Local Community Advertising
With a North American trade war underway, there has been a growing trend of Canadians buying Canadian products, and grocers and retailers are using signage to point out local products to shoppers.
Among the local retailers to go out of their way to highlight made-in-Canada products is Kelowna’s Lakeview Market.
“We've had a couple of employees working pretty hard at reading labels and putting up little flags,” explained Lakeview Market owner Barb Hill.
“Our customers have asked us for it. They're asking all our employees all the time, 'where is this from?' So I think it's super helpful. We still carry a few products that aren't Canadian, but when you look at the shelves, it's just covered in Canadian flags. It makes me very happy.”
Hill added that customers have come up and thanked employees for taking the time to showcase products that are made in Canada.
And while in some areas it can be easier to stray away from a dependence on the US, other spots are proving to be a challenge.
“I think the hardest department would be the produce department,” said Hill.
“It's no surprise that…Canadians get a lot of their produce from America, California and Florida.”
But, the local grocery store owner did point out a new product that had arrived this week – locally grown lettuce from Okanagan Falls.
“I could probably go on forever, but if you buy local, you're supporting the people who live in your community,” said Hill when asked why someone should try and buy local.
“You're supporting the owners of that company that spend their money in that community, transportation costs...I could go on.”
Local Community Advertising