‘Tis the season for holiday shopping. But are Canadian products on the list?

Despite recent data suggesting the “Buy Canadian” movement is losing momentum, some business owners are hoping the boom they're seeing will continue during Black Friday sales and throughout the holiday shopping season.

the movement started earlier this year after consumers switched to Canadian-made products in an attempt to boycott the United States following a trade war and annexation threats from President Donald Trump.

But recent data suggests that this trend has declined since its peak.

Statistics Canada latest report found that nearly 70 per cent of businesses “saw no increase in sales of their Canadian products” over the past six months. Only about 13 percent of businesses said they saw an increase, while the rest were unsure.

Experts say inflation and the elimination of some Canadian reciprocal tariffs on American goods have made those goods less expensive and could mean consumers are returning to old habits.

Recent Bank of Canada Study also found that most people said they were not willing to pay a further additional 10 percent for Canadian-made products.

“There appears to be a long-term shift among the general public toward prioritizing Canadian goods and services,” he said. Francois Neville, Professor of Strategic Management at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University.

“While these sentiments were likely at their peak shortly after the first wave of tariffs from the Trump administration, they appear to have waned a bit.”

Unless more controversial comments come from the White House over the next few weeks, Neville says he's not sure whether Buy Canadian will become a priority this holiday season.

“If we think about the types of gifts that are purchased during the holiday season, they are often the types of items that are not necessarily made in Canada,” he said, referring to toys that are typically made in China.

Some businesses say the boom is still going strong

Despite reports of softening buy Canadian sentiment, some companies say they have seen sustained support throughout the year.

Clothing retailer Julie Brown says every month since January her Canadian business has nearly doubled sales compared to last year.

To meet demand, they had to nearly double their warehouse and office staff, she said.

“We're seeing a huge push to buy Canadian stocks,” Brown said.

“Things certainly haven’t slowed down heading into the holiday season, and I think we’re in for a strong December as well.”

Shop Makers president Chris Sharanevich, whose stores across Canada feature products from local artists and entrepreneurs, says the company is also an outlier.

Shop Makers has opened seven new stores this year and could open more, Szaranevich said. Compared to last year, sales have increased by 20 to 40 percent every month, he said.

But Sharanevich says he understands people are strapped for cash and Canadian products can be more expensive, which may be why businesses are finding their products aren't selling.

“Naturally, with a Canadian product, the cost will be a little higher,” he said.

“Consumers are coming in and, you know, comparing our product, which is probably traditionally 20 percent higher than online,” he said. “But again, we're really just trying to highlight the fact that you're supporting a Canadian.”

Is buying local a top priority for Canadians?

A Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) study found that while each Canadian household is expected to spend an average of $943 on holiday gifts this year, 59 per cent of that amount (or $553) is expected to go to local products and services, an increase from last year.

“When you do that, you will create jobs in Canada,” said the BDC's chief economist. Pierre Cleroux.

He added that 46 percent of Canadianssaying they will spend more on Canadian goods and services this year.”

The BDC says that if Canadians redirected another $100 from their existing holiday budget to Canadian products, they would inject about $13 billion into the economy.

Some shoppers at Toronto's Eaton Center told CBC News they plan to invest as many dollars as they can in Canada.

“I think the government is limited in what it can do, and it doesn't want to cause a terrible backlash,” Robert Corey said. “But citizens can vote with their wallets.”

But for others, price will play a big role.

“Ideally, if you can get a Canadian, I would get a Canadian,” Gregory Jourard said. “You just have to be mindful of the budget.”