Why doesn’t Canada celebrate Black Friday?

November 24, 2009

In 1939, U.S. president Franklin Roosevelt moved the Thanksgiving holiday up by one week in order to extend the holiday shopping season. This strikes me as an intelligent bit of pragmatic governing, but then I’m not much of a traditionalist. It doesn’t bother me when retailers hang their holiday decorations before the Halloween candy is sold off. And I don’t long for the good old days, you know, before hyper-commercialism came along and ruined everything.

I like holiday shopping. It’s a big part of what the season is about, and that doesn’t bother me in the least. Sure, it’s stressful. I wish I had more time (and money) to shop. But gift giving is a big part of what I love about this time of year. Plus I can’t wait to see what The Lovely Lisa is going to get me.

Our friends in the U.S. have always been more comfortable celebrating the retail experience than we have, and their holiday traditions are no exception. Take Black Friday for example, the day after Thanksgiving. Since 1966, it has served as the unofficial kick-off of the holiday shopping season.

If you’ve never traveled to the U.S. at this time of year, do yourself a favour. The deals will blow you away, sure. But there’s much more to it. When I made the trip a few years back, my Black Friday shopping bags weren’t really that full. It was just fun to be out in the community, enjoying the start of the holidays with a huge crowd of credit card-carrying Americans. I had a blast.

Why doesn’t Canada celebrate Black Friday? In a web-based retail world, is there any reason that Black Friday can’t go global? Think of it as an international, market-driven stimulus package.
What do you say Mr. Prime Minister? Proclaim December 4 as Canada’s first Black Friday. I know the timing is tight this year; think of it as a pilot project. A sort of soft launch. Then we’ll be ready to really do it right in 2010. You can even move the date up a week if need be.

Are you with me, readers?

Topic: Canadian economy / economic recovery

5 comments posted

Article comments (5)

Albert
Posted on December 24, 2009 at 00:45
In my view An enterprising person is one who comes across a pile of scrap metal and sees the making of a wonderful sculpture. An enterprising person is one who drives through an old decrepit part of town and sees a new housing development. An enterprising person is one who sees opportunity in all areas of life. To be enterprising is to keep your eyes open and your mind active. It’s to be skilled enough, confident enough, creative enough and disciplined enough to seize opportunities that present themselves… regardless of the economy. http://www.onlineuniversalwork.com
Michsel S
Posted on November 26, 2009 at 15:37
Im with you to a large extent. An official Canadian Black Friday would be a great way to stimulate the economy, especially in this market environment. And despite what youre saying about your fond shopping memories in the U.S., a Canadian Black Friday would also encourage more Canadians to shop within Canada and help support their local economies, which Im whole-heartedly for. My only slight concern about an official Canadian Black Friday would be it leading to more people racking up levels of credit card debt they cant afford. I think we need to strike a balance between stimulating the economy and responsible, sustainable consumer spending.
LB in Oshawa
Posted on November 26, 2009 at 09:58
Oh please, spare me the maple boosterism with talk of Canadian ‘great sales’. If people want the best selection and the best prices they should take a weekend trip to NY or PA, and avail themselves of the outlet malls that feature excellent customer service, unrivaled selection and real savings.

Canadian retailers with their high profit margins, slim discounting and weak product lineups will NEVER be able to compete with what’s on offer south of the border, and that’s the truth. They simply cannot compete straight up, as the US ecomony is much larger and Americans have an aversion to Canadian pricing and taxation- the kind of taxation that we all seem to be proud of for some bizarre reason. Confiscatory taxation as a vitrue- only in Canada!

Don’t be suckered by watered-down Canadian Black Friday ‘deals’ with their big promises and. Take a trip south- even with the duties and money spent on gas (another thing that is far cheaper Stateside) and accomidations, it’s well worth the effort.

No one I know of has every regretted shopping in the US, myself included.
Kevin Press
Posted on November 25, 2009 at 20:36
Sounds like you caught me. On the other hand, maybe all this activity is even more reason for an official proclamation.
Moi
Posted on November 25, 2009 at 15:13
You must be sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeping……lots of deals going on for Black Friday in Canada.
Just check out the CANADIAN websites of Walmart, Zellers, BestBuy, Future Shop and The Source!

Maybe Canada isn’t as gung-ho as the United States, but the deals do happen on Friday November 27th in C A N A D A

Plus….I would save yourself the hassle of line-ups and buy ON LINE

Deals were going on this week and through next week…..check out the OLD NAVY stores in CANADA. SUPER SUPER DEALS!…….with the economy the way it is and people spending LESS…..Retailers need us in their stores…..and from looking at the flyers in my local newspaper ……..the deals will continue from now through Christmas and long after:):)

THE END:)

Today’s economy blog

Why doesn’t Canada celebrate Black Friday?

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