Call It What You Want, but it’s not every day that a concert becomes a six-part cultural phenomenon. With six nights of unforgettable magic in Toronto before the experience is recreated in Vancouver, the concert by the Bad Blood Popstar has been making all the noise. Downtown Toronto transformed into a buzzing hub of excitement, with fans donning dazzling outfits, international travelers pouring in, and local businesses reaping the benefits. As Moneris data reveals, the concerts in Toronto didn’t just captivate audiences—they were a game-changer for the city.
Good Karma for Toronto’s Economy
As the crowds filled the streets and fans lined up in glittering outfits, downtown Toronto saw a massive 45% surge week-over-week in spending across all categories during her shows. Even for a city that regularly hosts blockbuster events, such a leap wasn’t expected in its wildest dreams.
Fashion first: Fans dressed to impress, with clothing store sales up by 49% and accessory/specialty shops soaring by 102%. Whether it was a sparkling jacket or a feathered hat, shoppers went all out for their favourite artist.
The show must go on: Not everyone scored tickets, but that didn’t stop them from finding entertainment. Cinemas saw spending climb 30%, while plays experienced a dramatic 130% increase, possibly due to visitors rounding out their trips or finding alternatives for entertainment. Enchanted by Toronto’s cultural offerings, out-of-town visitors contributed to these numbers, with foreign spending at the cinema alone leaping over 500% during the first three shows.
All Too Well for the Tourism Industry
This concert wasn’t just a local affair—it lured fans from across Canada and beyond, with foreign spend in downtown Toronto climbing 48%. Most foreign travelers came from the U.S., making up 83% of international spending, followed by China, the UK, Mexico, and Hong Kong. This influx of international fans created waves of economic activity:
- International visitors indulged, boosting restaurant spending by +57% and bakeries by +26%. While fast food saw an +11% rise overall, foreign spending on fast food spiked by +28%.
- Hotels saw a +16% overall volume increase, bolstered by a +45% rise in foreign spending.
- Clothing stores and accessory shops saw foreign spend rise by +81% and +145%, respectively.
- Movie theatres cashed in, with a +67% boost from foreign visitors.
For businesses equipped to handle international currencies, it was a golden opportunity to roll out the welcome carpet for global visitors.
Restaurants experienced a Blank Space initially
Dining out during the first three shows showed only modest growth (+2%) due to restaurants already operating near capacity. However, expanding the view to the full ten-day period tells a sweeter story:
- Restaurants enjoyed a +12% week-over-week increase.
- Foreign visitors added even more flavour, driving a +57% boost in restaurant spending.
- Bakeries sang their own melody with a +54% jump, while fast food saw a +11% rise, reflecting the grab-and-go preferences of concert attendees.
The real magic for restaurants wasn’t just in making busy days busier—it was in filling tables during off-peak days, as tourists extended their stays and explored Toronto’s culinary scene.
Wrapping Up: A Harmonious Boost for Toronto’s Economy
The concert series wasn’t just an unforgettable experience for fans; it was a transformative moment for Toronto’s economy. It was beyond just a show—it was a celebration of community, commerce, and creativity. From sparkling retail sales to bustling restaurants and hotels, the city proved it could shake it off and rise to the occasion.
As Vancouver gets Ready For It, businesses across Canada can learn how to harmonize with major events like this one. Whether optimizing for international spend or tapping into event-driven trends, there’s so much your business can do to hit all the right notes.
To learn more or to request a demo of the Moneris Event Impact Analysis Report, visit Moneris Data Services.
About the data: Figures are based on week-over-week spending volume in downtown Toronto. Week-over-week spending compares to the same day the week prior. Moneris data reports measure spending in Canada across a range of categories by analyzing credit and debit card transaction data. The figures cited are derived from aggregated transaction data being processed by Moneris in the applicable categories.
Author Profile
Niyati Budhiraja
Niyati Budhiraja is the Blog Content Specialist at Moneris. She’s a word nerd with a knack for turning complex and technical topics into clear, engaging content. She’s always on the hunt for a good hot chocolate.
