THUNDER BAY – The usual long lines and crack-of-dawn store openings were nowhere to be seen for Boxing Day this year, though retailers say the occasion is still a shopping day to be reckoned with.
At Best Buy, which typically opened its doors at 6 a.m. on past Boxing Days to a scramble of shoppers, a small crowd filed in for an 8 a.m. opening on Monday.
“It works best for our community as well as our employees,” said store leader Shannon Morson of the later opening. “It just allows everybody to get a little bit of extra sleep and come in well-rested and happy.”
Despite smaller than usual crowds first thing in the morning, Morson was anticipating a strong day of sales.
“Black Friday was a huge success – I think today will be very similar,” she said.
Deals on big ticket items were still pulling people into the store, Morson said. Asked what items people are looking for, she didn’t hesitate.
“Definitely Playstations, TVs, Meta Quest,” she said, referring to a virtual reality headset.
At Thunder Bay’s self-described “Boxing Day headquarters,” The Power Centre, manager Dave Radford said there’s no doubt Monday morning was quieter than an average Boxing Day, but said a few factors likely contributed.
“We always have a big crowd that shows up,” he said. “I noticed this morning started out a little slower than normal, but I know for a fact it will be busy all day, and all week.”
With Black Friday and Boxing Week, savings are being spread over a longer period around Christmas, he said, putting less of an emphasis on Boxing Day itself.
Items like 85-inch TVs and new dishwasher models that incorporate a third rack were two big sellers this holiday season, Radford reported.
Jason Briggs, district sales trainer at Marnics Mobile, agreed Boxing Day was off to a “timid start" Monday morning, saying the recent winter storm that made a mess of local roads might be partly to blame.
"I think the weather’s had a big impact on shoppers," he said, adding the rise of Black Friday has also shifted more deal-hunting to pre-Christmas.
Over at Intercity Shopping Centre, shoppers Debbie and John were hunting for bargains.
“We just thought we’d take a peek and see if there’s anything that stands out and says, [buy me!]’” said Debbie.
The mall was significantly less busy than usual, both agreed – something John attributes at least in part to inflation and rising costs.
“We feel sorry for the stores, but hey, there’s only so far the dollar goes,” Debbie said.
Still, there were signs some items remained undoubtedly in demand – a new Andrea Bocelli album Debbie had been looking for was sold out at the mall’s music store, she reported.
“I think a lot of times now, people are just buying stuff online, so you don’t really get the rush of people anymore," said shopper Diego Villanueva.
However, he said his own early-morning in-person excursion was "worth it" to snag a deal on a TV at Best Buy.
He also believes the rise of Black Friday has dampened enthusiasm for post-Christmas shopping.
“It’s no longer just a one-day sale – these sales start from the beginning of December to the end of December.”
With files from Vasilios Bellos, TBT News
