Quebecers will have to dig deeper into their pockets starting Jan. 1, 2011, when the provincial sales tax goes up.

Quebec introduces its 8.5 per cent sales tax on Saturday at 12:01 a.m., a one percentage point increase from the current tax.

The additional charge is an aggravation for consumers, and a source of stress for retailers.

"We are afraid that some businesses are going to have to close their doors, because they've already been affected by the recession, and now they're going to be affected by this increase in sales tax," said Martine Hébert, vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses.

Montreal retailer Yasmine Wasfy said she might start including sales tax in her ticketed prices, to soften the blow.

"We're hoping that it's going to be less of a sticker shock at the cash, once they come in, and they just know what they're spending."

Quebec's provincial sales tax is due to go up again on Jan. 1, 2012, to 9.5 per cent.