A new poll shows that
60% of British
Columbians say thev’re
planning to spend
either more or the
same this holiday sea-
son corapared to last
year.

The poll of 504 British
Columbians was conducted in
November by Mcintyre &
Mustel Research for the Retail
Merchants’ Association of

British Columbia.
“Given the flat retail sales

Surfing... oe

and exhilaration like the idea of grabbing a oar

we've seen so far in 1999 and
the Jack of confidence in the
B.C. cconomy, this should
give independent retailers rea-
son for some cautious opti-
mism,” said Mark Startup, the
president and CEO of the
Reizail Merchants’ Association
of B.C.

While all regions of the
province indicate that a
majority of consumers will
spend more or the same as last
year, spending intentions zre
highest in Greater Vancouver
at 64.4%, closely followed by
Kamloops, Prince George, the

: ands catching that next biz wave.

AS @ sport, for over 100 years surfers around the
“word : have. challenged themselves and each
“other to’ “push the edge and ride. to new

extremes.

Peace, and North Coast
regions at 63.2%.

On Vancouver Island,
57.6% of consumers inter-
viewed in the Capital Region
said they would be spending
more or the same this
Christmas, compared to
53.6% in cither Island com-
munities.

In the

Kootenay and

Okanagan regions, 57.8% of

those surveyed said they
would be spending more or
the same this Christmas com-
pared to last year.

4.4 percentage points, 19
times out of 20.

Retailing is a cornerstone
of the provincial cconamy.

It now represents $32.8
billion worth of cconomic
activity and accounts for over
14,000 enterprises, the major-
ity of which are small and
medium-sized businesses.

These businesses are a
major source of job creation
—providing pay cheques for
over 200,000 British
Columbians.

The Retail Merchants”

Wednesday, December 8, 1999 ~ Morth Shore News - 13

retail spending forecasts

ptimistic
member services to

Columbia provid's advocacy,
independent retailers.

professional training — and

BARTY
pa te A Pall

with concentrated juice
Frozen Margarita Mix
Frozen Seabreeze Martini Mix
Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri Mix
Our Millennium pak - all three flavours for $20.
Lach pail makes 24 - 5 oz. drinks

3,400

just opened XCAPE Surfboards. This state-of-

“As a lifestyle, ‘curfing 's experiencing a resur-
"gence:. Stressed out people of all ages are trad-.

13 in thelr troubles and heading off in search of
waves. From British Columbia ‘to wherever your

5160 STILL CREEK AVENUE
BURNABY, B.C.

The poil is correct within Association = of ~—_ British

restive season
lightens up

Alan Buch kept wife
Susan Buch dry while
she conducted the
Collingwood Schcol
concert choir in a recent
performance at
Ambleside Lights Up.
The annual event, which
also features a tree dec-
orating contest, faunch-
es Christmas in West
Vancouver.

heart desires, if you're up for the surf, the surf is
up foy you.

Now, for the first time,
focally made Soards.

In Burnaby, Floris Scheepers and Vince Singh have

you can get top quality

the-art facility uses the very latest in shaping
technolosy anc computer generated templates
to produce surfboards and wave sail boards to
your specifications. Each board even comes
complete with an FCS fin system at no extra cost.
There is also a showroom at the front of the fac-
tory where you can purchase top quality surf-

We will tiirow in FREE!! - internet access and
e-mail address - no strings

Buy at our new warehouse outlet at
705 West 2nd (foot of Bewicke)

Call us at 985-0633 1985-1 ~0683- if you get lost
it

ICOLLISION SPECIALISTS |

for Foraign & Bomestic

NORTH SHORE’S
MIGKEST YOLURE
ALE RAAKE
1.€.B.€. VENDOR

YY Dhe Home of the Tifetime a
~Gusrantee—> |
epee af mates of Cor ord TALK TALKING .+ ESTIMATES «

, TAYLORMOTIE SERVICE 270, CONSULTATION
\, 174 Pemberton Ave., Korth Yan laser. 986-7455

boards already mace. All their models - custom

and off the rack - are available at factory direct-
prices. .

There will always be boards ready made and vole:
ready to go at the factory but they expect most. «

_ Of their business will come from surfers wanting

custom made boards. The factory has capacity to
produce 15 boards a week but could push tt to
90 for peak demand periods.

Floris and Vince welcome’ your calls, questions
and your interest in their new venture. They are
available 6 days a week and there’ ‘Ss always some- .
one there to talk to.

~ PH: 390-7300 FAX: 320-7330

EMERGENCY (24 HRS) 796-0904
email - xcapevancouver@sprint.ca

wen wey

reyes tay