The holiday season is a time where millions of dollars will be spent across Canada on presents and the Bancroft BIA hope some of that money is kept local.
“Our local merchants depend on local business,” says Jody Didier, Executive Officer with the BBIA. She adds that Christmas used to be known as the “golden quarter” because it was the time that many businesses made the money that they’ll make use of until next Christmas.
The Retail Council of Canada projects Canadians will spend an average of $675 on holiday gifts, which is down from the $705 they projected for last year. They project residents of Ontario will spend $805.
Didier says that when shopping locally you find hand-made things that you may not be able to find when shopping at big box stores in Ottawa, Toronto or Montreal. Didier mentions that you can’t compete with the customer service you will get from local businesses.
“The beautiful thing about buying from your local merchant that you’ve developed a relationship with them,” Didier says. She adds that there are times when they’ll call you to tell you that something specific has come into the store because they know you’re interested in it.
“When you’re buying from your local merchant you’re helping to make sure that you protect the jobs of people that are employed there,” Didier says.