Boxing Day deals to be had

Boxing Day has become a shopping tradition across Canada and it’s no different in the Okanagan.

Many people chose to put aside their Christmas turkey hangover and line up early this morning for special deals on everything from electronics, to clothing, and furniture.

In Kelowna, there were roughly 100 people outside Best Buy when it opened at 6 a.m.

Photo: Bill Everitt

And malls were busy in both Kelowna and Penticton with the usual influx of random deal-seekers and those on a mission for an assortment of specific items. 

Dorte Meyer says she woke up early to stand in line for an iPad mini at Best Buy, but once she got in the store, there were none available. 

While understanding these advertisements warn of “limited quantities”, she was still frustrated when it appeared the Kelowna location did not have any in stock.

Down in Penticton the crowds weren’t as large, but there were still lineups for some stores. 

Giles Alderliesten stood in line outside of EB games with his father Dave. They had a gift card and Giles was looking for an Xbox One game — something from the Call of Duty franchise.

A store manager at London Drugs, Colin Campbell, noted gift cards have been growing in popularity during the holiday seasons, as they allow recipients to get whatever they want from a particular store.

“This is one of our busiest days of the year and there’s lots of great deals on for everybody here,” said Campbell.

“Cameras and cell phones are always huge. People that didn’t get gifts are coming in and buying them today and there’s lots of people that have money now. They’re coming in with their gift cards and they want all the great deals after Christmas and they want their presents now. 

London Drugs sell their own gift cards and Campbell said many people who don’t know which items to buy, will settle for a gift card instead. 

“People still love getting them, and then they can come and get the present that they want, so it works for them."

With Boxing Day falling on a Friday this year, many stores will continue their sales through the weekend.

-- With files from Bill Everitt