Cold weather keeping shoppers away in Kelowna

KELOWNA – The near record-breaking cold seems to have put a chill on this year's Boxing Day crowds.

A Best Buy employee at Orchard Park Shopping Centre couldn’t give his name or speak for the company but says compared with last year, lines have been relatively short and crowds manageable.

“It’s not a lot slower but it’s noticeable,” she says.

An Orchard Park security guard who opened the doors this morning says there were only a couple people waiting.

“It’s probably the weather and online (shopping),” Trevor says. “Most stores will have sales all week so we weren’t expecting (lines) before we opened.”

By 11 a.m. the wait to make a purchase at Best Buy was roughly 15 minutes, but Trevor says that is as short as it gets on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

“This afternoon will be packed,” he says. “Wish me luck.”

Environment Canada predicts a high of -10 Celsius in Kelowna and Vernon today and a high of -7 C in Penticton. There is a 30 per cent chance of flurries overnight in Kelowna, with overnight lows around -11 C.

Normal temperatures for this time of year are highs of -2 C and lows of -8 C.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.