Troy Shantz
Shoppers who visit a local business to try on or ask about a product but then buy it online are unwittingly hurting their own community, local storeowners say.
It’s known as “showrooming” and at least 60% of independent retailers say they’ve experienced it, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses.
One of them is Trent Rogers, whose Future Pastimes store on Lochiel Street is a second home for collectors and gamers.
“A few can be pretty thoughtless and blatant, taking pictures of an item and openly speculating about how much cheaper they’ll be able to find it online,” he said.
“I certainly don’t begrudge people wanting to get a deal, as long as they understand how buying local and supporting small business is good for the community.”
In a recent CFIB poll, 55% of consumers said they engage in showrooming, with 18- to 34-year-olds more likely than older consumers to showroom shop.
“They might not be aware that they’re not just taking away a sale – they’re taking money away from their neighbourhoods,” said Dan Kelly, CFIB’s president.
“These are the shops that support local kids’ hockey teams or donate to the community foodbank every Christmas,” he said.
Local owners want to help and share their expertise, he added, but their rent, property taxes and employees need to be paid.
“Ultimately, when consumers take up the time of local retailers but spend their money elsewhere, it’s our communities that suffer,” he said.
The co-owners of Cheeky Monkey record store in downtown Sarnia are familiar with showroom shoppers.
“They come to pick our brains, but they don’t give us the business. In our case, sometimes they don’t know the name of the song, they just know some of the words,” said Mary Anne Peloza.
The perception is that goods are cheaper online but that’s not always true because of shipping costs and need for follow-up service, she said.
“We’re here in the community, we try to give back to the community,” added husband Roland Peloza.
“Sometimes we win, sometimes we don’t win. That’s the nature of the beast.”
The Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce is also urging residents to shop local this holiday season.
“We encourage everyone to look right here at home. This is what growing your community is all about,” the chamber stated in a recent release.