Christmas shopping in B.C.: retail spending here up as loonie continues dive
Positive impact of lower Canadian dollar is a 'dramatic' fall off of cross-border shopping
B.C leads the country in retail spending and businesses in the province say they're reaping the rewards as many consumers are staying in Canada this year to do their Christmas shopping.
"It's always busy, but the last couple of years have been even busier," said Deborah McVittie who owns 32 Books and Gallery, an independent store in North Vancouver's Edgemont Village, which has seen sales rise by 20 per cent in 2015.
- Canadian debt loads increasing
- Cross-border shopping down 28 per cent since 2013
- Canadians own $1.88 trillion
- Victoria tourism boom from weak loonie
Local customer Joanne Maurer spent Saturday handing out roses to businesses like 32 Books because she believes small operators like McVittie give the best service.
"I shop here all the time and I decided to take a rose to everyone here who has given me such good service here year after year, day after day," she said.
"People want to connect to people," said McVittie. "Not only do we read the books we sell, we know peoples' names, we'll give your dog a treat and play with your kids."
Consumer confidence
The Retail Council of Canada says all the love is part of a trend towards high consumer confidence.
It says despite the sinking loonie — which has dropped 17 per cent against the U.S. dollar since January — people like Maurer feel good about life, and the economic outlook in Canada.
"The positive impact of the lower Canadian dollar is that there's a dramatic fall off of cross border shopping," said Mark Startup with the Retail Council of Canada.
"Consumers are confident for the future, that they'll remain employed, that there may be an increase in earnings, that translates into more confidence consuming the goods that people want and need."
Deborah McVittie believes the recent change in the federal government may be behind many peoples' sunny outlook for the country.
Nonetheless, Startup says B.C. is leading the country in retail spending, which is up seven per cent compared to this time last year while most businesses are reporting higher earnings for the first two weeks of December.
It's all good news for people like Marlene Tate who owns a local home decor shop.
"Our customers used to come in in strollers as babies, now they're coming in as 20-year-olds buying their Christmas ornaments as traditional things. [It's the] most amazing community support," she said.