Dear Reader,

Here at Atlantic Business Magazine, we like to build our issues around themes. Themes allow us to coordinate content for a deeper dive into a particular topic.

November’s innovation issue, for example, features the definitive backstory to the US$2.75 billion acquisition of Verafin by Nasdaq plus our 3rd annual list of 30 Under 30 Innovators in Atlantic Canada. Watch for it on newsstands across Atlantic Canada on November 1 (retail outlets listed here).

Magazine content planning typically takes place six to 12 months before publication, but I didn’t know what to do for January until a few days ago. The theme can be summarized in a single, deceptively simple word: local.

The idea started with our Best of Atlantic Canada Readers Choice Awards. Categories range from professional services to food and travel (voting is still open, hint hint). Through their votes, readers tell us which local B2B suppliers are accelerating their business.

Then, last week, a chance phone call with a small transportation company led to a deeper conversation around supply chains. Specifically, local solutions to local supply management issues – and that story was added to the lineup.

Then another story came up for editorial discussion… a local multi-generation family business gets bought out by an international company with more than 14,200 stores in 26 countries. What changes when a head office shifts from down the road to another province or country? That story, too, was added to the lineup.

With three local features on deck, the theme essentially set itself – and opened the door to a deeper discussion around the meaning of local. #ShopLocal is a popular call-to-action on social media - but just how realistic is it? And what does that really mean?

Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s MAGA push (and popularity) was rooted in his America-first policy. According to the BBC, Trump imposed tariffs that increased the price of imports (like steel and aluminum) to make locally made products more attractive. It’s a protectionist mindset that goes against the grain of globalization.

So, what does #ShopLocal mean if you push the idea to its extreme? Do we – unrealistically - expect to import less and export more? Are consumers willing to pay higher prices for local products? And what about those things we can’t get here? Will we forgo choice and selection to wave the local flag?

What are your thoughts on a local economy? I’d really like to know. After all, I have a January issue to fill and time is running short.

Dawn Chafe
Executive editor & co-owner
dchafe@atlanticbusinessmagazine.ca

P.S. Atlantic Business Magazine has been Atlantic Canada’s business magazine since 1989. 100% local content