Waterloo Region stores adjusting to restrictions for Black Friday sales
It's not quite business as usual once again for many Waterloo Region stores offering Black Friday sales this year.
What is now one of the busiest shopping days of the year in Canada has been dampened for a second year in a row by COVID-19 restrictions still in place.
Chris Brown, the sales manager at Best Buy on Fairway Road in Kitchener, says that, while the Black Friday crowds aren't quite as big as they were pre-pandemic, there were still some people lined up outside as early as 5:30 a.m.
To avoid overcrowding, he adds that they started their sales about two weeks earlier.
"We brought our sales forward so to not have everyone rush in on one busy day," said Brown. "We also have two day shipping across most of Canada. We also do contactless as well, order online and we bring it right to your car in the parking lot."
Capacity limits for the electronic store are still in place at about 80 per cent, which equals out to roughly 150 customers at a time.
However, the store is working at full capacity with around 130 staff members on the floor.
For Melissa Crane and many shoppers there, the deals are worth it, as she picked up a computer monitor for her son.
"About 50 bucks off, so that's good with me," she said. "I didn't wait very long for someone to come out to me. They were pretty quick."
Sales that have been pushed forward will still be on at the Fairway Road Best Buy until Monday night.
For other stores like Gibson Sound & vision, shipping prices to get supplies have gone up for them, likely due to supply chain issues.
General Manager Stuart Gibson says they try to absorb the cost themselves as much as they can to stay competitive and keep customers coming.
"It's anywhere from $5-25 a box," he said. "It cost us a little bit more to do business because our suppliers say it sells for $999, and even though costs have gone up a little bit we still sell it for $999."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.