Neighbourhood DOOH Delivers Holiday ROI as Canadians Shop Close to Home

Despite the growth of ecommerce, only 13% of total retail sales in 2025 are online. The majority of Canadians still prefer to shop in-store, right in the neighbourhoods where Adapt Media’s DOOH networks are located. For brands, that means holiday advertising should focus on where purchasing decisions actually happen: in the community.

Here’s why neighbourhood DOOH is your most effective holiday channel in 2025.

• In-person dominance – DOOH is perfect for in-store visits
• Timing – DOOH helps you be visible when it matters most
• Errand path – DOOH is ubiquitous during key moments of a shopper’s day

The holidays remain a high-spend period, but consumers are cautious:

• $972 average planned spend in 2024 (Retail Council of Canada).
• 90% of Canadians said they were budgeting carefully and hunting for deals.
• 39% plan to spend less, while only 11% plan to spend more (Ipsos).

Takeaway: Holiday shoppers in 2025 will be value-driven and selective. Brands must ensure their message reaches buyers where they make everyday decisions.

When Canadians need something quickly, 43% choose to shop in-store rather than buy online. That’s why neighbourhood-level DOOH is powerful: it places your brand along daily paths, at Circle K, independent convenience stores, and DriveTest Centres, where decisions are made in real time.

With Adapt Media’s national network covering over 8,000 communities, your holiday message is always close to the point of purchase.

DOOH vs Broadcast TV

Compared to broadcast TV, DOOH offers a sharper edge for holiday campaigns. TV buys are broad and expensive, often missing the moment of decision. DOOH meets consumers where they are shopping, in real time, on the path to purchase. 

While TV builds reach, DOOH drives action by being present in the exact neighbourhoods where spending happens. Research shows 73% of consumers view DOOH ads more favourably than TV, social, online, audio, or print ads. Combined with mobile retargeting, DOOH delivers measurable visits and conversions that TV simply cannot match.

McDonald’s needed to boost traffic at select Ontario restaurants, especially in smaller communities where traditional channels struggled.

Adapt’s solution:

• Posters placed near restaurants.
• Mobile retargeting to reinforce exposure.

Results:

• 43,000+ total visits generated.
• 22.9% of exposed devices visited a location.
• Average of 2.25 visits per person.
• Only 2.6 days from ad exposure to visit.

This neighbourhood DOOH + mobile retargeting strategy is the same approach brands can use to win the holiday season.

• $972 average planned holiday spend (RCC, 2024).
• 90% of Canadians budget carefully (RCC, 2024).
• 89% shop Nov 1–28, and again Dec 3–20 (JLL, 2024).
• 43% choose in-store shopping for urgent needs (Google).

• Neighbourhood DOOH delivers the reach, flexibility, and proof of performance brands need:
  • Localized placements along daily paths.
  • Mobile retargeting to convert awareness into visits.
  • Flexible messaging across the entire holiday season.

  Measurable impact on in-store traffic and sales.

• Adapt Media helps brands capture both early planners and last-minute buyers with neighbourhood DOOH advertising across Canada’s communities.
  • Get your message in front of holiday shoppers.
  • Drive measurable visits to your locations.
  • Stay top-of-mind from November through December.

  Don’t wait until November, secure your placements today. Contact Adapt Media to plan your holiday DOOH campaign.