Toronto-based market research firm Kubas Consultants has released its 2005 annual study entitled ‘Major Market Retail Report’ (MMRR). The study is a major consumer survey of shopping habits and store preferences in the Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal markets. Its findings? Canadian Tire is still popular, with the retailer attracting 90% of consumers in the last year. The study also uncovered that people in Western Canada (52%) were more optimistic about the economy than their East Coast neighbours (at 44%). The firm forecasts a total retail spend of $365 billion in Canada – up 5.2% from 2004 – with the biggest growth coming from the home improvement and auto service categories.
