Although department stores aren’t as popular as they used to be, Canadians still love shopping at a few of these convenient companies. After all, being able to purchase almost everything you need, whether that’s clothing, makeup, furniture, or groceries, from a single store is a huge timesaver.
Shopping at department stores can save you money, especially if you get great credit card rewards. We’ll walk you through the most popular department stores in the country and help you choose a credit card that gives you the most bang for your buck for department store purchases.
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What is a department store?
A department store doesn’t specialize in a single type of product. Instead, the store sells various items, such as clothing, housewares, cosmetics, furniture, electronics, toys, and groceries.
When it comes to credit card rewards for department stores, they don't fall into any specific category, as they sell a wide variety of items.
The most popular Canadian department stores
Here are some popular department stores in Canada, and what they offer.
| Store | Number of locations | Sales revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | 403 stores across Canada | $22.3 billion USD in 2023 |
| Winners | 302 stores across Canada | $5 billion USD in 2023 |
| Hudson's Bay | 85 stores in all provinces except for NB, PEI, NL | $5.5 billion in 2019 |
| Simons | 19 stores in QC, ON, AB, NS, BC | $650 million in 2023 |
| Holt Renfrew | 7 stores in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver | $750 million in 2023 |
| Giant Tiger | 260+ stores across all provinces except NL | $1.1 billion annually |
| Marshalls | 106 in BC, AB, ON, QC, NB, and PEI | $5 billion USD |
1. Walmart
Walmart operates 2 types of stores. There are regular Walmart locations as well as Walmart Supercentres. The only difference between them? Supercentres contain full grocery stores.
Standout features:
- Offers excellent credit cards, the
Walmart Rewards Mastercard, andWalmart Rewards World Mastercard. . These cards offer bonus rewards at Walmart and still earn a high rate of return just about everywhere else. - One of the world’s largest retailers with locations across Canada
2. Winners
A popular discount retailer in Canada, Winners has locations nationwide, with over 300 stores in all provinces.
Standout features:
- Off-price department store that’s part of the TJ Maxx family of companies
- Canadian company founded in Ontario in 1982
3. Hudson's Bay
The oldest corporation in North America, Hudson's Bay has evolved from the fur trapping company founded in 1670 to the department store chain you see today.
Standout features:
- High-end retailer specializing in well-known brands
- 2 types of stores – flagship (located in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver) that offer a wider selection of products and standards that have the usual department store offerings
4. Simons
Simons started as a department store based in Quebec but has since expanded to other regions in Canada, with stores found in Ontario, Alberta, and BC.
Standout features:
- Stores with unique architecture and design
- Boutique-style zones within the departments
- Regional differences between stores
5. Holt Renfrew
Another department store with a luxury twist, Holt Renfrew sells various items and has a large online presence.
Standout features:
- Stores include Canadian art and culture
- Pop-out shops and piercing studios available at some locations
- One of the oldest Canadian luxury stores, originally established in 1873
6. Giant Tiger
Giant Tiger is a discount department store with operations in all provinces except Newfoundland.
Standout features:
- Mix of private brands and store labels
- Improved store experience with updated fitting rooms, signage, and lighting
- Founded in Canada in 1961
7. Marshalls
Marshalls is an off-discount department store originally formed in the United States. As part of the TJX family of companies that includes Winners and HomeSense, Marshalls is now widely found throughout Canada.
Standout features:
- Contemporary design and layout
- Constantly changing selection of products
- Selection of discount, brand name, and designer goods
How to earn more rewards at your favourite department store
Unfortunately, few department stores count towards a regular credit card bonus category. So, you need a card that gets you a high rate of return no matter where you're shopping.
Here are some of the best flat-rate credit cards available right now.
| Credit Card | Welcome Bonus | Earn Rates | Annual Fee, Income Requirements | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express SimplyCash Preferred | 10% cash back for the first 3 months, up to $2,000 in spend. Plus, earn $50 when you make a purchase on month 13 (terms) | * 4% cash back on gas and groceries * 2% cash back on all other purchases | * $119.88 * None | Apply Now |
| WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard | 120 WestJet Dollars (terms) | * 2 WestJet points per $1 spent on WestJet or WestJet Vacations purchases * 1.5 WestJet point per $1 spent on all other everyday purchases | * $119 * $80K personal/$150K household | Apply Now |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | 55,000 points (terms) | * 1.25 points per $1 spent on travel * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * $120 * $60K personal/$100K household | Apply Now |
| American Express Green | 10,000 points (terms) | * 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases | * $0 * None | Apply Now |
| Neo Standard Mastercard | after your account is opened (terms) | * Average of 5% cash back at partner retailers * 1% cash back on gas, up to $500 spent monthly * 1% cash back on groceries, up to $500 spent monthly | * $0 * None | Apply Now |
View more top credit cards for shopping here.
1. Best cash back card
For cash back rewards, the best credit card to use at department stores is the
Pros:
- 10% cash back for the first 3 months, up to $2,000 in spend (along with $50 when you make a purchase on month 13)
- 10 types of insurance included
Cons:
- Cash back only paid out once per year
- $119 annual fee
There's also a no fee version of this card – theSimplyCash® Card from American Express which offers:
- 2% cash back on gas
- 2% cash back on groceries (up to $300 cash back annually)
- 1.25% cash back on all other purchases
2. Best travel rewards card
The
While the earn rate may not be as good as other cards here, you'll also get an annual companion voucher and free checked bag.
Pros:
- Up to 700 bonus WestJet Dollars
- Save 3 cents per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada
- 11 types of insurance included
Cons:
- High income requirements of either $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
- $119 annual fee
3. Best flexible rewards Visa
×1 Award winner 
$100 GeniusCash + 55,000 points + Up to 2.33% return on purchases.*
GC: $100
1x Award winner If you prefer flexible travel rewards, then take a look at the
It has an unassuming earn rate – 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases (1.25 points on travel), but it's what each point is worth that counts. You can redeem points for flights and travel through RBC Avion Rewards (which gives you a point value of up to 2.33 cents per point).
Pros:
- 35,000 bonus points (worth up to $936)
- High point value of up to 2.33 cents
- Includes 12 types of insurance
- Save 3 cents per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada.
Cons:
- Poor rewards if not redeemed through the Air Travel Redemption chart
- High income requirements of either $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
- $120 annual fee
4. Best no annual fee credit card
If you dislike the idea of paying to use a credit card, the
Because this card is an Amex Membership Rewards card, you have plenty of options as to how to use your points for travel (or redeem for cash back).
Pros:
- $200 welcome bonus
- Points worth up to 2 cents
- 4 ways to redeem points for high value
Cons:
- Minimum insurance included
5. A no fee credit card with bonus rewards at many retailers
One last no fee credit card we'll spotlight is the
With this card, you'll earn 1% cash back on all your purchases, up to $5,000 in monthly spend. But you can earn bonus rewards if you shop with a Neo partner.
As of Feb. 2024, Walmart, Hudson’s Bay, and Simons offer bonuses like earn 1% to 2% for every $45 to $50 spent.
Pros:
- $25 welcome bonus
- No annual fee
- Ability to upgrade your card to Neo Premium for more rewards and benefits
Cons:
- Does not earn rewards everywhere
- No insurance included
FAQ
What is the most popular retail store in Canada?
One could argue that Walmart is the most popular retail store since it had the highest revenue of any Canadian department store in 2023.
What is Canada's version of Macy's?
While there’s no direct equivalent, some Canadians say Hudson’s Bay and Simons are the closest match to Macy’s.
Is Target coming back to Canada?
In 2015, Canada closed all of its Target stores with no plans to reopen them. However, in March of 2024, Hudson’s Bay began offering Cat and Jack, a popular children’s clothing line by Target.
creditcardGenius is the only tool that compares 126+ features of 229 Canadian credit cards using math-based ratings and rankings that respond to your needs, instantly. Take our quiz and see which of Canada's 229 cards is for you.
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