SURVEY SAYS GOOD CHRISTMAS AHEAD FOR RETAILERS
By Adnews Staff
A survey conducted by Toronto's Deloitte & Touche has some encouraging findings for retailers looking towards the Christmas season. The survey polled over 1200 Canadians earlier this month on their spending habits during the back-to-school season. Nearly half of them reported spending more this year than last and said their decisions were driven primarily by low prices rather than other factors like wide selection or high quality goods. Regionally, Quebecers said that they increased their spending "a lot" more than others on back to school shopping (15.6% versus 9.8% nationally). Quebecers also spent a greater proportion on books and supplies and less on clothing, while Atlantic Canada, the Prairies and British Columbia were close to the national averages. In Ontario, residents spent more on computers and software than the rest of the country.