With more and more people looking to express their stance and concerns with issues in the world, Flags Unlimited is seeing a spike in sales for both Ukrainian and Canadian flags.
Flags Unlimited has been around since 1966, and at their St. Vincent Street location in Barrie for approximately 20 years. The company makes and sells flags and banners for a wide array of clientele.
With the Russian invasion occurring in Ukraine right now, many people are showing their support by waving the country’s blue and yellow flag on their cars and homes.
Flags Unlimited co-owner Matt Skipp told BarrieToday they have been selling more Ukrainian flags than normal despite always having some stocked.
“This time of year is historically slower, right before and around spring, and we would maybe sell several Ukrainian flags. As of right now, we have sold hundreds,” Skipp said.
Skipp said Flags Unlimited is 60 per cent flags and 40 per cent printing on fabric, which is advertising for large corporate clients and small businesses as well.
On the flag business side, Skipp said it's “predominantly Canadian flags” that the company sells across the country between their clients, which include Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, Costco and others. He believes Flags Unlimited is “easily in excess of 70 per cent of the Canadian flag market.”
As for the wave of people who have been protesting public health mandates, with the red and white maple leaf being a common sight at rallies, Skipp said Canadian flags are selling fast.
“They’re flying off the shelves. We keep our store open, but it generally only sees heavy traffic in the spring and summer. This past little while, there has been heavy traffic in the store and online, and sales have been abnormally high,” Skipp said. “We are about 10 times our normal volume for this time of year and that's being conservative.”
While big clients usually forecast six months in advance for what they need, Skipp said they have had to top up due to high sales.
The Barrie location has a manufacturing team of 45 people who cut, sew, grommet and make Canadian flags.
The red-and-white may see more of a boost due to the rise of the nation’s athletes in international sporting events.
Skipp was asked if he predicts a boost in national flags with this being a World Cup of soccer year.
“We certainly see an uptick when there are major sporting events like the World Cup and the Olympics,” he said. "People love to get behind something like that and cheer.”
