Calgary retailers shifted into high gear on Christmas Eve 2025, as a determined stream of shoppers braved the elements to complete their holiday purchases. The scene at Southcentre Mall was one of focused activity, a contrast to the earlier frantic pace, as stores prepared for a final surge.
Stores in 'Full Go-Mode' for Final Festive Push
At the Sporting Life store, sales manager Eric Hussey expressed joyous anticipation for the incoming crowd. "We're in full go-mode," Hussey stated, describing an "all hands on deck" approach. Staff busily placed discount signage and managed inventory, readying for what they hoped would be a deluge of last-minute customers.
The relative quiet in some sections, where mannequins in sports apparel stood watch over a trickle of shoppers, was deceptive. It represented the calm before the anticipated storm of Christmas Eve business.
Surprising Sales Despite Weather Concerns
Nearby, at the Charm jewellery boutique, manager-in-training Abigail Adamson wore a bright smile amid the steady flow of customers. She noted the past few days had been exceptionally busy, defying expectations given the conditions.
"We've been having crazy days," Adamson revealed. She highlighted that on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the store recorded an impressive $30,000 in sales across nearly 100 transactions. "In this weather today, I wasn't expecting people to come out, but there are a lot of people," she observed, attributing the traffic to a wave of last-minute shopping.
While stores like Sage, MindGames, and Dollarama hummed with activity, others such as Sleep Country and Future Tech experienced quieter moments, illustrating the varied pace of the mall-wide rush.
Shoppers' Motives: Delays, Deals, and Atmosphere
Shoppers had diverse reasons for joining the Christmas Eve crowds. One man, named Jay, was at the mall with his wife and son after experiencing delays with online deliveries. "They were just getting delayed," he explained. Their plan was to visit toy stores and pick up any "fun stuff that catches our eye" to finish their shopping.
For shopper Anita, the trip was less about necessity and more about experience. Satisfied with her online purchases, she came to the mall primarily to soak up the festive atmosphere, enjoying the large displays and holiday decor.
Meanwhile, retailers were already looking ahead. Abigail Adamson at Charm confirmed they were fully prepared for Boxing Day, with stock already organized in the back. "We've already got everything set up in the back — basically we just need to pull stuff out and put them on the shelves," she said, beaming with readiness for the next retail holiday.
The final hours before Christmas in Calgary showcased a resilient retail sector and committed shoppers, culminating the 2025 holiday season with a blend of urgency, preparation, and festive spirit.
