Labor shortages loom: Is holiday shopping at risk?

Many consumers’ holiday shopping may be affected as labor shortages affect businesses.

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“We need employees very regularly. During the holidays, the same can be difficult,” says an employee at the Eaton Centre.

Some traders do not extend their weekday hours to 9pm due to labor shortages. Others have decided to close on weekends.

“If you’re open till 9pm, they’ll be open till 9pm. If customers know you’re open at 6am, they’ll try to come. If someone wants it, he’ll be there,” explains a shopkeeper.

The director of the Societe de Development Commercial (SDC) Montreal Centre-Ville is confident that merchants will not have any negative effects as most customers make their purchases online.

“Our merchants have adapted very quickly since the start of the pandemic and, with somewhat restricted hours from this summer, not only meet demand but also – look at the balance sheets – to achieve sales comparable to 2019.