Understanding The Impact of Tariffs on Grocery Shopping Habits and Behaviors
June 2025
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Canadians continue to feel largely pessimistic about the current economic situtation, some are starting to feel more optimistic towards their personal financial future
Consumer sentiment has remained relatively stable compared to late May, with very slight increases in optimism. However, optimism is still very low among Canadians.
%
of Canadians Are Feeling Negatively About The Current Economic Situation
vs 79% in late May
Pessimistic
25%
vs 20% in late May
Frustrated
17%
vs 14% in late May
Anxious
12%
vs 17% in late May
Hopeful
10%
vs 11% in late May
Overall optimism about the future has remained relatively stable compared to late May. However, as the Canada-US trade war cools off optimism about the financial future is tentatively beginning to increase.
Level of optimism about the future
- 8-10 (Unchanged vs late May) 9%
- 5-7 (vs 49% in late May) 50%
- 1-4 (vs 42% in late May) 41%
Level of optimism about financial future
- 8-10 (vs 20% in late May) 17%
- 5-7 (vs 45% in late May) 55%
- 1-4 (vs 35% in late May) 28%
*10 being very optimistic on the scale
Due to tariffs and financial concerns, habits and beliefs surrounding Canadian grocery shopping are changing.
Consumers are grocery shopping as often as before — but paying more. While 68% report no change in their grocery shopping frequency, 80% say their grocery bill has increased in the past three months — pointing to price strain, not behavioral shift.
Changes to grocery shopping frequency
%
About the Same
%
Less often
Most Canadians say their grocery prices have increased in the past three months. Because of increasing prices, consumer attitudes towards grocery shopping are rapidly souring.
Perceived changes to grocery prices
%
of Canadiana feel their grocery bill has gone up (NET)
- It has gone up a lot ⬆️⬆️ 31%
- It has gone up a bit⬆️ 49%
- It has stayed about the same🟰 16%
- It has gone down a bit⬇️ 3%
- It has gone down a lot⬇️⬇️ 1%
Largely due to increasing prices, consumer attitudes are turning increasingly critical toward grocery shopping. However, some consumers continue to enjoy the experience of grocery shopping.
Price increases are a shock every time I go into the store so I don’t. I have switched to online shopping to save money. No impulse buying, and using flyers for deals.
I enjoy shopping for groceries because I love to cook. However the prices on many goods have become astronomical.
M, 66, Ontario
F, 43, Ontario
M, 27, Ontario
As prices and attitudes change, so do shopping habits, with impulse purchases being the biggest habit consumers are trying to kick.
%
of Canadians have made changes to their grocery shopping habits in the past three months
Some of the most popular changes include:
Avoiding impulse purchases
%
Cutting back on snacks/treats
%
Looking for cheaper alternatives
%
Choosing store brands more often
%
Cutbacks have been another change, with nearly one third of Canadians needing to cut back on grocery essentials over the past three months.
28% say they’ve reduced spending on everyday grocery basics – not just nice-to-haves.
Top categories being cut
- Proteins/meats
- Snacks
- Produce
- Rice
- Treats
Despite significant changes to grocery shopping habits, very few consumers have switched their primary store. A third of consumers have started shopping around more for their grocery products in search of better prices, deals and promotions.
Changes to retailer choice
Reasons for shopping around more
%
Has switched their primary store
%
Started using multiple stores more often
- Better prices 78%
- More deals & promotions 57%
- Opportunities to buy local 43%
- Searching for specific products 37%
- Better selection & variety 28%
- Loyalty programs & rewards 24%
- Better quality products 20%
- More reliable stock availability 16%
- Retailers are closer to home 15%
- Store values align with my values 14%
- Better bulk buy options 13%
%
Of Canadian consumers say they now visit dollar stores more often than they did in the past
With all of the challenges consumers are facing, we asked consumers to share a few grocery shopping survival tips! Here's what they had to say.
Top grocery shopping survival tips
Buy what's on sale and hunt for deals
Always get the store or generic brand. They are usually cheaper while being the same quality as name brands. Stores usually have coupons for generic brands.
M, 41, Alberta
I buy store brands and find the best value. I often look at how many grams per dollar spent. It is often cheaper to buy the bigger pack size than the smaller size, even when it is on sale.
Stick to a budget and avoid impulse purchases
I always carry a list of items to be purchased on mobile, and make no impulse purchases.
Creating a list and sticking to it helps me reduce impulse purchases.
I like ordering online. It helps me avoid impulse purchases and helps me plan out meals as I can add to my cart over a few days.
Planning Ahead
I always look out for deals on the applications. They do not always clearly label them instore.
M, 33, Ontario
I always check the store’s online flyer when I make my shopping list. That way I can get the best price and also do my meal prep for the week by what main dish will be the cheapest.
Shoppers aren’t just changing their own habits – They are also facing empty shelves
%
Noticing more out-of-stock items
Most frequent out-of stock items:
- Dairy & eggs
- Produce
- Meat & protein
- Pantry staples
- Household items & toiletries
Many Canadians (80%) say it’s important to buy locally produced groceries — especially fresh essentials like dairy, produce, and meat.
%
Believe it's important to purchase locally produced groceries
Top "Buy Local" priority items
(among those who value shopping locally)
- Dairy/eggs 88%
- Fresh Produce 79%
- Meat/Poultry 79%
- Bakery Items 75%
Grocery Prices Are Causing Stress or Strain for Nearly All Canadians
Impact of rising grocery prices on household budgets
- They’re creating a lot of stress 14%
- They’ve made things tighter, but are managing 53%
- They haven’t made a big difference 26%
- They’re not impacting our budget at all 7%
To cover grocery costs, Canadians are cutting back on other areas like dining out, travel and entertainment
Top areas Canadians are cutting back on
Dining Out
%
Travel or Vacation
%
Entertainment
%
Hobbies or Leisure Activities
%
Despite significant changes to their spending habits, many Canadians are uncertain about price stability.
93% expect further changes to their grocery budget — and many worry about the rising cost and safety of staple foods.
%
of Canadians think their grocery budget will change in the coming months
I’m worried about the cost of milk and fresh produce. It’s getting harder and harder to feed my family with skyrocketing grocery and home heating costs. Groceries and power are needs and will be prioritized but as a result, we will need to cut back on hobbies and the little extras that make life enjoyable for us.
F, 41, Atlantic
A word on our approach...
Fine Print:
A Nationally Representative Angus Reid Group Sample
Sample Size: n= 307 Canadians aged 18+ years old
Fieldwork dates: June 2-7, 2025
Mobile Chat
Coming Soon:
Over the next several months, we’ll be diving deeper into how tariffs and economic uncertainty are shaping everyday life. From travel plans to the impact on media consumption, personal wellness, big-ticket purchases, and budgeting strategies — we’ll explore it all. We’ll also cover shifting consumer trust in brands and retailers, impulse spending trends, and how special occasions and summer holidays are being affected.
Stay tuned for fresh insights!
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