Expand your brand to Canada
Canada is a mature e-commerce market with cultural diversity and strong consumer purchasing power. Success requires understanding regional differences (Quebec vs. rest of Canada) and bilingual requirements.
Population
38 Million
GDP
$2.1 Trillion
Internet Penetration
93%
E-commerce Growth
+13% YoY
Market Overview
Canadian consumers value quality, sustainability, and ethical business practices. Price-conscious but willing to pay for quality. Strong regional preferences, especially in Quebec. Cross-border shopping from US is common.
Domain Extension
.ca
Cost: $15-25/year
Requires Canadian business presence or trademark registration
Business Language
English, French (official)
Business Culture: Similar to US but generally more polite and conservative. Values diversity and inclusion. Direct but respectful communication. Less litigious than US.
Cultural Considerations
Do
- Provide both English and French content
- Emphasize sustainability and ethics
- Offer competitive pricing vs US
- Understand regional differences
- Respect Canadian identity and culture
Don't
- Don't ignore French language requirements in Quebec
- Avoid assuming Canada is just like the US
- Don't overlook shipping and duty costs
- Avoid aggressive American-style marketing
- Don't ignore Canadian spelling
Popular Industries · Canada
Domain Registration
Local Domain
.ca
Requires Canadian business presence or trademark registration
Cost: $15-25/year
Key Considerations
- • Check local trademark registration
- • Verify local business presence requirements
- • Consider both local and .com domains
- • Research local domain registrars
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to provide French content for all of Canada?
Only required by law for Quebec, but providing French content nationally is appreciated. Quebec has strict language laws - French must be prominent on packaging and marketing for that market.
What payment methods are popular in Canada?
Credit/debit cards are universal. PayPal is popular. Interac Online is uniquely Canadian. Buy now, pay later (Paybright, Sezzle) is growing.
How do shipping expectations differ in Canada?
Canadians expect fast shipping but understand geographic challenges. Free shipping over a threshold is common. Be transparent about duties and cross-border shipping times.
Start your Canada expansion
Create a brand identity tailored for the Canada market