Andre Blanleil has never seen such aggressive pricing on consumer electronics and appliances.
"That big-screen TV that we're selling for $2,199 this Black Friday was $6,000 just three years ago," said the owner of Andres Electronics Experts, which has 33 stores across BC.
"For the consumer the value is exceptional."
Black Friday, the sale-laden kick-off to the holiday shopping season, has always been about pushing prices as low as they can go to create a consumer buying frenzy.
But, Black Friday 2025 edition is even more bonkers.
The overall economy is so-so at best, so retailers -- both bricks-and-mortar and online -- are pulling out all the stops to get shoppers to part with their hard-earned money.
"Sure, it's more challenging out there," said Blanleil.
"So, we just have to sell 30% more because the prices have dropped so much. It's about volume. The electronics industry has adapted and the consumer is the big winner."
As such, Black Friday has turned into the time to stock up on Christmas presents or anything you need for yourself.
And that doesn't just apply to electronics and appliances, but all the other holiday gifts and goods categories from clothes, shoes and accessories to books, games, cosmetics, food, beverage and decorations.
For the first time, Black Friday pricing and pricing overall on electronics and appliances are lower in Canada than they are in the US.
"Trump tariffed Korea and Japan (where most electronics and appliances are made) 25%, so it's put the prices up in America," explained Blanleil.
"Canada doesn't have tariffs with Korea and Japan, so we're all good."
Blanleil expects Black Friday sales volumes will hit what they were last year or maybe even a little more.
"And that's pretty positive in this economy," he said.
Traditionally, Black Friday is a single day, the day after the American Thanksgiving for shoppers to get up early in a turkey stupor to go deal hunting.
The phenomena spread to Canada and the reality now is that Black Friday discounting isn't just one day.
"All this week and all this month we've had Black Friday pricing," said Blanleil.
"And there will be some sort of sales right through to the end of the year."
This trending bears out in the latest survey by Moneris, the Canadian company that provides point-of-sale terminals and solutions for both bricks-and-mortar and e-commerce retailers.
Its data shows there's renewed enthusiasm for Black Friday as a way to get deals as overall cost-of-living spikes.
That means Black Friday is expected to be the busiest shopping day of the year in 2025, just as it was in 2024.
"Black Friday reclaimed its spot as the busiest shopping day," said Moneris vice-president Sean McCormick.
"(It's) signalling Canadians' strong preference for early deals and strategic purchases."
The next busiest holiday shopping days in 2024 were Dec. 23 at No. 2 and Dec. 20 (the Friday before Christmas) at No. 3.
Cyber Monday (the Monday after Black Friday) was No. 10 and Boxing Day has fallen sharply to sit at 55
Boxing Day, which used to be the busiest single shopping day of the year, a decade and a half ago, has really slipped in the rankings.
While Black Friday is the day to snag incredible deals on Christmas gifts and stuff for yourself, it can also be the launch point for overspending, regret purchases and impulse buying.
So, some financial experts urge you to set a spending budget and stick to it and buy only what you need.
As Black Friday pricing extends well beyond one day, a reality-check tactic may be to wait a couple of days after seeing something you think you need or want before making the final decision to buy it or not.
For some, shopping in-store rather than online may help you stick to a budget and not impulse buy.
After all, shopping in-store actually requires you to put on a coat, leave the house and go into places to physically see stuff.
Online shopping can be done in your pajamas with the click of a button.
