Retail

Shoppers wait in line at an electronics store in Calgary, Alta., Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, amid a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Black Friday arrives with little fanfare as stores launch sales ahead of retail event

Supply chain concerns have changed the nature of holiday shopping

Shoppers wait in line at an electronics store in Calgary, Alta., Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, amid a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
People pass a large Christmas tree as they go shopping on Christmas Eve at a mall in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020. A Retail Council of Canada survey says Canadians are planning to spend more this holiday season as they prepare to return to stores a year after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many to shop online. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Canadians to spend big on holidays, return to shopping malls, multiple surveys find

Accenture: Canadians will spend an average of $635 in 2021, an increase of more than 23 per cent

People pass a large Christmas tree as they go shopping on Christmas Eve at a mall in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020. A Retail Council of Canada survey says Canadians are planning to spend more this holiday season as they prepare to return to stores a year after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many to shop online. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce will pick up the shipping for more than 100 member businesses up until Black Friday. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria chamber picking up the cost of shipping for members until Dec. 25

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce will fund as much as $50,000 to entice local shopping

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce will pick up the shipping for more than 100 member businesses up until Black Friday. (Black Press Media file photo)
Mastermind Toys CEO Sarah Jordan poses in this November 2021 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Mastermind Toys

Depth of Black Friday discounts depends on resiliency of retailers’ supply chains

Analyst says retailers may back off on on discounts because they don’t have the inventory

Mastermind Toys CEO Sarah Jordan poses in this November 2021 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Mastermind Toys
More than 150 unmasked anti-vaccine protesters stormed the Canadian Tire store in Nanaimo on Monday, Nov. 1, drawing a police response. (File photo)

More than 150 anti-vaccine protesters storm Nanaimo store

No arrests made after ‘disruption’ at Canadian Tire, say RCMP

More than 150 unmasked anti-vaccine protesters stormed the Canadian Tire store in Nanaimo on Monday, Nov. 1, drawing a police response. (File photo)
Markus Spodzieja (centre) with his crew members at the Bikery bakery. (Kiernan Green / News Staff)

The Bikery opens Island’s first kosher bakery in Victoria’s Public Market

Baker Markus Spodzieja and business partner Kimanda Jarzebiak filling a local niche

Markus Spodzieja (centre) with his crew members at the Bikery bakery. (Kiernan Green / News Staff)
Downtown Victoria Business Association executive director Jeff Bray discusses his association’s third annual report, outlining the resiliency of downtown businesses throughout the pandemic. (Kiernan Green/New Staff)

Downtown Victoria reps surprised by business resiliency during pandemic

Loss of businesses modest, report shows, growth of new retail spaces continues

Downtown Victoria Business Association executive director Jeff Bray discusses his association’s third annual report, outlining the resiliency of downtown businesses throughout the pandemic. (Kiernan Green/New Staff)
QThreadz co-founder Mady Harber runs a pop-up shop of their normally online upcycled, gender-inclusive clothing store in Royal Athletic Park. (Courtesy of Mady Harber)
QThreadz co-founder Mady Harber runs a pop-up shop of their normally online upcycled, gender-inclusive clothing store in Royal Athletic Park. (Courtesy of Mady Harber)
Cindy Pendergast, left, of Sidney’s Truth and Alibi cannabis shop heads out to make what was believed to be the first delivery of cannabis in British Columbia, following that service’s legalization July 15. (Photo courtesy Truth and Alibi)

Sidney said to be site of first legal cannabis delivery in British Columbia

Truth and Alibi delivered to a Sidney couple at 9 a.m. sharp July 15 when deliveries became legal

Cindy Pendergast, left, of Sidney’s Truth and Alibi cannabis shop heads out to make what was believed to be the first delivery of cannabis in British Columbia, following that service’s legalization July 15. (Photo courtesy Truth and Alibi)
René Gauthier, founder of ecologyst, encourages other companies to move toward sustainable manufacturing practices. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Sustainable fashion brand ecologyst unveils new facility in Victoria

Consumers can see how clothing is made, watch seamstresses work in the open

René Gauthier, founder of ecologyst, encourages other companies to move toward sustainable manufacturing practices. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Retailers say they’re ready for the ban on single-use plastic checkout bags in Nanaimo when it takes effect July 1. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo’s single-use checkout bag ban ready to go into place Canada Day

Business operators say there’s been plenty of time to plan and prepare for bylaw that kicks in July 1

Retailers say they’re ready for the ban on single-use plastic checkout bags in Nanaimo when it takes effect July 1. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
GardenWorks nursery in Oak Bay at its home until August. (Black Press Media file photo)

GardenWorks puts down new roots in Oak Bay this summer

Nursery shifts down The Avenue to fill former fitness studio space

GardenWorks nursery in Oak Bay at its home until August. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tyson Muzzillo, regional manager of BC Cannabis Store, welcomes shoppers to their Uptown location, opening on June 16. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Government-run cannabis store opening at Saanich’s Uptown

BC Cannabis Store the first for government in Greater Victoria, 27th in province

Tyson Muzzillo, regional manager of BC Cannabis Store, welcomes shoppers to their Uptown location, opening on June 16. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Police in Nanaimo hope the public can identify a person of interest who was seen leaving the Dollarama store in Harewood shortly after a suspicious fire broke out March 29. (Photo submitted)

Police hope public can help identify person of interest in Nanaimo arson case

Nanaimo RCMP release photo of person of interest in Harewood Dollarama store arson

Police in Nanaimo hope the public can identify a person of interest who was seen leaving the Dollarama store in Harewood shortly after a suspicious fire broke out March 29. (Photo submitted)
Temporary changes to allow for wholesale pricing for the hospitality industry were implemented June 2020 and set to expire March 31.	(Pixabay photo)

Pubs, restaurants to pay wholesale prices on liquor permanently in COVID-recovery

Pre-pandemic, restaurateurs and tourism operators paid full retail price on most liquor purchases

Temporary changes to allow for wholesale pricing for the hospitality industry were implemented June 2020 and set to expire March 31.	(Pixabay photo)
People wait in line to enter a Costco store in Toronto on Monday, April 13, 2020. Canadians who weren’t happy with some of their holiday gifts or who changed their mind after making purchases might face trouble when trying to get their money back. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Ask about COVID-19 return policies as you shop to avoid disappointment later: experts

Canada has no laws requiring retailers to accept returns, but provinces have some rules

People wait in line to enter a Costco store in Toronto on Monday, April 13, 2020. Canadians who weren’t happy with some of their holiday gifts or who changed their mind after making purchases might face trouble when trying to get their money back. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Shoppers take advantage of Boxing Day deals at the Rideau Centre in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Boxing Day’s shot to return to its ‘glory days’ stymied by lockdowns: Retail experts

The spending spree will likely be a ‘sad’ and ‘lacklustre’ shell of its usual self

Shoppers take advantage of Boxing Day deals at the Rideau Centre in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle
A woman in a face mask exits Le Chateau at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey, B.C., Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. The clothing store is going out of business amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel

Pandemic shutdowns the last straw for some Canadian retailers, push others to brink

Some retail chains went into 2020 already saddled with massive debt and too many stores

A woman in a face mask exits Le Chateau at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey, B.C., Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. The clothing store is going out of business amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel
Leah Davis, store manager at Oscar & Libby’s in downtown Victoria, sets out stock at their Fort Street location. The pandemic has changed the way this retailer and others do business, says owner Teri Hustins. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Pandemic alters holiday business strategies for Victoria merchants

Many independent merchants count on holiday shopping to get them through quiet periods

Leah Davis, store manager at Oscar & Libby’s in downtown Victoria, sets out stock at their Fort Street location. The pandemic has changed the way this retailer and others do business, says owner Teri Hustins. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Shoppers carry bags as they cross a street in San Francisco, Nov. 29, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jeff Chiu

‘A captive market:’ U.S. border closure keeps Black Friday shoppers in Canada

Black Friday originated in the United States as a post-Thanksgiving shopping event

Shoppers carry bags as they cross a street in San Francisco, Nov. 29, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jeff Chiu