Black Friday shopping in a pandemic: COVID-19 closes some stores, sales move online

Black Friday has arrived, the one-day shopping goldmine known for its big deals and big crowds.

While the rise in COVID-19 cases and weeks of staggered offers have dampened the usual shopping fanfare, retailers are banking on today’s sales to bolster their profits.

Retail analysts say some bargain hunters should still shop in brick-and-mortar stores wherever possible in the hope of closing a deal.

But they say most of this year’s Black Friday shopping should be done online.

Eric Morris, head of retail at Google Canada, says e-commerce in Canada doubled during the pandemic.

He says that given the continued blockages and in-store capacity limits, online sales are expected to be strong today and will remain boosted during the holiday shopping season.

In fact, department stores, which often draw the biggest lineups and crowds on Black Friday, have moved most of their promotions online.

However, although the best sellers on Black Friday tend to be large electronics, some shoppers may be looking for deals on simpler items.

Lisa Hutcheson, managing partner at consulting firm JC Williams Group, says some buyers may be taking advantage of today’s sales to “stock up and hunker down for the winter.”

Black Friday, which began as a post-Thanksgiving clearance sale in the United States, has gained popularity in Canada in recent years.

It has also become an increasingly important sales event for retailers, along with Cyber ​​Monday, which obscures Boxing Day.

Robin Sahota, chief executive officer and head of Canadian retail for professional services firm Accenture, says retailers could save some special discounts for Cyber ​​Monday.

“It will be a day where retailers will try to add some sweeteners to entice consumers, particularly with the push forward of Black Friday,” he says. “I think people will be looking for something special on Cyber ​​Monday.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on November 27, 2020.