Meghan Fahey, the owner of the popular greeting card business Driven To Ink, is facing significant financial challenges this holiday season due to the ongoing strike between Canada Post and its unionized workers. Without the reliable shipping service that Canada Post provides, Fahey is deeply concerned about the impact this disruption will have on her bottom line during a critical period for sales.
As the strike moves into its second week, small businesses throughout Newfoundland and Labrador are preparing for what could be a substantial financial blow. This period, typically characterized by heightened consumer spending, now poses a threat to the survival of many local enterprises reliant on postal services to fulfill customer orders.
Fahey emphasized the importance of this time of year for her business, stating, “It’s absolutely vital. November and December is when I do, I’d say, probably 50 per cent of my online sales. So to have no shipping whatsoever this time of year is very detrimental to my sales.” Speaking on CBC Radio’s The St. John’s Morning Show, she conveyed the seriousness of losing this vital sales window.
In a bid to mitigate the financial impact, Fahey has swiftly adjusted her business strategy, now concentrating on wholesale sales to local vendors to compensate for the dip in online transaction income. This pivot highlights the adaptability of small business owners in times of adversity, as they seek alternative revenue streams in light of the shipping crisis.
Fahey, who also plays a role as a market organizer for the Etsy retail platform, is aware that she is not alone in this struggle. Numerous other business owners have reached out to share their own difficulties, with some even choosing to temporarily shut down their online shops until shipping issues are resolved. “You put it in vacation mode, and at that point, the longer your store stays in vacation mode, Etsy kind of forgets about you when you come back,” Fahey added, shedding light on the implications for online visibility.
She further explained the financial burden of utilizing courier services, which she characterized as an impractical solution. Canada Post charges approximately $1.20 to send a single card within Canada, while utilizing a courier would escalate costs to over $20, a fee that most customers would not be willing to pay for a simple greeting card. “Nobody’s going to want to pay $20 to $30 to have a single greeting card delivered,” she remarked, underscoring the untenable nature of such expenses.
Fahey expressed concern about the potential long-term repercussions of the strike, contemplating the recovery of her online sales during this crucial season. “I think online sales for me, I just need to write them off for this year. If they come back to the table and they settle things quickly, that’s great, but I’m not relying on that at this point,” she stated, a reflection of the uncertainty hanging over her business.
Fahey is advocating for community members to support local markets this holiday season, emphasizing their vital role in sustaining small businesses. “When you’re supporting a local business, that money that you’re spending, it comes back into the community,” she declared, urging shoppers to consider the broader implications of their purchasing decisions.
Shipping woes
In Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Natasha Voisey-Canning, owner of Slippers n’ Things, has been significantly affected by the strike as well. She typically ships around 20 parcels a week in the lead-up to Christmas, but currently faces challenges when customers inquire about shipping options. “When a customer calls, I offer to ship by courier and explain it will cost more,” she disclosed, highlighting the stark contrast in shipping costs that may deter customers from placing orders.
Voisey-Canning pointed out that many people are hesitant to spend the additional money on courier services, especially during the holiday season when budgets are constrained. Heather Bursey, owner of Spruced Up Labrador, echoed these sentiments, noting the expensive nature of courier options, which are unaffordable for most individuals trying to manage their own bills in addition to holiday expenses. “They have their own bills on top of Christmas,” she added, drawing attention to the financial burdens faced by consumers.
Bursey shared her own experience of shipping a large, 50-pound box to New Brunswick for $79, a figure that represented a rare willingness from a customer to pay for expedited shipping—something not often feasible for the average shopper. “For other people, they may not be able to afford that,” she remarked, illustrating the disparity in shipping costs.
Moreover, Bursey highlighted further complications, explaining that many of her supplies are also delivered through Canada Post, leaving her unable to restock as needed. “We’re now availing of other shipping options. However, I did prepare for the holiday season. My hope is that people will also shop local,” she said, reflecting her proactive approach even amid challenges.
Bursey raised concerns about potentially running out of essential ingredients needed for her product offerings, suggesting that this disruption could hinder her ability to meet customer demand. “If we do run out of ingredients for certain things, I mean, we may not be able to reproduce more. So that’s going to be a challenge.” Both Bursey and Voisey-Canning are hopeful that this crisis serves as a catalyst for increased local shopping.
“We have a fantastic array of different businesses, whether they’re home-based or, you know, brick and mortar,” Bursey affirmed, her optimism shining through despite the difficulties. “People do have options and my hope is that people will shop local,” she concluded, advocating for community support in this trying time.
How is the ongoing Canada Post strike impacting small businesses like Driven To Ink during the peak shopping season?
**Interview with Meghan Fahey, Owner of Driven To Ink**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Meghan! Thank you for joining us today. With the ongoing Canada Post strike, many small business owners are feeling the pressure. How has the strike affected your business, Driven To Ink?
**Meghan Fahey:** Good morning! The impact has been significant. November and December are critical months for my sales, accounting for about 50% of my online transactions. With the strike, I have no reliable shipping options, which is extremely detrimental to my ability to fulfill orders during peak shopping season.
**Interviewer:** That sounds incredibly challenging. Can you tell us how you’re adapting to this situation?
**Meghan Fahey:** Absolutely. I’ve pivoted my focus to wholesale sales directly to local vendors. This way, I can still reach customers even if online sales are taking a hit. It’s about finding alternative revenue streams in a tough market when traditional methods aren’t working.
**Interviewer:** It’s great to hear that you’re finding ways to adapt. You mentioned that other small business owners are also struggling. What have you heard from them regarding this situation?
**Meghan Fahey:** Yes, many local business owners that I’m in touch with are facing similar issues. Some have had to shut down their online shops temporarily to avoid losing visibility on platforms like Etsy. It’s a risky decision because the longer these shops stay inactive, the harder it is for them to regain traction later.
**Interviewer:** That’s an important point. You also touched on the costs of using courier services instead of Canada Post. Could you elaborate on that?
**Meghan Fahey:** Of course. Canada Post charges about $1.20 to ship a card within Canada, which is manageable. But switching to courier services can cost over $20 for a single card, and that’s just not feasible for my customers. I don’t think anyone would be willing to pay such a high price for a greeting card delivery, especially during the holidays when budgets are tight.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like local businesses could be facing long-term repercussions from this strike. What are your thoughts on that?
**Meghan Fahey:** I’m very concerned. I think for many, including myself, we may have to write off online sales for this year if the situation doesn’t resolve quickly. It’s a tough position to be in, and we’re all hoping for a speedy resolution so we can recover some of our lost sales.
**Interviewer:** Before we wrap up, what message would you like to share with the community during this challenging time?
**Meghan Fahey:** I urge everyone to support local markets this holiday season. Shopping locally keeps money within our community and helps sustain small businesses like mine. Your support makes a real difference during times like these, and we all need that community backing now more than ever.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Meghan. Your insights are invaluable, and I wish you and other small business owners the best of luck navigating these challenges.
**Meghan Fahey:** Thank you for having me! I appreciate the opportunity to share my experience.
