Taking a page from the American retail playbook

The start to local holiday shopping begins on Cranbrook's version of Black Friday

(L to R) Martin Torgerson, owner of Home Hardware; Karin Penner, manager of the Cranbrook & District Chamber of Commerce; and Connor Stewart, chairperson of the retail committee are spreading the message about Black Friday in Cranbrook. — Dan Williams photo

Our southern neighbours refer to it as Black Friday: the Friday after American Thanksgiving and the starter gun for holiday shopping. There is a feeling of great anticipation for both the retailer and the consumer. The retailer is looking for a positive financial start to Christmas shopping while the consumer is expecting short-lived deep discounts for popular items like electronics and toys.

Black Friday is coming to Cranbrook.

The new initiative was launched by the Cranbrook & District Chamber of Commerce retail committee focus groups in response to their findings over the last year. Black Friday in Cranbrook, slated for November 18, is also part of the 10 Per Cent Shift—the initiative encouraging residents to spend 10 per cent of their disposable income locally. 

Connor Stewart, the committee chairperson, talks about the team effort required to make the event a success. Retailers, vendors, and local media will all have to participate for consumers to respond. This includes adapting the American philosophy of temporary yet effective discounts to bring buyers into stores.

“We still encourage out-of-town shopping,” said Stewart, “however, just consciously thinking when doing so (shopping out of town). Keep 10 per cent locally—that would help boost the local economy, help provide more jobs (and) help the retailers better support non-profit organizations, donations, fundraisers, things like that.”

When asked if other local, Canadian communities have ever tried a version of Black Friday, Karin Penner—manager of the Cranbrook & District Chamber of Commerce—said she hadn’t heard of any and believes this to be a first for a chamber of commerce initiative.