With the holiday shopping season underway, many Canadian consumers are looking to check boxes on their gift list while also keeping their household budgets in check.

Shoppers may be feeling more cautious about opening their wallets for fear of what the future may hold and are looking for opportunities to save money wherever they can.

The trade war — especially the ripple effect of U.S. tariffs leading to a weaker Canadian job market — has led to cost concerns among consumers.

“Consumers are cautious heading into the holidays because there’s a number of headwinds they’re facing. Particularly the fallout effects from the trade war, and as trade issues relate to companies really being cautious about hiring right now,” says retail analyst Bruce Winder.

“Consumers feel that and they’r

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