The BWA’s tips to support local businesses and show your Canadian Pride

In our last post, we explored how shopping locally is an effective way to support the Canadian economy in the face of U.S. tariffs.

We’re action-oriented people though – so let’s talk about practical things that business owners and shoppers can do to ensure they’re making choices that genuinely strengthen the Canadian economy.

Share it with your friends and family – let’s make sure Proudly Canadian Owned is a kitchen-table discussion!

Out with the old, in with the new: Give local businesses a leg up by buying old U.S.-made goods

Running a local business usually means carrying inventory that is purchased several months in advance. That’s true for many sectors – from bakeries & restaurants, to retailers & wholesalers, to manufacturers. Even a beauty salon carries inventory of hair products – some of which were bought from U.S. suppliers months ago.

Boycotting US-made goods immediately prevents these companies from selling down their old stock – meaning they can’t make the revenue to buy new stock made outside the US.

It also leaves them with leftover dead stock, leading to a waste problem!

For shoppers, a better approach is to ask sales staff if they have U.S.-made stock they need to clear out.

For business owners, clearly sign older stock you want to clear, letting customers know that purchasing this helps the business transition to non-U.S. suppliers.

We have a sample signs you can download:

WEB | Proudly Canadian Owned | Website Footer Image

WEB | Proudly Canadian Owned | Help us Sell our American Stock

The painful bit: Made Canadian just costs more right now – and many shoppers are crunched

Prices have been rising across Canada (and the globe) for the past five years. Whether you’re buying groceries, filling up at the gas pump, or picking up a birthday present, you’ve likely done a double-take at a price increase.

As Canadian businesses shift away from U.S. suppliers or source more goods domestically, prices are likely to rise again.

Why? Scale. Canada’s production is much smaller than the U.S., meaning fewer customers to spread out fixed costs, so prices are higher. Businesses selling premium goods – like a luxury leather belt – might be somewhat shielded as their decisions are less based on price. But for businesses serving cost-conscious customers, even a small price increase can make or break a sale.

Shipping adds another challenge. Canada’s vast geography makes it expensive to move goods across the country. Imagine the fuel costs to transport a product from Victoria to Fredericton. Without subsidies, businesses pay full price for everything.

Then there’s labour. Many Canadian companies are committed to providing good jobs with better pay and benefits – a great thing for Canada’s economy, workers, and smart businesses focused on high productivity + retention – but it can increase the cost of goods sold.

A Retail Insider survey found that:

30% of Canadians would pay 6% more for Canadian-made goods.
24% would pay 2-5% more.
25% can’t afford any increase at all.

For businesses that serve price-sensitive customers, even a small price jump can make or break a sale. One strategy business can use to meet this challenge is launching a limited-run item or product line made in Canada, targeting shoppers who are able to afford the premium price tag.

This is a recommendation we made to Footprints on Muskoka who often source their products based on cost. For their customers, showing the price difference between Made in USA/Made in Canada highlights our generally higher employment standards while still catering to their core base of cost-conscious customers.

This way, customers who are trying to boycott U.S. goods can do so if their budget allows – and all of their customers learn that adopting this new shopping behaviour will probably be more expensive.

“With 25% tariffs on Canadian goods heading to the U.S., our businesses face new challenges at a time when a quarter of Canadians can’t afford any price increases. Ask your local business owners how you can help them during this transition.” – Liliana Locke, Knowledge Director

Shopping Locally supports a stronger Canada

If you’ve been following the BWA, you’ve heard us talk about the local multiplier effect – and for good reason.

When you spend money at a locally owned business, that dollar circulates 2 to 4 times more within the community than it would at a large chain. That’s because local businesses reinvest in wages, suppliers, and services close to home, strengthening neighbourhoods and creating jobs.

Here’s how that works in practice.

Spending at a Local Business Fuels the Local Economy by:

Paying workers who live in the community – keeping wages in local households.
Expanding payroll and creating more jobs as businesses grow.
Providing skills development and training that makes workers more productive, benefiting both the business and the economy.
Supporting local initiatives, donations, and community beautification projects.
Partnering with other local businesses for supplies and services, strengthening entire regional supply chains.
Keeping money circulating in the local economy, leading to thriving main streets, stronger neighbourhoods, and a healthier economic foundation.
Retaining experienced employees – which reduces turnover, improves customer service, and builds long-term stability.

Spending at Large Chains (Canadian or International) Mostly Flows Elsewhere:

Increasing returns for stockholders, many of whom are based outside of Canada.
Boosting private equity firm profits, often prioritizing short-term gains over local economic resilience.
Paying franchise fees, corporate overhead, and licensing costs that flow out of the community.
Driving executive salaries and bonuses, often disconnected from frontline worker performance or community well-being.
Maintaining aggressive cost-cutting strategies, which can come at the expense of workers, product quality, or ethical sourcing.
Funding large-scale advertising and lobbying efforts, which often prioritize corporate profits over fair wages and small business competition.

To be clear, not every chain operates this way. For example, Patagonia is known for strong ethical commitments, and we respect that.

But if your goal is to ensure your shopping dollars strengthen Canadian communities, spending at Canadian-owned businesses is the best way to contribute to local wages, job creation, and economic resilience.

Time to take action!

Here are some recommendations for your next shopping trip or to implement in your business:

As a business, you can:

Start conversations with your customers about “hey thanks for coming in! We’re really grateful since the tariffs have started…” and let it evolve into suggestions for goods or services they can buy to help your business out.
Put up signage around U.S.-made stock you’d like to clear, or “our top non-U.S. picks”
Share your story on social media—let customers know how their purchases directly support jobs, wages, and local investments
Carry a Canadian or non-U.S.-made good as an alternative for shoppers
Look for collaborations with other local businesses to help buying in higher quantities easier
Educate your staff so they can spread the word amongst customers and their friends and family

As a shopper, you cans:

Ask local retailers how they are adapting. They’ll suggest meaningful ways you can support their business!
Prioritize shopping at local businesses that are investing in their workforce.
Talk to your friends and family about making thoughtful choices instead of starting a blanket boycott on U.S. goods.
Boost posts on social media for businesses that are sharing their Canadian story
Choose local restaurants or online Canadian retailers wherever possible (and while Shopify is Canadian, they also made headlines for anti-diversity behaviour)

Every loonie spent locally strengthens Canadian businesses, so share these tips and help make this a moment of action to support Proudly Canadian Owned businesses.