BC retailers band together for 2nd annual ‘Buy Local Week’
Posted December 2, 2013 7:20 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LOWER MAINLAND (NEWS1130) – Businesses in the Lower Mainland and across BC are banding together to combat competition across the border and online.
Buy Local Week kicks off today; it’s the second year of the event and founder Amy Robinson says the push is more important than ever.
“Absolutely, it comes on the heels of Black Friday, where the US deals try to lure shoppers out of our communities and also starts off the holiday shopping season when the average Canadian spends about $1,400 on travel, meals, food, gifts and alcohol.”
She tells us while many of us understand why buying locally-sourced food is important, there’s still a disconnect when it comes to supporting local businesses.
“Retailers are increasing feeling pressure from US retailers who are coming and establishing a presence in Canada and so they’re having to compete against big retailers with big marketing dollars that don’t circulate as much wealth in our economy.”
Robinson adds every one per cent increase in local shopping translates into more than 3,000 new jobs and $94 million in wages.
“Buy Local Week” events are on across BC, including “Mob the Drive” on Vancouver’s Commercial Drive and “Light Up the Heights” in Burnaby, both happening this Saturday.
