Denny Warner, Executive Director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
SAANICH PENINSULA – As the big online sellers roll out their campaigns earlier than ever to capture Christmas shoppers, it is important to counteract their big budget assaults and launch local campaigns to educate people about the amazing gift options that exist right here on the Saanich Peninsula.
Locals showed up #SaanPen strong early on in the pandemic but there is concern about the drift back to online sellers. The community is a huge loser in those transactions due to the multiplier effect from the dollars that aren’t then available to circulate locally.
The merchants that support local groups through their donations are unable to contribute to those worthy causes. Ultimately, we risk stores closing entirely and people losing their jobs. But beyond those contributions to our economic and social fabric, local businesses also have an important role as ambassadors of our community. It is their customers, local and from further afield, that create the buzz that makes this place thrive.
Staff here at the Chamber are likely more knowledgeable than most about what is available in the shops on the Saanich Peninsula but even we are only aware of a fraction of the merchandise and services on offer.
Each day merchants are bringing in new stock and revising their services to better meet the needs of their clients and customers. You can feel confident about shopping locally because of the quality of what is available and because you are supporting your neighbours’ survival and contributing to the well-being of our community.
We know more of you would shop locally if you were aware of all the surprising and interesting goods and services that are on offer.
To assist you with making more informed shopping decisions for Christmas and beyond, we plan to use our social media channels to showcase glimpses of the unique gift options available on the Saanich Peninsula. Stay tuned and stay true to local!
Denny Warner is the Executive Director at the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
