Holidays 2021: Customers returning to stores

After resigning to do their holiday shopping online last year, customers are back in stores this year.

Also read: Holiday shopping: Canadians spend more, but better

“This year, the benefit is that instead of shopping as best we can, we can finally do what we want. So we see a lot of customers coming to the store, ”said Thierry Lopez, Quebec Marketing and Corporate Affairs Director at Best Buy.

According to a recent Accenture survey, 57% of Canadians expect to make the bulk of their purchases in-store.

While business owners are excited about this data, their happiness is somewhat clouded by supply problems and labor shortages.

“Many retailers have to cut back on their opening hours, not being able to keep enough employees on the floor and delays orders for several weeks or even months depending on the product being requested,” explained Glen Costenheira from Montreal. Center-Ville Commercial Development Corporation.

Local businesses, for their part, are happy to see the craze for local purchases.

“I have a lot of questions, not necessarily about the mileage produced, but yes: is it made in Montreal, made in Quebec, all natural products?” Said Kim Richard, co-owner of Mini Louvre Boutique.

Whether shopping online or in-store shopping, consumers need to plan ahead if they want to find the perfect gift before Christmas.