Canadians Mall Shopping in Oakland

Diehard shoppers from Canada hike over to Oakland County shopping malls during leaner times, its been reported, and this has been going on for some time.

Canada, of course, has its own economic problems. And the Canadian dollar has fluctuated against the American dollar. But visitors from the other side of the U.S. border remain an important component of the business at big shopping centers such as Twelve Oaks in Novi and Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, noted Karen MacDonald, director of communications for the Bloomfield Hills-based Taubman Centers Inc.

Somerset Collection in Troy, which includes two large malls on both the north and south side of Big Beaver Road, is considered one of the most fashionable shopping destinations between New York and Chicago. Somerset’s shoppers have a very strong base of Canadian customers – perhaps because of the luxury goods and high-end fashions they care.

Oakland Mall in Troy, which is easy to reach via either the tunnel or bridge across the Detroit River, also attracts shoppers from Canada, according to the proprietors.

Apparently Canadian visitors to Oakland shopping centers not only come across the Detroit River, but also across the twin spans of the Blue Water bridge between Port Huron and Sarnia.