‘Black Friday’ kicks off in stores across Ontario

The overnight snow in Ontario has not stopped all shoppers on the hunt for deals on what’s now known as ‘Black Friday.’

People are bundled up this morning at Toronto Premium Outlets, a mall in Halton Hills. The parking lot is 80 per cent full, and store doors opened at 6 a.m.

The Retail Council of Canada’s (RCC) holiday survey says Black Friday is the number-one day to find bargains, ranking above Cyber Monday and Boxing Day.

The survey shows that Canadians are being more deliberate with their spending and making value-driven choices.

As a result, retailers are offering perks such as gifts with purchases, loyalty point redemption and VIP offerings to win would-be shoppers over.

Overall, the survey says the average Canadian plan to spend around $975 this holiday season.

The RCC adds that many across the country are planning to ‘buy local’ and ‘buy Canadian’ — due to the ongoing trade war with the United States — if the price is right.

One retail analyst says businesses sprinkle around deals before and after Black Friday and on Cyber Monday.

READ MORE: Local businesses face tough competition ahead of Black Friday