Boxing Day has evolved from a one-day event to a week-long shopping extravaganza, with some stores seeing shorter lines on December 26. Despite this, many shoppers are still out in search of the best deals the day after Christmas. One shopper, Kathleen Luce, was on the hunt for a gaming console, reminiscing about her previous Boxing Day experience 11 years ago when she lined up at Best Buy for a TV. However, she noted that times have changed, with fewer lines forming outside stores on Boxing Day.
Tad Chrapko, another shopper, mentioned that the lack of long lines on Boxing Day is not surprising due to the changing shopping trends in recent years. He highlighted that Black Friday has become a bigger shopping event in Canada, overshadowing Boxing Day sales. However, Matthew Emke, the store leader at Best Buy in South Edmonton Common, noted that his store still had a massive queue on Boxing Day, adding to the excitement of the day. He described the atmosphere as fun and filled with excitement, with shoppers eager to snag the deals they had been looking for.
While there has been a shift towards online shopping, many shoppers still enjoy the thrill of in-person shopping on Boxing Day. Emke mentioned that some individuals thrive on the energy of the crowds, while others prefer the convenience of online shopping. Despite the rise of e-commerce, Boxing Day remains a significant success for retailers in Canada, with thousands of customers projected to visit each store. The West Edmonton Mall, which was bustling with shoppers, has seen a rise in popularity for Boxing Day over the years, with last year being their busiest yet.
Danielle Woo, the general manager and executive vice president of West Edmonton Mall, also noted that some shoppers prefer the in-person shopping experience for the opportunity to see and try on merchandise, as well as ask questions. She mentioned that while online browsing is still prevalent, many customers opt to physically visit stores to make their purchases. Woo highlighted that Boxing Day continues to draw large crowds to brick-and-mortar stores, with the event becoming more popular each year. Overall, the excitement and buzz surrounding Boxing Day shopping persist, with many shoppers enjoying the adventure of seeking out deals and promotions during this annual retail event.
