Outta my way!
Black Friday and Cyber Monday get the holiday shopping frenzy started
What was once considered strictly an American phenomena has morphed to blanket most of Canada as the famous Black Friday — and also the Cyber Monday — shopping extravaganzas.
The day after the U.S. Thanksgiving, Black Friday traditionally marks the unofficial start of holiday shopping — driving shoppers to camp out well before store openings and, once the doors open, into a state of bargain-hunting siege.
It can get down and dirty — research shows that in the past, violence and even death have been reported in several states.
Canadians embraced Black Friday years ago, especially when the loonie was riding high and crossborder shopping proved perfect for those with enough stamina to take on the crowds and the long lineups to save substantially at the cash register.
This season, according to a recent RedFlagDeals.com survey, only 20 per cent of respondents are considering going south of the border to shop for those major bargains (although UPS Canada is reporting the numbers are higher, at 45 per cent).
The weak dollar looks to keep consumers closer to home base, but it hasn’t damped the shopping spirit, with retailers reporting more and more Black Friday shopping experiences.
According to Shopbot.ca (one of Canada’s leading price comparison platforms connecting millions of Canadian shoppers), one in five Canadians are intending to spend more than $350 on Black Friday — and mostly on electronics.
And, although many will say holiday deals are spread throughout the season, Canadians are getting out in droves to shop.
In Toronto, the Yorkdale Shopping Centre, ranked as one of the highest performing malls in North America, reports that Black Friday has “officially become part of Canadian shoppers’ holiday shopping ritual, with more than 40 per cent of shoppers bargain-hunting on both Black Friday and Boxing Day this year — up from 30 per cent last year,” says the centre’s general manager Claire Santamaria.
Yorkdale’s not the only one getting in on the action.
According to RedFlagDeals.com, all the big chains — from Best Buy to Canadian Tire, Walmart to Staples, the Source and more — have been bracing for Black Friday for months now.
Canadians are planning on being more generous this holiday season, according to Ebates.ca., whose research reveals roughly half plan to shop on the three biggest shopping days of the year: 45 per cent on Black Friday, 43 per cent on Cyber Monday and 53 per cent on Boxing Day.
“Canadians overall appear to be more optimistic about this holiday shopping season,” said Sari Friedman, marketing director for Ebates.ca.
“But while they may be spending more, our survey indicates that Canadians are also likely getting more for their dollar by utilizing clever shopping strategies.”
Nearly two-thirds will be redeeming loyalty program points to purchase gifts and 59 per cent make a point of shopping with retailers that offer loyalty points. New this year is that 27 per cent are using store mobile apps to make purchases.
Online shopping is up — even as Cyber Monday looms, with EBates reporting many shoppers staying up late to catch the sales the moment they become available online.
Hottest purchases? In person or online, EBates reports clothing and accessories are tops, followed by electronics, books, health and beauty, plus sports and exercise gear.
The average Canadian plans to spend around $600 on holiday shopping, up at least $200 from last year.