Black Friday

Redbubble Testimonials

The sales frenzy of Black Friday is now upon us. Now is the time to get orders in for deep discounts. I’ve sold thousands of my designs on a long list of products. Many satisfied customers from around the world have left their testimonials:

Napoleon Bonaparte – “Excellent idea, a gift for my son” – Happy customer, Westleigh, Australia

Chimpanzee – “My husband will only wear ape socks to work, and this will be his favorite pair!” – Happy customer, Reston, USA

The Kings and Queens of England and Britain   &  British Monarchs: The Complete Set (2022) -“Good for me as a visual learner. The colors and drawings are very memorable” – Happy customer, Tampa, United States

Charles deGaulle  – “Very great work!!!” – Happy customer, Roma, Italy

English and British Monarchs: The Complete Set (Alternate version)  – “This is my second purchase of these lovely monarch postcards that I swap with other people worldwide.” – Happy customer, Chelmsford, UK

President James Buchanan – “We toured Wheatlands (Buchanan’s home) when visiting friends.  Sending the pillow as a thank you gift to them” –  Happy customer, Havre de Grace, USA

Lewis Chessmen –  “I love the Lewis chessmen. I wish I could get the beserker on the front in the yellow colour on different colour tshirts –  Happy customer, Southport, UK

Conférence de Yalta 1945 – “Merci pour cette idée de cadeau pour une passionnée de la période de la seconde guérre mondiale” – Happy customer, Cannes, France

Winston Churchill – “Love the idea of Churchill socks!  My son loves creative socks, and we all love Winston.  The depiction of WC is great.” – Happy customer, Canton, USA

Christmas Classic characters  – “Love the nostalgic cast of characters mixed with contemporary favorites, Happy Holidays!” – Happy customer, Grand Junction, USA

 

Check out MacKaycartoons marketplace through these popular Print-on-Design sites:

At the heart of the MackayCartoons Gallery is Graeme’s 100% original art. More than 300 designs are available for purchase.

Tuesday November 21, 2023

As Black Friday sales week coincides with the Trudeau government's economic struggles, the unveiling of a carbon tax pause and questionable economic decisions leave the Prime Minister facing a significant political blowout, with polls shifting toward the Conservative Party and skepticism growing about the Liberals' ability to manage both the economy and climate change.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday November 21, 2023

Trudeau’s Economic Winter: As Black Friday Discounts Soar, Liberals Face a Chilling Blowout in Polls

September 19, 2023

As Black Friday sales week unfolds, Justin Trudeau faces a political clearance event of his own, with the latest polls revealing the Conservative Party leading by a whopping 14 points nationally. The only bustling storefront in Trudeau’s political mall seems to be his remaining bastion of support – women over 54. But with the unveiling of the economic statement, the Prime Minister might find it harder to convince Canadians that his government is still on the right track.

News: Freeland to deliver $15-billion in rental housing loans in slimmed-down fiscal update  

Canada's Environment Minister, Steven Guilbeault, faces internal conflict within the Liberal government due to a sudden policy reversal on climate change, particularly the exemption for home-heating oil in Atlantic Canada, sparking criticism and raising concerns about the coherence and consistency of the government's climate policies.

November 4, 2023

In a bizarre twist, Trudeau, known for championing a national carbon tax to combat climate change, recently hit pause on the carbon levy for home heating oil. This decision, framed as a temporary relief for lower-income Canadians, has ignited a storm of criticism and exposed the fragility of his government’s climate policies.

Attempting to capitalize on the situation, federal Conservatives swiftly introduced a motion to extend the home heating oil pause to all forms of home heating. Even the left-wing NDP joined the chorus, criticizing the Liberal policy as unfair to Canadians outside the Atlantic region.

The federal government, led by Justin Trudeau, is making changes to its climate policy, which primarily benefit Atlantic Canada. These changes include increased rural rebates and exemptions for home heating oil from the carbon tax. This has generated mixed reactions and debates.

October 28, 2023

As Trudeau resists further carve-outs to the carbon price, experts suggest that this seemingly minor amendment could jeopardize the government’s signature climate legislation. The narrative around the carbon tax, once a cornerstone of Trudeau’s environmental agenda, now seems to be melting faster than an ice cap in a heatwave.

Amid sagging poll numbers and growing skepticism about the Liberals’ ability to manage the economy, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is set to unveil the “fall economic statement.” As the Liberals grapple with a slump, the statement is anticipated with both curiosity and doubt, especially considering the cost-of-living concerns Canadians face.

While Trudeau claims fiscal responsibility, critics argue that his government’s spending spree has inflated annual budgets well beyond their initial plans. As Canadians grapple with an affordability crisis, rising prices, and a lackluster economic outlook, the fall economic statement is poised to be a tough sell for a government that seems increasingly out of touch.

News: Poll suggests widespread dissatisfaction with Trudeau government  

December 30, 2021

As the Trudeau government attempts to convince Canadians of its economic prowess, the data tell a different story. With a decade of lackluster growth, a public sector rising in cost and inefficiency, and a slew of regulatory initiatives impacting businesses and consumers, the economic reality clashes with the Liberal narrative.

While the fall economic statement may promise efficacious fiscal management, many Canadians remain unconvinced. As the government walks the tightrope between necessary investments and fiscal responsibility, it seems the Trudeau administration has a tough sell ahead, and the Black Friday blowout might just extend into the political arena. (AI)

 

Tuesday November 23, 2021

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday November 23, 2021

Crossing The Canada-US Border For Shopping & Visiting Family Is About To Get So Much Cheaper

October 14, 2021

Crossing the Canada-U.S. border for short trips like shopping or visiting relatives is about to get a whole lot cheaper, thanks to an update to Canada’s travel restrictions.

On Friday, November 19, federal officials confirmed that COVID-19 testing requirements will be dropped for eligible travellers who are leaving Canada for 72 hours or less.

From Tuesday, November 30, fully vaccinated people with right of entry to Canada will be able to skip the pre-entry molecular test, meaning they’ll be able to return home without forking out hundreds for a PCR test.

This applies to people travelling via land or air, as long as they’re able to demonstrate that they’ve been out of the country for three days or under.

November 27, 2020

As the COVID-19 tests approved to enter the country can cost at least $100, this update means taking short trips just got much cheaper.

It also means those driving across the Canada-U.S. border will no longer be required to spend any money on COVID-19 testing, as the American land border does not require fully vaccinated travellers to take a COVID-19 test prior to entry.

It’s worth noting that people flying into the United States will still be required to take a test before arriving, although rapid antigen tests are accepted.

Unfortunately for people dreaming of lengthy vacations, the rules will not change for people leaving Canada for over 72 hours. In this case, passengers will still be expected to take a pre-entry molecular test before arriving. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.

If you do still need to take a molecular test, Rexall Pharmacy sells a take-home test starting at $200, while Costco sells do-it-yourself PCR tests for $120. Air Canada has its own version priced from $149. 

Some U.S. pharmacies do offer free PCR testing, although there are some risks to be aware of. (Narcity) 

 

Friday November 27, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday November 27, 2020

Black Friday takes on ‘existential moral dimension’ amid pandemic

One of the biggest shopping days of the year is here, just as public health officials impose tighter restrictions in an effort to slow the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The confluence of Black Friday and rising COVID-19 cases has added what experts are calling an “existential moral dimension” to a retail event that has gradually become partof the holiday shopping season in Canada and a crucial sales vehicle for businesses.

November 25, 2011

Black Friday, famous for its pre-dawn lineups and hordes of bargain hunters, has increasingly eclipsed Boxing Day as the country’s biggest Christmas shopping event. Yet those wall-to-wall crowds are exactly what makes the shopping spree a potential health hazard in the time of a global pandemic.

“We’re seeing Black Friday fall at a particularly inopportune time in the pattern of infections,” says Tandy Thomas, an associate professor in the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University.

“There’s a lot more moral complexity to Black Friday this year than we’ve ever seen before.”

Critics have long denounced the rampant consumerism of Black Friday, an event that traces its origins to post-Thanksgiving sales in the United States.

However, retailers rely on holiday sales in general — and Black Friday in particular — to survive the slower winter months. 

May 9, 2020

“It’s the No. 1 day for a lot of retailers in Canada,” says retail analyst Bruce Winder. “It’s literally make-it-or-break-it time for many.”

This year, the Black Friday debate has devolved into “virtuous versus sinful,” says Markus Giesler, associate professor of marketing at York University’s Schulich School of Business.

“Black Friday has been reimagined through the lens of the pandemic along moralistic lines,” he says. “There’s an existential moral dimension to Black Friday this year that has amplified the usual debate.” 

Whereas previous concerns over Black Friday sales hinged on the ethics of an event in which consumers are pitted against one another in a scramble to get a discounted big-ticket item, sometimes resulting in chaos and violence, the issue now is whether in-store shopping will become a potential super-spreader retail event.

Retailers have acknowledged the risk and encouraged customers to shop early this year. Big box stores, which often attract throngs of people on Black Friday, started promotions as early as October.

Life in a Pandemic

Yet despite the online deals, analysts expect some people will still show up in-person on Friday in the hopes of snagging a doorbuster deal.

It’s the thrill of a good find in-store, versus the more transactional and utilitarian nature of online shopping, he says.

“There’s probably still going to be an awkward pandemonium in some stores with lineups and crowds,” Giesler adds. 

“Overall, it should be a little more subdued, but there will still be some deal-prone consumption. I expect we’ll still see some door crashing.” (Times-Colonist) https://www.timescolonist.com/black-friday-takes-on-existential-moral-dimension-amid-pandemic-1.24245971