Halifax business owners hope tax holiday will prevent post-Christmas sales slump

Stores hope for strong post-Christmas business Many Maritime stores are hoping to avoid the post-Christmas slow down of business this year.

“Generally, January and February are slower times in the restaurant business,’ said the co-owner of Millstone Public House in Halifax, Joanne McCullough.

The federal government’s tax holiday came into affect December 14 and runs until February 15. Time will tell if the initiative pays off for Canadians but McCullough said he did see an uptick in pre-Christmas sales.

“That 15 per cent really does make a little bit of a difference when the bill comes and I think people can notice that,” McCullough said.

A lot of Christmas parties were booked before the tax break was announced, said McCullough, but he saw a 6 to 8 per cent increase when he compared his sales to last year.

Patrick Sullivan, is the CEO of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. He said he hopes the incentive

encourages people to get out more after the busy Christmas season.

“We’re hoping that people are going to take advantage and maybe do a few extra lunches and dinners between January and February,” Sullivan said.

The tax break applies to some grocery store items, alcohol, and children's clothes and toys.

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