Sports bring big spinoff
Tournaments, events provide boost to retail store economy
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, February 11, 2015
RANKIN INLET/ARVIAT
Sport tournaments and special gatherings bring a little warmth into the Kivalliq every winter. And they also pump a good amount of dollars into the local economy.
Vanessa Kalluak is checkedout by Eskimo Point Lumber Supply cashier Martha Anoee in Arviat earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Jody Dwyer |
Ryan St. John of Eskimo Point Lumber Supply in Arviat said the tournaments are a nice boost to anyone who operates a retail outlet.
He said sales during a tournament weekend will increase 20 to 30 per cent.
"It depends on how big the event is, of course, but it certainly gives a good boost to our operation when Arviat hosts the Jon Lindell Memorial (Calm Air Cup) hockey tournament," said St. John.
"It's comparable to something like a child-tax day, when you see a big spike in business but instead of a day or two, you see it for three or four days.
"You see a big difference in the types of products being sold depending on the type of tournament being held.
"With kid tournaments, you're selling a lot of junk food like pop, chips and candy bars, while, with adult events, you're selling more big ticket times like sporting goods, Coleman stoves, knives, rifle scopes, tools and material."
Rankin Inlet Northern store manager Paul Delaney said sports tournaments are good for every local business in the service industry.
He said a good-sized event brings a revenue boost to local hotels and restaurants, as well as retail operations.
"There's always going to be extra traffic flow into all the stores when Rankin's hosting a sporting event, a trade show or any other type of large gathering," said Delaney.
"When you have a sports tournament, items like Gatorade flies from the shelf.
"Also, the organizers will buy a lot of product from us as well as the other stores I would imagine, to use at their concession stand.
"There's always a positive spinoff."
Delaney said any community hosting three or more tournaments a year is creating economic spinoff.
He said the effects are felt from the airlines all the way down to the smallest local merchant or artist.
"Try to get a hotel room, for example, when there's a big event on.
"It just can't be done. People also visit our craft shops, and things of that nature, and the community loves the entertainment, especially during the winter, so it's a positive for every one."
