Do Black Friday sales in Canada work? Maybe
Posted November 24, 2015 8:01 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – “Black Friday does not seem to have affected overall retail sales patterns” in this country, according to Statistics Canada after researching 2014, 2011 and 2006.
But it points out that some sectors have seen their November sales grow significantly: clothing and accessories; electronics and appliances; and sporting goods, hobbies, books and music.
The latter category includes blockbuster video games and music albums, plus the latest Christmas toys.
StatsCan says “Black Friday promotions appear to have shifted some sales from December to November.”
It adds that 30 per cent of electronics sales are computer hardware and software, 19 per cent are phones and home office equipment, and 15 per cent are TVs and audio-video gear. Sales of CDs, DVDs and cameras were down.
The agency points out the timing of the arrival of winter weather affects sales of clothing and accessories.
StatsCan says from 2006 to 2014, November’s share of annual retail sales rose only a tenth of a point to 8.5 per cent, while December’s share fell six-tenths of a point to 9.3 per cent. Together, they made up 18.3 per cent of total annual retail sales, up half a point.
