WATCH: Canadian consumers were expected to spend more this holiday season compared with last year. A lot of that was driven by early discounting by retailers, and a lot of the shopping is happening online. So how does that impact boxing day, once the ultimate time for bargain hunters? Kori Sidaway went to find out.
Love it or hate it — it’s Canada’s oldest shopping tradition: Boxing Day!
“Obviously boxing day traditionally didn’t start off as a day where everyone goes out shopping, but I think that’s what it’s turned out to be,” said Boxing Day shopper Kelsey Brooks.
And even with online shopping at everyone’s fingertips, Islanders were lining up for the deals of the day.
“We had about 100 people outside, which is fairly typical even though it was raining outside,” said Best Buy general manager Andrew Razzo.
“It’s been a steady busy day for us, kind of exactly what we were expecting. Just showing a little bit better than last year even.”
Throughout the day, cars streamed into mall parking lots, causing some mayhem at Mayfair Mall.
“I was kind of sweating trying to find a parking place. It’s just insane,” said one busy buyer.
“The amount of traffic like even getting on the highway like the backup back up even at Goldstream coming from Langford is unbelievable.”
And while it was busy on the roads, inside the stores many shoppers found it surprisingly calm.
“I definitely expected it to be more busy. I know it past years you couldn’t even move,” said another patron.
But shop owners say Boxing Day isn’t losing steam in favour of online shopping, extended sale dates are spreading out shoppers.
“I just love to see that a lot of companies are moving away from Boxing Day and moving into Boxing Week, so we have deals that last the whole week for those customers that can’t come in today,” said Razzo.
So, from millennials to baby boomers, shopping in person the day after Christmas still reigns supreme.
“I prefer shopping in person rather than online, I just like the interaction with people,” said Best Buy shopper Chelsea de Silva
“I need to try clothes on, that’s why I come to the mall, online shopping is too risky for me!” said another shopper from the Langford area.
Fair to say, here on the island anyway, the nation’s oldest shopping tradition isn’t done all online just yet.
Kori Sidaway
