Black Friday moving up to Canada

Ottawa Travel Guide

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Thursday, 15 November 2012 16:58

Thanksgiving in Canada is a festive time, taking place this past year on Monday, October 14. Unlike the American Thanksgiving holiday, which happens on the third Thursday of November every year, it doesn't include one of the most insane shopping days of the year: Black Friday. The proximity of Canada and the U.S. is obvious, and although Canadians don't celebrate Thanksgiving in November, retailers are still preparing for the shopping season, which officially kicks of on the 23rd of this month.

"Our retail sector has to work hard to remain competitive and keep shoppers north of the border," said Martin Wray, vice president of Cadillac Fairview, one of Canada's largest mall operators.

While some Canadians travel across the border to nearby American cities like Buffalo, New York, in the East and Bellingham, Washington, in the West, for marked-down prices, Canadian retailers are making Black Friday an event up North as well.

A stronger economy boosts holiday sales
According to the latest survey by the Bank of Montreal (BMO), Canadians are expected to spend 15 percent more money than last year, marking a jump in the economy and eagerness for residents and travellers to get the best gifts before they sell out.

"Consumers this year will benefit from a number of new tactics that retailers have implemented: hot toy reservation systems, more aggressive price match programs, same-day online delivery and earlier and cheaper layaway," Gerrick Johnson, toy analyst with BMO Capital Markets, told The Canadian Press. "These moves should help toy sales by making more expensive items more accessible, making all items easier to buy."

Where to get-ticket items
For those who are staying at an Ottawa hotel this holiday season and want to get their shopping done before the rush, they may want to keep their eyes peeled for deals, either online or at stores surrounding their charming accommodations. The Rideau Centre is a gorgeous mall situated in downtown Ottawa, giving visitors more than 180 stores to choose from for all of their shopping needs. From small boutique stores to major chains, this mall is a one-stop shop for everyone on that gift list. The mall is located just across the way from Parliament Hill, so visitors can get a little bit of sightseeing in either before or after their shopping spree.