Canadian retailers are concerned about long weekend cross-border shopping

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Retailers are worried your cross-border shopping this weekend will hurt their bottom line. They’re also bracing for the situation to get worse once the amount you’re permitted to bring back is upped in June.

The new regulations, which go into effect June 1st, allow Canadian travellers to bring back $200 worth of goods per 24 hours visit across the border.

Shafiq Jamal with the Retail Council of Canada says this will make it very difficult to compete with US retailers.

“There are definitely deals to be had, look around,” he says. “From the independent retailer to the mid-to-large chain, they are offering you deals online, in-store.”

He says the federal government needs to level the playing field now by reducing and eliminating tariffs. He adds that retailers are also trying to get more creative in their distribution and marketing.

“They’re stepping up their e-commerce platform,” he explains. “E-commerce and mobile commerce are taking on new significance. Canadian retailers are striving to try and offer bigger value proposition.”

Jamal says shoppers check Canadian retail equivalents before crossing the border.

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