Local outlets need your dollars like never before
We’re asking shoppers to readjust ... and give the folks in your neighbourhood a hand.
This week, Atlantic Canadian small businesses are faced with a new round of restrictions due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. Each of the provinces have taken a slightly different approach; Nova Scotia with measured sectoral and geographic restrictions, New Brunswick using broader colourcoded measures, while Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island have opted out of the Atlantic Bubble.
Certainly, we can take some solace in the fact that until now, we've collectively been able to keep a lid on infection rates, but the surge in the last week or so has resulted in the imposition of new restrictions on business. We can be grateful the ill-considered actions in other provinces are not being rolled out here.
As Canada's largest small-business association, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) believes there are some important principles provincial governments must apply when deliberating on their lockdown measures and the fate of independent firms.
It is essential governments continue to make public the data that support the decision to lock down the sectors subjected to these orders. The stakes are very high and business owners must understand why these decisions are being taken. As Nova Scotia has done, within the scope of public health criteria, if people can be served safely, all firms should be able to continue to serve customers in their businesses, even with restrictions.
There must be a level playing field between small and larger players. For example, allowing Superstore to sell flowers while shutting down an independent florist makes no sense. The same can be said for clothing stores, kitchenware, shoe stores or any other outlet where products and services are the same. If small restaurants can serve inside in limited capacity safely, and if they choose to open, it's reasonable to allow them to do so, provided public health protocols are adhered to.
If we do end up in a situation where a full lockdown is required of some small firms, ensure there is full compensation for businesses required to shut down a second time.
We're pleased that Nova Scotia didn't go the route of a full retail shutdown like Ontario and Manitoba or create an unlevel playing field between small and large. These new measures will deeply hurt many businesses at their most critical time. Many will be pushed over the edge, as they are already severely weakened, and the holiday season is very often the determining factor in a business's success or failure for the year.
While the government carries a huge responsibility for the fate of small business during this pandemic, so, too, do all consumers. Think for a moment how, and more importantly, where you'll be making your discretionary purchases. In the spirit of every problem being an opportunity, this may be a very good time to collectively shift our thinking on our normal rituals.
Over the past months, small firms have been readjusting their business models to serve their customers while keeping them safe. Many have upped their digital game, improved their online presence, developed curbside options, created or updated e-commerce platforms in an effort to stay afloat.
Local businesses, more than ever before, are requiring a healthy dose of conscious consumerism to take hold. As an organization representing some of the hardest hit of our small businesses, CFIB is actively stressing the importance of shopping local through our #smallbusinesseveryday campaign and our annual Small Business Saturday. Our goal is to focus attention on the businesses that are depending on spending in the leadup to the holidays to help them through what promises to be a very difficult winter.
Costco, Loblaws and Amazon are doing just fine — in some cases, they've seen record sales numbers. That's not the case for smaller retailers, which had to lay off staff or are just holding on thanks to wage and rent subsidies or other government programs, and are now facing another round of restrictions.
We're asking shoppers to readjust, or pivot (if you will), and give the folks in your neighbourhood a hand. Restaurants have been bending over backward to ensure people are safe, and with the lowest infection rates — in the world — we are encouraging people to, if possible in your locale, go out for a meal or patronize a local shop.
If you're vulnerable or just unsettled about in-person shopping, check to see if a local operator can provide your needs online by exploring the local service ads that pop up in your Google searches. Many businesses have adapted over the past months to make local shopping and delivery more convenient.
By any measure, we are very fortunate to be living where we do. By continuing to be vigilant about our public health protocols and by supporting local businesses, we can all get through this together. On Nov. 28th, remember it's Small Business Saturday ... in fact, it's #SmallbusinesseveryDay.