Why Shop Local?
From corner shops and florists, to newsagents, cafes and pubs, our local high streets are at the heart of our community. From popping into a local cafe for a coffee with friends, or buying a quirky gift from an independent shop, shopping locally helps support our local economy, creates jobs and boosts our local community.
Shopping locally can help our local business owners and our local communities get back up and running. Covid-19 had a huge impact everywhere, and small businesses were no exception. Here’s why it’s a great idea to support your local small businesses:
1. Stimulate our local economy
Shopping local cycles money back into our local economy, so by spending your money in our local shops, restaurants, cafés or pubs, you can do your bit to aid our local high street recovery.
2. Save jobs – and create more
Supporting our local high streets directly improves the jobs market in our community. Jobs that might otherwise go, can be saved. New jobs can be created, often supporting our young and disadvantaged people to find employment. Helping to grow the number of jobs in our local area also helps to make for a better place to live and work, which then creates a stronger, healthier community.
3. Great deals
We often choose to shop with the big online stores and big high street stores, because it’s thought to be cheaper, but you might be surprised to see just how competitive the prices are in your local shops. Independent retailers will often reward regular customers, and some offer great deals that can’t be found in major outlets – meaning you save money as you spend.
4. Preserve the heart of the community
A thriving high street is key to boosting our local community. Local businesses benefit from a strong community, therefore the owners tend to be more engaged members of the community themselves. Small businesses are known to play a significant role in supporting local community charities and causes. Small businesses are known to donate far more than large businesses to local nonprofits and community causes, creating a positive cycle of giving back locally.
5. Spoilt for choice
Small and local businesses often stock items which are made locally and aren’t available elsewhere else, providing a great range of choice and unique products that bring much-needed originality and variety into communities – including rare finds and items that aren’t mass produced.
6. A better shopping experience
Small businesses are usually run by people who live nearby. The experience of buying locally from a friendly face can offer more than just convenience. Local store owners value their customers, and their very livelihood hangs on your own happiness, so employees will take the time to get to know you, making for a better shopping experience overall. Also, if you do have a query, rest assured you won’t be explaining it to a robot!
7. Help our environment
One word: Transportation. Local shops are more likely to source their goods locally, and this helps to reduce carbon footprint (less pollution and congestion). And, when shopping locally, since you are more likely to walk or cycle to get there, you are also doing your bit to reduce air pollution, reduce traffic and improve the quality of your local streets.
Now more than ever, it’s time to think local, shop local and encourage strangers and friends alike to do the same.
