Edmonton – Edmonton shoppers braved the massive crowds at stores across the city Thursday in search of the Boxing Day deals that cause the madness.
“It’s been steady traffic non-stop. People want to, they got gift cards for Christmas, coming in to pick out their gadgets for themselves,” said Ary Papadatos, Future Shop District Manager.
Papadatos says the first customer to enter through the doors of the South Edmonton Common Future Shop had been waiting outside the store since noon on Christmas Day, with around 200 people in line by the time the store’s doors opened Boxing Day morning.
“This is part of their Christmas tradition and then they all come down and wait outside of a store,” explained Papadatos.
Once inside, it’s every shopper for themselves.
“We all got cash and gift cards so it’s pretty easy just to come out and do some boxing day shopping,” said Jillene Bradshaw.
“I got a pair of boots on really good sale,” said Nicole Murphy.
Adam Kirby didn’t get the new T.V. he wanted for Christmas, but that didn’t stop him from getting one.
“I asked my folks for different things and they said, you know, we’re just going to give you gift cards, one size fits all and you can get what you want,” explained Kirby.
But the popularity of Boxing Day shopping may be on the decline.
According to a BMO report, the percentage of Canadians planning to hit stores this Boxing Day was down to 59 per cent from 62 per cent a year ago.
It appears some shoppers are spending more money a day that’s gaining in popularity among Canadian shoppers. According to the same BMO report, 47 per cent of Canadians shopped on Black Friday this year, up six per cent from 2012.
“We find that a lot more people are buying gifts for their family and relatives and friends for Black Friday and this is all about the shopper, they want to get the best deal for themselves,” said Papadatos.
Despite the decline in Boxing Day shoppers, Papadatos was anticipating 10,000 people to step through the doors of the South Edmonton Common Future Shop.
“We gear up for it all year round. You know, with Black Friday getting bigger and bigger, Boxing Day is still the biggest day of the year for retail in Canada.”
With files from Shannon Greer