Now that Halloween is out of the way for another year, retailers are eying the lucrative Christmas shopping season. And — according to accounting firm Ernst & Young — Canadian retailers can expect sales to increase by 4.5 to 5.5 per cent over last year.
In 2006, the same survey predicted a seven per cent increase over the previous year. The actual increase over 2005 levels was 4.7 per cent.
The accounting company predicts that retailers will do well as they launch promotional efforts to persuade consumers to shop locally and cut prices as the dollar continues to rise.
But will Canadians shop at home this holiday season?
Already, Canada Post is reporting huge backlogs at mail-sorting centres as the volume of parcels shipped from the U.S. to Canada surges. The Canadian Border Services Agency says it's due to a spike in online purchases.
Parcel and mail volume from the U.S. was up by 18 per cent over last year by Sept. 28, the first day the Canadian dollar closed above par in more than three decades.
Will you shop at home this holiday season? What steps are retailers in your area taking to keep you from looking for cheaper deals south of the border (slashed prices, seasonal sales, special offers or incentives)?
More...
In 2006, the same survey predicted a seven per cent increase over the previous year. The actual increase over 2005 levels was 4.7 per cent.
The accounting company predicts that retailers will do well as they launch promotional efforts to persuade consumers to shop locally and cut prices as the dollar continues to rise.
But will Canadians shop at home this holiday season?
Already, Canada Post is reporting huge backlogs at mail-sorting centres as the volume of parcels shipped from the U.S. to Canada surges. The Canadian Border Services Agency says it's due to a spike in online purchases.
Parcel and mail volume from the U.S. was up by 18 per cent over last year by Sept. 28, the first day the Canadian dollar closed above par in more than three decades.
Will you shop at home this holiday season? What steps are retailers in your area taking to keep you from looking for cheaper deals south of the border (slashed prices, seasonal sales, special offers or incentives)?
More...