The angst surrounding another lockdown underscores the importance of the holiday period for brick-and-mortar retailers, writes Chris Varcoe in the Calgary Herald. The article discusses Alberta retailers preparing for a holiday season like no other.
Although retail sales rebounded as stores reopened after the initial lockdown in the spring, they dipped in August as transactions declined for clothing, durable goods and motor vehicles, Alberta Central’s Chief Economist Charles St-Arnaud says. This could be due not only customer uncertainty brought on by the pandemic and potential restrictions or lockdowns, but also to a drop in oil prices that’s caused a “double negative shock” in Alberta.
Read the full article here.