available in the right stores
- Showing up properly on shelf
- Executing displays at the right time
- Monitoring conditions in real-time
Because when 93% of shoppers are influenced by what they see in-store, execution isn’t optional, it’s critical.
Want to make sure your products are shelf-ready this Easter, and every seasonal moment?
Let’s talk about how Field Agent can help you see what’s happening in-store and fix issues fast. Contact us today!