With Black Friday having come and gone, the question remains whether or not it’s enough to keep shoppers in New Brunswick, one involving more factors than just saving a buck.
“We don’t have the Burlington Coat Factory, which is one of my favourite stores to shop at, and it’s in Bangor,” said Jacqueline Gallant. “It’s a huge store, kind of like a Winners, except it’s way better.”
With access to anything we desire, many won’t sacrifice time and money for the local economy, going to great lengths to get those treasured objects.
Gallant is a third-year journalism and criminology student at St. Thomas University who crosses the border to shop. Originally from Hampton, she’s about an hour and a half from the American border in St. Stephen. Though American prices are better, she said it’s the selection there that appeals to her.
Krista Ross, CEO of Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, is one of many voices that think buying locally is essential for Fredericton.
“Spending dollars locally versus spending them elsewhere means that profits, wages and the many other direct and indirect benefits will enhance our local economy and contribute to the fabric of our community,” she said.
But many don’t think of the local community and economy while shopping. What appeals to many is that object in the window. Some will brave the crowds for it.
Friday was Steven Goodwin’s first Black Friday trip to Regent Mall. Originally from Fredericton, but living in Moncton for the last five years, he’s been to sales like Boxing Day, which is much worse. Shopping in crowds can be frustrating, he said, but it’s worth it to save money.
“Everybody’s here to try and get good deals. You’re never going to get in and out here. You just have to accept it.”
He has never shopped over the border, but many do. Black Friday in Canada is fairly new, brought in to keep shoppers here.
At 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Regent Mall was busier than usual. The mall’s marketing manager, Myrna Brideau, said she expected traffic to be higher too. This is Black Friday’s second year at the Mall.
“There [are] more stores on board this year, and there was more advertising this year,” she said.
Polls from the Retail Council of Canada show about 75 per cent of businesses nationwide expected an increase in sales on Black Friday.
According to Brideau, the Mall sees about 18,000 people per day during the year on normal days. Last year, Black Friday brought over 38,000 in one day, numbers acquired from a mall-wide electronic counter system.
Courtney Lanigan is a third-year psychology student at St. Thomas who also shops in Bangor. When she goes across the border it’s not solely for shopping, but she takes advantage of the opportunity.
“When I was a kid, every time we would go for March break or anything like that, we would always go state-side and go shopping.”
She has shopped at HMV, American Eagle, Bath and Body Works in Fredericton during Black Friday sales. Her mother has shopped in the U.S. for Black Friday, though.
“I’ve personally never gone to Black Friday because my mom never wanted to put me and my sister in that predicament,” Lanigan said. “Shoppers get pretty crazy down there.”
She also believes the U.S. has better variety and better prices.
According to the council’s polls, roughly 35 per cent of businesses in Canada said Black Friday is very important to holiday sales, while another 35 per cent said it’s just important.
Personally, Brideau thinks when factoring in gas and accommodations, it may not be worth it to travel across the border to shop.
“I just think Fredericton as a whole has a lot to offer,” she said. “We encourage people to shop local and help our economy.”
