A survey of members of the
Retail Merchants Association
of B.C. shows that retailers
share the optimism expressed
by B.C. consumers for the
holiday shopping season and

_ the economy for the year
ahead.

The survey, done in conjunction
with Deloitte & Touche L.L.P.,

found that a strong majority (79%}
of B.C, retailers expected their holi-
day sales revenues would cither
increase or remain che same as last
year.

A total of 84% of retailers said
that they expected the provincial
economy to either improve or stay
the same in the year ahead.

The results are consistent with a
Melnare & Mustel poll released nwo
weeks ago that found thai 60% of

ing sunnier sal

B.C. shoppers were planning to
spend either more or the same this
holiday season compared to last vear.

The same poll also found that
72% of B.C. consumers believe the
economy will improve or stay the
same in the vear 2000.

“These are encouraging signs that
the B.C. economy is turning around,
but there are still fundamental
changes in government — policy
required,” said) Mark Startup,

President and CEO of the Rerail
Merchants’ Association of B.C.

B.C. retailers are also gearing up
for the growth of online shopping.
RMAKC reports that 19% of mem-
bers surveyed are providing online
shopping,

The Melatyre & Mustel poll of
consumers found that between 5-
12% of British Columbians will be
shopping online this Christmas.

Rexailing represents $32.8 billion

worth of economic activity and
accounts for over 14,000 enterprises,
the majority of which are small and
medium-sized businesses. These
businesses are a major source of job
creation — providing paycheques for
over 200,000 British Columbians.

The Retail Merchants’
Association of British Columbia pro-
vides advocacy, professional training
and member services to 3,400 inde-
pendent retailers.

while we clear out our stockroom,

mark de
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Wn our prices and
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