Might be happening. There's more competition lately, and the economy is in the toilet. People like me are okay (retired with pension) in terms of income dependability,but I do have to be conscious of spending as what I make on my pension is it right now. Opportunities for supplemental income are really poor right now, so even people like me that didn't lose their primary job, etc, might have less discretionary income. My GF's job takes her to the interior of BC a lot, so she's considering a move there and if so, I might be invited along, who knows! So I have to catch up on some things to make my house more saleable, and without the ability to grab some extra work, that has to come out the old pension. Large layoffs in the oil and gas industries along with upcoming tens of thousands in the public sector won't make things any better, lots of people will be looking to move out of the province. Massage is a luxury for a lot of people, and it could be a real fight to survive. I think in some ways XP has the right strategy, though I'm not sure about the price bump at TingTing. Securing a lease now is risky, but if you have the capital, it's a good time as you can negotiate great terms and leaseholds if the landlord can swing it. They need tenants.
I have to wonder if the long term strategy for Wendy is to transition to the TingTing location and close out XP once the lease is done. She certainly has leverage over the XP landlord now! She's got a parallel operation going and can walk away if the terms on the renewal aren't amazing. Some solid business moves here when looked at in the long run.