The Nova Scotia Loyal program launched on July 23, aiming to incentivize shoppers to buy local products at big retailers like Sobeys and the NSLC. The program rewards shoppers with extra Scene+ points and Air Miles for each marked item purchased. Premier Tim Houston stated that this model was developed based on feedback from over 10,000 Nova Scotians, with the research showing that 70% of Nova Scotians are already active users of a loyalty program. Some community members expressed skepticism about the program, feeling that it could be expanded to include smaller local businesses rather than just the big stores.
Longtime Chester resident Syd Dumaresq emphasized the importance of supporting local industry and expressed support for the Nova Scotia Loyal program. However, Dumaresq also believes that the program should include local markets like the one in Chester. Artist and market vendor Allison Tremain highlighted the benefits of shopping locally, including the personal connection with producers and the circulation of money within the community. Tremain also expressed confusion about the program’s implementation, particularly regarding contracts with specific businesses.
Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia (FMNS) viewed the points incentive of the Nova Scotia Loyal program as a positive step. FMNS President Ashley Marlin stated that it makes sense to work with big retailers that already sell local products, rather than introducing a new points program. Earlier in the year, Nova Scotia Loyal partnered with FMNS to give elementary and secondary school students vouchers that could only be redeemed at farmers’ markets. Some students, like Anna Countway, found the vouchers to be a positive incentive to visit local markets.
Despite some positive aspects of the Nova Scotia Loyal program, local shoppers remain skeptical about the focus on incentivizing purchases at big box stores. Some believe that smaller voices and businesses may not be adequately represented within the program. The community members expressed hopes that the program would listen to feedback and consider expanding to include a wider range of local businesses.Overall, while there is support for the concept of the Nova Scotia Loyal program, there are concerns about its implementation and the extent to which it includes and benefits local businesses.
It remains to be seen how the program will evolve in response to feedback from community members and whether it will be able to strike a balance between supporting local industry and incentivizing consumer behavior.
