Shopify Mobile App in Canada: Trends, Benefits, and Strategy

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In today’s “phygital” retail landscape, Canadian shoppers fluidly switch between online and offline experiences. They research on mobile, browse in-store, and expect real-time updates across channels. A Shopify mobile app acts as the bridge, bringing convenience, personalization, and trust together in one powerful platform. For Canadian brands, it’s the smartest way to stay connected and competitive in 2025. This article will deeply analyze Canada’s mobile commerce market with Shopify support, why and how to build a Shopify mobile app for your store, and more. Let’s explore!

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Overview of Canada’s Mobile Commerce Market in 2025

Canada’s mobile commerce (m-commerce) market is a significant and growing segment of the country’s overall e-commerce landscape. As of June 2025, research suggests the total e-commerce market in Canada is valued at approximately CA$52 billion, with mobile commerce playing a crucial role in driving this growth. Specifically:

Mobile Commerce Share: Mobile devices account for about 40% of all online purchases in Canada, reflecting the country’s phone-first culture and high smartphone penetration (over 90% of Canadians have internet access).
Retail E-commerce on Mobile: Approximately 34% of retail e-commerce transactions are conducted via mobile devices, highlighting the importance of mobile-optimized shopping experiences.
Market Growth: The overall e-commerce market is projected to grow from USD 42.33 billion in 2025 to USD 67.46 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.77%. This growth is driven by factors such as high internet penetration, the rise of mobile-optimized websites and apps, and efficient logistics infrastructure (e.g., Canada Post, Purolator).
Payment Trends: By 2025, e-wallets are expected to account for 27% of all online payments, indicating a shift toward digital and mobile payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay, further supporting mobile commerce growth.

>> See more: 10 Biggest Mobile Commerce Trends To Look Out For Right now!

Canadian Mobile Shopping Behavior and Preferences

Canadian consumers exhibit sophisticated and evolving shopping behaviors, heavily influenced by the convenience and capabilities of mobile technology. An impressive 88% of Canadians express a desire for a mix of in-store and online shopping experiences, indicating a strong preference for omnichannel retail.

The shopping journey frequently begins online, with at least 30% of shoppers starting with an online search and another 30% heading directly to online retailers and marketplaces like Amazon. In contrast, only 18% commence their shopping by visiting physical stores. This omnichannel behavior is further evidenced by the fact that 76% of Canadian shoppers search for information online but then visit physical stores to confirm details, try products in person, and save on shipping costs. Conversely, 55% gather information in stores and later purchase online, primarily driven by the pursuit of better prices, convenient home delivery, and a wider product selection.

Key consumer preferences that shape mobile shopping in Canada include:

Behavior/Preference	Insight
Omnichannel Habits	76% research online before buying in-store, while 55% do the reverse—underscoring the need for seamless integration across touchpoints.
Mobile Convenience	59% say mobile is the most convenient way to shop online. Among younger shoppers, 47% buy via mobile at least weekly.
Personalization	Personalized suggestions drive 28% of impulse buys; 1 in 5 is willing to pay 20% more for personalized products.
Loyalty Incentives	36% shop more with rewards; 35% are driven by member-only benefits.
Self-Service Options	48% value self-checkouts; 34% want to browse in-store via apps; 20% like scan-and-go features.
UGC & Reviews	65% rely on user-generated content; recent and plentiful reviews (11–50) carry the most weight.
Social Commerce	48% trust peer reviews; 28% buy directly on social media.
Support Local	68% of Canadians actively support local businesses, creating a strong market for regionally relevant mobile solutions.
Payment Preferences	Credit cards dominate (55%), but digital wallets (25%) and Buy Now, Pay Later (65.4% of 35–44 age group) are on the rise.

For Shopify merchants, a mobile app is a critical enabler of the full customer journey. Key features like real-time inventory, in-store browsing via app, scan-and-go, and flexible fulfillment options (local pickup, delivery tracking) enhance both in-store and digital experiences.

Apps also strengthen trust and loyalty through:

Secure Checkout (e.g., Shop Pay, MFA, encryption)
Real-Time Notifications (for orders, shipping, and personalized offers)
Connected Data (integrating POS with app insights for hyper-personalization)

In a market where trust and convenience drive retention, mobile apps that address these expectations not only convert better but also build lasting relationships, especially among Canadians who value local businesses and tailored experiences.

Shopify’s Role in Canada’s Mobile Commerce Market

As of September 2024, Shopify held over 30% of the e-commerce software market share in Canada, making it the leading e-commerce platform in the country.

While exact figures for 2025 are not explicitly stated in recent reports, Shopify’s strong position in 2024 suggests it continues to be a major player, likely maintaining or slightly adjusting this share given its global and regional growth trends.

Shopify provides robust tools and features that enable merchants to optimize their stores for mobile devices, which is crucial for tapping into the mobile commerce trend. These include:

Mobile-Responsive Themes: Shopify offers a wide range of themes designed to provide seamless shopping experiences on mobile devices, ensuring that merchants can cater to the growing number of mobile shoppers.
Mobile Apps for Merchants: Shopify’s merchant app allows store owners to manage their businesses on-the-go, while third-party builders (e.g., Simicart, Shopney) enable merchants to create custom Shopify mobile apps for customers, enhancing customer engagement and retention.
Payment Integration: Shopify supports a wide range of mobile payment methods, including digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, aligning with Canadian shoppers’ preferences for secure and convenient transactions, which is vital for mobile commerce success.

While Shopify does not provide an official customer-facing mobile app, it empowers merchants to leverage third-party solutions to create branded mobile apps. This approach allows Shopify merchants to tap into the mobile commerce trend effectively, enhancing customer engagement and retention, and aligning with the needs of Canada’s mobile-first shopping population.

What is the Shopify mobile app for customers and its benefits?

The Shopify mobile app for customers is an e-commerce application designed to enable shoppers to browse, purchase, and interact with Shopify stores conveniently on their mobile devices. This app offers a seamless and personalized shopping experience that outperforms mobile websites by providing faster load times, offline access, and smart product recommendations tailored to individual preferences.

Below are the key benefits, tailored to align with Canadian mobile shopping behavior, which prioritizes convenience, security, and personalization.

Convenience: Shop anytime, anywhere with offline access and intuitive navigation.
Personalization: AI-driven recommendations, loyalty programs, and app-exclusive offers.
Speed: Faster load times and one-tap checkouts via Shop Pay, Apple Pay, etc.
Engagement: Push notifications and in-app chat for real-time updates and support.
Security: Secure payment gateways and real-time order tracking for trust and transparency.
Brand Loyalty: App icon visibility and consistent branding foster stronger customer connections.
Social Media: Easy product sharing drives engagement and organic traffic.
FOMO: Countdown timers and exclusive deals create urgency, boosting purchases.

How to build a Shopify Mobile App for Canadian customers?

For Shopify merchants in Canada looking to establish a dedicated mobile application, two primary development approaches are available: leveraging mobile app builders (no-code/low-code solutions) or undertaking custom mobile app development. Each method presents distinct advantages, processes, and cost implications. In this article, we will refer to the easiest and effective method: using Shopify mobile app builders to quickly convert your store into app!

Steps to transform your Shopify store to a mobile app

Mobile app builders provide an accessible and efficient pathway for Shopify merchants to create native mobile applications without requiring extensive coding knowledge or a large development team. The process typically involves several straightforward steps:

Choose the Right Builder: The initial step involves selecting a suitable Shopify mobile app builder from the Shopify App Store. This decision should be guided by specific business needs, evaluating factors such as ease of use, customization capabilities, seamless Shopify integration, the availability of push notifications, multi-platform support (iOS and Android), and robust analytics features.
Install and Sync: Once a builder is chosen, it is installed directly into the Shopify store, similar to any other Shopify app. Following installation, the builder automatically synchronizes with the store’s existing content, product inventory, and customer data, preparing these elements for use within the mobile app design.
Customize and Design: This stage involves utilizing the builder’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface and pre-designed templates to craft the app’s layout. Merchants can add essential features such as a search bar, product categories, and customer reviews, customizing each element to align with their brand’s aesthetic. Regular updates to the app’s homepage design are recommended to maintain user engagement, particularly during seasonal events or promotions.
Test and Publish: Before launch, the app undergoes testing to ensure responsiveness and functionality across various mobile devices. The final step involves publishing the app on major platforms, specifically the Google Play Store for Android devices and the Apple App Store for iOS devices.

Top Shopify Mobile App builders in 2025

The Shopify App Store features numerous mobile app builders, each with distinct offerings:

Simicart: Offers a free plan, with paid plans starting at $99 per month. The app has a 4.8/5-star rating and is notable for publishing with no SUCCESS FEE, real-time sync, customizable themes, and multi-language/currency support.
StoreLab: Priced from $499 to $999 per month, with a 5/5-star rating. It offers a dedicated mobile expert, unlimited push notifications, and unlimited integrations, focusing on a comprehensive growth approach.
Shopney: Ranging from $149 to $599 per month, it boasts a 5/5-star rating and is known for building high-converting mobile apps.
Vajro: With pricing from $149 to $999 per month and a 5/5-star rating, Vajro focuses on building native mobile apps for engagement, conversion, and retention.
Tapcart: Plans start from $250 per month (Core $250, Ultimate $500, Enterprise $1000), holding a 4.8/5-star rating. It provides extensive customization options, unlimited push notifications, and premium integrations.
Plobal Apps: Starting from $199 per month (Growth $199, Essential $499, Enterprise $1199), it has a 4.9/5-star rating. Key features include unlimited personalized push notifications, advanced mobile analytics, and extensive integrations.
Appbrew: Available as a free install, with a Pro plan starting from $599 per month and a 5/5-star rating. It provides an AI Concierge, personalization features, over 100 native integrations, and support for Shopify Markets.

Mobile app builders significantly lower the barrier to entry for mobile app development, making the technology highly accessible and enabling rapid time-to-market. For small and medium-sized Shopify merchants in Canada, these app builders represent a highly accessible and cost-effective method to enter the mobile app space.

>> Check out: 15 Best Shopify Mobile App Builders in 2025

Simicart: The all-in-one app builder tailored for Canada’s mobile-first market

As mobile shopping becomes the preferred channel for Canadian consumers, Shopify merchants need more than just a responsive website. They need a seamless, high-performing mobile app experience. Simicart offers a plug-and-play, no-code mobile app builder that empowers Canadian merchants to meet rising customer expectations, boost engagement, and drive revenue without heavy tech investment. With features like unlimited push notifications, in-app promotions, and real-time syncing with Shopify, Simicart is a growth engine tuned for Canadian mobile behavior.

>> Try our app for free now!

How Simicart Aligns with Canadian Mobile Shopping Behaviors?

Key Feature	Canadian Shopping Behavior Addressed
No-Code App Builder	Supports small and medium Canadian businesses with limited development resources, making native apps accessible to all.
Free Publishing (iOS & Android)	Reduces financial barriers, ideal for cautious entry into mobile commerce, common among Canadian startups.
Unlimited Push Notifications	Matches Canadian users’ high engagement with mobile alerts, perfect for flash sales, loyalty perks, and restock alerts.
One-Click Checkout & Saved Payments	Minimizes friction in mobile purchasing, tackling Canada’s relatively high cart abandonment rates.
Multi-Language & Currency Support	Aligns with Canada’s bilingual (English/French) and multicultural landscape, vital for wider market appeal.
Wishlist & In-App Exclusive Discounts	Encourages loyalty and repeat purchases, highly valued by Canadian shoppers seeking personalized offers.
Product Reviews & Ratings Integration	Builds trust through social proof, especially crucial for Canadian customers who rely heavily on peer reviews.
Real-Time Sync with Shopify	Ensures a consistent experience across web and app, key for Canada’s omnichannel-savvy consumers.
Voice Search & Smart Filters	Enhances ease of product discovery, which is a growing expectation among mobile-first Canadian users.
WhatsApp Chat & OTP Login	Offers convenience and security, top concerns among privacy-conscious Canadian consumers.

In a fast-evolving Canadian retail landscape, where shoppers expect seamless, personalized, and secure experiences across every touchpoint, a Shopify mobile app is a powerful competitive advantage. It empowers merchants to meet customers where they are: on their phones, across channels, and in the moments that matter most. Now is the time to move beyond the cart and build a mobile-powered experience your customers will keep coming back to!