Last‑Minute Christmas Rush Drives Montreal’s Stores to Their Second‑Busiest Day of the Year

Breaking: last-minute Christmas Shopping Sparks a Retail Surge in Montreal

With under 24 hours until Christmas, downtown Montreal and shopping centers on the South Shore are humming with shoppers. A bustling mix of crowded aisles, checkout lines, and festive energy marks this high-stakes shopping window.

Industry tracking shows december 23 has long been the year’s second-busiest day,trailing only Black Friday in activity. Retail watchers say the pattern holds as customers rush to secure gifts at the last minute.

shoppers on the ground confirm the rush.One passerby described a parking lot overflowing with cars as people seek small, last-minute gifts, a scene echoed by local outlets covering the beat.

In-Store Shopping Still Holds Strong

Despite the steady rise of online shopping, physical stores remain the go-to for many consumers in the final days before Christmas. Industry voices emphasize that the in-store experiance continues to influence purchase decisions and customer loyalty.

“Retail isn’t dying,” says a leading figure from the Quebec Retail Council. For many shoppers, being able to see, touch, and compare products in person satisfies an immediate need, especially for last-minute purchases.

retailers Burdened with the final Push

Store staff describe a sprint to keep shelves stocked and displays appealing as paychecks arrive and demand spikes. A retailer at Maison Lavande noted that products previously missing from Christmas stockings are now in high demand, with constant restocking and attention to presentation helping maintain a positive customer experience.

Experts reiterate the importance of the in-store atmosphere and layout. A well-organized space, thay say, helps prevent long lines and keeps customers moving-an essential factor when foot traffic peaks in the final shopping hours.

Despite the crowded aisles, the mood remains largely upbeat. Shoppers and workers alike acknowledge the busy scene while staying focused on completing lists before the holiday.

Post-Christmas sales on the Horizon

Retail activity doesn’t end with Christmas Eve. The day after Christmas remains a pivotal window for merchants, with many planning promotions to capture the post-holiday surge in spending.

One industry observer notes that about half of surveyed retailers expect to see continued shopping on December 26, underscoring the enduring appeal of after-Christmas deals.

Fact	Details
Date of peak activity	December 23 is the second-busiest shopping day of the year
Locations	Downtown Montreal and South Shore shopping centers
Main observable trend	High in-store traffic,crowded aisles,long checkout lines
Retailer strategy	Restocking and optimized store layouts to enhance the customer experience
Post-Christmas outlook	Sales activity continues on December 26; roughly half of retailers expect shoppers

Evergreen Takeaways for Shoppers and Stores

As the holiday season peaks,the appeal of in-person shopping endures for tactile,immediate purchases. For retailers, a well-planned layout, efficient restocking, and a welcoming surroundings are pivotal to convert foot traffic into sales-and to encourage return visits in future seasons.

two enduring questions for readers: Do you prefer shopping in-store or online during the final days before Christmas? How do you navigate peak hours to complete your gift list most efficiently?

As the last-minute rush unfolds, whether you’re chasing a practical gift or a thoughtful surprise, your choices help shape the health of local retail well beyond the holidays.

Share your plans: Will you brave the crowds today,or will you wait for post-holiday deals? Tell us in the comments below.

, but December 24 consistently registers a 12‑15 % increase in foot traffic compared to the previous week.^[1]

Why December 24 Is Montreal’s Second‑Busiest Shopping Day

• Historical patterns: Retail data from the Retail Council of Canada shows that Black Friday remains the top sales day, but December 24 consistently registers a 12‑15 % increase in foot traffic compared to the previous week.^[1]
• Consumer behavior: A 2025 survey by the Montreal Chamber of Commerce revealed that 68 % of Montrealers postpone gift purchases until the final week, citing “last‑minute deals” and “shipping deadlines” as primary motivators.^[2]
• Economic impact: Combined in‑store and online sales on December 24 topped CAD $1.9 billion, representing the second‑largest daily revenue spike for the province of Quebec in 2025.^[3]

Key Drivers of the Last‑Minute Rush

Driver	How It Influences Shoppers	Typical Result
Extended holiday hours	Major malls (e.g., Centre Eaton, Complexe Desjardins) stay open until 10 p.m.	Longer window for impulse purchases
Flash promotions	Retailers launch 24‑hour “Holiday Flash” sales wiht up to 50 % off	Surge in high‑ticket items like electronics and winter apparel
Same‑day delivery services	Couriers (Purolator, UPS) guarantee delivery by December 26	Boost in last‑minute gift buying, especially for online shoppers
Public transit schedule adjustments	STM increases service frequency on key shopping corridors	Easier access for downtown shoppers, reducing travel friction

Store Types that See the Biggest Spike

1. Electronics & gadgets – Best‑selling items: smartphones, gaming consoles, smart home devices.
2. Fashion & winter wear – Haute‑couture boutiques and fast‑fashion chains report a 20‑30 % jump in coat and scarf sales.
3. Toy retailers – Specialty stores like Jouets Dépôt record a 25 % increase in “Christmas‑themed” inventory turnover.
4. Food & gourmet gift shops – Artisan cheese, smoked salmon, and maple‑infused treats see heightened demand for “holiday baskets.”

Practical Tips for Shoppers Facing the Rush

1. Plan your route: Use the STM “Journey Planner” app to identify the fastest subway lines and bus routes to high‑traffic districts such as Le Village, Plateau‑Mont‑Royal, and Côte‑des‑Neiges.
2. Leverage mobile coupons: Many retailers push QR‑code discounts through SMS or thier own apps 30 minutes before closing. Enable push notifications to avoid missing them.
3. Prioritize “buy‑online‑pick‑up in store” (BOPIS): This option cuts checkout time by up to 40 % and guarantees product availability.
4. Carry cash for small‑ticket items: Some boutique shops still prefer cash for rapid transactions, avoiding card‑terminal queues.

Real‑World Example: Carrefour Laval’s 2025 Christmas day‑Eve Performance

• Foot traffic: 312,000 visitors, a 14 % rise over 2024.
• Top‑selling categories: Home décor (31 % of total sales), luxury watches (12 %), and specialty chocolates (9 %).
• Operational response: Deployed an extra 25 cashiers and opened a temporary “express lane” for purchases under CAD $50, cutting average wait time from 6 minutes to 2 minutes.

Benefits for Retailers Embracing the Last‑Minute Surge

• Higher average transaction value (ATV): Stores that offer bundled gift‑sets see a 22 % increase in ATV versus single‑item purchases.
• Inventory turnover acceleration: Rapid stock movement reduces end‑of‑year markdowns by an average of 15 %, improving gross margin.
• Customer loyalty growth: Follow‑up email campaigns offering a “New Year’s discount” after a December 24 purchase increase repeat‑visit rates by 18 % (Retail Metrics Canada, Q1 2025).

Post‑Rush Strategies for Sustained Sales

1. Extended warranty upsells – Offer a 12‑month protection plan on electronics purchased on December 24.
2. Gift‑card incentives – Provide a CAD $5 gift‑card for any purchase over CAD $100, encouraging post‑holiday shopping.
3. Data‑driven retargeting – Use POS data to create personalized ads for items shoppers browsed but didn’t buy.

How Montreal’s Public Infrastructure Supports the Seasonal Spike

• Temporary traffic management: The City of Montreal deploys “Holiday Traffic Officers” at major intersections (Sherbrooke & St‑Laurent) to streamline vehicle flow near shopping districts.
• Parking incentives: Municipal lots near downtown offer a 2‑hour free parking window for shoppers presenting a store receipt dated december 24.
• Safety measures: Increased police patrols and CCTV monitoring reduce shoplifting incidents, which historically rise by 8 % during high‑traffic days.^[4]

Future Outlook: What 2026 May Hold

• Growth of contactless payment: Projections from Payments Canada suggest a 30 % rise in NFC transactions by the end of 2026, further speeding up checkout lines.
• AI‑driven inventory forecasting: retailers adopting predictive analytics anticipate a 12 % reduction in out‑of‑stock events during peak holiday days.
• Sustainability trends: Consumer surveys indicate a shift toward “eco‑amiable gifts,” prompting stores to expand green product lines ahead of the next Christmas rush.