Canadian shoppers hunt for Black Friday deals amid inflation, longer sales
As scores of shoppers pack local malls to hunt for Black Friday deals, Dianne Debarros will be on the lookout for discounted toys and laptops her kids will soon need for school.
The Sarnia, Ont., woman has already started her Christmas shopping but wants to supplement her purchases on a trip to Real Canadian Superstore, where the chain is doling out loyalty program points in exchange for $100 in purchases in some of its departments.
“I feel like the last couple of years, the sales and the prices weren’t very good, but this year the prices seem to be reasonable and the incentives are there,” Debarros said. She and her partner, Tom, run a deal-hunting social media account on Instagram and TikTok.
The annual wave of discounts, door crashers and sales timed to the holiday season will be especially welcomed by Canadians who are feeling stressed about money this year.
Inflation remains above the Bank of Canada’s two per cent target, keeping prices high for household goods and big ticket purchases, even as higher interest rates are causing many homeowners’ mortgage payments to balloon.
The confluence of factors is encouraging more Canadians to seek deals and even pare back their holiday spending.
Deloitte predicts the average Canadian shopper will spend $1,347 this holiday season, down 11 per cent from last year.
Roughly half of the more than 1,000 Canadians the consultancy company surveyed plan to buy only what their family needs this holiday season. Seventy-oneper cent will seek items on sale and 29 per cent will seek less expensive retailers to shop at.
“Canadians are looking to really stretch their dollar,” said Debarros.
Together, the couple doles out advice on how to save money on shopping trips – making Black Friday a
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