Unlike their countrymen, British Columbians, touched by pessimism and attuned to the economic challenges of our times, aren’t expected to have high-spending spirits this holiday season, according to the B.C. Chamber of Commerce. On the contrary, John Winter, BCCC president and CEO, said a recent survey conducted by the chamber suggests British Columbians are playing it safe with their money amid the ongoing global financial downturn. His comments are in response to a BMO holiday outlook released Thursday predicting a 15-per-cent jump in holiday spending over last Christmas. “From what I’ve seen, I don’t think I could agree with that as far as B.C. is concerned,” said Winter. “I think people in B.C. are starting to recognize that there are problems around the world and I think there is an emerging sense of pessimism. I would think that we are probably in for, at best, a flat retail season." The Bank of Montreal’s 2012 Holiday Spending Outlook finds that survey respondents plan to spend an average of $1,610 this holiday season, up from $1,397 in 2011. Shoppers surveyed say they plan to shell out an average of $674 for gifts this year, compared to an average of $583 last year. The top reasons for spending more are having more people to shop for and being better off financially. Here in Port Alberni, with the Catalyst turnaround, new shops and businesses establishing up-town and in the old mall, a marked increase in capital construction around town, a great shop at home promotion underway and a general good feeling about the future, we believe that our Christmas will be a successful event.
Remember to pick up and use your Shop Alberni card as you gift shop this season. All participating merchants displaying “Shop Alberni” posters will have the cards. All merchants are listed on our website (avcoc.com) along with their discount offerings. Ann Marshall is the lucky winner of a $25.00 gift certificate for Treadsetters Shoes and Julie Martel has won the $25.00 gift certificate to Jiffy Lube.
With some great projects completed and more in the planning stages, the Port Alberni Port Authority is an exceedingly busy place. The Port’s new CEO, Zoran Knezevic, has graciously accepted an invitation to make a presentation to the business community at our next Networking Luncheon, Tuesday, Nov. 27th at the Hospitality Inn. This promises to be an interesting event, so reserve you seats now by calling our office: 724 6535.
Thought for the Week:
“Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency. Nothing is that important.” Natalie Goldberg
FROM THE MANAGER’S DESK
SUBMITTED BY MIKE CARTER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ALBERNI VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE