Moving to a new country is an exciting adventure that forces us to rethink all our daily habits. The well-established routines from our home country clash with a different reality, where everything, from food products to clothing, can change radically.
When arriving in Toronto, one is often faced with a plethora of new stores, each with a unique and sometimes bewildering assortment compared to what we knew before. Whether you are searching for your usual products or eager to discover new brands, understanding the main stores in Toronto can greatly facilitate your integration.
This article offers an overview of the iconic stores you will encounter in this city of a thousand facets.
Grocery Stores and Supermarkets
Loblaws - Groceries, fresh produce, bakery
Sobeys - Groceries, fresh produce, bakery
Farm Boy - Groceries, fresh produce, bakery
Metro - Groceries, fresh produce, bakery
No Frills - Discount groceries, fresh produce
Walmart - Discount groceries, fresh produce, clothing, electronics, groceries, home goods
Food Basics - Discount groceries, fresh produce
Bulk Barn - Bulk foods, baking supplies, snacks
Alcohol
LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) - Alcoholic beverages
Beer Store - Beer only
Wine Rack - Alcoholic beverages, Ontario producers only
Pharmacies and Health
Shoppers Drug Mart - Pharmaceuticals, beauty products, health items, convenience groceries
Rexall - Pharmaceuticals, beauty products, health items, convenience groceries
Department Stores
Hudson's Bay - Clothing, accessories, home goods, cosmetics
Electronics and Appliances
Best Buy - Electronics, appliances, gadgets
The Source - Electronics, gadgets, accessories
Staples - Office supplies, electronics, furniture
Home Improvement and Furniture
Canadian Tire - DIY, automotive, sports equipment, kitchenware
Home Depot - DIY, tools, garden supplies
Lowe's - DIY, tools, garden supplies
Rona - DIY, tools, garden supplies
Furniture Stores
IKEA - Furniture, home decor, accessories
Structube - Furniture, home decor, accessories
The Brick - Furniture, home decor, accessories
Leon’s - Furniture, home decor, accessories
Crate & Barrel - High-end furniture, home decor
CB2 - High-end furniture, home decor
West Elm - High-end furniture, home decor
Sporting Goods and Outdoors
Sport Chek - Sporting goods, activewear, footwear
MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) - Outdoor gear, sporting goods, clothing
Sporting Life - Sporting goods, outdoor apparel, footwear
Decathlon - Sporting goods, outdoor apparel, footwear
Specialty and Miscellaneous
Dollarama - Discount goods, household items, toys
PetSmart - Pet supplies, pet food, accessories
Indigo - Books, gifts
Bonus: The Largest Shopping Malls
Yorkdale Shopping Centre (Toronto) - 2 million square feet, 250 stores
Toronto Eaton Centre (downtown Toronto) - 1.7 million square feet, 230 stores
Vaughan Mills (Vaughan) - 1.3 million square feet, 200 stores
Square One Shopping Centre (Mississauga) - 2.2 million square feet, 360 stores