Black Friday in Canada

by Taylor Desjardins

Devonshire Mall will be hosting their own Black Friday sale to compete with the United States on Nov. 28, 2012.

For years, Canadians have been crossing the border to save money on various goods on Black Friday. Now, Windsor businesses want to generate more money within the community by bringing the event here.

The mall is going to be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. to give customers more time to shop.

Karen Niforos, the marketing director of the Devonshire Mall, has high hope for sales this year. She said they held the event last year it but was lacking because it was not organized well.

“We are always hoping for any increase,” said Niforos. “As a first time event, it is really hard to predict.”

Windsor malls want to compete with the United States to keep money within Canada for Black Friday.

“I think being a border city, what we’re finding is that we know a lot of people cross the border,” said Niforos. “But we want to let people know that we have really good sales and really good retailers here in Windsor.”

One Windsorite thinks the prices are not worth coming out to the mall for but understands what Canada is trying to do by bringing this event to a border city.

“I don’t think the deals are as fantastic as everyone makes it out to be,” said shopper Melanie LaBute. “We want to keep the shoppers here in Canada so I understand the reasoning why trying to keep it here.”

Rick Casoian, another shopper, did not attend the event last year, but is planning on coming this year to find a deal to boost economy in Canada.

“What I earn in Canada, I want to spend in Canada,” said Casoian.

Lori Hunter, the visual merchandise manager at Aeropostale, is expecting to have a lot of customers on Black Friday. She said their prices are usually around the same as the United States therefore it is more efficient to have it in Windsor.

“Especially with how hard it is to cross the border, I think that costumers like that we are doing it here,” said Hunter.

Niforos said that the Devonshire Mall plans on hosting this event each year going forward and let it become one of Windsor’s traditions.