Home is where the shopping is
Posted Dec 8, 2010 05:11:04 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Local businesses can expect a holiday boost from stay-at-home shoppers.
According to a new survey by BMO, 50 per cent of Canadians plan to support local businesses in their holiday gift buying while 44 per cent claim to prefer the independent or boutique store experience.
“When people come to Uptown Waterloo, our independent businesses certainly go that extra mile to not only welcome them but keep them and make sure they’re reciprocal customers,” says Patti Brooks, Executive Director of the Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area, in explaining the appeal of the local shopping experience.
Both the Uptown Waterloo BIA and Kitchener’s Downtown BIA have offered or are offering similar programs to attract shoppers to the core for Christmas. Some are incentive programs while others are entertainment and attractions designed to create a unique shopping experience.
In both areas, it appears to be working.
“We’ve seen a shift of people preferring to shop local and inserting a little more personal values into where they spend their money,” notes Erin Young, Retail Recruiter for the Downtown Kitchener BIA and also co-owner of Inception Clothing in the core.
“Anytime there’s that much focus on local and independent business, it’s a great thing for the downtown,” she adds, in reference to the BMO survey. “That’s what we are. That’s who we are.”
The survey also found customer service was the top influencer when deciding where to shop, followed by giveaways, new products and loyalty programs.
