Christmas retail season is now upon us, and it’s a good time to reflect on the importance of supporting our business community by shopping locally.
With elections in B.C. and the United States behind us, the threats of U.S. imposed tariffs hanging over our economy and the dreaded Black Friday sales out of the way, it’s time to stop and breathe.
The abundance of shopping options available these days, from the internet to urban centre excursions, means the reasons for shopping locally can sometimes be forgotten.
But the fact is, keeping money circulating in our greater community is an important consumer decision and one that needs to be top of mind.
Dollars flowing out of the local economy due to Amazon and out-of-market spending is in the millions of dollars. Those dollars would be put to much better use keeping our own economy vibrant and sustainable. Local shops, restaurants, and services create jobs that keep the economy stable, and the property taxes, sales taxes and payroll taxes help support the services we have come to expect and what many deem essential to our community.
Don’t take having specialty shops and boutique shops or the many pubs and quality restaurants for granted. Running a business is a daily challenge. Costs of leases steadily rise due to increases in municipal, regional, provincial taxation. Water sewer and hydro costs continue a steep upward curve for homeowners, but for businesses, the local tax multiplier is over two times what residential tax increases have been, and utility rates for water and sewer hydro are also at a fixed rate higher than personal residences.
In recent years increased vandalism, theft and ongoing disturbances downtown and at high-profile business locations, have left some owners close to throwing in the towel.
It takes a tremendous amount of energy, and a varied and competent skill set, to navigate today’s retail challenges. Add in the additional problem of locals shopping outside the area, or those that never leave the comfort of their own home and spend hundreds of dollars with a click of the mouse on their computer.
In some ways, I get it. You are just trying to get the best deal, find a greater selection and keep the costs lower for you and your family, but at what cost to your community?
Check out our local shops and restaurants. You will find our local businesses offer a great selection with competitive pricing and quality that’s second-to-none, local experts with product knowledge you won’t find online, plus home-grown customer service. Then, Think Local First throughout the year.
In addition to the vital economy we all want, there are other benefits to shopping locally. Most business owners:
• Live here and have a vested interest in the overall well-being of our community;
• Donate to local charities, sports teams, non-profit groups and housing initiatives;
• Volunteer and actively contribute to getting things done.
It’s a shame that every year some local businesses disappear because they are unable to balance the revenue-expense challenge. With a more concerted effort to shop locally, it’s possible some of these businesses could have survived, and the overall health of our community that much better off.
How do we make shopping locally a habit rather than an idea? The best place to start as business owners is to ensure that we are providing the products our customers want, at a competitive price, with excellent customer service. We need to adopt a Think Local First attitude. We have wonderful retail, accommodation, dining, and service providers in the Nelson area. If you find what you want locally, buy it here!
Nelson Chamber’s 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway!
The holidays are here, and we’re giving back to thank you for supporting local businesses! From Dec. 2-13, we’re giving away $1,200 in local gift certificates — that’s $100 daily to the local business of your choice! For details on how to enter, visit our Facebook page.
On Friday, Dec. 6, and the following Friday the 13th, many downtown merchants will be hosting a Late-Night Date Night with extended shopping hours.
Do yourself, your community and our West Kootenay region a favour this year and Think Local First.
Tom Thomson is executive director of the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce.
