Many consumers’ holiday shopping could be affected by the labor shortage affecting businesses.
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“We need employees fairly regularly. During the holidays, that’s what’s going to be the most difficult,” said an employee of the Eaton Center.
Some merchants will not extend weekday opening hours until 9 p.m. due to labor shortages. Others have made the decision to close on weekends.
“If you’re open until 9 p.m., they’re open until 9 p.m. If customers know you open at 6 a.m., they’ll make the effort to come. Someone who wants, he will be there” explains a shopkeeper.
The director of the Société de développement commercial (SDC) Montréal centre-ville is confident that there will be no negative impacts for merchants, since many customers make their purchases online.
“Our traders have adapted very quickly since the start of the pandemic and since this summer with somewhat restricted hours, have been able not only to meet demand, but also – see it in the balance sheets – to achieve sales which are comparable to those of 2019.