A Toronto city councillor is celebrating the arrival of popular discount retail store Panda Mart amid concerns surrounding the cost of living crisis.
Global discount retailer Panda Mart opened its first Canadian location last week in Toronto’s east end suburb Scarborough.
The store quickly became a viral sensation, with Torontonians reportedly lining up for hours to get their hands on heavily discounted items including furniture, electronics, and home decor.
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City councillor for the area, Parthi Kandavel, was on site for the store’s grand opening, and tells Now Toronto that Panda Mart’s arrival represents a forward thinking response to the rising costs that residents currently face.
“It’s part of a larger movement to provide affordable and reliable shopping options that meet community needs,” Kandavel told Now Toronto in a statement.
Kandavel added that the store is essential in today’s urban landscape, offering residents practical and affordable access to everyday essentials.
“By easing financial burdens, especially for families gearing up for the school year, they play a vital role in supporting community well-being and resilience amid rising living costs,” he said.
Kandavel says retailers like Panda Mart are not just stores, but also “key partners in making a good quality of life accessible.”
Business Management professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, Daniel Tsai, tells Now Toronto that he is not surprised by the store’s immediate popularity. He says that due to concerns surrounding affordability the shop arrived in Scarborough at the right time.
“As shoppers are value and money conscious these days, it’s entering at the right time like a recession and when people are concerned about money and job security,” he said in a statement.
Tsai expects Panda Mart to thrive, especially considering it carries higher quality goods compared to other affordable retailers.
“In Canada, dollar stores like Dollarama have done very well, but Panda Mart is creating its own marketplace category and should thrive here,” he said.
Torontonians have taken to social media to detail their experience with the store, with many offering similar sentiments.
“It has products that compete with Dolllarama’s pricing but offer far better quality especially in the kitchen and stationary departments so I can see this place appealing a lot to low income people,” a Reddit user said.
“I went today… It truly is like a real-life Temu and I will of course be returning. Many items seem to be quite good quality,” another user said.
“The store itself was impressive. I’d describe it as higher quality than Dollarama, sometimes even cheaper, and with way more variety. Prices were insanely low, yet the quality was surprisingly decent for the cost,” another user said.
Beyond affordability, Kandavel says he expects it to positively contribute to the city’s economy and job market.
“These businesses contribute to local job creation and economic growth, strengthening working- and middle-class families,” he said. “Panda Mart’s opening is a perfect example of the balanced, thriving neighborhood we’re building, one where families’ daily needs are met with dignity, businesses prosper, and new opportunities flourish.”
