British Columbians avoiding buying American: report

A new report finds British Columbians are spending significantly less money in the U.S. amid declining tourism and an ongoing trade war.

Compared to the same period last year, the report from Vancity shows its members have decreased their spending in the neighbouring country by 33 per cent, and specifically in the neighbouring Washington state by 47 per cent — that amounts to a value of about $3.5 million in five months.

Vancity says members are also sidestepping buying from American-based retailers, with clothing sales taking the biggest hit.

“Typically, cardholders spend around $40 million per year online on clothing, with about 15 per cent of that at US-based retailers. This year, cardholders are on track to spend the same amount at online clothing retailers, but they are spending less in the US,” said the report.

Online purchases for travel to the U.S. — meaning hotel bookings and cruise ship reservations — are down 27 per cent.

The report comes as the number of British Columbians driving across the border has also decreased.

Latest numbers from Whatcom County show a year-over-year drop in crossings from B.C. in June of 43 per cent.

The Vancity report projects that less U.S. travel will mean good things for the Canadian economy.

“With fewer Canadians heading to the US, the upcoming summer season is expected to boost domestic travel, which could benefit many small businesses in BC and create jobs in the local tourism sector,” said Vancity.