Organizers of the #ShopYK Campaign say this year saw record-breaking participation and local spending at shops and businesses in the city of Yellowknife.
Tracy Peters, manager of Member Relations and Programs with the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce reported that over 2,229 submissions were received through the shop local program initiative and over $416,660 was spent at the 40 local Yellowknife businesses who participated in the campaign that ran from Nov. 12 to Dec. 14.
Mayor Ben Hendriksen noted that this year the initiative raised more than double local revenue in comparison to last year’s event.
“Local shopping matters! #ShopYK more than doubled its purchase value over last year. Yellowknifers holiday spending stayed close to home, supporting local businesses and bringing more activity downtown. Yellownifers, businesses, the City of Yellowknife and the Chamber know local investment makes a real difference and sets a foundation for an even stronger year ahead,” said Mayor Hendriksen
Last year the initiative brought $212,000 in local spending to local shops.
Back in November, Peters reflected it was probably the most successful campaign of any previous year. That is, until this year.
The increase in numbers speaks volumes about the how much folks in the community care about supporting local entrepreneurs and business owners.
“This year’s results show just how strongly our community continues to rally behind local businesses,” said Peters.
“When winners came into the office to collect their prizes, the excitement was contagious. People were genuinely proud and excited to take part in a program that directly supports our local economy,” added Peters.
The campaign was designed to encourage local shopping through a draw that allows shoppers to be eligible for prizes, which are also sourced by the local businesses taking part.
Peters explained when shoppers do that, those funds go back into community based companies and help them grow.
When shoppers spend their money on local companies and industry, it can “help the community thrive,” said Peters.
“It’s reinvesting back into the community so you know the dollars are staying local,” Peters added.
A big part of the campaign to shop local is spreading awareness about what local companies offer and building buzz around those often hidden and underexplored alternatives to ‘big box’ shopping,
