Indigo / Chapters
Indigo (operating as Chapters in some locations) is Canada's largest book and lifestyle retailer, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Toronto. For buying books in Canada, Indigo is the direct Canadian alternative to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Why Switch?
Every book you buy on Amazon sends revenue to Jeff Bezos' empire and erodes Canadian retail employment. Indigo is a Canadian-owned company employing thousands of Canadians, paying Canadian taxes, and investing in Canadian publishing through programs like their Canadian Author Fund. Barnes & Noble is an American chain with no Canadian presence. Buying books at Indigo or Chapters means your purchase circulates in the Canadian economy, supports Canadian booksellers, and helps fund a company that actively champions Canadian authors and Canadian literature.
Canadian readers who want a full-service bookstore with Canadian titles curated front and centre, plus gifts and stationery — without sending money to Amazon.
Replaces
Where to Buy in Canada
How It Compares
| Feature | Canadian Option | American Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Canadian-owned, TSX listed (IDG) | Amazon: Seattle / Barnes & Noble: US |
| Canadian author support | Dedicated Canadian Author section | No special Canadian content curation |
| Tax destination | Canadian corporate taxes | US tax jurisdiction |
| Employment | Employs thousands of Canadians | Revenue primarily benefits US workforce |
Why we list this
Publicly traded on TSX (IDG). Headquartered in Toronto, ON.
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