Canada is one of the most popular and spectacular countries. Every year, many people travel to this country under the pretext of traveling, studying, working, and living, and while visiting its stores, they also experience shopping in Canada.

Canada has the largest and best shopping malls in the world. Canadian malls are more like a city. If you don't have enough information, you are sure to end up elsewhere.

In all Canadian cities, there are a variety of stores that offer all kinds of clothes, bags and shoes, home appliances, etc. .

If you want to travel to Canada for any reason, you will definitely have to visit the country's shopping centers. There are many ways to be able to both buy your necessities and save money.

As you know, one of the best and most enjoyable things to do is to shop. In my opinion, shopping right is a great art, which means being able to buy the goods you need at a reasonable price.

You might think that shopping in Canada isn't everyone's job and that you want a pocket full of money, but it's not what you think. Not all malls in this country are expensive.

Affordable and economical shopping centers can also be found in Canadian cities. In this post, we are going to provide you with information about cheap shopping in Canada and budget shopping centers, or cheap stores.

By thrift stores, we mean cheap stores. These stores usually sell goods at a lower price than usual. Sometimes, these stores are low-profit chain stores. Some of them are retail stores that offer goods from other stores that are not sold. Some are second-hand stores.

If you are looking for cheap shopping in Canada, stay with us. We are going to introduce cheap buying solutions in Canada.

 Which stores do expats most want to buy from for their daily needs?

In its new survey, Cracking the Newcomer Code, Canadian market research firm Leger  shares the experiences and challenges newcomers face, as well as their buying and spending habits.

According to the report, most newcomers to Canada prefer to shop at the following grocery stores:

• Walmart (24 per cent)
• Costco (20 per cent)
• No Frills (12 percent)
• Real Canadian Superstore (11 per cent)

The report notes that affordability is a key issue for many newcomers to Canada.

Interestingly, 84 per cent of respondents feel that Canada is significantly more expensive than expected.

For newcomers, the most important factor in choosing a grocery store is its price.

More than three-quarters of respondents, 78 percent, say "cost" is a key factor when buying groceries.

Also, 57% of respondents consider discounts and promotions to be an important factor in this regard.

About 54 percent of newcomers say that grocery stores with loyalty programs attract more new immigrants.

Among the most popular loyalty or reward programs for newcomers, the  PC Optimum  program, operated by the Loblaw  Store, took the top spot. 62% of respondents stated that they are members of the program.

After that, the  Costco  store loyalty program, which has 45% of respondents as members, comes in second.

 The Scene+ program also took the third place with 44% of the respondents' membership.

 In Canada, numerous chain stores operate in different fields, which are divided into the following categories:

1. Grocery stores:

• Loblaws: A subsidiary of Loblaw Companies Limited that offers a variety of food products and pharmacies.
• Metro: With more than 400 stores in Quebec and Ontario, it offers fresh food and a variety of products.
• Sobeys:  Includes subsidiaries such as Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, and FreshCo and offers food and health products.
• Walmart Canada:  The Canadian branch of Walmart that offers a variety of products, including groceries, clothing, and electronics.
• No Frills: Budget stores at reasonable prices across Canada.
• Food Basics: A subset of Metro that offers food products at affordable prices.
• Costco: Wholesale stores that offer diverse products at competitive prices.

2. Pharmacy and health stores:

• Drug Mart Shoppers: A chain of pharmacies with health, beauty, and essential products.
• Rexall: A pharmacy company focused on health and well-being.

3. Electronics Stores:

• Best Buy Canada: Specializing in the sale of electronic products and technology.
• The Source: Provides electronics, accessories, and technology services.

4. Clothing & Fashion Stores:

• H&M: Global fashion retailer at reasonable prices.
• Zara: Trendy and stylish for men, women, and children.
• Old Navy: Cheap and comfortable clothes for the whole family.
• Gap: Classic and Modern Clothing.
• Simons:  Canadian department store with fashion and home products.

5. Home Tool and Equipment Stores:

• Home Depot: Home & Construction Repair & Renovation Products.
• Lowe's: Extensive products in the field of home maintenance.

6. Sports and outdoor stores:

• Sport Chek:  Sports equipment, sportswear, and footwear.
• Canadian Tire:  A variety of products of outdoor and sports tools and equipment.
• Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC):  Outdoor and Mountaineering Equipment and Clothing.

7. Furniture and Home Decoration Stores:

• IKEA: Affordable and stylish home furnishings and decorations.
• The Brick: Furniture, Appliances, Electronics, and Bedding.

8. Auto Parts and Accessories Stores:

• Canadian Tire: Extensive equipment in the field of auto parts and accessories.
• NAPA Auto Parts: Auto Parts & Accessories.

9. Department Stores:

• Hudson's Bay: A department with clothes, accessories, and household goods.
• Sears Canada: Online store with a variety of different products.

  Buy from a variety of stores in Canada

Shopping at Chain Stores in Canada

In chain stores, you can access a wide variety of products, including clothing, home appliances, toys, furniture, electrical appliances, snacks, food, cosmetics, and buy at a reasonable price.

In these centers, various products are categorized according to their type in special categories and make the choice easier for the customer.

Shopping at Health & Cosmetics Stores in Canada

The main part of these stores is the sale of medicines, but you can also buy hygiene items, cosmetics, and even some types of detergents in these centers.

Shopping at Food Stores in Canada

In Canada, there are many and varied grocery stores, or supermarkets. In these centers, you can easily buy high-quality food and use it safely. In these stores, you can find a variety of dairy, protein, and vegetable products.

Some of the well-known supermarket chains in Canada that have more branches than others are: NoFrills, Food Basics, Metro, Sobeys, and Independent

 NoFrills and Food Basics  supermarkets have more affordable prices than others. Not to mention, you can also get halal meat in these stores.

 To get halal meats, you can visit Iranian, Pakistani, and Arabic supermarkets. Most of these stores offer halal meat.

Some Metro store branches  operate 24 hours a day.

Shopping at One-Dollar Stores in Canada

These stores are like some Iranian stores. In these stores, you can get your necessities for $1 or $2. We recommend that you take a look at these cheap stores to buy.

Interestingly, not only tourists but also most Canadians visit these cheap malls. These stores often have a fixed price for all goods.

Shopping at Specialty Stores in Canada

These stores offer a specific group of products. Specialty stores are located in all Canadian cities, and each one sells a specific item.

For example, we can mention stores of musical instruments, electronics and subsidized appliances, construction and industrial supplies.

If you are planning to buy a specific product, we recommend that you visit these stores.

Shopping at Agricultural Markets in Canada

In these centers, you can get fruits, local vegetables, medicinal plants, flowers, meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and other food products.

Shopping in the bazaars is very enjoyable. These centers are exactly the same as the bazaars in Iran that are held in some cities, especially in the north.

You can get handicrafts or local food at these centres. These markets are usually only open on Saturdays. During the summer months, the number of markets increases and they operate on other days of the week.

Buying from thrift stores in Canada

In these stores, items that have been used before (clothes, shoes, and household appliances) but are healthy and new are sold. Not to mention, people who can afford less money do not just visit these centers. Many tourists who are looking for cheap and affordable purchases also visit and buy from such stores.

These centers are often run by charitable organizations for the purpose of fundraising. People donate their surplus items to these stores, and the money from their sale is also donated to the charity.

It is not bad to take a look at these stores.

Shopping at Walmart stores in Canada

 Walmart is an American retail company. The company has the largest branches of grocery chains, supermarkets, and hypermarkets.

Walmart's area of activity is retail. The company's business is carried out in 5 segments: Stores, Supercenters (fruit and vegetable markets), local markets, Sam's Clubs, and international stores.

Shopping on Black Friday in Canada

Black Friday  is a tradition that has been celebrated all over the world for many years and is gaining more and more fans every year. It was first celebrated in the United States. On this day, supermarkets sell their goods at the lowest prices to mark the approaching New Year.

Black Friday falls on the last Friday in November. It's not a day for every purchase. We recommend dedicating this day to buying electronic equipment such as laptops.

If you want to buy clothes and shoes, it is better to buy on Boxing Day. The main auction in Canada is Boxing Day, which is December 26.

Buy from Sunday Markets in Canada

Sunday bazaars are places that are open on Sundays. People generally go to these centers to buy and sell new or used goods.

Anyone can set up a sales booth in these markets with a small amount of capital.

Buying from auctions in garages or backyards in Canada

These auctions are usually held on Saturday mornings in garages or backyards in Canada. Some of these auctions are advertised through newspapers or on posters on nearby streets.

If you are looking for cheap and affordable purchases, you can also visit these auctions.

Shopping on Boxing Day Canada

This day is somehow inspired by Black Friday. On Boxing Day, all stores, whether famous or not, that sell clothes, household items, audio, and video offer their goods at a 30 to 80 percent discount.

This day is very suitable for buying clothes, bags, shoes, or even audio and video equipment. Of course, I should add that on this day, even Canadian online stores, including Cyber Monday,  offer special discounts in order to attract more customers.

Buy from Canadian Auctions

In April, due to the change of seasons, there are many auctions in Canada. In these auctions, you can buy the required goods at a very cheap price. Here are some examples of large auctions.

Buy from Nordstorm  Grand Auction in Canada

In this auction, you can buy branded goods such as clothes, bags, shoes, and jewelry at reasonable prices. In this auction, some items are discounted by up to 80%.

The Nordstorm auction will take place from April 10 to 17 in Hall No. 6 of the International Center. The Nordstorm  auction will also be held online.

Buy Home Appliances Auction in Canada

The auction will be held April 7-10 at 135 Wendell Avenue.

You can get kitchen appliances at a 90% discount in this auction.

Buying from the Gaz brand spring clothing and clothing auction in Canada

In this auction, you can get clothes, bags, shoes, and jewelry from the Guess brand at a discount of 60 to 90 percent.

The event will take place from April 19 to 23 and will be held at the International Center No. 6.

Guide to Buying in Canadian Stores

Get information about the prices of goods before buying from Canadian stores

The prices of goods in stores may vary. It is better to get enough information about the prices of goods, especially expensive goods such as electrical appliances, before buying, and then make a purchase.

Buying with a credit card at Canadian chain stores

After 6 months of residence in Canada, you can get a credit card from chain stores. The benefits of this card include using a 10% discount on goods or paying the price of the goods after a few months or even a year from the time of purchase.

So, this opportunity can be a great advantage to buy and save.

Shopping through Weekly Promotions in Canadian Stores

Canadian stores usually drop promotional packages (weekly color catalogs) into the mailing parcels of nearby homes once a week for information. These catalogs are known as  Flyers. These catalogs introduce pictures of some of the items that will be offered at a lower rate during the week.

By reading these packages, Canadian citizens and residents can find out when the stores and auctions are going to be held.

Be sure to look at the flyers.

Days and Hours of Shopping at Canadian Stores

Stores in Canada have different opening hours, but most open at 8-9 a.m. and close at 5-6 p.m.

Very large stores or some local supermarkets may be open until 9 or 10 p.m.

Most stores in Canada are open from Monday to Saturday during the week. Local supermarkets or drake stores, and even bakeries, are open seven days a week.

On certain days, such as Island Day (the third Monday in February), Canada Day (July 1), Easter Sunday, New Year's Day, Good Friday (different dates each year), Victoria Day, Labor Day (the first Monday in September), Thanksgiving Day (the second Monday in October), Boxing Day (December 26), and Christmas Day (December 25), most Canadian stores are completely closed.

Returning items after purchasing from Canadian stores

If the customer is not satisfied with the item for some reason, has changed his mind, or has noticed a problem with the product, he can refer to the  customer service department of the stores and return the item.

Most Canadian stores will pick up returned items and return the money to the customer. In such cases, it is recommended to keep the purchase slip so that you do not have any problems when returning the item.

The term Rain Check in Canadian stores

When a customer wants a product that is not available in the store, he can request that the store provide him with a sample of the item at the same price. This is called  Rain Check.

In such cases, the store staff can search the computer and see in which branch and in what quantity the customer's desired item is available.

Sometimes stores write under the merchandise that it is not possible  to Rain Check.

The Term Clearance in Canadian Stores

This term is used in many non-food stores. When a store decides to sell a series of items faster to replace it with other items, this is called  clearance.

For example, when one or more items of a type of item are left, the store sells it at a much lower price in order to replace the new goods.