IKEA Study Reveals Canadians' Shift to Casual, Screen-Dominated Eating Habits

Event summary

  • IKEA's 2026 Cooking & Eating Study surveyed 31,689 respondents across 31 markets, revealing Canadians' unique eating habits.
  • Only 38% of Canadians regularly eat at a kitchen table, with 32% snacking late at night—well above the global average of 20%.
  • Key frustrations for Canadian cooks include lack of surface space (31%) and storage (29%).
  • The study highlights the influence of screens, busy schedules, and smaller living spaces on eating habits.
  • IKEA aims to design solutions to make cooking and eating more joyful and meaningful.

The big picture

IKEA's study underscores the broader trend of urbanization and the impact of smaller living spaces on consumer behavior. As kitchens become multifunctional hubs, the demand for innovative, space-efficient solutions is likely to grow. This shift presents an opportunity for IKEA to reinforce its market position by designing products that cater to the evolving needs of modern households.

What we're watching

Product Innovation
How IKEA will adapt its product line to address the growing demand for multifunctional kitchen solutions.
Market Differentiation
Whether IKEA can leverage these insights to differentiate itself from competitors in the home furnishings sector.
Consumer Behavior
The pace at which Canadians' eating habits continue to evolve, particularly in response to urban living constraints.