U.S. Embassy
Faye Clack Marketing & Communications Inc.
In 2002 Canada's 31 million consumers generated overall retail sales totaling CDN$306.4 billion, representing a 6% increase over 2001. The food channel experienced its largest annual sales gain since 1987, increasing 5% over 2001 to reach CDN$66.8 billion or 22% of total retail sales. Between 1998 and 2002 the increase seen in the overall retail channel increased a significant 24%, while the food channel grew 16%.
MARKET SUMMARY 3
OVERVIEW 3
CANADA’S GROCERY SUB-SECTORS: CHANNEL BLURRING 5
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING U.S. EXPORTERS: 10
ROAD MAP FOR MARKET ENTRY 11
MARKET STRUCTURE 16
DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL 16
RETAIL SUB-SECTORS 18
SUPERMARKETS/SUPERSTORES, MASS MERCHANDISERS AND CLUB WAREHOUSE 18
CONVENIENCE STORES, GAS MARTS, KIOSKS 22
INDEPENDENT GROCERS: 24
COMPETITION 25
BEST PRODUCT PROSPECTS: 28
PRODUCTS PRESENT IN THE MARKET WITH GOOD SALES POTENTIAL: 28
PRODUCTS NOT PRESENT IN SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES BUT WITH GOOD POTENTIAL 32
PRODUCTS FACING SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS: 34
CONTACTS 36
