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February 2024 | LeanZiX
The Ottawa-Gatineau area is becoming a top place for people who love shopping. In 2021, there were 1,488,307 people living there. This number grew by 8.5% since 2016, making it the fourth biggest city area in Canada. This growth is faster than many other places, showing that lots of people like living and shopping here. There are 604,721 homes for all these people, spread out over 8,046.99 square kilometers, so it’s a nice, spacious place to live.
This area is very diverse, with people of all ages. About 66.1% of people are of working age, 16.9% are kids, and 17.0% are seniors. This mix means there are lots of different kinds of stores to match what people need and like. Also, 21.4% of people here came from other countries, making the culture and shopping very diverse.
Many people in Ottawa-Gatineau are very educated, with 43.6% of adults having a college degree. The average family takes home $84,000 after taxes, so people have money to spend in shops. Young people, aged 18 to 24, are also studying a lot, with 57.5% in college or university.
Shops in Ottawa-Gatineau are doing well. There’s about 20.92 square feet of mall space for each person, and stores in malls (not including big stores) make an average of $699 for every square foot of space they use. This shows that shopping here is popular and growing.
There are many great places to shop, like the Bayshore Shopping Centre, the Carlingwood Shopping Center, and the St Laurent Shopping Center in Ottawa. Each has its own special shopping experience. The Rideau Centre Mall and Westgate Shopping Centre also offer lots of choices, making shopping in Ottawa-Gatineau fun for everyone.
Following our exploration of Ottawa-Gatineau’s retail landscape, we spotlight the top regional malls, showcasing a diverse array of shopping experiences to cater to every preference. The order presented here is based on the number of parking spaces available at each location, reflecting both the scale and accessibility of these shopping havens. It’s important to note that the data comes from the Retail Council of Canada and may not reflect recent changes.
St. Laurent Shopping Centre stands out not only for its extensive retail offerings but also for its commitment to accessibility, boasting the highest number of parking spaces at 4,104. With major anchors like Hudson’s Bay, and a significant annual pedestrian count of 13,000,000, it’s a cornerstone of Ottawa’s retail sector. Its commitment to renovation ensures it remains a top destination for shoppers seeking variety and convenience.
Place D’Orleans in Orleans follows, offering 3,727 parking spaces and a welcoming shopping environment with key stores such as Hudson’s Bay and Sport Chek. Its strategic location and ample parking make it a preferred choice for families and individuals alike, looking for a comprehensive shopping experience.
Les Promenades Gatineau brings together a mix of retail, dining, and entertainment options across 3,130 parking spaces. With Costco, Hudson’s Bay, and La Maison Simons as anchors, and an impressive annual pedestrian count, it’s a vibrant shopping destination.
Carlingwood Mall, with 2,400 parking spaces, caters to a family-oriented audience, emphasizing its role as a community shopping hub. Its annual visitor count of approximately 7,500,000 underscores its popularity and significance in meeting the local community’s retail demands.
Bayshore Shopping Centre in Nepean enriches the Ottawa shopping landscape with 2,200 parking spaces, catering to a diverse clientele. Its lineup includes Hudson’s Bay and Winners among other popular retail outlets, making it a bustling hub with an annual pedestrian count of 6,700,000. Its easy highway access and a broad selection of stores draw in a steady flow of shoppers.
Billings Bridge Shopping Centre, with its 1,667 parking spaces, serves as a convenient shopping locale featuring a Walmart anchor and attracting over 6,085,000 visitors a year. Its accessibility and selection cater to those seeking a blend of retail convenience and variety.
CF Rideau Centre, located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, offers 1,330 parking spaces amidst the city’s vibrant urban setting. As one of the most visited shopping centers with an annual pedestrian count of 18,941,783, it features luxury and flagship stores such as Hudson’s Bay and La Maison Simons. Recent expansions and its proximity to transit options highlight CF Rideau Centre’s role in shaping Ottawa’s retail experience.
Each of these centers, from St. Laurent Shopping Centre with its leading parking availability to the community-focused offerings of Billings Bridge and Carlingwood Mall, plays a vital role in defining Ottawa-Gatineau as a top retail destination. Together, they offer a rich tapestry of shopping experiences that cater to the dynamic and diverse needs of the area’s residents and visitors.
The demographic and economic data presented in this overview are sourced from Statistics Canada (StatCan), reflecting the vibrant and growing community of the Ottawa-Gatineau area. Retail space and productivity statistics are courtesy of the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), offering valuable insights into the local retail sector’s dynamics. For more detailed information and to explore the data further, we encourage our readers to visit the official StatCan and RCC websites.