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As the holiday season accelerates into full swing, local businesses hope to avoid ringing in the New Year with rental signs hanging from shop windows by encouraging shoppers to spend their dollars in the shop around the corner.
While December is normally the time of year when many small businesses are able to go from breaking even to making a profit, business groups warn that they are simply trying to survive this year.
We are asking consumers to really make an informed choice this year to shop small because department stores and online giants are doing well.– Laura Jones, executive vice president, Canadian Federation of Independent Business
“Without a doubt, they are concerned,” said Nathalie Carrier, executive director of Vanier BIA.
“There is stress. No one is watching a bright Christmas. Everyone is just hoping to make it and have a business when the vaccine arrives.”
1 in 7 businesses are expected to close
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has launched its Small Business Saturday campaign, which will take place this weekend on Black Friday and Cyber Monday to encourage people to shop locally.
“It’s a time of year when consumers can sometimes default almost automatically without thinking about department stores and online giants like Amazon,” said Laura Jones, executive vice president of the CFIB. “And we’re asking consumers to really make a conscious choice this year to shop small because the department stores and online giants are doing well.”
Molly van der Schee, owner of The Village Quire in Westboro, says that the work of a small business also tends to mix with her personal life. 0:57
Troubled spots are the small street shops that may not survive without a lively Christmas season.
“It’s your local dealer, your local restaurant, your local independent business that’s struggling and going through a really tough time,” Jones said. “If we don’t support them today, they won’t be with us tomorrow.”
The organization estimates that in seven independent companies across Canada are at risk of closing their doors due to the pandemic.
Many of these businesses aren’t brand new, but ones that have been around for decades, even generations, he said.
“These are still very, very difficult times. I mean, 2020 has been a year that we hear from our Ottawa members has been more difficult for many of them than any other year they have ever experienced in business.”
Besides the holidays also a concern
Small businesses expecting to get through the holiday season are also worried about what January will bring.
“Christmas will be fine – sales are always good at Christmas for me,” said Molly van der Schee, owner of niche gift and card shop, The Village Quire. “My real concern came in January and February, when it’s already slow in the store and what’s more I can’t get the product into the store.”
Nathalie Carrier, executive director of Vanier BIA, calls on residents to support local businesses during the holiday season to help those stores stay afloat during the pandemic. 0:48
What she is worried about is making ends meet early next year, especially as overseas supply problems have meant a dwindling inventory.
Even now, van der Schee is running low on inventory, although he said his customers understand.
“My customers are very forgiving. They want to see me succeed. They want the store to succeed.”
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