What is Amazon.ca in 2024? The Ultimate Guide for Canadian Consumers
When it comes to online shopping, Amazon has dominated the retail landscape, especially in North America. But what exactly is Amazon.ca? As a Canadian consumer, how does it benefit you compared to the U.S. site Amazon.com?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore everything you need to know about Amazon.ca in 2024 as the go-to site for Canadian online shoppers.
Overview of Amazon.ca
Amazon.ca is the Canadian version of Amazon, launched in 2002 to provide a localized experience for customers north of the border.
With total online retail sales in Canada projected to reach $79.3 billion in 2024 according to eMarketer, Amazon is poised to control a massive share. Already Amazon captured 49.5% of Canada‘s ecommerce market in 2022, and that figure will likely grow.
Extensive Product Selection and Canadian Sellers
One of the main benefits of Amazon.ca is the extensive product catalog, offering over 200 million items across all major categories like:
- Books – over 21 million titles
- Electronics – 3 million tech products
- Home & Kitchen – 1.5 million products
- Fashion – over 1 million clothing/accessories
Within these categories, you‘ll find popular Canadian brands like Canada Goose, Lululemon, Roots, and more.
Amazon.ca also features a large range of products from tens of thousands of Canadian sellers, from large brands to small businesses. Some of the most popular made-in-Canada product categories include:
- Apparel, Shoes & Accessories
- Grocery & Gourmet Food
- Handmade Products
- Health & Personal Care
- Home & Kitchen
Canadians looking to support local businesses can easily filter and shop by "Made in Canada" or "Ships from Canada" when browsing.
Amazon Prime in Canada Offers Added Value
One of the best perks for Canadian members is an Amazon Prime subscription. Here‘s a look at the cost of Prime membership over the years in Canada:
| Year | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $7.99 | $79 |
| 2018 | $7.99 | $79 |
| 2020 | $7.99 | $79 |
| 2022 | $9.99 | $99 |
Prime benefits include:
- Free 1-2 day delivery on over 100 million items
- Access to movies/TV shows on Prime Video
- Ad-free music streaming with Prime Music
- Unlimited reading on Prime Reading
- Exclusive deals and discounts
Over 30% of Canadian households had a Prime membership as of 2022. The fast free shipping, entertainment perks and other benefits make it a worthwhile investment for frequent Amazon shoppers.
How Amazon Shipping Works in Canada
Amazon has heavily invested in its fulfillment and delivery networks within Canada to enhance speed and convenience.
Amazon Canada has over 35 fulfillment and sortation centers located in BC, AB, ON, QC. Its central hub is YYZ8, a new 1 million sq ft fulfillment center at Toronto Pearson International Airport opened in 2022.
This vast infrastructure allows Amazon to offer speedy shipping timeframes:
- Standard: 3-9 business days
- Expedited: 1-3 days
- Prime: 1-2 days
- Same-Day: limited metro areas
Compare this to other Canadian retailers‘ standard 5-7 business day timeframes, and Amazon‘s shipping proposition is very appealing.
Based on test orders, the cost of Amazon Canada shipping also compares favorably:
| Shipping Option | Avg. Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard | $6 |
| Expedited | $12 |
| 1-Day | $18 |
Given the combination of speed and affordability, Amazon shipping is a key reason for its customer loyalty.
How Amazon.ca Compares to Amazon.com for Canadian Shoppers
When looking at the two sites, here are some of the pros of using Amazon.ca vs. Amazon.com for Canadian residents:
Amazon.ca Pros
- All prices in CAD, no currency conversion fees
- Lower cost, faster shipping within Canada
- Optimized selection for Canadian market
- Easy returns/exchanges in Canada
However, there are some benefits to using Amazon.com as a Canadian buyer:
Amazon.com Pros
- Wider product selection overall
- Access to some U.S.-only deals and promotions
Many Canadians opt to use both sites, with Amazon.ca as the convenient go-to for day-to-day purchases and Amazon.com to supplement for occasional U.S.-specific items.
Expert Opinions on Shopping Amazon Canada
According to retail analyst Harley Greenspan:
“Amazon Canada offers the best of both worlds – globally recognized brand, very strong logistics and fulfillment, yet localized inventory, pricing and content for Canadians. For most shoppers, it‘s hard to beat the combination of selection, convenience and value.”
Meanwhile, e-commerce expert Marissa Bogart notes:
“As a Canadian shopper, you can feel confident buying on Amazon.ca thanks to the transparency, seller protections and wide range of made-in-Canada items. It’s the poster child for how a global retailer can successfully adapt to new markets.”
Conclusion
With continued growth projected and its mature local fulfillment operations, Amazon.ca is undoubtedly the leader in Canadian ecommerce. The shopping experience is optimized for Canadian consumers in terms of product selection, shipping speed and options like Prime membership perks. While its U.S. site plays a role too, Amazon.ca is the go-to online retailer for the vast majority of purchases for customers north of the border.
