Why shopping local matters on Black Friday

TORONTO, Nov. 25 /CNW/ - On the eve of 'Black Friday' in the United States, some Canadians may be thinking of heading south of the border to take advantage of sales and promotions. A number of Canadian retailers are getting in on the action themselves, offering deals of their own to keep those shopping dollars here at home.

Consumers across Canada may ask themselves why they should spend their money locally - here are just a few examples of why shopping local matters:

Canadian retailers are a vital part of the economy of your town. More than 10 per cent of the workers in your community work in retail, and their jobs depend on your purchases. Fewer sales mean fewer hours of work available for your neighbours, including young people looking for the work experience that provides them with valuable career skills. 

Canadian retailers are at the heart of your community. Merchants of all sizes donate a significant portion of their revenues to local non-profit groups, sports teams, cultural activities and other important causes. Fewer sales mean less support for the people and causes in our communities that need it the most.

Our taxes support public services. Taxes are never a popular subject, but the fact is the taxes collected and paid by retailers - both in the form of sales taxes and their own corporate taxes - are a significant source of revenue for all levels of governments, which use that revenue to help pay for health care, education, road repairs, and a host of other services we all use every day.

After-sales service and warranties are easier. Some products may require installation or service once you bring it home. Other products, like electronic items or appliances, come with a warranty. In both cases, your local merchant is just around the corner if anything happens to go wrong.

Returns are more convenient. Wrong size? Wrong colour? Bought two of the same thing? A local merchant can more likely handle any of these issues with ease, compared to the time and effort it would take to bring the item back to an out-of-country retailer.

Different countries have different standards. While countries have made great strides in harmonizing standards, you can't be completely sure you are getting exactly the same thing when you buy products abroad. Buying at home from retailers you trust ensures you get exactly what you expect and minimizes the chances of buying defective or unsuitable products.

About Retail Council of Canada
Retail Council of Canada (RCC) has been the Voice of Retail in Canada since 1963. We speak for an industry that touches the daily lives of Canadians in every corner of the country — by providing jobs, career opportunities, and by investing in the communities we serve. RCC is a not-for-profit, industry-funded association representing more than 43,000 store fronts of all retail formats across Canada, including department, specialty, discount, and independent stores, and online merchants. RCC is a strong advocate for retailing in Canada and works with all levels of government and other stakeholders to support employment growth and career opportunities in retail, to promote and sustain retail investments in communities from coast-to-coast, and to enhance consumer choice and industry competitiveness. RCC also provides its members with a full range of services and programs including education and training, benchmarking and best practices, networking, advocacy, and industry information.

For further information:

contact Mark Beazley at [email protected] or 416-922-0553 ext. 228