NEWS PHOTO JALYCE THOMPSON Remember When is one of many locally owned and operated businesses in Medicine Hat that count on residents understanding the economic benefits to shopping local.
Independent businesses in Medicine Hat say local shopping during the Christmas holidays is beneficial for the community overall.
Store owners say they have been experiencing a decrease in foot traffic this Christmas, which they attribute to online shopping and the state of the economy.
They said it’s important for citizens to be reminded that local shopping keeps money in the city, and country. Small businesses encourage Hatters to stay local, not only during the holidays, but also year-round.
“Amazon is not paying for your local firefighters, or your police,” said Sandra Van Vliet, owner of Remember When Toys, and Engaging Minds. “It (online shopping) doesn’t pay for the up keep of the roads.”
Van Vliet and her business partner opened Remember When, and Engaging Minds, two years ago, and she said they use Canadian distributors to keep Canadians working. They also offer retro toys that encourage learning, which are not electronic.
When looking at the numbers, Van Vliet said this Christmas is slower than last, but her company is not the only one experiencing the slight downfall.
Hayley Watson, who’s been managing Kitchen Kaboodle for the past five years, says their sales, comparing this year to last, have decreased by 15 per cent, but they originally started noticing the mark decline in 2017.
“Another store is just competition, and it’s a healthy competition,” said Hayley. “What we are most worried about is the online sales because you cannot compete with online stores.”
Kitchen Kaboodle has had its business in Medicine Hat for 12 years, and Watson said eco-friendly kitchen products are slowly becoming a focus for them.
Although some businesses are experiencing a decrease, Cyclepath Sports’ El President, Greg Watson, said business has consistently risen throughout the years, and comparing this year to 2018, sales have increased by 15 per cent.
“Medicine Hat is becoming more active, the demographic is getting younger, and people want to be outside,” said Watson.
Watson said there should be more awareness to the effect on the economy when people do not shop locally.
“The biggest thing is supporting our tax base,” said Watson. “When you do not shop locally, you’re losing your own support through your government.”
Watson says he hopes the community pauses and reflects on why they should not shop online, and added the independently run store’s quality of service, products and pricing is better than what they can receive anywhere else.
Sandra Blyth, who is the director of economic development at city hall, said local businesses are the core of the community, and a future without them is not one at all.
“We’re not going to get new amenities here, or all the extra things the big cities have, if we don’t support our local businesses,” said Blyth.
Blyth said by keeping shopping local, Hatters are investing in their city, because their money recirculates within the community, and is not given to another economy.
“At the end of the day, if we want to be able to shop in our communities and have the amenities that we need in hand, it’s important to support our local businesses,” said Blyth.
