Canadians shoppers are seeking out domestic products amid the ongoing trade war with the U.S. Will this momentum lead to a long-term change in consumer behaviour? It depends, says retail expert David Ian Gray (seen here addressing the 2023 Hardlines Conference).
He told CBC Radio’s Sunday Magazine that with “values-based” choices like shopping local or choosing eco-friendly products, “the behaviour often falls short” of the intention, “and that’s usually because of the trade-off. If doing the virtuous thing costs too much or the quality isn’t as good, those things become inhibitors.”
Still, Gray adds, “we see a very motivated consumer base in Canada right now to ignore any of the friction and really they are making changes.”
