Religious Beliefs and Consumption Patterns: A Canadian Perspective

Abstract

Religious beliefs play a foundational role in shaping consumer behaviour across cultures, societies, and markets. In a multicultural country like Canada—where Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Indigenous spiritualities, and secular beliefs coexist—religion remains a subtle yet powerful determinant of consumption choices. This research article explores how religious values influence food preferences, retail shopping habits, ethical consumption, brand loyalty, holiday spending, and media consumption. Based on secondary literature and conceptual models, the study provides a Canadian framework explaining the interaction between religious identity and consumer decision-making. Findings reveal that religion-based norms significantly affect food consumption (e.g., halal, kosher), ethical purchasing, philanthropic spending, festival-driven purchasing patterns, and attitudes toward socially responsible brands. The article concludes by discussing implications for marketers and policymakers while recommending avenues for future research..