WebStamp January 15, 2020
Energizing Local Commerce
There are many reasons why Calgary’s economy has been faltering for the last several years. It began with a recession that crippled the oil industry, followed by rising wages, higher unemployment and rising taxes. The convenience of online shopping has reduced the number of customers visiting local businesses. Fewer customers make it harder for local Small and Medium Businesses (SMB) to survive.
The World Wide Web (WWW) has changed the way people shop. In the past, people had to venture forth to local businesses to purchase the items they wanted or needed. Each business had a unique set of items to choose from with many SMBs located locally in the neighbourhood. It is where people connected with their community and local businesses.
Today those purchases are made online and with our money leaving the city our local economy suffers. We still have a few areas in the city, like Inglewood and Kensington among others, that stimulate community participation and local commerce but they also are starting to suffer from the prolonged recession. In Bowness, the Bownesian Grocer is closing from a declining number of customers.
Many local businesses now have a website, so Calgarians should shop online from local businesses to keep our local economy strong. Purchasing from local merchants impacts the local economy three ways; Directly, Indirectly, and the induced impact. It directly affects the operation of local business including paying employees. Indirectly the business expense is then spent locally supporting more local SMBs. This induces additional local spending as incomes are spent.
There are now larger stores grouped together on the outskirts of neighbourhoods that have induced more time travelling and leaving less time for shopping. In the U.S. shopping-related driving in 2009 increased by 63%. No wonder people are shopping online. Join the Buy Local Movement to build a vibrant local economy preserving our unique independent businesses.
It is up to everyone to Energize the Local Economy. There are many benefits for Everyone from buying locally. You actually support yourself by creating a more stable and comfortable lifestyle for everyone. Make the M.A.D. Move and do your part in Making A Difference supporting local commerce.
Articles in this Issue
WebStamp January 15, 2020
References:
http://www.smallbusinessweekcalgary.com/about/why-small-business-matters/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/kensington-inglewood-business-vacancy-1.5374099
https://calgaryherald.com/business/local-business/calgary-businesses-to-governments-stop-piling-on
https://footnote.co/the-benefits-of-buying-local/
https://globalnews.ca/news/6385387/independent-calgary-grocer-potential-closure/