Once, scissors ruled Saturday mornings. Now, smartphone screens light up with digital deals before breakfast. The shift is unmistakable—those stubborn little paper coupons, once a staple in Canadian kitchens, are giving way to an era where AI and apps do the heavy lifting. The times they are a changing, and it’s not just the tools—it’s our entire approach to savings.
Coupon use reached its heyday in the late twentieth century. For many, clipping was ritual—a quiet act of thrift that brought a sense of control to the weekly shop. But this tradition, much like the milkman’s route, has faded. According to multiple reports, coupon use began its steady decline in the 1990s, mirroring the rise of new shopping technologies and a digital-first mindset.
The numbers are plain: the physical coupon, once the hero of the grocery aisle, is now an afterthought. Instead, Canadians are turning to mobile apps and AI-powered platforms that promise to do the searching for them. The convenience is irresistible. Tap a screen, load a digital rebate, and watch the savings track themselves. This isn’t just a matter of efficiency—it marks a profound shift in consumer behaviour. Where once the pursuit of deals was manual and methodical, now it is streamlined, automated, and, in many cases, personalized.
The causes are layered. It’s not just about technology’s relentless march. Consumer expectations have shifted, shaped by the instant gratification offered elsewhere in daily life. Retailers, eager to meet these demands, have invested in smarter systems that cater to shoppers’ desire for immediacy. AI doesn’t just find deals—it learns preferences, predicts needs, and adapts in real time. For many in communities like Barrie, this means bargains are tailored before you even realize you’re looking.
The implications ripple out. Traditional couponing may never vanish entirely, but the locus of control has moved. As one expert noted, the adoption of AI-powered savings is “both a response to and a catalyst for changing consumer habits.” Shoppers aren’t just reacting; they’re shaping the new rules of engagement, and businesses ignore this at their peril.
In an era when the only scissors needed are to open a package, one thing is clear: the times they are a changing, and the humble search for a deal has entered its next act.
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Does anyone still clip coupons? Consumers want deals, but how they find them is shifting
