Happy Holidays from HGO!

BRIGHTON, Ontario – Many of us are giving thanks 2020 is rapidly coming to a close as we prepare for a Holiday Season unlike any in recent memory. As Hannukah comes to an end and Christmas Day approaches, I for one am reminded of what this time of year really means. It is a time to celebrate, nurture and remember the goodness in every human heart. We don’t have to look too far within our industry to see evidence of its existence. Whether its Phoenix AMD International providing support to local families in need, IKEA Canada giving away Christmas trees, The Brick supporting children’s hospitals or Stoney Creek Furniture’s support of its local humane society, there’s a lot of good being done by people throughout this industry.

It's pretty obvious the COVID-19 pandemic has irrevocably changed almost everything about our country, society and business. With the rollout of the vaccine over the coming months we will begin the see the shape of the new normal, which will be quite different from the one we knew 12 months ago. If you think masks and hand sanitizing stations will begin to disappear a year from now, think again.

COVID has been the accelerant change has used to speed up our acceptance of the inevitable. We are going to spend much of the next year documenting that change. It’s going to be both interesting and exciting.

For Canadian furniture, mattress and appliance retailers, a closed border will mean our ability to travel to industry events is going to be limited. After all, it’s not the five days in High Point or Las Vegas that’s the question, it’s the 14 days of quarantine that must be endured when we get home. The vendor partners have to find ways of presenting new product, it’s difficult to sit on a new sofa or lie on a new mattress via Zoom. The service is good, but it’s not that good.

But that is what comes next month, next year. For this week and next, all us need to take a step back and give thanks for the blessings in our lives and rejoice in all we have and all we have accomplished.

Everyone here at Home Goods Online would like to wish all our friends, colleagues, readers and sponsors wherever you are in the country and whatever your faith, a truly Merry Christmas and a Joyful, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.

Our office will close at 12noon tomorrow (Wednesday, 23 December 2020) for the Holiday Season and will re-open on Monday, 04January 2021. I will continue to monitor my incoming e-mail, so don’t be afraid to reach out to me at [email protected] or [email protected] as the news doesn’t go on holiday. We will post breaking news stories on the home page as they happen during the break.

The next issue of the newsletter will be broadcast on Tuesday, 12 January 2021. Take care. Be well and follow the guidelines laid down by the medical officer of health. Let’s get through this together!