As a micro business owner, I HATE this event. Yes, hate is a strong word. It's definitely the right one for me. Since I opened my store in the Horwoods Mall in downtown Whitehorse, I've seen the mobs of folks zipping from one store to the next looking for stamps in their passports so they can qualify for some really juicy prizes. I don't begrudge folks for wanting to win, I begrudge the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce for everything about this event that negatively impacts micro businesses like mine.

Let me explain.

While those keen stamp collectors are bopping from shop to shop in search of stamps for their passport, a few problems arise. First, this event is fuelled by the assumption that businesses are putting merchandise on sale. Considering the timing (within the last 8 weeks of the year and well within the Christmas shopping season), discounting is ludicrous because merchandise is likely to sell at full price (assuming discounting is even part of your business model which it largely is NOT for micro businesses). It would better serve the retail community to hold an event of this nature in say, first quarter (Jan-Mar) when sales are MUCH slower. But no. It's in November.

The next issue is that the increased traffic at an already demanding time of year simply creates more opportunity for products to be stolen which we have to manage plenty without the Chamber's help. In a small shop like ours, these increased numbers of people NOT shopping make it harder for us to serve those people who are trying to support our small businesses by making their Christmas purchases with us. For me as the business owner, I have to also consider whether I need to incur the expense of additional staff to mitigate the risk of shoplifting.

A few years ago, the then-chair of the Chamber visited my store along with the then-minister of Economic Development to ask me how the event was going for me. I seized the opportunity to share my concerns. The chairman tried to suggest that the increased traffic would bring new customers to my store but I know who my customers are (not the folks brought out by the event) and my experience has told me that sales aren't what drive purchases (for the most part). Those stamp-hunters are oblivious to which new stores they've just visited on their quest and if you were to ask them after leaving my store what was sold inside, they couldn't tell you... because that's not why they were there.

I understand why this event takes place but I and other micro business owners are deeply critical of it because it completely fails to consider the needs of micro businesses. Corporations like the local airline, chains like Staples/Walmart etc. can easily participate because they have an entirely different business model that supports this kind of marketing event. I would love to see the Chamber take into consideration the concerns of businesses like mine but until such time, I'll speak out against it because of the huge problems it creates at a time of year when we're already spread super thin.

HOWEVER! Because I agree with the sentiment of valuing my customers, I will be offering double rewards points to anyone making purchases throughout the duration of Yukoner Appreciation Week. Our system only supports in-store purchases for this promotion so please keep that in mind.