One month before Christmas, Canada Post is still on strike. At the Matane winter market, some merchants are juggling the headache of having to find alternatives to ensure the delivery of their products in this context.
The strike at Canada Post is not without consequences for small businesses. Some traders present at the Matane winter market are concerned about the impact of the interruption of deliveries on their turnover.
The owner of Cuir et Mer, Sophie-Danielle Pelletier, says she makes 25% of her annual sales during the holiday season. The strike played on her orders for fish leather, the material with which she makes her jewelry.
It has fewer resources and offers less news
. She adds that she has to think about an alternative option for the delivery of her products.
On a $30 sale for a pair of earrings, no one is going to want to pay $15 for “shipping“.
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The La Matanie winter market is an opportunity for artisans to showcase their products before the holiday season.
Photo : - / Myriam Ouellette
Rising delivery costs
Artisan Caroline Bélanger, of Canapi Création, explains that many of her suppliers have turned to other delivery services.
Not having a supply problem, she mentions that the delivery bill has however increased. Several companies have changed the way they ship products
explains the designer.
These additional costs can be $10 to $15 per order, she said.
Noémi Thibault makes natural stone bracelets for Créations No. She is looking for solutions.
I’m really impacted now!
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Noémi Thibault, artisan for Créations No, explains that the strike at Canada Post has consequences on her business.
Photo : - / Myriam Ouellette
According to her, the costs to send a pair of earrings with a company like Purolator are far too high. It was equivalent to $30 or $40
she notes.
The helplessness of the archipelago
In the Magdalen Islands, the situation is even more complicated for Ariane Arsenault. The owner of the artisanal soap factory La Fille de la mer is particularly worried.
As the holiday season approaches, the craftswoman is normally busy with online sales.
Right now, it’s at a standstill.
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“It can take a good 10 days before the orders are sent from the Magdalen Islands to the continent,” says the owner of the La fille de la mer soap factory, Ariane Arsenault. (Archive photo)
Photo : - / Isabelle Larose
There are a few orders that have come in, but we are not able to ship them since Canada Post does not accept any packages, she adds.
Furthermore, Canada Post has warned that postal service will not return to normal immediately after the end of the conflict.
The craftswoman is not sure that her orders will arrive on time at the foot of the tree.
