Canadian retailers are bracing for what could be the biggest Black Friday yet.
The last Friday in November, long-considered the busiest shopping day in the U.S., has also become a Canadian phenomenon in recent years.
But for many, it has never really lived up to the hype of Black Friday south of the border.
That could change this Friday.
The weak Canadian loonie is expected to keep Canadians from heading south to shop, both in person and on-line.
A recent survey by IPG Mediabrands suggests over 19 million Canadians plan to shop this Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend. That’s 3 million more people than in 2014.
At the same time, the survey says the number of Canadians heading to the U.S. will decrease by 37%, down to just 15% of all respondents.
The survey also suggests the percentage of Canadians who think the deals in Canada are just as good as in the U.S. has grown from 14% to 23%.
“I really think that, yes, we are on the cusp of something really terrific this Friday,” says Cindy Van Buskirk, General Manager of the Rideau Centre in Ottawa. “So fingers crossed.”
In fact, some Americans could be coming to Canada instead.
“I have, personally, relatives who are coming from the U.S. to come up and shop here because it’s worthwhile,” says Jimm Moir.
Moir is an Operations Manager with Best Buy. He’s been with the company for over ten years. He says it’s only been the last few years that Black Friday has come into its own in Canada. He says it’s now a close second to Boxing Day as the single biggest day in retail.
And the biggest sign that Canadian Black Friday has finally arrived?
According to IPG Mediabrands, and estimated 1.2 million Canadians plan on calling in sick on Friday.
