Polo Park Shopping Centre (TOURISM WINNIPEG)
Canadian retailers are pulling out all the stops this year to compete with the Black Friday shopping experience in the United States, including here in Winnipeg.
Polo Park Shopping Centre has launched its “No Passport Required” campaign to entice local shoppers to keep their dollars here instead of heading south of the border.
“Polo Park has worked hard to attract numerous first-to-market retailers to the mall, including many high-profile American brands like Michael Kors, Victoria’s Secret, Coach, XX1 Forever, Hollister, Sephora and the Apple Store,” said Deborah Green, the mall’s general manager. “We believe this unprecedented selection of retailers will help keep Manitoban’s in the province.”
Black Friday November 23 this year and is held annually the day after American Thanksgiving when retailers drastically slash prices on their merchandise. It also signals the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.
According to the Bank of Montreal, one in five Canadians — or 18 percent — plan to shop in the United States this holiday season. That figure is an increase from last year.
Polo Park is hoping extended hours, deep discounts and unique-to-market retailers will encourage shoppers to remain in the city. The mall will open at 8 a.m. on the 23rd, with select retailers beginning to ring up customers at 7 a.m. Specific promotions will be listed on the mall’s website prior to Black Friday.
Across town, Kildonan Place Shopping Centre also plans on opening early on Black Friday. The mall has even created a Facebook event for the big day.
