B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
At first glance, it might seem like the deals have never been better as posters in store windows and online ads trumpet a steady stream of holiday sales.
But some consumers say the discounts are more hype than real, giving shoppers the illusion of a bargain rather than actually saving them money.
Call it shrinkflation at the mall.
"The promotions seem good this year but regular prices have often gone up, so even if something is on sale it may be more expensive than someone expected," said retail expert Shobhit Khandelwal.
Higher regular prices, smaller percentages off and fewer items on sale are just some of the trends consumers say they've noticed in recent weeks at stores in Canada.
Online shoppers also say they've encountered higher free shipping thresholds, a surcharge on some returns and smaller discounts overall.
While deals are now spread out over a longer period -- giving people more time to hunt for bargains -- experts say the spiralling cost of living is still leaving some consumers feeling squeezed.
New research from Interac Corp. found more than seven in 10 Canadians say rising inflation has made it more important than ever to feel in control of their money.
For shoppers on a budget, retail experts say there are tips and tricks to keep in mind to save cash and not be duped by the illusion of a deal.
"We've seen a return of promotions this holiday season but it's important to pay attention to the fine print," said Tamara Szames, Canadian retail industry adviser with The NPD Group.
"If the sale is up to 40 per cent off, the consumer really needs to be aware of the 'up to,"' she said. "Not every item in the store is going to be included in the sale, so you need to try not to get sidetracked."
Consumers should make a list and research prices before shopping so they know whether or not something is actually a good deal, Szames said.
While inflation has pushed up prices in some stores, other retailers have used different methods to handle rising costs.
In grocery stores, for example, food manufacturers have used shrinkflation to keep prices the same -- or slightly higher -- by making the product smaller.
It's a technique used in other areas of the retail industry, including the apparel sector.
"When we're talking about fashion, the closest thing to an ingredient in food is fabric," Szames said. "If your favourite sweater used to be 100 per cent cashmere, you should look closely at the label before you buy it again. It's now maybe 90 per cent cashmere and 10 per cent polyester."
Advances in fabric technology could mean the new blended fabric is just as high quality, but it's important for consumers to be aware of the change, she said.
Khandelwal said holiday discounts have always been hit or miss as retailers try to pull customers into the store with doorbuster deals while keeping other items at regular price.
The difference this year is that inflation is making all prices -- even sale prices -- higher, the co-founder of startups ShyftLabs and Minoan Experience said.
The trick for shoppers trying to rein in spending is to not buy more than they need -- even if it's on sale, he said.
"Make a list and stick to it and if you spend too much, most retailers have good return policies."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 1, 2022.
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When Les Robertson was walking home from the gym in North Vancouver's Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood three weeks ago, he did a double take. Standing near a burrow it had dug in a vacant lot near East 1st Street and St. Georges Avenue was a yellow-bellied marmot.
A moulting seal who was relocated after drawing daily crowds of onlookers in Greater Victoria has made a surprise return, after what officials described as an 'astonishing' six-day journey.
Just steps from Parliament Hill is a barber shop that for the last 100 years has catered to everyone from prime ministers to tourists.
A high score on a Foo Fighters pinball machine has Edmonton player Dave Formenti on a high.
A compound used to treat sour gas that's been linked to fertility issues in cattle has been found throughout groundwater in the Prairies, according to a new study.
While many people choose to keep their medical appointments private, four longtime friends decided to undergo vasectomies as a group in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
A popular highway in Alberta's Banff National Park now has a 'no stopping zone' to help protect two bears.
B.C. resident Robert Conrad spent thousands of hours on Crown land developing an unusual bond with deer.
A Sudbury woman said her husband was bringing the recycling out to the curb Wednesday night when he had to make a 'mad dash' inside after seeing a bear.