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E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Brigette Thomas Brigette Thomas New York, United States Last Updated: October 2024 NAICS 45411aCA

Revenue

$28.1bn

2024

$28.1bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

48,301

Businesses

11,565

Wages

$X.Xbn

E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada industry analysis

The E-Commerce and Online Auctions industry in Canada comprises retailers that primarily sell their products online. Accelerated by the rising number of internet and mobile connections, industry revenue is expected to post strong gains, increasing at an expected CAGR of 9.9% to $82.1 billion over the past five years, including an expected increase of 6.7% in 2024 alone. The exceptional rate of growth in this industry is aided in part by increasing internet traffic volume like the number of fixed broadband and mobile connections. Additionally, COVID-19 created a unique opportunity for the industry to benefit from consumers not being able to visit certain stores. Consequently, revenue skyrocketed in 2020 as consumers were forced to shop for certain goods online. Despite strong revenue growth, the average industry profit margin has only increased slightly as a result of new entrants and increased price-based competition.

Trends and Insights

  • The popularity of online shopping experienced a surge over the past five years. This trend significantly benefited operators in the industry as demand from consumers increased.
  • Consumers have become more comfortable purchasing products online. Historically, consumers have preferred to make large purchases in person, but increased confidence in online retailers has caused demand for all product segments to increase.
  • Highly populated areas are attractive to operators because of their access to large labour supplies, trade and technology hubs. But since operators can serve customers without being in the same area, population is less important to this industry than the retail sector as a whole.
  • Operators in the E-Commerce and Online Auctions in Canada industry compete on price and product selection. Because buyers are easily able to compare products online, operators must either offer competitive pricing or unique products to remain competitive.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 9.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $28.1bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The rising popularity of online shopping has been crucial for growth

  • Over the past five years, the popularity of online shopping has surged in Canada, significantly impacting the e-commerce industry. Consumer behaviors have evolved with the rise of digital technology, and online shopping has become a part of everyday life.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Consumer preferences will continue to shift towards e-commerce

  • Consumers will continue the trend of increasingly turning away from department stores and brick-and-mortar stores in favour of cheaper and more diverse online offerings.

Biggest companies in the E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Amazon
10,161.9
1,201.2
11.8
Amazon.com Inc
9,572.9
374.7
3.9

To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Apparel and accessories, Consumer electronics and Entertainment . Apparel and accessories is the largest segment of the E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada.

Trends and Insights

Demand for entertainment products is driven by leisure time

  • The entertainment segment includes books, music, videos, toys, hobbies, concert tickets, mobile apps, movies and TV and games.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The E-Commerce and Online Auctions industry in Canada is made up of establishments that sell merchandise online through an online store or auction site.

What's included in this industry?

Apparel and accessoriesConsumer electronicsEntertainmentHealth and beauty productsGroceryHome goods and improvementSporting goodsOffice supplies

Companies

AmazonAmazon.com Inc

Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

BRICK-AND-MORTARDIAL-UPBROADBANDE-TAILER

Industry Code

NAICS 2007

NAICS 45411 - E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The popularity of online shopping experienced a surge over the past five years. This trend significantly benefited operators in the industry as demand from consumers increase...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Consumers have become more comfortable purchasing products online. Historically, consumers have preferred to make large purchases in person, but increased confidence in onlin...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Highly populated areas are attractive to operators because of their access to large labour supplies, trade and technology hubs. But since operators can serve customers withou...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each province in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each province in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Operators in the E-Commerce and Online Auctions in Canada industry compete on price and product selection. Because buyers are easily able to compare products online, operator...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Amazon is the largest company in the E-Commerce and Online Auctions in Canada industry. The company’s ability to adopt innovative technology to increase its market share in C...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Amazon's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Amazon.com Inc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Amazon, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Amazon.com Inc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Operators must adhere to common labour and safety regulations. Additionally, they aree subject to regulations surrounding consumer information protection.

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Online retailers follow a similar cost structure as many retail industries but can vary depending on the size and specialty of the company. For example, large operators can a...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Assets (2017-2022)
  • Liabilities (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the E-Commerce & Online Auctions industry in Canada in 2024?

The market size of the E-Commerce & Online Auctions industry in Canada is $28.1bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada industry in 2024?

There are 11,565 businesses in the E-Commerce & Online Auctions industry in Canada, which has grown at a CAGR of 11.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the E-Commerce & Online Auctions industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the E-Commerce & Online Auctions industry in Canada has been growing at a CAGR of 9.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the E-Commerce & Online Auctions industry in Canada over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the E-Commerce & Online Auctions industry in Canada is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the E-Commerce & Online Auctions market in Canada?

The biggest companies operating in the E-Commerce & Online Auctions market in Canada are Amazon and Amazon.com Inc

What does the E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada include?

Apparel and accessories and Consumer electronics are part of the E-Commerce & Online Auctions industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada?

The company holding the most market share in Canada is Amazon.

How competitive is the E-Commerce & Online Auctions industry in Canada?

The level of competition is high and steady in the E-Commerce & Online Auctions industry in Canada.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Consumer Electronics Stores in Canada
  • Pharmacies & Drug Stores in Canada
  • Beauty, Cosmetics & Fragrance Stores in Canada
  • Men's Clothing Stores in Canada
  • Women's Clothing Stores in Canada
  • Book Stores in Canada

Complementors

  • Software Publishing in Canada

International industries

  • E-Commerce & Online Auctions in the US
  • E-Commerce & Online Auctions in the UK
  • E-Commerce in Ireland
  • Mail-Order & Online Shopping in China

View all industries in Canada

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Canada include:

  • Statistics Canada
  • Industry Canada
  • Canadian Business Patterns

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.