“I am not feeling safe and my business is suffering. I’ve had to reduce my opening hours and reduce staff”
My tobacco sales are down 25 percent, and my store has been experiencing a decline in overall sales because of how rampant contraband tobacco has become in B.C.
Customers are not coming in as much for tobacco and that means they are not buying other non-tobacco items they usually buy from my store.
I think the Government of B.C. needs to help because people are not feeling safe and it’s a slippery slope. Today, the serious issue is contraband tobacco but what is it going to be next for these illegal pushers?
I want the government to know that rural small convenience store businesses like mine need all the support they can get. We feel disappointed and abandoned by our own government.
- John S.
(Names have been changed in order to protect the identity of the convenience retail store’s owner for fear of reprisal by organized crime)
I used to open at 7:00 am for people that would buy their tobacco along with a sandwich and coffee in the morning. Everyday, I had customers waiting in the parking lot for my store to open but that has all stopped now because we can’t compete with the black market.
My sales are down.
Now, I open my store later because we’ve lost many customers to the black market.
I’ve seen a van in my parking lot selling tobacco.
I’ve had to work on changing my business model to survive. Our livelihoods are tied to how our store does. As legitimate small business owners that have followed all the correct rules, we should not be expected to compete with organized crime.
People are afraid to speak up because of the organized crime aspect.
Stronger enforcement is desperately needed. There is no process or legislation in place to protect us. Store owners are on their own trying to survive without any help from the government.
- Tim R.
(Names have been changed in order to protect the identity of the convenience retail store’s owner for fear of reprisal by organized crime)