Black Friday this year is going to look a lot more different than the past. No more doorbusters, surrounded aisles and determined shoppers.
If you’re used to going in person to shop for the great sales, you can expect most retailers will be having limits on how many people will be allowed in the building for Black Friday 2020.
Since COVID-19 first hit, most retailers have increased their online sales. But the question is: How will that work for Black Friday this year?
Laura Gilroy is a local resident who always enjoys the Black Friday deals at her favourite stores with her and her friends. She said ”Usually we go to my friend’s house in Forest, Ontario, on Black Friday, and we do Black Friday shopping in that town. I used to spend a lot of money when I went to the States, but I stopped doing that a couple years ago because I’d rather spend my money here.”
There’s a lot of shoppers, including Laura, who will be staying at home this year and will head to their computers and other devices to check out the Black Friday deals. Laura said “I got a lot of stuff here already. So this year, I don’t think I’m gonna spend any more than I usually do. But who knows.”
Due to lockdowns and limits in public spaces, she reflects on what she’ll miss the most about Black Friday this year. She said “It was always a fun day because you’re with your girlfriends. You get up early and go shopping and have breakfast and then shop. And then headed home and showed everybody what we bought. “
Sandra Lorentu is the General Manager of CF Masonville Place. To remind customers who plan on shopping in-store this Black Friday, additional safety measures will be enhanced at Masonville. She said “We started our extended holiday hours earlier this year on November 16th. We wanted to give shoppers an opportunity to have extended time safely to do their holiday shopping, as well as public health measures. We’re also actively monitoring access to our shopping center to control crowd density and ensure physical distancing parentheses.”
Most stores at Masonville Place have already started their Black Friday sales to ensure safety measures for the people that still plan on doing their shopping in person. She said “We’ve seen several email promotions coming out from stores like Kiehl’s, Browns, Sport Chek, and a few others. I think they’re doing this in an attempt to offer great value to guests early so that people can start their shopping experience and holiday shopping earlier.”
If you do plan on going shopping in person this year, make sure to expect a lot of delays and be prepared for lines throughout the mall. She said, “We’re doing this safely with social distancing, as well as the limited number of guests allowed in each store. There might be a few lineups that people might have to wait on before they go into the store. Make sure to wear a mask and I’m sure everyone will have a safe and memorable shopping experience.”
It’s hard to imagine when, how, and what everyone will shop this holiday season. Will people be brave enough to go to their local malls, or spend their money online this year?
The Black Friday sales that are meant for in-store shopping will mostly appear online this year, with most stores offering curbside-pickup options for customers.
Companies are preparing as best they can to deal with the high hopes that might come their way this year for the holiday shopping season.
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