News Release
Buy Local campaign planned for Fredericton
October 13, 2009
Fredericton's business community is launching a Buy Local advertising campaign to try to entice Frederictonians to spend their Christmas shopping dollars at home.
The Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Fredericton Inc. and Business Fredericton North will promote the program through a campaign website at www.shoplocalfredericton.ca, as well as through radio advertising, prizes and other promotions.
Lee Winchester, president of the chamber of commerce, said by shopping at home, you're supporting the paycheques of a brother, a sister or a friend who are in the employ of a local retailer.
"Every time we make a choice to shop locally, we are helping our neighbours and our friends.
"Not only do these companies employ Frederictonians, they invest in new developments, in construction, equipment, parts and services," Winchester said.
Paul Elliott, president of Business Fredericton North, said buying local keeps your community unique and creates more local jobs.
Local businesses support community and charitable causes at home and it's also a more environmentally friendly way to shop, Elliott said.
Business Fredericton North launched its own shopping dollars program Oct. 1.
Similar to Downtown Fredericton Inc., which represents the southside business improvement area, the northside merchants organization will providing $10 or $20 denominations to spend at local firms.
The dollars can be purchased at the Business Fredericton North office at 235 Main St., from the Main Street Fredericton Home Hardware and the Canadian Tire at Two Nations Crossing.
Just prior to Christmas, the business group will put the trade dollars on sale at 80 cents on the dollar.
The time and location will be announced at a later date, Elliott said.
David Traboulsee, president of Downtown Fredericton Inc. and president of T and H Ventures Ltd., which owns River Valley Footwear in Fredericton and The County Cobbler in Miramichi, said shopping local keeps local people employed.
"From now to Christmas in retail, this is when we make our money," Traboulsee said. "As a retailer, we're always watching the marketplace to make sure we're competitive."
With the Canadian and U.S. currencies moving closer to parity, there may be a temptation to head south of the border to shop, but Traboulsee said shoppers should check out prices at home and avoid paying duty.
"People tend to have the habit of going across the border or going out of town at Christmas time. If they kept their money in their community, then that money will stay in that community."
It's like recycling your money, he said.
"If you keep a dollar in your community, it will go onto the next retailer," Traboulsee said. "Once your dollar leaves your community, it's not coming back."
Southside merchants have a downtown dollar program and in December, Downtown Fredericton Inc. plans to do a dollar drop, plus coupons at a location and time to be identified.
Traboulsee said he doesn't see the Buy Local program as Canadian protectionism.
"As a retailer, if I'm not competitive, I don't blame you for going somewhere else," Traboulsee said.
"If we're competitive, why not buy at home, because we'll save you shipping, we'll save you the gas and save you the ease of returns, and if you can find it here, give it a chance here."
Winchester said promoting Buy Local isn't the same as protectionism.
Many local companies in the Fredericton area are continuing to import or export to and from the United States.
"If people chose to go because of the dollar to find some bargains, we're not against that," said Winchester.
"We're just asking people to say, you know, next time you make a purchasing decision, think about the impact that purchase can make in terms of how it's going to impact your family, your friends and your neighbours, who may work here in Fredericton and have a business here."
Elliott said businesses, both south and north of the St. John River, are enthused about the marketing effort and more are joining the Buy Local promotion.