Canadians are buying local, but retailers lag behind surging demand

Canadian retailers are struggling to keep up with a surge in demand for locally-made food and household goods, despite consumers' commitment to buying products originating from within the country. The trade dispute with the United States has exacerbated the situation, leading to higher prices at the grocery store and increased interest in Canadian-made products.

Kathleen Chapman, president of aVenco Ltd., a supplier of parchment paper based in Bowmanville, Ontario, has experienced a significant increase in orders from Canadians since new U.S. tariffs came into effect. Initially, the company faced 50 per cent tariffs on its product due to its production process in Canada. However, Canadians have gone above and beyond to support local businesses, leading to a dramatic rise in direct-to-consumer orders.

While many Canadian companies have seen a surge in orders from Canadians, retailers have been slow to respond to the shifting demand. Chapman notes that consumer interest in Canadian products is outpacing retailers' ability to meet this growing need for locally-made goods. She emphasizes that consumers are moving faster than retailers, and some stores have been slow to adapt by dedicating more shelf space to Canadian items.