Local stores are promoting local shopping this holiday season by providing what large corporate stores in Calgary can’t: a unique and comfortable shopping experience right in town.
Although a struggling economy and layoffs are taking their toll on the residents in town and forcing them to spend less, they have still remained supportive of local businesses.
“People are buying less and sales are down this year,” said Claire Breeze, owner of the Kitchen Boutique located at 212 1st St W.
The Kitchen Boutique offers items such as bakeware, cooking tools, cookware, and knives.
Breeze has noticed her customers are focusing on buying “one big thing” this holiday season and skipping out on purchasing smaller “stocking-stuffer” items.
She’s not worried about competition in the city though, because she knows her store offers something that large corporate stores seem to be lacking.
“I find when I go to those big-box stores, there’s usually no one around to help you with your purchase,” said Breeze.
“When you come to my store, the chances are higher that you leave with the right item that you wanted.”
She also pointed out that when Cochrane residents shop locally, the money stays within the town and allows stores to “sponsor community events” and makes them “able to donate” to community initiatives.
Peggy Krol, owner of Traditions a Country Store at 222 1st St W, says business isn’t necessarily down for her, but she’s seeing a change in what people are purchasing.
Traditions a Country Store provides giftware and home décor.
She noticed that the community has still been “very supportive” in shopping local, with customers simply opting to “spend less” on gifts this year rather than buying something “high-end”.
“We can offer the same things that any store in Calgary can.”
She attributes the continued show of support from the community to the “small-town feeling” her store, along with others in the community, provide.
“We are much more festive and much nicer,” said Krol.
“People aren’t just numbers to us.”
For Cayley Breeze, owner of Bijou Clothing Co. at 320 1st St W, sales are down as customers are “cutting back” and “spending less.”
She combats this by offering sales and knowledgeable customer service – she ensures her employees are knowledgeable about the items she carries.
“We provide a tailored customer experience,” said Cayley.
She feels that when people shop locally they are “voting with dollars” to show what businesses they want to see in the area.
Her customers also recognize her store has multiple employees, so shopping there supports them as well.
Aaron King of Aaron E. King Goldsmith at 123 2nd Ave. W says although this holiday season has been “quieter” for his store, he and his wife Barbara Ann promote their business through “talking to people and networking” and using their “web presence.”
Aaron E. King Goldmith offers appraisals, custom-made jewelry, and repairs.
He still finds the community to be very supportive of local businesses during these hard times.
“The people that shop here do so because they want to shop locally.”
“We try to make it a fun and easy shopping experience here,” said Barbara Ann.
They pointed out the main challenge that all Cochrane stores are facing with people shopping in the city.
According to Aaron, Cochrane residents “who work in the city tend to shop in the city” out of convenience.
Most local stores are overcoming this challenge by making a shopping experience in their store a great one.
“We have to offer something that really appeals to people and make them want to shop here, which is a challenge for all of the merchants in town,” said Aaron.
“We keep it unique, keep it special, and make people feel comfortable shopping here.”
