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As inflation reshapes spending, 83% of Canadians are shopping more carefully, while 53% want retailers to offer more connected, personalized technology experiences.
Mississauga, Canada – January 27, 2026 – SOTI, a proven innovator and industry leader for simplifying business mobility solutions, today released new Canadian insights from its annual global research report, “Retail Tech Assessment: Opportunities for Enhanced Consumer Experiences.”
Based on responses from 13,000 consumers across 11 countries, including 1,000 Canadian respondents, the report outlines how technology, economic pressures and rising concerns about data security are reshaping Canadians’ shopping choices.
Consumers Are More Cost-Conscious Than Ever Amid Economic Uncertainty
With inflation and household spending pressures still elevated, Canadian consumers are more selective and pragmatic in how they shop. They’re actively comparing prices across channels, prioritizing value-driven loyalty programs, and paying closer attention to where and how products are made.
Research found that economic factors have influenced consumers ability to purchase their usual items in the past 12 months. Canada (64%) is among the countries that feel this impact most strongly, alongside the U.S. (69%), Mexico (65%), Australia (63%) and the UK (62%), compared to 50% in Germany, Italy and Sweden and 49% in the Netherlands.
Canadians are reducing impulse or non-essential purchases (43%), and buying local remains a strong consideration, with 31% checking product origin, and 38% actively choosing to buy Canadian-made goods to support the Canadian economy.
“Canadians are navigating a cost-of-living crunch by being smarter with how and where they shop,” said Shash Anand, SVP of Product Strategy at SOTI. “They’re prioritizing price and increasingly supporting local brands that align with their values. Retailers who leverage technology to improve operational efficiency, whether through smarter inventory management, dynamic pricing or personalized loyalty offers, will be better positioned to maintain trust and customer retention even in a tighter economy.”
Retailers Need to Enhance Consumer Engagement with Technology
While Canadian consumers increasingly use digital tools to shop, they see room for retailers to make these experiences more personal and connected. Fifty per cent (50%) of Canadians choose retailers that use technology to make the in-store experience more personalized, while 55% choose online retailers for the same experience. Forty-eight per cent (48%) of Canadians use retailer apps for loyalty points, faster checkout or exclusive offers.
“Canadian consumers are digitally savvy and want retailers to make technology more rewarding, not just functional,” added Anand. “Our report found that 53% of Canadians would like to see more technology-enhanced shopping, which is a clear sign to retailers that they must integrate connected and secure mobility platforms across apps, devices and in-store experiences to truly differentiate in this competitive market.”
Security and Privacy Are Growing Concerns
Security and data protection remain top-of-mind. In fact, 84% of Canadians are concerned about at least one privacy or security issue when shopping online or in-store, and 86% hesitate to buy from a retailer that has suffered a cyberattack. With privacy awareness growing alongside the adoption of digital tools, Canadian consumers expect brands to be transparent about how their data is used and protected.
“Canadian consumers are open to personalization, but only if they can trust retailers with their data,” concluded Anand. “Retailers must invest in systems that don’t just secure transactions but also protect every connected device and apps in their ecosystem. At SOTI, we’re seeing Canadian businesses focus on strengthening mobility management, compliance and visibility to meet these rising expectations. Trust has become a core currency of loyalty in retail.”
SOTI’s latest report, “Retail Tech Assessment: Opportunities for Enhanced Consumer Experiences,” can be downloaded here.
Report Methodology
SOTI’s research expanded its scope to cover 13,000 consumers, uncovering key insights into the evolving retail landscape across 11 countries, including Italy and Spain for the first time. The sample split is as follows: U.S. (2,000), Canada (1,000), Mexico (1,000), UK (2,000), Germany (1,000), France (1,000), Sweden (1,000), the Netherlands (1,000), Italy (1,000), Spain (1,000) and Australia (1,000).
About SOTI
SOTI is a proven innovator and industry leader for simplifying business mobility solutions by making them smarter, faster and more reliable. With SOTI’s innovative portfolio of solutions, organizations can trust SOTI to elevate and streamline their mobile operations, maximize their ROI and reduce device downtime. Globally, with over 17,000 customers, SOTI has proven itself to be the go-to mobile platform provider to manage, secure and support business-critical devices. With SOTI’s world-class support, enterprises can take mobility to endless possibilities. For more information, visit soti.net.
