There are some pretty spectacular deals to be had during the Black Friday shopping bonanza, which has recently reached north of the 49th parallel and swarmed the Vancouver retail scene. But it doesn’t seem like people here have caught on.
We headed to the Downtown shopping district Friday morning to catch a glimpse of the insane crowds and massive line-ups we thought would be everywhere, but instead we found mostly empty stores and just a few early birds catching the discounted worm.
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The mall was nothing like those seen down south on Black Friday – no stampedes, no fighting over the last 55″ HD flat screen TV, no brawls – just peaceful shoppers causally browsing the 50% off shoe section.
In the spirit of Black Friday, here are some of the “crazy” line-ups spotted in Vancouver’s busiest shopping district:
It was tough to squeeze in the doors of Best Buy, let alone the wait to get up the escalators…
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
Best Buy was moving a load of product… from one end of the store to another.
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
Hopefully these people aren’t late for work after waiting in such a long line.
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
At Old Navy, where the entire store was 50% off, one brave woman fought the crowds for a pair of socks.
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
Moving onto Nordstrom, these women look like they could start a brawl over Kate Spade handbags at any moment.
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
The just-opened Wilfred boutique in Pacific Centre was the scene of a polite transaction involving $5-off a turtleneck sweater.
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
Everything was 50% off at Gap. Apparently nobody knew, or nobody likes Gap (who doesn’t like Gap?!).
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
Nearly the entire H&M store was onsale, including items for as low as $5. This was the madness that ensued:
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
Bose did a great job staffing for a busy Black Friday. Sales associates outnumbered customers. Now that’s quality service!
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
Fancy $5 off a plaid flannel shirt? Nope, nobody else did either.
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
Wasn’t sure if Holt Renfrew was open yet. It was.
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
Not only were they open but they even had 50% off Valentino.
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
When there are more mannequins in the store than customers:
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
All of Vancouver’s Black Friday shoppers were in line at the Prada counter. Could not determine why.
Image: Jill Slattery / Vancity Buzz
Meanwhile in the United States, shoppers really understand the true meaning of Black Friday – bringing out the darkest, blackest part of your soul and heading to Walmart.
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