Over the past few years, Canadians have been slowly avoiding American products, replacing brand names many grew up with for alternatives made in Canada or outside of the U.S.
California Wines
One of the biggest changes is probably in the wine aisle. Canadian consumers are switching from tried-and-true California wines like Robert Mondavi, Barefoot and Kendall-Jackson to domestic products from Inniskillin, Mission Hill, Jackson-Triggs, Peller Estates and Henry of Pelham.
Both the Niagara Peninsula and Okanagan Valley in British Columbia are now award-winning wine regions, so Canadians can enjoy quality wines without buying U.S imports.
Jack Daniel’s & Jim Beam
Canadian whiskies like Crown Royal, Canadian Club, Forty Creek and Lot No. 40 are filling shopping carts once reserved for Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Wild Turkey.
Instead of buying bourbon from our neighbours to the south, consumers are taking a fresh look at whisky made right here in Canada.
Kraft & Philadelphia
Some consumers are also substituting Canadian-made dairy products for American brands. Rather than buying Kraft cheese slices or Philadelphia cream cheese, shoppers can opt for Black Diamond, Armstrong, Tre Stelle, Gay Lea, Natrel or Agropur brands.
Canada produces enough dairy products to meet domestic demand, so it’s easy for consumers to switch.
Tropicana
Juice is another grocery item Canadians have traded up from. Instead of buying the American brands such as Tropicana, Canadians have turned to SunRype and Oasis.
While these bottles may not be made with 100% Canadian-grown fruit, consumers are buying from Canadian-owned companies that process and package here at home.
Lay’s & Doritos
Snack foods are another aisle where consumers have become more brand-conscious about the origins of their products. Canadians aren’t just grabbing Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, or Ruffles off the shelf anymore.
Old Dutch, Hardbite, Neal Brothers, Covered Bridge, and Miss Vickie’s are frequently winning in Canada, depending on regional chips production.
Campbell’s Soup
Soup, too, has made a jump to Canadian brands. Shoppers have been reaching for President’s Choice, Habitant and other soups made by Canadian companies instead of Campbell’s. Grocery stores have also increased the availability of their own Canadian private-label brands.
Kellogg’s
Instead of stocking up on Kellogg’s cereals, Canadians are purchasing Nature’s Path, Rogers Foods, One Degree Organics and Sunny Boy Foods products.
These brands provide Canadians with cereal, granola, oats and hot breakfast foods that are manufactured by Canadian companies.
Fast Orange
The trend hasn’t just been occurring at grocery stores. Garages, workshops and even industrial businesses have started phasing out some American-made cleaning products for Canadian-made brands.
Companies have traded names like Fast Orange hand cleaner for brands like Response and Luster Sheen, made by Ontario-based Grime Eater Products.
American Diapers
Not even diapers have been spared. Some Canadian retailers and parents have begun substituting imported diaper brands with diapers made right here in Canada by Irving Personal Care, one of Canada’s biggest diaper companies.
Florida Vacations
Travel habits have adapted just like shopping habits have. Instead of booking trips to Florida, Vegas or other typical American destinations, Canadians have opted to visit other places within Canada.
Banff and Jasper National Parks have become hot spots once again, along with PEI, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the Canadian Rockies.
American Cleaning Products
Rather than buying popular American household cleaners, shoppers have opted for Canadian brands like Attitude and Nature Clean. Both companies specialize in plant-based formulas and produce an array of green cleaning products.
These brands have grown in popularity with customers wanting to buy Canadian-made products that are also plant-based and environmentally conscious.
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