Foot traffic steady in most Vancouver stores on Boxing Day, amid COVID-19
Despite temperatures dropping below the freezing mark in Vancouver on Sunday, and the Omicron variant spreading rapidly, in-store traffic appeared to be steady on Boxing Day.
Bargain hunters hit Robson Street downtown bright and early, hoping to find a deal they could boast about.
“I got my sweater for $7 at H&M,” one shopper told CTV News.
Smaller retailers on South Granville also had customers coming in early. Public health restrictions have stores like The Latest Scoop capped at 50 per cent capacity, forcing staff and customers to pivot once again.
“In this store, we can only have 12 people in at a time. It’s challenging, but our customers are amazing and don’t mind waiting,” said Roisin Gornall, retail education manager at The Latest Scoop.
“We try to move things as quickly as possible just to get everyone in the store.”
The Latest Scoop is a locally-owned business with five locations across Vancouver. All of the store’s apparel is between 30 and 50 per cent off on Boxing Day.
There were no lineups at Turnabout on Main Street, however foot traffic was steady at the popular consignment shop throughout the day.
“We’re definitely seeing more people wanting to find those really good deals, without going to a big box store,” said Kirstyn Hardy, store manager at Turnabout.
Supporting local businesses right now has never been more crucial, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
“Not even 40 per cent of B.C.’s small businesses are back to making normal sales right now, and 32 per cent are losing money every day they are open,” said Annie Dormuth, with the CFIB.
With new health restrictions and concerns over omicron, the Retail Council of Canada expects more people will continue to shop online this year.
Last year, retail e-commerce sales were up by more than 70 per cent, and according to Statistics Canada, 2021 is on track to beat that.
Whether you’re shopping online or in person, local retailers want you to know that most Boxing Day sales last all week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.