Online shopping explodes in Canada: Ebates.ca predicts the best Black Friday ever

- 5 surprising things about online Black Friday and Cyber Monday in Canada -

TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2014 /CNW/ - According to a recent poll by Ebates.ca, 84% of Canadians are shopping online and spending 17% more on average in the past 12 months than in 2013. Online shopping has increased by almost 10% since last year, and the growing number of Canadian shoppers cite better prices, convenience and a wider selection of items as their reasons for shopping online.  Preparing for further growth this holiday season, retailers are responding with online sales, free shipping and specific deals for Canadians.

Recent research from Ebates.ca shows that Canadians plan to spend an average of $532 on holiday gifts this year and 25% will have their holiday shopping finished before the winter season starts. With 91% of Canadians revealing they are likely to buy something online in the next year, Adrienne Down Coulson, General Manager, Ebates.ca expects a flurry of online shopping activity during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In 2013, the website experienced a 130% increase in sales from savvy shoppers keen to take advantage of exclusive deals and promotions being offered by partner retailers.  

"Black Friday sales are starting earlier than ever this year with retailers like Amazon.ca offering 'Countdown to Black Friday' deals since the beginning of November," says Adrienne Down Coulson. "This year even more retailers have joined Ebates.ca such as Joe Fresh and Carter's, and I anticipate blockbuster Black Friday deals from these new partners. With over 650 retailers now on the site, Ebates.ca will feature every major online deal that is available to Canadians in 2014."

5 things that may surprise consumers about online Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals in Canada:

1)	You will find great Canadian deals on Black Friday
	To compete with the sales in the U.S., many retailers hold their sales online and offer free shipping. Ebates.ca will be highlighting specific deals for Canadians on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and will have over 200 stores offering double Cash Back savings with every purchase. Walmart.ca and SHOP.CA, among other partner retailers, will offer free shipping, so Canadians can shop (and save) from the comfort of their homes without having to fight traffic or pay for gas.
2)	Many retailers offer hassle-free returns
	Prior to making an online purchase, shoppers should review the store's return policy – just as they would in-store. Many retailers, such as Chapters-Indigo allow convenient in-store returns while others, like The Home Depot, will pick up items from customers that were purchased online and return them on behalf of the shopper. Still others, such as Gap provide pre-paid packaging for free returns.
3)	Black Friday trumps Boxing Day
	The best selection is available earlier in the season, so Black Friday and Cyber Monday shoppers are more likely to get the best deals on the products they want. Retailers lead off with the deepest discounts on coveted products on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Shopping early also helps stretch the budget for gift givers and reduces the stress around holiday shopping (great news for the one-third of Canadians who say their holiday shopping experience is typically more stressful than enjoyable!).
4)	The selection online is just as good, if not better than what you can find in-store
	It is disappointing when consumers find an item online, only to discover it's nowhere to be found in the actual store. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the ideal days to get what you want, in the correct size or colour, while you avoid the crowds and picked over sale racks. Fifty-five per cent of survey respondents said they find things online that are not available in stores.
5)	Cash back websites are not just for extreme-couponers
	Nearly 1 million Canadians shop with Ebates and earn Cash Back on their purchases. The website defies the stereotype of spending hours searching for coupons and saving stacks of them to take in-store. With Ebates.ca, you don't have to look hard for the best deals the web has to offer. All the online coupons and exclusive offers are under one roof, can be easily redeemed and are available from a wide variety of stores, from grocery and travel to luxury fashion retailers.

"I can guarantee that consumers will find the best deals of the year in their top holiday gift categories. Based on our research, Canadians are most interested in electronics, clothing, and health & beauty products on these key shopping days," says Adrienne Down Coulson. "With the added bonus of Cash Back on top of great deals and discounts, Canadians are primed to make the most out of the holiday shopping season with Ebates.ca."

Follow Ebates Canada for the inside scoop on the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals in Canada.

Twitter: @EbatesCanada
Facebook: EbatesCanada

About the Ebates.ca survey:
Ebates Canada commissioned Ignite Research to conduct an online survey of Canadians across the country. Responses were collected from October 9 to 13, 2014.

How Ebates.ca works:
To earn cash back when shopping online, you simply begin your online shopping at Ebates.ca, click through to one of the partner retail sites like Walmart.ca, Old Navy, or Indigo.ca, and then complete your purchase on that site. Ebates.ca then tracks your purchase and you receive a percentage of everything you buy back in cash. Then Ebates.ca sends consumers their cash back account balance in the form of a cheque, called "The Big Fat Cheque." Alternatively customers may direct their cash back towards a designated charity.

The Ebates brand supports a strong community of millions of savvy shoppers around the world. Founded in 1998, Ebates.com has paid over $100,000,000 in cash to its global members.

SOURCE: Ebates.ca

For further information and to schedule an interview with Adrienne Down Coulson, please contact: Carolyn Abbass, Paradigm Public Relations, 416-413-5190, [email protected]