In many rural Manitoba towns, where a single coffee shop, hardware store or family-run boutique can anchor the local economy, small business owners are heading into the holidays facing one of the most uncertain sales seasons in years. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on Manitobans to “choose local first,” warning that the upcoming shopping rush could make the difference between staying open or closing for good.

CFIB data shows one in three small businesses rely on holiday sales just to stay afloat, yet 65% of Manitoba entrepreneurs expect no improvement over last year, and nearly one in five anticipate even lower revenue.

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