Last minute shoppers braced for chaos but found calm on Christmas Eve

Many shoppers were out on Christmas Eve, and while the rush was expected to be chaotic, many found the day surprisingly manageable.

“I’m shocked—I was preparing for the worst,” said Tara Sampogna of Barrie. “It’s actually pretty decent. I’ve been to a few stores, and so far, they’re all pretty calm.”

Most malls closed early Tuesday evening, with last-minute pick-ups and stocking stuffers topping many shoppers’ lists.

“It’s been pretty quiet. I was pleasantly surprised—no one in line. It was good,” added David Golbourne, resident of Barrie.

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For retailers, however, it’s been a challenging lead-up to Christmas. Heavy snowstorms disrupted key shopping days, and the Canada Post work stoppage caused additional headaches.

Even stores that don’t rely on online sales felt the pinch this season.

“We’re surprised this year—it’s caught us a little off guard,” said Matt McCartie of Ideal Hobbies. “I’d say we’re 50 per cent down over normal, just for today alone.”

Retail analyst Bruce Winder highlighted another factor, the rise of online shopping. “A lot of people went to Amazon, they have 70 warehouses and 46,000 employees, so they have massive infrastructure. Many shoppers opted for essentials over discretionary items this year,” he explained.

Sale signs dominated storefronts, reminding shoppers of deals still to come. Supermarkets also saw a flurry of activity, as people grabbed those last-minute items for Christmas dinner.

With most stores closed on Wednesday for Christmas Day, retailers are already gearing up for the next big sales opportunity: Boxing Day.