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VANCOUVER – Retailers across BC are starting Black Friday discounts early in an effort to keep shoppers safe. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, hopefully consumers will be able to spread out their store visits, but still get some offers.
Black Friday sales are known for large crowds and queues.
“Due to the pandemic and security guidelines, the last thing merchants wanted was to have breakers,” said Diane Briseboisis, president and CEO of the Retail Council of Canada.
This is also why Vancouver’s Pacific Center moved to extended hours earlier.
“It’s safer to spread the shopping experience over a period of time than to clutter everyone here on Black Friday,” said the center’s general manager, Lillian Tummonds.
As masks have been made mandatory in public spaces in British Columbia, Tummonds says the mall has added extra staff on the floor to monitor compliance.
“It’s about education and we also provide masks for buyers who don’t have one; are available at guest services. “Tunmmonds said.” We’re close enough to 99% compliance. “
One of the largest retailers, Best Buy, has been offering discounts since the beginning of the month, but the leader of the store at the Cambie Street location, Derek Krone, said the “real Black Friday flyer” was launched on Sunday and will run until to December 3. .
As with most stores, there is a limit to the number of people who can be inside at one time. Krone says Best Buy offers a virtual check-in system for peak periods so shoppers can wait in their car or café and be notified when there is room to enter the store.
The shopping season in BC comes as other parts of Canada are seeing more closures. Toronto shoppers flocked to malls on Sunday before non-essential businesses were forced to close.
Briseboisis says she is “really happy to see retail business in British Columbia,” but also urges shoppers to shop early, shop safe, and shop locally.
“We are reminding all consumers to think about how much they will spend this holiday season and how much they should set aside to ensure they support their local merchants,” he said.
Small Vancouver retailers are asking consumers to avoid spending their money on Amazon during the holiday season.
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