VANCOUVER — When COVID-19 started to spread and physical stores shuttered, customers turned to online retailers in droves, accelerating e-commerce demand and sparking a shift in shopping habits. Companies scrambled to meet customers online, beefing up their e-commerce capabilities.

But the rush that peaked in the thick of the pandemic has since slowed. Still, online retail sales remain above pre-pandemic levels, and e-commerce is expected to continue growing and be a mainstay of retailers’ strategies.

Here’s a look at some of the key players shaping e-commerce and the future of retail in Canada.