Don’t worry, B.C. snow won’t impact last-minute shopping: Retail sector
Posted December 20, 2022 4:59 pm.
Last Updated December 20, 2022 5:00 pm.
While a dump of snow has made getting around B.C. difficult, it’s not anticipated to impact any last-minute holiday shopping plans, according to the retail sector.
Greg Wilson with the Retail Council of Canada in B.C. says stores won’t be challenged much by the conditions, but shoppers may have more issues.
“Obviously there will be people who will have to delay their shopping plans a day or two so that will have an impact,” he told CityNews.
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“We encourage patience on the days — whether it’s Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday — that people get back to shopping.”
Unlike other past weather events that have impacted supply chains in B.C., Wilson says this snow event will have a shorter-term impact.
“It likely doesn’t create much of a challenge. It creates a one-day challenge for people to get items to stores. It’s likely that major highways and major roads will be clean well within 24 hours,” he said.
Wilson notes that in the leadup to the blast of snow, some stores were seeing an increase in business.
“Neighbourhood grocery stores and pharmacies are actually busier because people go to stock up on essentials, worried about the snow storm,” he explained. “So I would encourage people to just remember that stores will be open tomorrow and the following days so there’s no need to panic.”
However, some essential items like road salt, Wilson says, may be harder to find.
While stores may not be impacted by the snow, there may be some delays in packages being delivered to people’s homes.
Canada Post has suspended mail delivery for Metro Vancouver, South Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley due to inclement weather.
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Up to 20 centimetres of snow blanketed the Lower Mainland Tuesday, with temperatures set to plunge heading into Wednesday.
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