Canadian shoppers craving a deal increasingly turn to Black Friday at the expense of another sales spree, Boxing Day. The shift comes as consumers increasingly plan to spend before Christmas and check gifts off their holiday lists. Industry watchers say the change offers retailers a slight edge. Black Friday gives consumers the chance to secure deals on presents rather than shop after the gift-giving season is over. Forty-three per cent of respondents to the Retail Council of Canada's second annual holiday shopping survey planned to purchase items on Black Friday. Only 34 per cent of respondents intended to shop on Boxing Day. It also helps that Black Friday sales have expanded beyond those considered go-to categories for Boxing Day discounts, like appliances and apparel. Airlines, car dealerships, home decor and improvement chains, phone companies and others now advertise deals for the unofficial kickoff of the holiday spending season. Consumers often try to set a budget for holiday spending and may have more available funds before the holidays, as well as more energy to shop. It's also better for retailers to make sales earlier rather than engage in massive markdowns in an attempt to rid themselves of inventory they didn't sell during the holidays.