For Boundary, tariffs and counter-tariffs would impact everything from hardware to agricultural products. The biggest shift most would notice would be at the grocery store. The cooperative operates grocery outlets in Boissevain, Killarney, Deloraine and Hartney.
Boundary Marketing Manager Cheryl Rushing said the fact the situation keeps hopping around has made it a challenge.
“It’s been difficult to plan ahead as everything has been and continues to be so inconsistent,” Rushing explained. “We are responding as best we can as changes happen.”
Shortly after it became obvious the tariff threat was not going to disappear, stores began putting a lot of effort into identifying Canadian products on their shelves. Boundary did that, and Rushing said they were planning to not only continue the practice, but also expand it this week.
What we know as the Co-op system is Canadian in origin, and in fact very Western Canada based. The flyers always show the Canadian logo on relevant products and in particular those from the West. Rushing said the ‘buy Canadian’ movement is a natural for them.
“I like to think that Co-op is well-positioned to support those who wish to purchase more Canadian products. Co-ops have always been proudly Canadian and uniquely Western Canadian. Our goal is to continue offering products our customers know and love, while also providing local or Canadian options and whenever possible.”
This can be easier said than done, however. In some cases, a Canadian product in a line does not exist, or is difficult to source. Sometimes it can be a climate or time of year issue. This is particularly true in the produce section. Where items like potatoes and apples are usually if not always Canadian, shoppers will notice others like carrots or cauliflower will carry the “Product of the USA” stamp. Rushing said there are many different factors that come into play. As she stated, you will not find Canadian bananas, as we cannot grow them here. Some are out of season or there have been bad harvests, so they have to go elsewhere. However, she added they do their best to provide Canadian products through their supplier.
“We rely on Federated to seek suppliers and producers in Canada, but to also seek the best quality items outside of Canada too,” she stated. “We do our best to carry the products that our customers want. That can sometimes mean sourcing them from non-American producers.”
Rushing added Federated has been a great support to them at the local level, as they have access to resources they do not have locally.
If and probably when the full tariffs hit, this would see a jump in prices for customers on American products. This would impact Co-op members and customers, but also Boundary itself in its operation. Rushing said it is hard to say exactly where it will hit them as they could be very broadly impacted. Speculation is impossible.
The situation is a challenge for everyone, and Boundary and its membership will be dealing with it. Rushing said they do have some recent experience in making changes on the fly, which they can put to good use here.
“It can be challenging to pivot, absolutely. But if the COVID pandemic taught us anything, it was how to adjust quickly and effectively based on the needs of our customers. Boundary Co-op’s mission is to provide high quality products and service to our customers – that commitment will never change. Ultimately, it is our customers who decide what goes in their cart. Our job is to make sure we can provide it.”
by PAUL RAYNER
Recorder staff