The struggle of market competition is by no means a new concept. But as the scope of the internet has grown, so too has the scope of competition.

Once upon a time, a local store would have to contend with a competitor down the street. They both would face similar challenges, the same cost of doing business, the same opportunities to capture a piece of their local market share.

Somewhere along the way, the internet allowed new competitors to enter the arena; giant chain stores, some with no actual physical presence to speak of, offering to ship items anywhere in the world. Chains that, thanks to the economics of scale will often have the purchasing power to offer prices far below the local alternative.

Smaller centres like Swift Current that have larger centres within a couple of hours drive can face an added challenge, as residents choose to save their shopping for a weekend trip out of town where shopping choice is often wider.

Karla Wiens, the CEO of the Swift Current Chamber of Commerce says that shopping local has a snowball effect,

"It's a big circle. People tend to forget that it's (local) business that employs their friends and family and supports their children's schools, teams and community events. Our world is changing."

It's a common struggle that isn't specific only to Swift Current, and she adds that while she does understand that people want a more varied selection and that some things can't be bought here, it's important to remember that the local business community is important to the success of everything around it.

In her capacity with the Chamber of Commerce, she regularly talks with members of the local Swift Current Business community. Most, she reports, are optimistic despite a 2019 that was slow for many of them. And she has seen an increased feeling of collaboration between small business owners; a sense of co-operation between competitors in the face of a shared challenge.

"They're doing joint ventures with maps and collaborating on advertising ideas. Various different sidewalk sales downtown and different things going on. It's very encouraging to see these people, sometimes they are direct competitors but they're still collaborating to spread the word and work together."

For its part, the Swift Current Chamber of Commerce not only develops its own promotions, like their current "Live Here Shop Here" event but also acts as an advocate for the local business community with various levels of government; identifying challenges and obstacles, while working to find processes that facilitate the success of local business.

"Anything we can do to help showcase and remind people of what there is to offer in Swift Current."