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The shopping experience known as Black Friday has arrived a day early. On a day when most Americans are enjoying Thanksgiving with their family this year stores across the border decided to get a jump on the big sales by opening on what’s traditionally been a holiday. As Lauran Sabourin reports, K-Mart took the lead this morning by opening at 6am and throngs of Canadian shoppers were there rushing in.
U.S. Thanksgiving morning, and K-Mart in Niagara Falls, New York looks more like Boxing Day.
“I’m so excited. I just want to buy everything” said one shopper.
Lured by sale signs of 30, 40, 50 per cent off. And if you can’t convince yourself to buy something, your friends will help you.
Dawn Edwards from Brantford: “You’ll never get one like this again with the dog, because they took them off. I’m going to get one for Gigi for Christmas, 12 bucks.”
Jay Husack was first in line: “I just bought a 55 inch in Canada for a thousand dollars and it’s $699 here.”
Most of the shoppers here today are Canadian. This woman is hitting K-Mart, then Walmart.
Malique Nelson, U.S. shopper: “And then figure out where we want to line up. Last year we were in line at Target. And hoping to do that again.”
But this man from Burlington beat her to it. He was in line this morning and Target doesn’t open until 8:00 in the evening.
The retail battle for consumer dollars is vicious this year. With K-Mart getting a 12 hour jump on its chief rival Walmart.
The gates are up at Walmart for its door crasher opening at 6:00 in the evening.
Thanksgiving used to be a sacred holiday here, just like Christmas Day.
Jaleisa Newton, U.S. Shopper: “People take it as shopping, toys and gifts. It’s about giving back.”
Now those ladies won’t have to stand outside this year. Kmart is open for 41 hours straight. Meanwhile, Target employees have started an online petition to save Thanksgiving from early store openings.