Photo credit: globalnews.ca
A company in Moncton specializing in lip balm has reported a nearly 90% surge in sales, attributed to the growing “Buy Canadian” sentiment driven by escalating trade tensions with the United States. Eclair Lips is experiencing a considerable increase in new clientele seeking alternatives to their usual American purchases.
Co-owners Sylvie Roy and Mario Leblanc are facing an uptick in activity as they manage an influx of orders. Initially, the couple expressed concerns regarding the potential repercussions of U.S. tariffs, given that approximately 65% of their revenue came from American customers. However, the enthusiastic Canadian response to patronizing local businesses has exceeded their expectations.
Roy noted, “People are tremendously enthusiastic about replacing American products with Canadian ones; even those from other nations are expressing a desire to buy Canadian instead.” This shift in consumer behavior highlights a significant trend towards supporting domestic brands.
Amid the changing market dynamics, the company is also connecting with an older demographic that they previously had not targeted. While their sales from U.S. customers have dipped somewhat, there is an encouraging trend of American supporters writing notes of solidarity.
“Many notes from our American customers express their love for Canada and concern about the current situation, which is heartwarming and shows true solidarity from across the border,” Roy commented.
Other businesses in New Brunswick are also noticing the effects of this evolving trade landscape. LaRouère, a chocolate manufacturer, primarily uses Canadian ingredients and relies on local sourcing for cacao. The co-owner, Andre Cormier, has noted a rise in customer curiosity regarding their supply chain but has not yet seen that translate into increased sales. “While there’s interest, it seems the potential economic downturn is making customers hesitant,” he explained.
His business partner, Robin Streb, added, “Our product is premium and priced accordingly, and with economic uncertainty, many consumers are likely reevaluating their spending habits.”
Source
globalnews.ca