Tariff War Could Push Up Prices at Canadian Retail Stores

Canadian shoppers could see higher prices at retail stores as the ongoing tariff war begins to affect newly imported goods. However, retailers say the impact may take some time to reach store shelves as businesses first work through inventory purchased before the latest tariffs came into effect.

Matt Poirier of the Retail Council of Canada said products with short shelf lives or those that sell quickly are likely to see price increases first. This could be followed by slower-moving items such as ovens and washing machines as retailers replenish their stock with tariff-affected products.

Canada’s latest counter-tariffs on U.S. goods, ranging from 15% to 50%, came into effect on September 8, 2026, covering about C$27.6 billion worth of American products.

Experts say Canadian consumers may initially avoid the full impact because some companies are absorbing part of the additional costs by accepting lower profit margins. The first noticeable effects could instead include fewer discounts and a more limited selection of products.

At the same time, retailers are increasingly looking for Canadian and other international suppliers as alternatives to U.S. products, which could help reduce the impact of the tariffs over time.