Winnipeggers line up in the cold to nab Black Friday deals

WINNIPEG – Dozens of Winnipeggers lined up early Friday morning in hopes of nabbing some massive Black Friday deals around town.

While many shoppers headed to the States to take advantage of one of the biggest shopping days of the year, others are sticking close to home and buying up big deals.

“I’ve actually never done a Black Friday ever and I heard about everyone going to the States to do it but I would rather save the time and money and just do it here,” said shopper Christina Hooper.

“Over the last two years Black Friday has grown so much and this is our third year in Winnipeg,” said Deborah Green, Polo Park Shopping Centre.

Lineups started well before 4:30 a.m. at the Target at Kildonan Place and St. James.

“It’s busy, very busy, we had a line up this morning, people came in and it’s roaring,” said Lyle Hrushowy at Future Shop.

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Target was offering customers in line product tickets before the doors opened.

About one million Canadians are expected to call in sick to work for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, according to Media Brands.

At the height of the pre-shopping outdoor camp out temperatures reached -18 degrees but felt more like -24 with the windchill.

Shoppers at Polo Park braved the frigid temperatures to be first in line when the mall doors opened at 6 a.m.

At least 30 people rushed inside to the Foot Locker before it opened an hour later.

However, they were there to buy the much anticipated Air Jordan which coincided its release date with Black Friday.

“A lot of people like to dead stock them, and that’s just keeping them and not wearing them, so they can sell them in the future, ” said one customer. “For me, I like to wear my shoes.”

The shoe was not on sale and retails for $185.

Parking lots at malls around the city were jam packed early Friday morning and streets around major malls were feeling the traffic impact as rush hour began.