Data Stories from Phase 2 of Ontario's Reopening

Step 2 of Ontario’s reopening plan kicked off on June 30, 2021 leading to line-ups for haircuts and a rise in spending on local travel and entertainment categories for the long weekend. 

Overall

• Across the province there was a slight decrease in shopping compared to the week before as Ontarians spent their Canada Day weekend with family and friends at BBQs in the backyard, beaches and parks with larger outdoor social gatherings and dining permitted.

• Salons and barbershops were allowed to reopen and saw a 970% increase in volumes as Ontarians rushed out for haircuts. 

• Restaurants continue to see a lift in spending but bars with patios were in demand during the weekend with a 28% increase across the province week-over-week.

• Like the previous reopening weekend, there were significant increases in hotels as local travel has picked up and quarantining for returning travelers was still in place, including in Ottawa (111%), Hamilton (21%), Niagara (68%), Simcoe (37%), Waterloo (77%), Wellington (37%), York (31%).

• Car rentals were also up in Niagara (26%), Ottawa (21%), and Waterloo (28%) for out-of-town visitors and new locals moving in.

• Even with the holiday closure non-essential retail in the apparel category continued to do well with a 48% increase plus a 84% increase in department stores.

• Ontarians have started making plans for their double shot summer with a 186% increase at airlines and 68% increase at amusement parks week-over-week as people booked tickets.

Regional Breakouts

Dufferin
• 5309% increase at barbershops and salons

Durham
• 2411% increase at barbershops and salons
• 52% increase at bars

Essex
• 714% increase at barbershops and salons
• 30% increase at bars
• 41% increase at apparel stores

Halton
• 1275% increase at barbershops and salons
• 38% increase at bars

Hamilton
• 1385% increase at barbershops and salons
• 72% increase at apparel stores
• 21% increase at hotels

Niagara
• 2089% increase at barbershops and salons
• 19% increase at restaurants
• 32% increase at apparel stores
• 68% increase at hotels
• 26% increase at car rental services

Ottawa
• 736% increase at barbershops and salons
• 62% increase at apparel stores
• 11% increase at bars
• 111% increase at hotels
• 21% increase at car rental services

Peel
• 1743% increase at barbershops and salons
• 46% increase at apparel stores

Simcoe
• 1039% increase at barbershops and salons
• 92% increase at bars
• 23% increase at apparel stores
• 37% increase at hotels

Toronto
• 596% increase at barbershops and salons
• 32% increase at bars
• 49% increase at apparel stores

Waterloo
• 155% increase at barbershops and salons
• 77% increase at hotels
• 28% increase at car rental services

Wellington
• 11,080% increase at barbershops and salons
• 24% increase at bars
• 63% increase at apparel stores
• 37% increase at hotels

York
• 2087% increase at barbershops and salons
• 12% increase at bars
• 179% increase at apparel stores

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