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Last-minute holiday rush is on in Greater Victoria

Sooke’s Claire and Dennis Price are like a lot of us — still shopping for holiday gifts. “We’re last minute,” Claire said cheerfully on Friday. The couple has a budget in place. A set amount is being spent on each of their two children, Claire said.
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Susan Han carries a shopping bag and a her baby, Jayden, at Broadmead shopping centre on Friday.

Sooke’s Claire and Dennis Price are like a lot of us — still shopping for holiday gifts.

“We’re last minute,” Claire said cheerfully on Friday.

The couple has a budget in place. A set amount is being spent on each of their two children, Claire said.

For this duo, shopping means more than working through a list. “We both work full-time.” Dennis said. “The kids are in school and we get the day with each other.”

They have already bought some presents, including a few things purchased online.

A new CIBC poll, which wrapped up Dec. 14, found that 64 per cent of Canadians — and 63 per cent of British Columbians — have not yet finished their holiday shopping.

Shoppers are also spending more than a November poll predicted, CIBC said. Average spending among poll participants stood at $678 so far. Canadians polled last month said they planned to spend on average of $517.

Of those who are still shopping, 19 per cent expect to surpass their budget, the release said. But among those who have finished shopping, just 10 per cent went over budget.

Canadians between the ages of 18 and 34 are the biggest procrastinators, with 71 per cent saying they still shopping to do, the survey found. Of people age 55 and older, about 55 per cent are heading to the stores this weekend.

For Saanich resident Thomas Grieve, 19, early shopping wasn’t an option. The second-year University of Victoria physics student only recently finished exams.

Even so, he is well ahead of many others. “I am almost done and, so far, I am under budget.”

He went to Capital Iron on Friday looking for gift ideas for the final few names on his list, hoping to finish in one day.

With just a few days left, holiday shoppers are out in earnest. Parking lots at shopping malls are full.

Business at Oscar and Libby’s picked up, as it always does, about Dec. 10, said co-owner Teri Hustins. “It’s almost like clockwork for us.” Shopping also picks up when online delivery deadlines for other businesses pass, she said.

Many customers come in for stocking stuffers at Oscar and Libby’s stores on Johnson and Fort streets. Business has been so brisk that Hustins had to order extra merchandise, including whoopee cushions and purses.

Hustins is anticipating record-breaking sales at each store. She has also noticed that shoppers are “really trying to use cash and debit,” figuring that helps individuals stick to their budgets.

The run-up to the 2013 shopping season was a challenge because fire swept through a group of stores on Fort Street, including Oscar and Libby’s previous store in that block.

They quickly moved across the street and raced to get ready for the holiday.

At Baggins on Johnson Street, owner Glenn Lynch said, “We are up at least 100 per cent” compared to last year. The Victoria store specializes Converse and Vans shoes, and Herschel bags and backpacks.

Shoppers walking in have pushed up in-person sales, and online shopping has “just exploded,” he said. “We ship all over the world.”

Lynch expected Friday to be the biggest day of this month and today to beat that. The weekend before Christmas brings some of the highest sales of the year, he said.

cjwilson@timescolonist.com