Calgarians shop local for the holidays amid supply chain issues, online delivery delays

Amid global supply chain issues and uncertainties around getting online order deliveries on time, Calgarians — heading into their second holiday season of the pandemic — are shopping earlier and more locally to ensure their stockings are full for Christmas.

That's according to a number of independent businesses in Calgary who say they've been extremely busy over the past couple of months.

"We certainly had a really good uptake in our online orders and our in-person shopping because of that," said Susan Hare, owner of Calgary's oldest independent bookstore, Owl's Nest Books.

Maureen Reid, owner of Reid's, says November and December have been very busy months for the stationery store.

She says not only are people shopping earlier this year because of warnings that supply chain issues may cause empty shelves closer to Christmas, but Calgarians are well-educated and more understanding about the issues.

"It's been brought up in the media so much that if you say, 'I'm sorry, I don't think we can get it before Christmas,' or 'We haven't been shipped that product,' they understand. They know the reasons behind it," said Reid.

Hare says the bookstore started letting people know about the issue in the early fall, when publishers warned vendors it was going to be a challenge — and that communication has paid off.

The importance of supporting local businesses is a message sent to Calgarians by the City of Calgary each holiday season.

For every $100 spent locally, $58 stays in Calgary's economy, according to the city. So spending at local shops and restaurants keeps money in Calgarians' pockets.

Local shops affected by B.C. road closures

CBC News reported last month that Albertans could face significant problems getting goods in and out of the province in the weeks and months ahead after flooding and landslides in southern British Columbia cut off highways and disrupted rail lines.

This has hit independent businesses in Calgary.

"The biggest issue we've had is the situation in B.C.," said Hare.

The bookstore hasn't received products from one of its suppliers in B.C. for three weeks. Hare says she used to get them every five to seven business days.

Jennifer Leblond, owner of Steeling Home on 17th Avenue S.W., says that many of the store's local suppliers are also struggling to get certain items, such as products to make candles.

"A lot of our suppliers do come from the coast, and with the road being gone, eroded, it's taking a little bit longer. There's more problems. So that's creating some issues," said Leblond.

Barbara Mackenzie, owner of Piece on Peace, an independent boutique in Spruce Cliff, is in the same boat.

"The issue is that even when you're working with all these local artists that we showcase in our store, there may be supplies that they're not getting for them to do their job," said Mackenzie. "And that's where we're all connected to everything."

Online orders at local shops picking up

While there may be uncertainties about online orders from big box retailers arriving on time for the holidays, local shops say their online stores are only getting busier.

"We always had an online presence, but now it's definitely, I would say, a cornerstone of our business as opposed to being an accessory," said Leblond.

Steeling Home's online delivery service, which was originally created to alleviate congestion in the store, is also well-loved within the city, says Leblond.

Before the pandemic, Hare says, 99 per cent of customers were ordering books in store, with an occasional person from overseas ordering a gift online.

"Now, I would say it's about a 60/40 split [with] 60 per cent in-store shopping and 40 per cent online."

Helping small businesses stay afloat

Hare says if retailers have a poor fourth quarter — from October to December — chances are they won't make it into the next year.

This is why the business community says it's especially important to support local businesses during these months.

Mackenzie says it's one way to stimulate Calgary's economy.

"When you support local, you're supporting staffing, you're supporting artists," said Mackenzie. "It's a great cycle. When you're supporting local, you're supporting your community."