Cadillac Fairview moving all Santa experiences to virtual and online only

Nov 13 2020, 8:06 pm

Cadillac Fairview (CF) announced today that it is moving all Santa experiences for its guests to virtual and online-only this season.

In a release, the company said its decision to suspend physical experiences with Santa in all 19 CF shopping centres is based on protecting the health and safety of its guests, clients and employees, “while also ensuring Santa is in top condition to make deliveries to children around the world at midnight on Christmas Day.”

According to CF, focus groups and consumer research conducted have “made it clear” that this year’s holiday shopping trips to the mall will be “efficient and mission-driven.”

In response, CF said shoppers can make holiday shopping easier by using the company’s mobile app, LiVE by CF, to better plan purchases and trips to the mall. CF shopping centres also offer curbside pick up locations and mobile-based retail promotions via LiVE by CF to better connect clients and shoppers. CF is also partnering with retail clients to minimize line-ups and traffic grouping.

And with provinces and local health authorities across the country imposing new restrictions and issuing strong guidance regarding events and gatherings, the company said it believes suspending physical Santa experiences is the right thing to do given the current environment.

“We’ve had extensive conversations with government officials, conducted consumer research, and spoken directly with our guests in order to get our approach to this holiday season just right. Similar to what we’ve seen with other important events like weddings and birthday parties, we believe this temporary shift to online is the responsible thing to do in a very different year,” said Craig Flannagan, VP of Marketing, Cadillac Fairview.

“While we know this may be disappointing for families who look forward to this annual tradition, we firmly believe this is the best decision, and we are confident that our virtual Santa experiences will deliver all of the magic of the holidays.”

“Virtual Santa experiences.”

Cadillac Fairview is introducing several new virtual Santa experiences to keep the magic and spirit of the season alive for Canadian families. CF Storytime LIVE with Santa will take place on Facebook Live and feature 15-minute episodes in English and French that will bring families together at home.

Also, new this season is virtual visits with Santa where families can have a video chat with Santa. Parents can arrange to receive a special video call with the big man himself while he’s busy at the North Pole preparing for the holiday season. For more information and to make reservations for these virtual experiences, guests can visit their local property website, found on cfshops.com.

Noting that it has a long history of “employing Santa’s apprentices in cities across Canada,”  CF said its decision to suspend physical Santa experiences in property “will not result in any job losses for Canada’s favourite Santa apprentices.”

Daily Hive StaffDaily Hive Staff

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