Just in time for Christmas: Local holiday business boosted by lower CDN dollar
By Suzy Hamilton
Now if it would just snow some more, one problem would be solved.
“You know, people say, ‘as soon as it starts snowing, I’ll go shopping,’” said Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce executive director Tom Thomson.
But a random sampling of downtown Nelson businesses has shown that people are well into the holiday spirit, with sales holding steady or up for Christmas 2014.
And a big factor is that the lure of cross border shopping has lost some of its luster with the Canadian dollar devalued in the US by as much as 20 percent after bank fees.
Even purchases on line are more expensive when the lower dollar, shipping fees and duties are considered, said Mallard Sports owner Dale Donaldson.
“Our business is up again this year,” he said. “A hoodie may cost $42 on line, but by the time it gets here, we’re cheaper. I know for sure we’re competitive.”
Donaldson makes sure that his big ticket items such as hockey gear and ski equipment are priced attractively by constant internet attention, he said.
“If we have the chance, we’ll for the most part, get the sale.”
The falling dollar can work the other way, for the retailer, though, Mountain Baby owner Judith Banfield pointed out.
“Purchases made in the US 90 days ago cost me much more to pay off now,” she said. “That increase has got to get passed on somewhere.”
Banfield spends more than an average amount of time and money on marketing, she said.
“People are beginning to appreciate this town. I think the shopping here is phenomenal, well chosen and well made.”
For example, Banfield has developed a small but significant on-line business selling hard to find items such as the Salus kids’ life jacket made in Canada. Or the lead free fishing rod it took her three years to find.
Internet shopping is not all it’s cracked up to be, said Ted Allen Jewelry store owner Justin Pelant. “ I see a lot more internet purchases coming in for repairs,” he said.
“The buy local campaign is doing a great job for the community in letting people know the benefits of shopping local.”
Customer service, gifts to local charities, the hospital, and sports groups are benefits the community receives when it keeps the dollar home, he said.
The same goes for the customer appreciation day held on November 29, said Thomson. “It was quite positive for a majority of businesses.”
But then there’s the snow, or lack thereof.
“People aren’t writing off the winter by any means,” said Hume Hotel owner Ryan Martin. “We’re certainly not crying the blues. We’re sold out for December 29-31 and we’re seeing more US cash in the till.”
Canadian winter vacations cost the American less and Martin said he makes a point of thanking his US customers for spending their vacation dollars at the Hume.
Of course, if it’s a low snow year, “it will affect the whole community,” as Adventure Hotel owner Rob Little commented.
“It’s really too early to tell for us, but all of the snow cat operations are already booked out. Our bookings tend to come in after Christmas.”
But with successful Christmas parties under their belt, “we’re very pleased with December so far.”
Added Thomson, “Nelson and area are doing a good job of being as sustainable as possible. We do a pretty good job. The business community is getting a lot better at not being priced out of the game. Customer service is a top priority.”
