1. Amazon

Amazon.ca is the leading online store in Canada and enjoys undeniable recognition. Its vast range of products and fast delivery options make it a preferred choice among Canadian consumers.

In 2023, net sales reached 12.5 billion US dollars. The average basket was 91 dollars, and the average conversion rate was 1.8%, highlighting its strong presence in the online marketplace and its appeal to online shoppers.

2. Walmart

Walmart.ca, the Canadian branch of the American retail giant, ranks second among ecommerce stores with a total of 4.4 billion dollars in 2023.

Walmart offers an extensive range of products at competitive prices, making it a go-to destination for various needs, from clothing to electronics, furniture, and groceries.

With an average basket of 96 dollars and an average conversion rate of 1.6%, its affordable prices attract numerous customers.

3. Costco

Costco.ca, the membership-based warehouse club, has become a must-visit destination for online store in Canada. Offering a wide range of products, competitive prices, and quality customer service, Costco Canada attracts many Canadians.

In 2023, the company achieved sales of 2.7 billion dollars. The average basket was 126 dollars, and the average conversion rate was 1.6%.

Despite inflation, these figures highlight the brand's strength and its ability to meet consumer needs and adapt to changes in the online commerce market.

4. Apple

With net sales of 2.2 billion dollars, Apple.com ranks third, demonstrating its strong presence in the online commerce market in Canada.

What stands out is its high average basket, reaching 672 dollars, which reflects the premium nature of Apple products and the purchasing power of its clientele.

5. Home Depot

Homedepot.ca , one of the leading home improvement retailers in the country, offers a wide range of products for DIY projects, making it an essential choice for homeowners and contractors.

The company is popular for its quality products, including well-known brands and exclusive items. In 2023, the company achieved online sales in Canada of 2 billion dollars. The average basket was 222 dollars, and the average conversion rate was 1.5%.

6. Shein

Shein.com, initially a portal for buying wedding dresses, diversified into women's clothing in the early 2010s and fashion in general by the mid-decade, though the majority of its customers are still women. Today, it is the leader of a new generation of fast fashion, producing thousands of new items to follow current trends every week.

On average, Shein adds 2,000 new items to its store daily. In 2023, the company achieved net sales of 1.9 billion dollars. Its average basket was 97 dollars, and its conversion rate was 1.9%.

7. Pharmaprix (Shoppers Drug Mart)

Pharmaprix, also known as Shoppers Drug Mart in English, stands out as a versatile pharmacy chain in Canada, offering much more than pharmaceutical products. With a wide range of personal care, beauty, electronics, and home items, it meets the varied needs of consumers. In addition to its products, Pharmaprix often offers services such as pharmaceutical consultations and vaccinations.

In 2023, its net sales reached 865 million dollars, with an average basket of 77 dollars and an average conversion rate of 2.2%. These figures reflect its strong market presence and ability to convert visits into sales.

8. Canadian Tire

The retail giant Canadiantire.ca continues to be a major presence in the Canadian market, offering a wide range of products from automotive items to home goods and outdoor equipment.

Founded in 1922, this iconic company has adapted to market changes to meet evolving consumer needs. In 2023, its net sales reached 831 million dollars, with an average basket of 149 dollars and an average conversion rate of 1.4%, illustrating its strong position and ability to generate significant revenue despite a competitive market.

9. Best Buy

As a leading electronics retailer, Bestbuy.ca offers a wide range of products, including televisions, computers, and home appliances. Whether you're looking for a new laptop, gaming console, or refrigerator, Best Buy Canada meets your needs.

In 2023, its net sales totaled 630 million dollars, with an average basket of 92 dollars and an average conversion rate of 1.2%. These figures highlight the brand's strength in the online market, demonstrating its ability to attract and convert online customers.

10. Wayfair.ca

Wayfair.ca has quickly established itself as a top destination for Canadian consumers, offering a wide variety of furniture and décor products. In 2023, Wayfair.ca's sales reached 625 million dollars, with an average basket of 232 dollars. The platform has a conversion rate of 1.4%.

Observations on e-commerce trends

Amazon: The Leader in E-Commerce

Among the top ten e-commerce platforms in Canada, Amazon stands out by capturing the majority of sales. In fact, this industry giant alone accounts for 43% of the net sales generated by the top 10. It's also notable that the top 3 include two chains that originally specialized in groceries.

Significant Variability in Average Order Value (AOV)

The variation in average order value among online shopping sites in Canada is significant, ranging from $77 USD at Shoppers Drug Mart to $672 USD at Apple. It makes sense that the average basket size is high at Apple, given that most of their products are priced high. However, this variation also shows that it's possible to achieve good sales figures even with lower average baskets.

Average conversion rate for e-commerce sites in Canada

Shoppersdrugmart.ca position in terms of conversion rate is rather surprising, especially when compared to the expected performance of big brands like Apple. However, it's important to approach this data with caution because:

• Conversion rates are likely to vary significantly depending on the product categories offered by each online shopping site. For example, Apple mainly sells high-end electronics, while Shoppers Drug Mart offers health and beauty products. Differences in the nature of the products can influence shopping behaviors and therefore conversion rates.

• Conversion rate data is often based on cross-estimates from different sources. Errors or inaccuracies in these estimates can indeed affect the precision of the results. Therefore, it is important to interpret them cautiously and consider any potential margin of error.

• Despite these limitations, conversion rate data still provides an overall insight into trends in the e-commerce sector. They allow for comparing the relative performance of different online shopping sites and identifying "outliers" or opportunities for more in-depth analysis.

Finally, if you want to learn more about conversion rates and strategies to increase them, feel free to read our article: The 20 best strategies to improve your e-commerce conversion rate.