PEI Chambers of Commerce launch Island-wide Love Local, PEI campaign
Charlottetown, PE- Prince Edward Island chambers of commerce are asking Islanders to put their money where their heart is with the launch of a province-wide shop local campaign. Building on the existing Love Local, PEI promotion initiated by the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, the campaign aims to bring attention to the importance of shopping and buying local while showcasing Island products and services, as well as the entrepreneurs behind them. The campaign, funded by the Government of Prince Edward Island, launches today and runs through March 2021.
“Many Island businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, and despite this, they have shown resilience and adapted to serve customers safely,” said Penny Walsh-McGuire, CEO of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce. “With the holiday season upon us, we’re asking Islanders to support local businesses because where you buy matters. When you choose to buy local, more of your money is staying right here in our community.”
The Love Local, PEI campaign notes that every $100 spent locally creates $45 in economic value here in PEI. Additionally:
- Buying local provides nearly 20 times the impact on labour income for our friends and neighbours as compared to online shopping
- A ten per cent shift from online to in-store purchases supports almost 500 jobs and more than $15M in wages and income for Islanders
- PEI’s retailer sector directly employs 11,200 Islanders and is the largest private-sector employer on Prince Edward Island.
-Source: Statistic Canada/Calculations by PEI Department of Finance
“Choosing to support local is a mindset. It’s a way of thinking. It’s a shift in lifestyle. It’s having the mindful awareness that when you buy local, you recognize how much it directly supports our Island communities and provincial economy,” said Minister of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture Matthew MacKay. “When Islanders shop local, we are celebrating, supporting, and thanking our neighbours, friends, and family.”
The Love Local, PEI campaign is a partnership between the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, the West Prince Chamber of Commerce, the Kensington and Area Chamber of Commerce, the Eastern PEI Chamber of Commerce, and the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce. For more information on Love Local, PEI, visit www.lovelocalpei.ca and follow us on social media at @lovelocalpei #lovelocalpei