Do you shop local?

A recent study by Praxis Consulting, who was commissioned by the Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce, found that a 10% shift in shopping local within Moose Jaw would add 729 new positions to total employment within the city, it would increase total labour income by almost $31 million, and generate an extra $79 million in gross domestic product with an increase of $139.4 million in total gross output.

Chamber of Commerce CEO, Rob Clark, says the potential is incredible.

Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce CEO Rob Clark (file photo)

"These are very, very impressive numbers and we want the community to know that just one more trip shopping downtown; staying local, staying local, staying local, the impact it has on our community is huge. These numbers just blow you away. This is something that has to be shared within the community."

Praxis Senior Economist, Steven Johnson, is the one who conducted the study.

"Every $100 in new spending by shopping local generates an additional $36 in economic value on top of that $100. When you compare that to what a multinational company recirculates into the community, which is only $14, it's 2.6 times the impact."

The study also says "Buying local has been touted as an effective way to not only get high quality customized goods but also to give back to the community and support local businesses. It is undeniable that the "shop local" movement has made a resurgence in the past years, especially with the mass shift that local producers have made to online storefronts during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Rob Clark goes on to say that he has already spoken to a number of businesses in Moose Jaw who have noticed a resurgence in residents shopping local in the recent months.

You can read more about the study here.