Small independent shops do a large chunk of their yearly business during the three weeks leading up to Christmas . According to Statistics Canada , 15,000 new businesses will have opened their doors in 2016 , but a little over 20 per cent will be closed before their first year anniversary . A successful holiday season could be the determining factor .
A popular internet meme says “ for every $ 100 spent locally , $ 68 goes back to the local economy .” Another meme explains what difference the money makes for the owners of small businesses . “ When you buy from a mom or pop business , you are not helping a CEO buy a third vacation home . You are helping a little girl get dance lessons , a little boy get his team jersey , a mom or dad put food on the table , a family pay a mortgage , or a student pay for college . Our customers are our shareholders and they are the ones we strive to make happy .”
People who shop local are supporting the neighbourhoods in which they live . “ I think the people that prefer to shop local have conscientious shopping mindsets , and like giving back to the community ,” said Gail Rock , manager at Ten Thousand Villages in Walkerville . “ It helps them to feel good about the gift they are giving .”
New customers may discover what dedicated long term customers already know - local business owners take the time to get to know their customers . Casa Chavela , in downtown Windsor , celebrated its 30th anniversary last year . Owner Liz Munsterhjelm is familiar with her customers and what in particular they may be looking for .
“ There is a gentlemen who lives in Toronto who comes to the store before the holidays to pick up his gifts ,” said Munsterhjelm . “ He used to live in Windsor , and would come into the store to buy gifts then .”
That kind of dedication is important to Munsterhjelm , since she ’ s a sole proprietor and works most of the hours herself . She has the opportunity to get to know her clientele and their particular needs . Even though it takes extra time , she interacts with her customers from ‘ Hello , can I help you find something ?’ to ‘ Have a great day .’ And waiting time is nothing like a jam-packed big box store . “ I have some customers who come into the store and don ’ t mind waiting for 20 minutes before checking out , because there is such a line at the chain store ,” said Munsterhjelm .
David Calsavara , a resident of Windsor-Essex and avid shopper , agreed that having the opportunity to interact with staff and other clients is something that people are looking for while shopping . “ It ' s more of a one on one experience when you shop in a smaller store ,” said Calsavara . “ You get to talk with the people in the store .”
People don ’ t always realize the impact big stores have on boutique and specialty vendors when it comes to shopping . “ For things like price cutting , people don ’ t realize what it does to the producers and the workers ,” said Rock . Small vendors can ’ t make up for discounts by selling in large volume or offering loss leaders ( rock bottom prices on a few popular items to entice you into the store ).
And it ' s not just price cutting that affects small businesses . Extended hours by big box or franchised stores can make business owners want to compete and stay open longer . It is often the
The holiday season can make or break a small locally-owned business