The race for last minute gifts

A few days before Christmas, many Quebecers were busy finishing their holiday shopping while taking advantage of the tax holiday while others preferred to order online.

“We choose our time to go shopping, I work at the Eaton Center and I know that in the afternoon it's really very busy,” observed Illona Bueno, a buyer met at Place Montréal Trust on Sunday noon.

Despite the cold weather, several courageous people took to the streets of Montreal looking for a last minute gift.

“I buy a few last minute gifts and we also take advantage of the tax holiday, but the majority of my gifts have already been purchased,” commented Léa Guessab who was taking advantage of the warmth of the shopping center to do her last shopping there. .

Despite significant traffic in downtown Montreal, many visibly preferred to make purchases online and in advance.

Online shopping

Last November, the Quebec Retail Council unveiled a study which reported that Quebecers would be much more thoughtful in their spending for the holiday season.

Many would have already purchased their gifts during the “Black Friday” or “Cyber ​​Monday” sales, but others were able to take advantage of the GST/HST holiday.

Met at the exit of the Indigo boutique on Sainte-Catherine Street, Zach Stabb was wondering why his book did not have taxes.

“I arrived at the checkout and I was surprised, then I remembered the tax holiday,” he said.

The young man who was busy buying crossword puzzles, books and chocolates to give as gifts was delighted with this advantage for last minute buyers.

“It changes things a little, but it’s not because of [cette initiative gouvernementale] If we're here on December 22, it's more because it's our last chance to buy gifts. It’s now or never,” said Antonin Joyce who accompanied him.

On the other hand, the agri-food professor at Dalhousie University, Sylvain Charlebois, does not see a craze commensurate with the headache that traders are experiencing.

“It’s certain that if we look in the east of the country, taxes have been completely withdrawn, so it’s full in the restaurants, in the stores. In Quebec, it’s around 5% savings, so it’s not huge, so it doesn’t have as much impact on purchases,” he observed.

According to the economist, the difference will be more striking at the level of prepared foods.

“It will make a difference for people who buy prepared meals at the grocery store, we are thinking of the elderly or people who simply do not want to cook at Christmas,” added Sylvain Charlebois.

The popular second hand

The popularity of second-hand items does not seem to be slowing down as we observe that “many people come to buy their holiday outfits” at the Annex vintage boutique on Saint-Laurent Boulevard.

The Journal went to take a look at the popular store early Sunday afternoon and several people were buying dresses and sparkly sweaters to mark the holiday season.