Red Deer’s shop local campaign #LoveLocalRD is reminding shoppers to take a look at what local businesses have to offer.
Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce launched the campaign in September to raise awareness about Red Deer businesses in advance of the holiday shopping season.
“The feedback from the businesses participating has been great. It’s drawing people into the stores. It’s getting their attention. It’s creating awareness about the people and families that run these small businesses,” said Reg Warkentin, the chamber’s policy and government affairs manager.
“People want to support people.”
He said the chamber has distributed hundreds of #LoveLocalRD kits to businesses. There are online contests, and some businesses are also doing TikTok videos to show off their products, services and more.
“It’s about telling the story about who’s running the business, who they are, what they stand for.”
Related:
Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce launches #LoveLocalRD
He said consumer spending has remained strong, but there’s a lot of trepidation about another COVID-19 wave. This campaign can help instill consumer confidence.
“We just have to support our community and keep coming together and help each other out until we’re finally through this pandemic.”
He said #LoveLocalRD will likely run through February. Businesses will be asked to share their experiences to determine the campaign’s impact.
Warkentin said the last shop local campaign was in 2008 following the economic downturn and it did help bump up sales. Retail has changed a lot since then. Now there’s a greater focus on social media and more competition from online giants like Amazon.
“Obviously it’s very, very easy to shop online. It’s actually pretty easy to shop local too. It’s a great experience.”
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Canadians to spend big on holidays, return to shopping malls, multiple surveys find
Funding for the shop local campaign came from a partnership between Alberta Chambers of Commerce and the Federal Ministry of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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