Independent retailers’ confidence slowly climbing: CFIB

Canadian independent retailers are feeling increasingly optimistic, but remain less so than prior to the pandemic, according to a survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Andreea Bourgeois, economics director at the CFIB, told Retail Insider that the sector is “on the right path but still far from reaching ideal potential.” According to the CFIB’s Business Barometer, retailer confidence is at a score of 54.5, up from 42.7 last year but below the low-60s range typical before Covid.