Ottawa shoppers kick off hunt for Black Friday deals early
On the eve of Black Friday, many shoppers were out at Ottawa malls looking to beat the crowds, and hopefully find some deep discounts.
But as inflation continues to put pressure on people's budgets, consumer habits are likely to change.
The main event, Black Friday, is still one day away, but Karen Bell found some deals at Tanger Outlets in Kanata too good to pass up.
"Seventy per cent off and more at Kate Spade," Bell says. "I did manage to buy a few things; they’re for myself and for gifts for Christmas."
Supply-chain problems have mostly passed, and stores are flush with products. While cyber-sales have ruled over the past few years, retail has returned as king.
Black Friday, the annual American event that has made its way into Canada, has become more of a month-long sale. November is the busiest shopping time for Canadians looking to prepare for the holidays.
"Retailers who offer lower prices, discounts, free shipping that really appeals to consumers. There are lots of reason to believe that they will still shop, it’s that they will be mindful of how they spend their dollar," says Michelle Wasylyshen with the Retail Council of Canada, adding shoppers are likely to stick to the same budget in years past, about $800.
"People are worried about inflation and finances understandably, but they do still plan to celebrate the holiday season and so this year the change is they’re going to be looking for more practical, more meaningful gifts, perhaps they will decrease the number of gifts for people that they buy for."
Sandra McMurray, senior travel consultant with Centrum Travel says she has seen a sharp increase in larger groups and families looking to travel to destinations all over the world and that Black Friday is a popular time to book.
“I’ve got people going on African safaris. I’ve got people going on river cruises for the next year and the down south stuff is selling out fast, everything flights especially,” McMurray says. "A couple booked a Trafalgar Tour for Europe next year; they got over a thousand dollars off a person. But the down south, so much stuff is selling out so there’s not a lot of huge sales just because there’s not a lot of availability but they are getting an upgrade on a room from a regular to an ocean view for instance.”
Whether it’s shopping Black Friday deals for necessities, gifts or just a little something extra, Bell says it's simply fun to splurge.
"We’ve had a rough time so it’s a good year to treat yourself and your friends to something really nice," Bell says. "But on Friday I’m going to stay home and check my bank account."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.