Alberta's Best

Tag: alberta

  • Alberta Looks Ahead: Why 2026–2027 Could Be Breakthrough Years for Local Businesses

    Alberta Looks Ahead: Why 2026–2027 Could Be Breakthrough Years for Local Businesses

    As Alberta moves through the mid-2020s, early signs indicate that 2026 and 2027 could be transformative years for small, locally owned businesses across the province. After several cycles of economic adjustment, digital adoption, and evolving consumer expectations, Alberta’s entrepreneurs are entering a period defined less by recovery and more by opportunity.

    On the Edge of Local Business Renaissance

    Across Alberta’s 8 largest cities — Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Airdrie, Fort McMurray, Medicine Hat, and Grande Prairie — data shows small businesses make up approximately 95% of all enterprises, employing more than a third of the private-sector workforce (1). Recent trends suggest that growth will continue, particularly in sectors such as hospitality, personal services, and specialty retail, as urban populations expand and consumer spending increases.

    Forecasts from ATB Financial predict continued annual business growth of around 1.5% in Alberta over the next two years, suggesting that 2026–2027 could see record numbers of new small-business openings (2). Combined with a rise in consumer interest in local shopping, these trends point toward strong opportunities for visibility-driven growth.

    Three Trends Shaping 2026–2027

    • Consumers are prioritizing local spending.
      A 2024 survey by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce found that 70% of Albertans actively seek to support local businesses whenever possible (3). Younger adults, in particular, increasingly view local shopping as an ethical and community-focused choice.
    • Digital visibility is essential.
      Alberta’s Digital Economy Program has already helped over 8,700 small businesses improve their online presence, with many reporting increased sales and customer engagement as a result (4). Businesses that optimize discoverability now will enter 2026 with a significant advantage, especially in competitive urban markets like Calgary and Edmonton.
    • Entrepreneurial growth is strong.
      According to Business Link and provincial reports, Alberta continues to attract new business registrations at a steady pace across Calgary, Edmonton, and emerging markets like Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie (5). This ensures a competitive, dynamic small-business landscape — but also increases the need for platforms that connect businesses with local customers efficiently.

    Looking Ahead: Opportunity for 2026–2027

    By 2026, residents in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Airdrie, Fort McMurray, Medicine Hat, and Grande Prairie will expect streamlined ways to explore local offerings. Rapidly growing cities such as Calgary and Edmonton may see new cafés, boutiques, and service providers go unnoticed for months without proper visibility. Platforms like Alberta’s Best help ensure these businesses are discovered quickly, connecting them with communities eager to support them.

    Entering 2027, Alberta’s small businesses that invest in visibility, reputation, and digital tools will likely see measurable advantages:

    • Greater customer loyalty
    • Increased foot traffic and online engagement
    • Stronger competitive positioning
    • Long-term sustainable growth

    Communities that support local businesses now are not only strengthening neighborhood economies but also helping ensure Alberta’s entrepreneurial sector thrives for years to come.

    Sources:
    1. https://everythinggp.com/2024/10/29/business-booming-in-alberta-province-says/
    2. https://www.atb.com/company/insights/the-twenty-four/number-of-active-businesses-in-alberta-december-2024/
    3. https://calgarychamber.com/whats-new/release-calgary-chamber-releases-small-business-big-impact-policy/
    4. https://digitalmainstreet.ca/digital-economy-program-wrap-up-over-8700-small-businesses-supported-across-alberta/
    5. https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2025/06/25/province-announces-investment-for-small-and-medium-sized-businesses/

  • Alberta’s Small Businesses Are Rising — But Visibility Is Still Their Biggest Challenge

    Alberta’s Small Businesses Are Rising — But Visibility Is Still Their Biggest Challenge

    Across Alberta’s eight largest cities, a familiar story plays out every day: small business owners working hard, building something meaningful, and hoping the community finds them in a world where attention is harder to earn than ever.

    In Calgary, a new café opened in Mission this spring — the kind with house-made pastries and a line of regulars who chat like old friends. But the owner admitted that during the first six weeks, “most people walked by without even knowing we were here.” Many Alberta entrepreneurs share that same experience: great product, great service, but not enough people discovering them.

    It’s a problem echoed in Edmonton as well. At the Bountiful Farmers’ Market, several vendors saw strong seasonal sales, yet many said they struggled before gaining traction. “Once people found us, everything changed,” one artisan soap maker said. “But the finding part? That’s the hardest.”

    Across Alberta, small businesses make up more than 95% of all companies — a reminder that behind every storefront is a household, a dream, and a community asset (1). And while business counts continue to rise, with Alberta seeing a year-over-year increase in active businesses (2), owners say the early stages can feel like shouting into the void.

    Communities are trying. Residents in cities like Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, and Red Deer consistently show strong interest in supporting local — and when people know where to go, they show up. But the challenge isn’t desire. It’s discoverability.

    That’s why digital visibility has become such a critical part of growth. Alberta’s Digital Economy Program, which helped more than 8,700 businesses improve their online presence, showed how quickly things change when customers can actually find you (3). For many owners, the difference between a slow week and a strong one comes down to being visible in the places locals already search.

    Local directories like Alberta’s Best have emerged as one of the simplest ways to bridge that gap — giving residents a central place to explore trusted local businesses while giving owners a way to stand out without massive marketing budgets. The goal is simple: help people discover the businesses they’d love if they only knew they existed.

    And when that discovery happens, the effects ripple outward. Edmonton’s craft market vendors see repeat customers. Calgary’s neighbourhood cafés become gathering places. Lethbridge manufacturers grow from local suppliers to regional exporters. Small sparks turn into momentum — and momentum turns into stability.

    In every Alberta city, the story is the same: when local businesses are easy to find, they grow. When they grow, communities thrive.

    And that’s a story worth telling — and repeating.

    Thank you for being part of the AlbertasBest.ca community. Together, we connect Albertans with local businesses that make our communities strong.

    Sources:
    https://everythinggp.com/2024/10/29/business-booming-in-alberta-province-says/
    https://www.atb.com/company/insights/the-twenty-four/number-of-active-businesses-in-alberta-december-2024/
    https://digitalmainstreet.ca/digital-economy-program-wrap-up-over-8700-small-businesses-supported-across-alberta/

  • Alberta’s 5 Million Milestone: What Community Growth Means for Alberta’s Local Business

    Alberta’s 5 Million Milestone: What Community Growth Means for Alberta’s Local Business

    Alberta crossed a historic threshold. In the second quarter of 2025, our province’s population surpassed 5 million people, marking a milestone that arrived years ahead of earlier projections. For local businesses across our communities, this growth represents both opportunity and transformation.

    A Province on the Move

    For twelve straight quarters—three full years—Alberta has led the country in interprovincial migration, with 6,187 people choosing to move here from other provinces in the second quarter alone. Walk through any Alberta community and you’ll see the impact: new faces at the coffee shop, more families at community events, and businesses adapting to serve a growing customer base.

    What’s driving people here? It’s not just jobs anymore. Unlike previous migration waves driven by energy sector employment, relative housing affordability has become the primary draw, particularly from British Columbia and Ontario.

    Beyond the Big Cities

    While Calgary and Edmonton continue to grow rapidly, ATB projects significant growth in Lethbridge and Red Deer as well. This means opportunities aren’t limited to major urban centers. Smaller city businesses, from Canmore to Grande Prairie, are seeing new customers discovering what locals have always known—Alberta communities offer quality, value, and genuine connection.

    Over the second quarter of 2025, Alberta’s population grew by roughly 0.4 per cent while Canada’s population grew by just 0.1 per cent. That gap tells a story: people are choosing Alberta, and local businesses are the beneficiaries.

    What This Means for Your Community

    Every new Albertan needs groceries, haircuts, home repairs, professional services, and places to gather with friends and family. They’re looking for mechanics they can trust, restaurants that feel like home, and shops that reflect their values.

    For local business owners, this growth creates sustained demand. New residents need to establish relationships with service providers, discover their favorite local spots, and build the routines that make a house a home. Thats why being visible and accessible to these newcomers matters more than ever.

    Taking A Look Ahead

    Alberta’s economy is forecast to grow by 1.9% in 2025 and 2.2% in 2026, underpinned by activity in residential construction, steady energy production, and sustained population growth. This isn’t a boom-and-bust cycle—it’s steady, sustainable growth across multiple sectors.

    The five million milestone isn’t just a number. It represents five million potential customers, five million neighbors, and five million reasons why local businesses matter.

    As Alberta grows, the businesses that thrive will be those that stay connected to their communities, welcome new opportunities, and continue delivering the quality and service that make people proud to call Alberta home.

    Thank you for supporting the AlbertasBest.ca community. Together, we’re connecting Albertans with the local businesses that make our communities stronger.