NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE
At Leon's there are special bargains not only on Boxing Day but this whole week.Standing next to some "door crasher" mattresses are (right) Trina Towner, manager, Jenn Nelson and Justin Coghill staff.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
It’s early morning on Boxing Day and at Leon’s a salesperson is already helping a client place a large TV in the trunk of his vehicle.
There was a small lineup even before the store opened, said Trina Towner, manager Leon’s.
“This year feels different,” said Towner who believes Black Friday sales, just a month ago, attracts a lot of people who would perhaps normally wait for Boxing Day deals.
She says pre-Christmas shopping was brisk though.
“We were extremely busy up to Christmas Eve,” said Towner.
Towner does not believe the economy is having an impact on sales though.
“Our fourth quarter was very strong,” said Towner.
She remembers Boxing Day’s in the past and one in particular, years ago, when there was a huge line-up before the store opened due to a special deal on vacuum cleaners.
Shortly after Stone Furs opened its doors at 10 a.m. downtown, customers arrived to browse the store where everything was 50 per cent off.
Stone Furs has only held Boxing Day sales for the last three years.
“It’s worthwhile being open,” said Snookie Welling, owner. “It’s the sale of the year.”
The store features a big sale in August each year but Boxing Day means bargains on winter clothing, Welling explained. Winter clothing is typically more expensive than summer clothing due to the type of fabrics used and construction details.
It is also a chance to clear out inventory to make way for spring clothes. Welling says manufacturers are eager to ship spring items and people who are planning a vacation, particularly if it is to a warm area, are looking for spring outfits.
After Christmas people often have Christmas gifts of cash to spend on the bargains.
Towner says it is important to visit the store because not all the bargains are advertised. She points to a mattress that is usually priced at $1,400 and is on sale for $300 this week.
Stone Furs had double the usual number of staff on Boxing Day to provide personal assistance to shoppers.
Welling says it does not bother her having to work on Boxing Day, she simply takes the next two days off instead.
“I allow myself that because I’m old,” said Welling remembering the days when she used to work six days a week every week. There was a wake-up moment when she asked herself if anyone would stand by her grave one day and thank her for working six days a week. The answer was “no”.
Welling says online shopping is having an impact on business. She says shopping Amazon now is what catalogue shopping used to be.
She says it does make her question whether people realize how much locally owned businesses contribute to the community – something an organization such as Amazon does not.
“I am very grateful for the community’s support, not only monetarily. Medicine Hat is full of really nice people.”
