MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 12, 2014) - A new poll has revealed the potential for a Western Canada surge in demand for online shopping this holiday season, with the number of online consumers in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan expected to grow by double-digits. A majority of Canadians also intend to opt for the convenience and comfort of "click-buy-and-ship" from anywhere.
Findings of the third annual FedEx Express Canada Online Shopping Intentions Survey reveal that six out of ten shoppers expect to turn to e-commerce, compared to 51% of survey respondents who shopped online last year. The poll of 1,509 Canadian residents was conducted by Angus Reid and commissioned by Federal Express Canada Ltd. (FedEx Express Canada), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX), one of the world's largest express transportation companies.
"Doing all or some of our holiday shopping online is now the new norm in Canada," said Lisa Lisson, president of FedEx Express Canada. "Canadians put a lot of work and effort into preparing for the holidays. Canadians are discovering that shopping online helps to alleviate much of the stress in the lead-up to the holidays."
Key findings from this year's FedEx Express Canada Online Shopping Intentions Survey are:
- 2014 Online Holiday Shopping Projections
- The number of online shoppers in BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan will increase by double digits;
- 68% of British Columbians are expected to shop online this holiday season, representing an increase of 19% over those who did so in 2013;
- Alberta represents the province with the greatest proportional number of online shopping, with 69% of survey respondents from this province planning on shopping online this holiday season, up 13% from those who did so in 2013;
- 63% of Ontarians will shop online this holiday season, up from 54% who did so last year.
- Manitoba is projected to see the number of online shoppers increase this holiday season to 62% up from 54% in 2013;
- In Quebec and Atlantic Canada, 53% of survey respondents in both regions plan to shop online this holiday season.
- The 2014 Canadian Online Holiday Shopper Profile
- Men are more likely to use a virtual shopping cart this year; 64% of men and 58% of women expect to shop online for the holidays, compared to 52% of men and 49% of women who shopped online last holiday season;.
- Younger shoppers are more likely to shop online: 75% of survey respondents aged 18-34 years and 67% of those aged 35 to 54 years indicated they will do holiday shopping online this year;
- Significantly more shoppers across all income brackets intend to shop online this year: 77% of people with incomes higher than $100,000 plan to shop online this year (73% in 2013), as will 66% of those earning $50,000-$99,999 (56% in 2013).
- Is Online Shopping for Everyone?
- Two key demographics have been identified in the 2014 survey results where respondents are opposed or split on shopping online this holiday season:
- 68% of respondents surveyed aged 55 and older stated that they will not do online shopping this year;
- Only 49% of French-speaking survey respondents indicated they will do some or all of their online holiday shopping online this year;
"The online holiday shopping season is an exciting time for FedEx as it represents a tremendous opportunity for Canadian consumers and businesses," said Lisson. "Online shoppers have more options at their fingertips while e-tailers have potential access to a growing customer base. Our mission at FedEx is to connect online businesses with their online shoppers, helping to make the holiday season easier and worry-free for all."
In order to accommodate the growth of online shopping in Canada, FedEx has begun a process of expanding its retail presence across Canada. For example, FedEx Office has expanded its retail network that accommodates all shipping and printing needs in key markets across Canada. Further, FedEx announced an agreement with Home Hardware in March, 2014 to host FedEx Authorized ShipCentres® in participating stores throughout Canada. FedEx also announced in September, 2014 a similar agreement with Super C and their 86 stores across Quebec. The purpose behind these agreements is to offer Canadians more local points-of-access for FedEx Express and FedEx Ground services, including the full-suite of shipping options at each participating store. This includes:
- FedEx Priority Overnight® and FedEx First Overnight®, offering next business day morning delivery to most metropolitan areas of Canada, right up to December 24th;
- FedEx International Priority® and FedEx International First®, with morning next business day delivery to select cities in the USA, second day morning delivery to most cities in Europe and Latin America, and third day morning delivery to most cities in Asia;
- FedEx Ground®, offering one to seven day service across Canada at economical rates.
- FedEx Express delivery on Saturdays to most major cities in Canada and to select international points;
- FedEx Hold at Location through FedEx Express and FedEx Office locations - allows customers to better control their delivery options, minimizing missed deliveries and returns.
About The FedEx Express Canada Online Shopping Survey
From September 10th to September 11th, 2014 an online survey was conducted among 1,509 randomly-selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error-which measures sampling variability-is +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to education, age, gender and region (and in Quebec, language) Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is one of the world's largest express transportation companies, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air and ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee.
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $46 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.
Contact Information:
James Anderson
Media Relations
(905) 212-5372
jcanderson@fedex.com