What are the most popular online shopping platforms in Canada?

Canada has rapidly embraced digital channels for everyday commerce, from purchasing essentials to finding the latest fashion trends and exclusive deals. The platforms mentioned above not only serve millions of Canadians every month, but also shape the landscape of the national economy by stimulating the development of logistics, marketing technologies, and e-commerce regulation.

The most prominent player — Amazon Canada

The internet giant holds about 40% of Canadian e-commerce, with over 44 million users visiting its virtual storefronts every month. Amazon offers an incredible variety of categories, from electronics, books, and clothing to everyday products. An extensive network of warehouses and advanced delivery methods — including its Prime program with free and fast delivery — make Amazon Canada the go-to platform for online shopping for many households.

Temu

Temu remains the second most visited marketplace, having quickly attracted a large audience by taking advantage of its high-profile entry into the Canadian market and aggressive pricing strategies. Offering affordable clothing, accessories, appliances, and home goods, Temu often competes with Amazon on price, while its mobile interface and cross-platform discounts add to its appeal.

Walmart Canada

Walmart Canada ranks third, combining e-commerce with a diverse network of brick-and-mortar stores. Walmart's online store is visited by over 14 million users every month, who order everyday items ranging from groceries to gardening equipment and consumer electronics. The click-and-collect model, where shoppers fill their carts online and pick up their orders at a pickup location, has become extremely popular with busy families.

eBay Canada

The oldest of the major marketplaces, eBay Canada ranks fourth in terms of traffic, with approximately 28 million unique visitors per month. Its auction format and the opportunity to purchase unique or collectible items at a bargain price continue to attract enthusiasts and vintage lovers.

Canadian Tire

Fifth place in popularity goes to Canadian Tire, a traditional multi-category retailer that actively sells everything from auto parts and sporting goods to home and garden products through its online store. The Triangle loyalty program and seasonal discounts help the company maintain a strong position in both online and offline retail.

Other market players

In addition to the “big five,” the Canadian e-commerce space also features players such as:

• Costco.ca — popular among buyers of wholesale and household goods;
• Best Buy Canada — focuses on electronics;
• Home Depot Canada — home improvement and gardening products;
• Etsy Canada — a marketplace for handmade and vintage special offers;
• local platforms and niche sites.

Together, these corporations account for about 65% of all online sales in Canada, while other categories (fashion, beauty, home goods) share the rest of the traffic and revenue. The share of e-commerce in Canada's retail turnover grew to over 6% in December 2024 and continues to grow, indicating a steady shift of consumers to the digital environment.

Business platforms

At the business platform level, Shopify and WooCommerce remain the leading solutions for creating online stores, together accounting for over 65% of the market among tools for small and medium-sized businesses in Canada.

• Shopify (founded in Ottawa) powers over 45% of all e-commerce stores, helping businesses quickly launch their own storefronts, integrate marketing tools, and offer modern payment methods.
• WooCommerce (a WordPress plugin) is chosen by about 21% of stores because of its flexibility and lack of subscription fees.

Conclusion

The Canadian e-commerce market is a mix of global marketplaces, national retailers, and local business platforms, giving Canadians lots of choices, competitive prices, and different delivery and payment options. The significant presence of brick-and-mortar chains in the digital space, the development of mobile apps, and the rapid growth of online users are shaping an increasingly integrated omnichannel ecosystem where convenience and speed of service are becoming critical success factors.