Boxing Day replaced by Boxing Week for many retailers

You’ve likely seen it in your email inbox, on flyers, radio, or television ads — Boxing Week has begun days before Boxing Day.

What was once traditionally a massive sales shopping event the day after Christmas is going by the wayside.

“I’ve noticed they’re around. I got an email this morning. But I haven’t got anything yet,” said one Edmontonian CityNews spoke to.

Another individual said, “We’re from Belfast, Northern Ireland. I’ve been looking at shoes and boots because it’s colder here than we’re used to, it’s a lot colder here than we’re used to! Especially warmer clothing, boots shoes hats, we’ve been noticing there’s a lot of deals on stuff like that.”

Moshe Lander, a professor of economics at Concordia University says, “Because there’s nothing fundamental that the sale has to be on December 26, why not move it up to before Christmas? This is why the Americans have their Black Friday sales, tied to their Thanksgiving of course, but it’s four weeks before Christmas. And that seems a much more logical place to have it because it’s going to incentivize you to buy more for Christmas.”

Lander says that days like Boxing Day and Black Friday are fictitious, there is no written rule saying that sales must begin on those days. Now, retailers are competing for consumer business by starting sales earlier every year, hoping to capitalize on holiday shopping.

“If I wait until after Christmas, what’s the objective? What are you buying for? For New Year, are you buying for winter, or buying for next summer, it seems a weird time to try and encourage you. But if you have a milestone that you’re looking for, I mean that is what drives most of our stuff anyway, right? Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and so because there’s a milestone there, people tend to spend more than they otherwise would.”

Early sales are here to stay. Lander says when retailers have to compete with each other, the thought of a sale is enough to get people spending. But are consumers taking the bait and shopping the sales close to Christmas?

“I think I might try to, but I’m not sure how I feel about it. You know. It’s not even Christmas yet,” said an Edmontonian.

“I bought a hat!”

While many consumers are saving money over the holidays with Boxing Week sales starting before Christmas, an added benefit could also be the federal tax exemption program.

In Alberta, many items are GST-exempt over the holidays, putting a little more money back into your pocket. But Lander warns, it’s only a deal if you stick to your budget.

“If you lack self-control, and you get caught up in the sales, you can very easily overspend, and that can create a very miserable new year when you get that bill.”