COVID-19 restrictions can’t keep shoppers from Boxing Day deals

By Lethbridge Herald on December 28, 2020.

Bargain hunters line-up outside of Best Buy as shoppers took to retail stores throughout the city on Boxing Day. Herald photo by Greg Bobinec @GBobinecHerald

Greg Bobinec
Lethbridge Herald
gbobinec@lethbridgeherald.com
Hundreds of people in Lethbridge left their homes in the early morning hours on Saturday to line up outside of many city retail outlets to be the first in the stores to take advantage of the Boxing Day discounts.
With retail outlets being reduced to a 15 per cent capacity due to provincial COVID-19 restrictions, lines were longer, but the shopping experience was less hectic than previous years.
“I was in line with over a hundred people this morning at Best Buy, and at first I was shocked and a little worried, but once you got inside, the shopping was nice because there wasn’t so many people running around trying to score the same deals as you,” said Victoria Baker. “People were moving pretty quickly, and in light of the pandemic, I was happy to still be able to do my yearly tradition and I know a lot of other people were, too.”
With many people doing their shopping over the internet this year, many retailers provided different opportunities for people to participate, including Best Buy who offered curbside pickup as early as 6 a.m.
Although hundreds of people lined up outside of big-box retailers to save over half the retail price on electronics and other goods, many others took to the downtown core to support local businesses and take advantage of their Boxing Day deals.
“There is nothing better than supporting local businesses, especially during this time, but even better when you don’t have to wait in the long lines for Boxing Day,” said Aaron Morrison. “I saw a lot of people at the mall, but there was a lot of opportunity to find good deals from local outlets. I felt better shopping at local businesses over the bigger stores also because it wasn’t as busy and it felt safer with social distancing.”
With the pandemic still prevalent, many families are sticking to their commitment of only shopping for the necessities and putting their annual Boxing Day shopping tradition aside for this year.
Instead of waiting in lines for deals, many were anticipating to participate in the cyber Monday shopping tradition, where they can still take part in the deep discounts, while keeping themselves and the community safe from spreading or contracting COVID-19.
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