Many consumers are looking for deals this year, with 48 per cent telling a recent survey they plan to shop on Black Friday. (Nisha Patel/CBC)
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have evolved in recent years, with deals now extending over several weeks, or even the entire month, rather than being confined to just a couple of days. For retailers, this period offers a chance to clear out excess inventory and boost their sales ahead of the holiday season.
Zacharie Cadieux, a shopper at Best Buy on Coventry Road in Ottawa, is taking full advantage of the discounts. "I came here for Black Friday, yes," he said, showing off his new 65-inch TV. "I compared prices online, and this was the best deal for the specific TV I wanted. I’ve had a 50-inch Samsung for 12 years, and it was time to upgrade to something bigger."
Diana Cheezo, also shopping with her family, expressed doubt about the value of the Black Friday savings. "It doesn’t feel like there’s much of a difference anymore," Cheezo commented. "That’s why you don’t see as many people shopping for Black Friday."
Rabbie Rahman also weighed in, sharing that he believes Black Friday offers better deals for Canadians than Boxing Day but still feels the sales aren’t as good as they once were. "It seems like a lot of the discounts are just based on inflated prices," Rahman said. "They raise the prices and then claim to offer discounts of 40 to 50 percent."
Despite the shift in the Black Friday landscape, technology columnist and 580 CFRA host Marc Saltzman still believes savvy shoppers can find deals in the weeks leading up to the day itself. "This year especially, retailers are trying to lock in customers early," Saltzman explained. "They want to clear out inventory before Christmas, so the deals are available ahead of time. You don’t have to wait until November 29th to get a good price."
Saltzman advises shoppers to compare prices online before heading out to stores and recommends using apps or signing up for deal alerts to stay on top of discounts. "Make sure to monitor the prices of things you want," he said. "There are plenty of tools out there that can help you track sales."
Retail analyst Bruce Winder also points out that shoppers can find deals on a wide range of products during Black Friday, as stores clear space for their holiday stock. "Consumer electronics are still a big draw, but you’ll also see discounts on kitchen appliances, major appliances, clothing, and beauty products," Winder said. "It’s not just about big-ticket items; there are deals on all kinds of products right now as retailers push to grow their sales before the year ends."
Winder added that with the two-month federal and provincial tax holiday this year, Canadian shoppers may be able to save even more on big-ticket purchases. "Some people might wait until later, particularly for the tax holiday," he suggested. "It could make them hold off on Black Friday deals and wait for Boxing Day, when those savings will still apply."
