Even if mail carriers at Canada Post are ordered back to work by the federal government, or their union reaches a collective agreement, it will take a while to clear a backlog of packages held up at processing plants across the country. So, will that discourage people from Christmas shopping online and send them back to the malls?
Marketing Director at Tecumseh Mall Marissa Goze admitted that is a difficult question to answer.
"It's hard for us to answer and to gauge how the traffic is going to be, even on a day-to-day basis, and whether it's going to increase or not," she said.
She also admitted online shopping has taken a toll on foot traffic through malls over the last number of years. However, Goze pointed out there is a reason malls are still around.
"People still love the brick and mortar way of shopping," she told BlackburnNews.com. "We have always found that people still expect to be able to go to the store, walk into an actual building, and have the experience of shopping. Those things like touching products and trying on clothes and doing live comparisons of merchandise."
She also said malls still see a boost in sales on traditional shopping days like Black Friday, but they use their online tools to enhance the experience.
"We find that often people do their research online, but still come into the shopping centre to make that purchase," said Goze.
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