Return-to-office mandates can benefit entrepreneurs
Have you noticed? More Canadian workers are returning to offices and commuting daily. Statistics Canada reports that the share of people mainly working from home dropped from 22.4% in 2022 to 17.4% in May 2025. Those commuting to workplaces rose to about 82.6% (link )
Many Canadians wish they could keep working from home. A recent survey by the Angus Reid Institute found that 59% prefer working remotely (link ).
How this change affects public policy
There are more commuters. Canadians drive, take transit, cycle or even ride scooters or Segways to work. Government must improve traffic management and invest in public transit. They also need to consider policies that reduce carbon emissions. Options include cleaner transit fleets, incentives for ride-sharing or electric commuting, and tax supports.
How this change affects individuals
Workers who are commuting again find the added travel often increases stress and cuts into family or free time. They must pay attention to their health. Workers must get enough rest, try to exercise even on busy days, and limit how much commuting eats into relaxing or fulfilling activities. Many who enjoyed greater flexibility while working from home crave more time with loved ones, less commuting, or more control over their schedules. (link).
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The flip side: this change benefits the snack vending industry
As commuting rises, the premium snack vending industry is seeing positive impacts:
Higher foot traffic at transit hubs & offices–more workers entering offices, stations, and bus stops increases demand for quick snacks.
Longer waits + dissatisfaction with commuting = more impulse purchases–When people travel or wait inside lobbies or for transit, they look for something to eat without leaving.
Demand for healthy and premium options–commuters growing tired of unhealthy fast food choices welcome better alternatives; offering premium, healthy vending helps meet that need.
More locations open–as offices, gyms, and public spaces continue to fill, more become viable as vending machine locations.
If you would like to start a snack vending machine route, this shift toward more commuting offers an exciting opportunity. More commuters leads to higher demand, which leads to higher sales.
Want to discover how instaSNAX vending machines can help you profit from this trend? Reach out to us now.