New local online platform takes on big retail delivery service to support local businesses
While online shopping has become a multi-trillion-dollar worldwide industry, a new online marketplace launched in Simcoe County in recent weeks is making it easier and more affordable to keep e-commerce local.
That marketplace is JustSimcoe.ca, which connects consumers with county-based products and provides same-day delivery service in a similar fashion to large worldwide couriers.
“Here in Simcoe County, we spend an estimated $500 million a year on Amazon.ca alone, while we’ve got thousands of amazing local businesses here in our own backyard,” said Andrew de Jong, founder of Just Simcoe.
In addition to de Jong’s website operators, the Just Simcoe team is made up of nine drivers who pick up orders from local stores and deliver them to consumers at a rate of up to $7.50 per order.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local news alerts
- Don't miss breaking news - Sign up for the CTV Newsletter
The service operates Monday to Friday. Orders that are placed before 3 p.m. get delivered the same day, while orders placed after 3 p.m. get delivered the next day.
“It’s a way we can stand up as a community and say, ‘we’re not just going to hand a big part of our economy over to monopolistic companies like Amazon,’” added de Jong. “We’re going to fight for our own. We’re going to build our own solution and keep that revenue local.”
Local expert Jesse Kerr says 98 per cent of the Canadian economy is driven by small businesses.
“Then the micro businesses are even less than 10 or less than five [employees and] employ almost about 60 to 70 per cent of the population as well,” said Kerr. “When we give them support, we grow our own communities.”
Just Simcoe has partnered with nearly 100 local businesses so far, such as Kim Andrews’ scented candle business and Shannon Cunningham’s non-alcoholic beverage business.
“They take a lot of care and pride when delivering the products,” said Andrews, owner of THE GOOD WAX candle co in Barrie. “The customer service is amazing and it’s affordable.”
“They have made things a lot faster for us, a lot more convenience for us,” said Cunningham, co-owner of Sober Sips in Barrie. “Our customers have actually come back and reported just how friendly Andrew and his team have been.”
De Jong says he is focused on continuing to grow Just Simcoe across Simcoe County and taking a customer-focused approach, making people more aware of local alternatives to online shopping.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Auto theft probe leads to arrest of 59 suspects, recovery of more than 300 stolen vehicles: Toronto police
Toronto police say 59 suspects are facing a total of 300 charges in connection with an auto theft and re-vinning probe.
Ont. woman posed as registered nurse in Simcoe County for 4 years: OPP
An Ontario woman is facing serious charges after police allege she pretended to be a registered nurse at several Simcoe County facilities, despite being unqualified.
WATCH 'It's mind-boggling': Drought reveals U.S. town submerged in the 1940s
Hundreds of people are flocking to see a rare site in Pennsylvania: remnants of a historic town that is usually underwater.
Democrats Abroad Canada warns U.S. voters to take action ahead of possible Canada Post strike
Democrats Abroad Canada is warning Americans that a potential postal workers strike this weekend could affect the ability to vote in next week's election.
B.C. mayor's 'luxury' trip to Dubai climate conference was against ethics rules: commissioner
New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone's all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai for a climate conference last December violated the city's Code of Conduct for Council Members and the Community Charter, the city's ethics commissioner has ruled.
Caught on camera: Edmonton police run over woman during welfare call
An Edmonton Police Service officer was caught on camera running over a woman with a marked cruiser last month.
Bradley Barton's sentence upheld by appeals court in 2011 death of Cindy Gladue
An appeal has been denied to extend the sentence of an Ontario trucker who killed a woman in his Edmonton hotel room in 2011.
Secret Service report offers new details on failures during Trump assassination attempt
A new Secret Service report into the July assassination attempt against former U.S. president Donald Trump said multiple staffers knew about clear line-of-sight risks but found them 'acceptable' and that farm equipment intended to obstruct the view from the nearby building where the gunman opened fire was never used.
Meet Decoy Ohtani, perhaps the most valuable pet of the World Series
The Dodgers' most valuable pet: Decoy Ohtani, dog of Shohei, has become a fixture of Dodgers — and dog — fandom.