Small Business Saturday kicks off crucial season for B.C. retailers
Posted November 28, 2020 5:14 pm.
Last Updated November 28, 2020 5:18 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — On Small Business Saturday, a spokesperson for retailers in B.C. is saying shopping local this holiday season is crucial to ensuring businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Black Friday traditionally sees crowds flock to big-box retailers and Cyber Monday fuels online shopping, Saturday’s initiative shines a spotlight on independent, brick-and-mortar retailers.
Greg Wilson with the Retail Council of Western Canada says strong holiday sales could help small businesses rebound from losses seen during the pandemic, adding he estimates about 1,000 stores in B.C. have had to close so far.
“They’re relying on the upcoming holiday season for strong sales, that’s what keeps them through ordinary years and this year that’s particularly important,” he says.
“They’re depending on their regular customers and their communities to come and help support them right now.”
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He notes that surging numbers of COVID-19 cases in the province may make people wary of shopping, but says businesses have adapted to offer safe, socially distanced options.
“Most of them do have the ability to sell online, even where they don’t they do have the ability to do it by telephone, curb-side shopping, and delivery. So these are all options for people who want to patronize local businesses in their communities.”
The continued existence of small, local businesses doesn’t just benefit the people who own or work in them, according to Wilson.
“For people in various communities across the province, those small businesses on their main streets are important. They provide life and colour. They’re there when we’re running out to get something at the last minute and convenient,” he says.
“Small businesses, particularly small retail businesses provide excellent customer service. They can help you with the right fit, the right size, the right colour in a way that e-commerce, for example, can’t. That personal touch, that personal connection is important. It’s important to support those businesses so that they’re there when the pandemic is over.”
