Canadian retailers fight back
Erica Opoku has enjoyed cross border shopping for Black Friday ever since she bought brand name small kitchen appliances at Macy and JC Penny in 2010 for $20 each.
Like many Canadians, the 32 year old Toronto project coordinator is lured across the border by door crasher sales, power prices, and better brand selection. Even with travel time, gas, Black Suede Big Dorcet 120mm and border hassles, she figures she comes out ahead.
go across for specific sales because I know we wouldn get those deep discounts [in Canada], she says, noting that the four kitchen appliances she bought for $80 total would have cost her significantly more in Canada.
worth the time and effort. The dollar is almost at par, and it [costs] one tank of gas. So for me, if I saving more than $40 on my purchases, it a win.
Ann Davis, a 55 year old public relations professional from Thornhill was curious about whether deals were really that great during Black Friday, and in 2010 she got the chance to experience it first hand when she visited an outlet mall in Arizona with a friend.
went to Arizona Mills Outlet Mall (Tempe, AZ) at midnight to see if there were any bargains [and] to see what all the hype was about, she recalled.
Although she was successful at her favourite stores like Ann Taylor and Marshalls, she doubts she will participate in the shopping frenzy again. I prefer to White Leather Beverly 100mm shop on Boxing Day. The deals are just as good (for Canadians), if not better. retailers, bargain hunters might think twice about making the trip across the border this year.
Adrienne Down Coulson, GM of Ebates Canada a website dedicated to cash back rebates anticipates that Canadians will spend more money over the four days including the Monday.
more and more American merchants open up shop in Canada, they are realizing there is a huge opportunity Leather Bloody Mary 120mm here to reach Canadian shoppers, she said.
Many Canadian retailers are tight lipped about their Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions, but Coulson believes Canadians will be pleasantly surprised with the discounts.
Her site will be highlighting offers from more than 200 Canadian stores.
Here a taste.
Many of Ontario biggest malls operated by Cadillac Fairview will open their doors earlier to accommodate eager shoppers. on Black Friday.
Consumers are beginning to see a shift in store interaction, and retailers are focusing on engaging shoppers with new smartphone apps and unique shopping experiences.
Best Buy is taking aim at its web only electronics rivals by extending its price match guarantee to cover all online Canadian competitors. If a consumer finds a lower price elsewhere, Best Buy will beat that price by 10 per cent of the difference.
is the first year of a Black Friday themed sale for Best Buy, said Thierry Hay Saborin, Director of eCommerce for Best Buy Canada and Future Shop. have also implemented web kiosks in our store so that customers can purchase products online, and have it delivered free of charge to their homes, or to the store. In Black Suede Balota 140mm a market first, the famous One Day Sale radio campaign will have the ability to link directly to The Bay website for purchases simply by using the app on your smartphone or tablet. This is a unique solution for shoppers on the go, who don have time to shop in store.
As for Opoku, she is still undecided about whether she will head across the border for Black Friday sales.
tempting, she admits. marks the beginning of the holiday season, and I had fun and got great deals on things that I actually use.