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What is Discount Shopping?


Wise Geek says that “discount shopping refers to a variety of shopping practices where people look to save money on purchases.” Some shoppers tend to purchase products that are put on sale and shop at stores that offer discount merchandise regularly. Some others clip coupons to save money at point of sale, and a few will look for lowest prices of items and only shop at stores that offer price matching guarantees. For those with limited budgets budget, discount shopping can prove a great way to save money.

This article provides information about Wal-Mart Discount Stores, Online Shopping and recent survey highlights about online shopping.

What are Wal-Mart Discount Stores?


Wal-Mart Discount Stores are discount department stores that carry general merchandise and a wide selection of food products. Many of these stores also have a garden centre, pharmacy, optical centre, one-hour photo processing lab, portrait studio, bank branch, cell phone store and fast food outlet. Walmart was established in Canada in 1994 with the acquisition of 122-store Woolco division of Woolworth Canada. As of November 2011, there were 173 Wal-Mart Discount Stores in Canada. With the success of Wal-Mart in Canada, it was announced in late 2005 that the Supercentre concept would be arriving in Canada. In November of 2006, Canada Supercentres opened in Ontario and Alberta while the first outlet opened in Vancouver, British Columbia in January 2009. As of November 2011, there were already 156 Wal-Mart Supercentres in Canada.

What is Online Shopping in Canada?


Ezine says that Canadian retailers can expect a substantial growth in online sales. This declaration was based on the results of Ernst & Young's Global Internet Retail Survey. The survey, which looked at the online retail habits in six countries, also found that Canada shows the most promise for conversion of non-buyers to buyers, with 82% of non-buyers planning to purchase something on the Internet in the next 12 months. High shipping costs (46%), needing to try on items for fit (34%) and high prices (29%) topped the list of concerns for Canadian consumers. Interestingly, of the options given, Canadian buyers listed credit card information being stolen as their lowest concern (19%).

What were the Recent Survey Highlights?


Ezine reveals the survey highlights which pointed out the following:
- 15% of Canadian shoppers online made 10 or more purchases in 1999; U.S. numbers were even higher at 39%.
- Canadian online shoppers spent an average of $770 online in 1999.
- 30% of those Canadians who shop online spent more than US$500 in 1999.
- Report confirms there is a correlation between income level and number of purchases online. The greater the income, the larger the amount of purchases.
- 18% of Canadian purchases were impulse purchases.
- Growth in online sales has been aggressive to date. As the report indicates, with 39% of Canadian households online, but only 9% shopping via the Internet, the opportunity for additional growth in online sales is tremendous.
Going once, going twice . . . the appeal of online auctions
- 32% of those interviewed were buying at online auctions.
- 53% of those who buy at auctions expect to increase their purchases, indicating future growth.

Discount and Online Shopping


Discount and online shopping have become very popular in Canada because of the immense benefits that it brings to consumers. The most important factors here are affordability and convenience.

References


wisegeek.com
wikipedia.org
canadaone.com

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