Cross-border shopping is a quintessential part of Black Friday for some Canadians.

But with the Canada-U.S. land border closed to non-essential travel to limit the spread of COVID-19, hopping over the border for holiday shopping isn91裸聊视频檛 an option this year.

For Canadian retailers, the closure has created a captive market 91裸聊视频� at least for in-store shopping.

91裸聊视频淚n previous years, a lot of Canadians would just pop over the border to take advantage of the crazy deals down in the U.S., which often surpassed what we were getting in Canada,91裸聊视频� says Tandy Thomas, an associate professor in the Smith School of Business at Queen91裸聊视频檚 University.

91裸聊视频淏ut the ability to do that easy cross-border shopping is no longer there.91裸聊视频�

Thomas says the border closure creates a more favourable environment for Canadian retailers.

91裸聊视频淭hey don91裸聊视频檛 have to compete with their U.S. counterparts in the same way,91裸聊视频� she says. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 literally a captive market.91裸聊视频�

Black Friday originated in the United States as a post-Thanksgiving shopping event. It became well-known for its big discounts, massive crowds and a frenzied shopping atmosphere.

Although it has become a mainstay of holiday shopping in Canada as well, U.S. retailers have still lured Canadians across the border with doorbuster deals.

Yet with the loonie worth about 77 U.S. cents, it91裸聊视频檚 possible few shoppers would have bothered travelling south of the border.

91裸聊视频淲ith the dollar being what it is, it91裸聊视频檚 not exactly a bargain to go down there,91裸聊视频� says Tim Sanderson, executive vice-president and national lead for retail with JLL Canada.

91裸聊视频淏ut there91裸聊视频檚 still lots of people who like to go for the variety.91裸聊视频�

Diane Brisebois, president of the Retail Council of Canada, says the border closure, coupled with an increased push to buy local, will benefit Canadian retailers this holiday season.

91裸聊视频淲e strongly believe there will be more Canadians making that extra effort to shop in a local brick-and-mortar store as well as find them online,91裸聊视频� she says.

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Brett Bundale, The Canadian Press

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