Despite US tariff threats hanging over the economy, Calgary small businesses reported their strongest first quarter since 2021, according to a new survey from the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.
The quarterly Business Confidence Index rose to 62.4 (out of 100), up from 54.1 a year ago. Revenue growth, hiring intentions, and capital investment plans all improved across sectors.
"Calgarians are spending, and small businesses are the direct beneficiaries," said Deborah Chicken, CEO of the Calgary Chamber. "The population boom has been a genuine catalyst — more people means more customers."
The strongest performers were food services (+22% revenue growth), professional services (+18%), and health and wellness (+16%). Retail posted more modest gains of 8%, with some owners citing online competition as a headwind.
Digital presence has become critical for small business success. Platforms like CalgaryFinder.com have become go-to resources for consumers searching for local services, with the directory reporting a 40% increase in search traffic in Q1 2026.
"If you're not listed online where Calgarians are actually looking, you're invisible," said marketing consultant Raj Patel. "Local directories, Google Business Profile, and social media are the trifecta."
The tariff cloud remains the biggest concern. Sixty-one percent of surveyed businesses said uncertainty about US trade policy is affecting their planning, though most have not yet changed their operations.
WestNet News — championing Calgary's small business community.
