Windsor retailers expecting surge as Black Friday kicks off early

Black Friday sales are starting earlier than ever, and traffic is expected to be heavy. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell has what you can expect.

Devonshire Mall is already seeing a jump in foot traffic as Black Friday shopping stretches well beyond a single day, with retailers launching promotions earlier than ever.

Marketing manager Tina Asprakis said many stores begun discounting days ahead of the traditional event and are preparing for one of the busiest weekends of the year.

“Black Friday has already started ramping up. A lot more tenants have started their deals a lot earlier,” she said.

“For Black Friday weekend we’re open Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., but it’s not just Black Friday anymore — it’s considered a weekend. And even the week before the deals and promotions start.”

The mall recorded more than 118,000 visitors over Black Friday weekend last year. Asprakis said they’re anticipating even higher numbers this time around.

“We’ve already seen these numbers increasing this week. Traffic is already starting even early in the morning during the week,” she said.

“Friday morning we’re expecting to see quite a bit of an influx, and then over the weekend, especially once kids are out of school and everybody’s spending and buying.”

Asprakis told CTV News shoppers can expect some of the steepest markdowns of the season.

“We’re experiencing storewide sales of up to 40 to 50 per cent off,” she stated.

“A lot of stores are offering daily deals leading up to Black Friday, so it escalates on the actual day. The discounts will be even larger.”

According to Asprakis, Windsor’s proximity to the border is also drawing cross-border interest.

“We are having quite a few Americans call guest services and wondering what we’re doing for Black Friday,” she said.

“Windsor is a unique city with the U.S. so close in proximity and with the dollar the way it is right now, this year we’re seeing an influx.”

Asprakis suggests the best strategy for shoppers is to plan ahead.

“Come prepared, have a game plan. Do your research. Check our website … write down what stores you’d like to visit and the deals that are there,” she said.

“Everybody’s trying to stretch their dollar right now … you can save quite a bit on your holiday shopping.”

A national survey by the Retail Council of Canada suggests most Canadians intend to keep or increase their holiday budgets this year, with easing inflation contributing to renewed confidence.

Professor Vivek Astvansh, with McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management, said Black Friday has evolved into a weeks-long event.

“Black Friday is no longer one day or one week. It’s actually a brand name that represents extended holiday shopping for several weeks and even spanning a month,” he said.

Astvansh said Canadians are increasingly seeking local and Canadian-made products — a trend he links to shifting economic attitudes.

“Some Canadians want to go out of their way to indicate that they, in whatever small ways, can dent the U.S. economy and conversely help their country’s economy,” he explained.

The weaker Canadian dollar, he added, is drawing more American shoppers north of the border.

“That’s good news … a double benefit for the Canadian local economy, particularly for towns such as Windsor, which are right at the border,” he said.

Astvansh notes 74 per cent of Canadians say they plan to maintain or increase their holiday spending and lower inflation may push sales even higher.

“The consumer price index … is lower than it was last year, which should spur greater spending and help the economy,” he said.