Retail in Canada

February 2025
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Overview:

Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Retail industry in Canada with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.

Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.

Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:

  • Convenience Stores
  • Discounters
  • Hypermarkets
  • Supermarkets
  • Traditional Grocery Retailers
  • Apparel and Footwear Specialist Retailers
  • Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers
  • Health and Beauty Specialist Retailers
  • Home and Garden Specialist Retailers
  • Department Stores
  • Variety Stores
  • Warehouse Clubs
  • Direct Selling
  • Homeshopping
  • Vending

If you're in the Retail industry in Canada, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.

The Retail in Canada report includes:

  • Analysis of key retail trends
  • Detailed segmentation of offline and online retail sales
  • Historic channel sizes (retail value sales, outlet counts, and selling space)
  • Company and brand market shares (retail value sales and outlet counts)
  • Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
  • Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country

This report answers:

  • What is the market size of Retail in Canada?
  • Which are the leading retailers in Retail in Canada?
  • How are products distributed in Retail in Canada?
  • How is the rise of e-commerce and the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
  • How significant are discounters and private label in Canada?
  • To what extent are sales shifting towards digital channels?​
  • What is the long-term outlook for bricks-and-mortar? 
  • How is macroeconomic and political uncertainty affecting the retail industry?​
  • What types of retailers are seeing the fastest growth in digital sales?​
  • What is the future of retail?

Retail in Canada

Retail in 2024: The big picture
Seamless shopping with the rise of omnichannel experiences in retail in 2024
Health and wellness takes centre stage in 2024
What next for retail?
Informal retail
Opening hours for physical retail
Summary 1 Standard Opening Hours by Channel Type 2024
Seasonality
New Year’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Easter
Mother’s Day
Father’s Day
Canada Day
Back-to-School
Thanksgiving
Halloween
Black Friday
Cyber Monday
Christmas
Boxing Day
Table 1 Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: Value 2019-2024
Table 2 Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 3 Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 4 Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 5 Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: Units 2019-2024
Table 6 Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2019-2024
Table 7 Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2019-2024
Table 8 Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 9 Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 10 Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 11 Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 12 Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 13 Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2019-2024
Table 14 Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2019-2024
Table 15 Non-Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 16 Non-Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 17 Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 18 Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 19 Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2019-2024
Table 20 Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2019-2024
Table 21 Retail GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 22 Retail GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 23 Retail Offline GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 24 Retail Offline GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 25 Retail Offline LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 26 Retail E-Commerce GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 27 Retail E-Commerce GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 28 Grocery Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 29 Grocery Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 30 Grocery Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 31 Non-Grocery Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 32 Non-Grocery Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 33 Non-Grocery Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 34 Forecast Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: Value 2024-2029
Table 35 Forecast Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 36 Forecast Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 37 Forecast Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 38 Forecast Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: Units 2024-2029
Table 39 Forecast Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2024-2029
Table 40 Forecast Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2024-2029
Table 41 Forecast Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 42 Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 43 Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 44 Forecast Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 45 Forecast Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 46 Forecast Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2024-2029
Table 47 Forecast Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2024-2029
Table 48 Non-Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 49 Non-Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 50 Forecast Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 51 Forecast Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 52 Forecast Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2024-2029
Table 53 Forecast Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2024-2029

DISCLAIMER

Summary 2 Research Sources

Convenience Retailers in Canada

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Impact of inflation on impulse buying and product choices
Digital expansion and the struggles of independent retailers
Hybrid grocery-foodservice stores gain popularity
Evolving consumer demand for digital and contactless services
Increasing focus on fresh, healthy food offerings
Sustainability as a driver of customer loyalty
Table 54 Convenience Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 55 Convenience Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 56 Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 57 Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 58 Convenience Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 59 Convenience Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 60 Convenience Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 61 Convenience Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 62 Convenience Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 63 Forecast Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 64 Forecast Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029

Supermarkets in Canada

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Pressure on mid-range supermarkets amid high consumer price-sensitivity
Expansion of speciality and organic-orientated supermarkets
Growing focus on omnichannel shopping as supermarkets respond to key retail trends
Shifts in consumer loyalty and private label dynamism anticipated in the forecast period
Rise of speciality stores with a focus on wellbeing and sustainability
Omnichannel expansion and technological investments to provide impetus to supermarkets
Table 65 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 66 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 67 Supermarkets GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 68 Supermarkets GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 69 Supermarkets LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 70 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 71 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029

Hypermarkets in Canada

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Higher demand for one-stop shopping provides a competitive edge for hypermarkets
Strategic expansion plans add dynamism to the competitive landscape
A shift towards online and in-store integration shapes company strategies
One-stop shopping to continue to win over Canadian consumers to hypermarkets
Investments in digital and e-commerce integration to develop the channel
Store experience enhancements to lure consumers into outlets
Table 72 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 73 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 74 Hypermarkets GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 75 Hypermarkets GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 76 Hypermarkets LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 77 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 78 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029

Discounters in Canada

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Value-focused and price-sensitive consumers shape the performance of discounters
Competitive pressures, improving logistics and store expansion
Stronger focus on private label products to cater to cash-strapped Canadian households
Consumers to shift towards discounters in search of value for money
Expansion of private label products to remain a key trend in discounters
Ongoing store network growth and supply chain optimisation to give discounters an edge in a changing competitive arena
Table 79 Discounters: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 80 Discounters: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 81 Discounters GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 82 Discounters GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 83 Discounters LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 84 Discounters Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 85 Discounters Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029

Small Local Grocers in Canada

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Small local grocers struggle amid strong competition
Local and organic products act as points of differentiation
The adoption of digitalisation and e-commerce gains momentum among small local grocers
More of a focus on speciality and other niches in order to remain competitive
Adapting to digital trends to grow in importance as a strategy
Challenges in competing on price and variety
Table 86 Small Local Grocers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 87 Small Local Grocers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 88 Small Local Grocers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 89 Small Local Grocers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 90 Small Local Grocers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 91 Small Local Grocers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 92 Small Local Grocers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029

General Merchandise Stores in Canada

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Department stores struggle to maintain foot traffic amid changing consumer preferences
Variety stores enjoy rising popularity as inflationary pressure fosters price-sensitivity
Store closures and market exits exert strong pressure on department stores
Luxury segment offers growth opportunities in department stores
Expansion into new product categories to increase the appeal of variety stores
Variety stores players to balance rising costs with meeting consumer expectations
Table 93 General Merchandise Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 94 General Merchandise Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 95 Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 96 Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 97 General Merchandise Stores GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 98 General Merchandise Stores GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 99 General Merchandise Stores LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 100 General Merchandise Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 101 General Merchandise Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 102 Forecast Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 103 Forecast Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029

Apparel and Footwear Specialists in Canada

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Return of in-store shopping amid robust e-commerce competition
Pressure on mid-tier retailers sees store closures
Sustainability and ethical fashion gain weight in apparel and footwear
Ongoing shift towards omnichannel shopping
The trend for sustainable and ethical fashion is set to gain momentum
Premium and athleisure ranges offer growth avenues for apparel and footwear specialists
Table 104 Apparel and Footwear Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 105 Apparel and Footwear Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 106 Apparel and Footwear Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 107 Apparel and Footwear Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 108 Apparel and Footwear Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 109 Apparel and Footwear Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 110 Apparel and Footwear Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029

Appliances and Electronics Specialists in Canada

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Post-pandemic downturn and shifts in consumer spending
More intense competition increases the pressure on smaller players
Slow recovery for big-ticket consumer appliances hits specialist retailers
Gradual recovery and a focus on refurbished products
Expansion of smart home and connected devices is set to provide dynamism
Sustainability and energy-efficiency remain key sales drivers
Table 111 Appliances and Electronics Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 112 Appliances and Electronics Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 113 Appliances and Electronics Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 114 Appliances and Electronics Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 115 Appliances and Electronics Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 116 Appliances and Electronics Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 117 Appliances and Electronics Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029

Home Products Specialists in Canada

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Pet shops and superstores push growth opportunities through services and experiential retail
Homewares and home furnishing stores suffer from post-pandemic slowdown in spending on higher-end furniture
Ikea adapts as e-commerce platforms challenge homewares and home furnishing stores
Pet shops and superstores to perform well despite challenges from e-commerce and subscription models
Home improvement and gardening stores to see a stable demand due to maintenance and small repair needs
Growing interest in sustainable and ethical home furnishing
Table 118 Home Products Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 119 Home Products Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 120 Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 121 Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 122 Home Products Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 123 Home Products Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 124 Home Products Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 125 Home Products Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 126 Home Products Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 127 Forecast Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 128 Forecast Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029

Health and Beauty Specialists in Canada

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Beauty specialists see a demand for premium products and experiential shopping
Pharmacies expand their services to cover healthcare gaps
Beauty specialists face competition from e-commerce and niche players
Growth in personalised beauty solutions to add impetus to beauty specialists
Pharmacies to benefit from online prescription services and digital platforms
Pharmacies as community health hubs
Table 129 Health and Beauty Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 130 Health and Beauty Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 131 Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 132 Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 133 Health and Beauty Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 134 Health and Beauty Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 135 Health and Beauty Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 136 Health and Beauty Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 137 Health and Beauty Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 138 Forecast Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 139 Forecast Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029

Vending in Canada

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Reduced foot traffic and a preference for fresh food stall vending’s recovery
Vending develops its offer of healthier products
Rise of smart vending technology
Expansion of smart vending and cashless payments to cater to a young and dynamic audience
Health-conscious consumers to drive changing vending offer
Foot traffic challenges to remain constant in vending
Table 140 Vending by Product: Value 2019-2024
Table 141 Vending by Product: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 142 Vending GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 143 Vending GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 144 Vending Forecasts by Product: Value 2024-2029
Table 145 Vending Forecasts by Product: % Value Growth 2024-2029

Direct Selling in Canada

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Consumer return to in-store retail exerts pressure on direct selling
Traditional direct selling models lose momentum
Rising focus on wellness and skin care
Shift to digital selling and social commerce to accelerate in the short to medium term
Focus on health and wellness products to continue to stimulate growth opportunities
The struggle continues for traditional face-to-face models
Table 146 Direct Selling by Product: Value 2019-2024
Table 147 Direct Selling by Product: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 148 Direct Selling GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 149 Direct Selling GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 150 Direct Selling Forecasts by Product: Value 2024-2029
Table 151 Direct Selling Forecasts by Product: % Value Growth 2024-2029

Retail E-Commerce in Canada

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Post-pandemic stabilisation of the shift to retail e-commerce
The competitive landscape intensifies yet consolidation is visible
Rise of grocery e-commerce and fast delivery services
Omnichannel integration and seamless shopping experiences offer a competitive edge
Expansion of online platforms for fast fashion and more niche product areas
Sustainability and ethical e-commerce to exert a growing influence on consumer choices
Table 152 Retail E-Commerce by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 153 Retail E-Commerce by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 154 Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2019-2024
Table 155 Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 156 Retail E-Commerce GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 157 Retail E-Commerce GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 158 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 159 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 160 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2024-2029
Table 161 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2024-2029
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The following categories and subcategories are included:

Retail

      • Fashion Vending
      • Health and Beauty Vending
      • Appliances and Electronics Vending
        • Alcoholic Drinks Vending
        • Hot Drinks Vending
        • Soft Drinks Vending
        • Tobacco Products Vending
      • Foods Vending
      • Home Products Vending
      • Other Products Vending
        • Apparel and Footwear Direct Selling
        • Personal Accessories Direct Selling
        • Eyewear Direct Selling
        • Beauty and Personal Care Direct Selling
        • Consumer Health Direct Selling
        • Tissue and Hygiene Direct Selling
      • Appliances and Electronics Direct Selling
      • Drinks and Tobacco Direct Selling
      • Foods Direct Selling
      • Home Products Direct Selling
      • Other Products Direct Selling
        • Apparel and Footwear E-Commerce
        • Personal Accessories E-Commerce
        • Eyewear E-Commerce
        • Beauty and Personal Care E-Commerce
        • Consumer Health E-Commerce
        • Tissue and Hygiene E-Commerce
        • Consumer Appliances E-Commerce
        • Consumer Electronics E-Commerce
        • Toys and Games E-Commerce
      • Drinks and Tobacco E-Commerce
      • Foods E-Commerce
        • Home Care E-Commerce
        • Home and Garden E-Commerce
        • Pet Care E-Commerce
      • Other Products E-Commerce
        • First-Party (1P) Marketplace E-Commerce
        • Third-Party (3P) Marketplace E-Commerce
      • Grocery E-Commerce
      • General Merchandiser E-Commerce
      • Apparel and Footwear Specialist E-Commerce
      • Appliances and Electronics Specialist E-Commerce
      • Home Products Specialist E-Commerce
      • Health and Beauty Specialist E-Commerce
      • Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist E-Commerce
      • Other E-Commerce Retailers

Retail

Retail is the sale of new and used goods to consumers from a business for personal or household consumption from retail outlets, kiosks, market stalls, vending, direct selling and e-commerce. Retail is the aggregation of Retail Offline and Retail E-Commerce. Excludes specialist retailers of motor vehicles, motorcycles, vehicle parts. Also excludes fuel sales, foodservice sales, rental transactions, and wholesale sales (e.g. Cash and Carry). Sales value excluding or including VAT/Sales Tax. Retail also excludes the informal retail sector. Informal retailing is retail trade which is not declared to the tax authorities. Informal retailing encompasses (a) sales generated by unregistered and unlicensed retailers, i.e. retailers operating illegally, and (b) any proportion of sales generated by a registered and licensed retailer that is not declared to the tax authorities. Unregistered and unlicensed retailers operate predominantly (although not exclusively) as street hawkers or operate open market stalls, as these channels are harder for the authorities to monitor than permanent outlets. Activities in the illegal market, which is usually understood to refer to trade in illegal, counterfeit or stolen merchandise, are included within our definition of informal retailing. Activities in the “grey market”, which is usually understood to refer to trade in legal merchandise that is sold through unauthorized channels – for example cigarettes bought legally in another country, legally imported, but sold at lower prices than in authorized channels – will be included as informal retailing if no tax is paid on sale by the retailer. However if the retailer pays tax – for example on cigarettes bought legally in another country but sold at a lower price than standard – the sale is included within formal retail.

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