With unprecedented Christmas shopping season ahead, Victoria retailers trying to adapt

Forget Black Friday. For many Wednesday’s Amazon Prime Day has become the official start of the Christmas shopping season.

With mega-retailers like Amazon and Walmart looking to capture the attention of those shopping from the safety of their homes during the pandemic, Vancouver Island businesses aren’t planning to just sit back and watch.

“We’re representing 70 artists predominately from Vancouver Island and B.C.,” said Shi Studio owner Cory Judge.

Judge and some fellow artisans knew early on that Christmas craft fairs would likely be cancelled during the pandemic, and that poses a serious problem.

“The Christmas season for most artisans in Canada represents about 80 per cent of all revenue for the whole year,” Judge said.

So the trio has launched the Market Collective by Shi Studio in Victoria’s Bay Centre shopping mall to give those artists a chance to sell their jewelry, clothing, and food products and give shoppers a chance to find them.

“Right now, of all, is the time where we’re really going to need to be conscious about making the choices that sustain Canada and B.C. and Victoria,” said Judge.

Others, like those who run the Sidney Street Market, have put their Christmas craft fair online this year for the first time.

At Oscar and Libby’s gift shop in downtown Victoria people have already started their Christmas shopping and for the first time, they can also do it online with free local delivery on orders over $25.

“We never thought we would have that, but here we are in 2020 and the response has been great,” said manager Leah Davies.

READ MORE: Local businesses switch to online shops to stay afloat during COVID-19 pandemic

But while there’s no question many people will choose to shop online this year, Davies says she’s finding a surprising number of people, who’ve been stuck at home, wanting to get out.

“People were so excited to get back out and talk to people and see things and just get a change of scenery,” she said.

In these unprecedented times, many admit the months ahead will be unpredictable but with so many local businesses relying on this Christmas season to survive, they’re hoping the lure of “local” will keep shoppers close to home.

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