Since the dawn of the internet, virtual bargain hunters have turned to online shopping websites to try and score better prices than at the store. In some cases, a digital boutique may offer prices better than the mall – even after shipping costs.
But 2020 has changed how we approach our shopping trips. Instead of going from store to store, safer at home means going online to get the best deals. With thousands of websites across the provinces claiming to offer the best deals, which sites truly offer you the best bang for your buck?
Before you go online looking for deals, you will want to start at these five sites. Here are the best online shopping sites in Canada you need to bookmark today.
#1: Amazon.ca
No online shopping list would be complete without including the world’s biggest online store. Amazon offers millions of products, with many available with one-day shipping. Members of Amazon Prime also get free shipping, free returns, and access to a library of books and magazines through Prime Reading. Taking full advantage of everything Amazon Prime has to offer can not only give you value beyond the annual fee. To get even more savings, use Honey or CamelCamelCamel to find the lowest prices on anything you are searching for.
#2: CanadianTire.ca
Even though we’re all “safer at home” for the time being, it doesn’t mean that your local Canadian Tire isn’t still operating. Through their website, you can find hundreds of thousands of items available to order online and pick up in the store. If you would rather have them delivered to your home, shipping starts at just $4.99. In order to maximize your return, Canadian Tire also offers several credit cards which offers bonus points when you spend in store.
#3: Shop.ca
When you’re not sure what you’re looking for, why not shop everywhere? Think of Shop.ca as your personal mall on your computer, tablet or phone. Instead of showing deals on one line of products, Shop.ca offers the best deals across many of Canada’s biggest retailers. Between their long list of coupons, special deals and shopping guides, Shop.ca should be the first place you start when looking for low prices.
#4: Simons.ca
One of Canada’s oldest and most respected department stores, Simon’s has taken their in-store experience online. Featuring a number of well-known brands and their own line of fashion for men and women, Simon’s offers everything you need to complete the look – even if it’s just for your next Zoom meeting. Through their loyalty program, you can also earn bonus points for shopping online, and picking up at your local store.
#5: Hudson’s Bay – thebay.com
Arguably the brand most associated with Canada, Hudson’s Bay is much more than fashion for men, women, and children. Alongside their own in-house brands, they offer great deals on everything from shoes, to cosmetics, and even furniture. Order online and get it shipped directly to your home, or pick it up curbside to reduce contact with others. Be sure to check out their weekly digital flyer to get the best prices.
How to Save Even More Money at Online Shopping Sites in Canada
Although the prices online may be enough to tempt you to spend, it’s possible to save even more by being a smart and savvy shopper. The first price you see is only the starting price – by knowing where to turn, that price can get even lower.
First, always start your discount search by comparing coupons and codes online. Sites like CamelCamelCamel can help you discover the best possible price on Amazon, while Flipp and Great Canadian Rebates gives you the best of coupon codes and rebates on almost everything. Meanwhile, browser add-ons like Honey automatically look for the best possible price on anything in your shopping card, ultimately giving you the edge in saving money.
Next, be sure to always run your shopping through a rebate site. Some are easier to use than others: While Rakuten and TopCashBack gives you cash back at your favorite Canadian retailers when you use the links from their website, apps like Paymi and Drop track your spending via credit or cheque cards. In all events, you get rewards for your everyday spending, which can add up to big savings over time.
Finally, be sure to maximize your spending by using a rewards-earning credit card. No matter what you value the most – airline miles, hotel points, flexible points to sue with many different brands, or cash back – there’s a credit card that can reward you for spending at your favorite Canadian websites. When combined with coupon earnings and cash back portals, you can make sure that you get a return on all of your spending. When you use all of the tips together, it’s like triple-dipping on all your rewards.
Even though we’ve gone to primarily shopping online, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t still deals to find. By shopping on the top online shopping sites in Canada and combining them with other savings, you can score deals which pay which pay you when you buy.