With the holiday season around the corner in the midst of a global pandemic, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to keep supporting local businesses as they start to think about Christmas purchases.
Dan Rogers, the chamber91裸聊视频檚 executive director, said small businesses are feeling nervous and anxious as Black Friday and the holiday season roll around.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a combination of the impact of the pandemic over most of the past year, the fact that margins are always pretty tight and there are questions as to how much people will be spending this winter and exactly where they91裸聊视频檒l be spending that money,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淲ill people stay home and shop online with big retailers from the U.S.? Or will they look at investing their money locally?91裸聊视频�
He said the chamber is concerned that residents will want to shop online and internationally as Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals come up, which is why they91裸聊视频檙e working on their messaging and campaigns to encourage more residents to keep supporting small local businesses.
91裸聊视频淓ven if you91裸聊视频檙e online, look for a local option91裸聊视频� there91裸聊视频檚 a tremendous amount of value if you look to shop locally because that puts money into local business owners, which enables them to employ locals who could be your next-door neighbour. That money puts food on the table at a critical time.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淚t creates employment and economic wealth that helps keep the community going so now more than ever, it91裸聊视频檚 important that people think about where they91裸聊视频檙e spending their money whether they91裸聊视频檙e buying online or looking to do something in person,91裸聊视频� he said.
Rogers added this can mean buying gift certificates to local retailers and restaurants as a holiday present for a loved one or even checking up on owners and asking what you can do to help them.
He said that overall, the pandemic has produced a mixed bag of results for small businesses in Kelowna.
91裸聊视频淭here are two sides to this coin. Some businesses continue to struggle, some more than others depending on the sector they91裸聊视频檙e in. But we91裸聊视频檙e also seeing some great stories of resilience,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淪ome of them have reshaped their businesses and their business models, adjusting how they engage with their customers in a very rapid fashion. They91裸聊视频檝e stepped up to the plate and are hitting it out of the ballpark.91裸聊视频�
For a directory of Kelowna businesses, their hours of operation as well as online purchasing options, visit .
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