Shoppers, retailers find Canada’s GST holiday a bust [Video]

For many shoppers, the lure of saving five per cent on certain purchases hasn’t enticed them to buy more over the past couple weeks.

“It really wasn’t on my radar,” said one shopper in downtown Victoria on Monday.

“Absolutely not,” said another.

From Dec. 14 through Feb. 15, the federal government has offered a so-called “GST holiday” for a select number of items, including beer, cider, wine and some pre-mixed coolers with less than seven per cent alcohol.

“The savings people are getting on their alcohol isn’t really drawing them in,” said Andrew Morris at The Strath Ale Wine & Spirits Merchants.

Also exempt are some children’s toys – including stuffies – and all puzzles. At Oscar & Libby’s novelty and gift store, the tax break is small enough that it has made no difference to business, said the store’s owner Terri Hustins, who owns four locations for the store across Victoria.

“I really …