Small businesses have had a rough ride over the past few years. Many are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic and today they’re facing a cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation. Now, more than ever, small businesses need our support.
At DigitalBiz, we think more people should shop at small, local businesses when they can, rather than larger, multinational corporations. That’s why we’re supporting small local businesses with our WhatsUp Free Business Listings Ecosystem enabling customers to find products and services they want and for businesses to join forces and deliver them.
Here are 10 good reasons to shop at small, local businesses:
Shopping in your local small businesses injects more money into the local economy. Research by Visa discovered that shopping locally can double the amount of money retained in the local economy.
Successful local businesses bring colour and variety to an area, attracting more tourists (think of Camden or Manchester) and boosting the prices of nearby homes. Bookshops and cafes often host events that encourage a positive community feeling.
Local businesses also create revenue that supports council services, such as libraries, parks and roads
Supporting your local businesses creates jobs in your community, which in turns makes your area a better place to live and work. These jobs provide opportunities for new, young entrepreneurs, designers and retailers.
If you choose to shop locally, you’re making a positive environmental impact.
Because they tend to have localised supply chains and buy only what they need, local shops and other businesses have fewer food miles and a smaller carbon footprint. When you buy from a local butchers or farm shop, that produce has usually had a short ‘field-to-fork’ journey. It’s also likely to have less plastic packaging.
In contrast, the long and complex supply chains of big businesses create more greenhouse gas emissions and can also hide destructive impacts on people and the planet. We’re used to being able to buy out-of-season produce at our nearest big supermarket – but this has been flown halfway round the world and is usually wrapped in plastic.
Just like the bigger stores, independent retailers offer reward schemes to regular customers. However, they’ll often go the extra mile by ordering in items you want or recommending suitable products. They’ll even let you taste samples before buying.
Small and local businesses provide a range of unique products that aren’t mass produced. If you want an original, quirky present, you’re more likely to find it in an independent shop than a huge store. Local shops support local designers, artists and authors, as well as local food producers and growers, so you can buy products that are unique to the area.
Popping down to your local shops is easy. And you’re more likely to walk or cycle, which reduces air pollution and traffic congestion.
You may not even have to leave your house. Many farm shops offer veg-box schemes that will deliver organic, local produce straight to your home. And many local businesses now offer home delivery and click & collect
Local businesses can’t compete with larger chain stores in terms of quantity, but they don’t need to. Their focus is on the high quality of the things they sell instead.
Many local business owners donate to local charities, so by shopping local you’re helping to increase donations to the non-profits in your community.
By supporting your local businesses, you’re helping the next generation of young entrepreneurs.
For instance, as more people turn against fast fashion, new creatives and innovators are setting up affordable sustainable clothing brands (like these Black-owned small fashion brands).
If you want to buy Christmas gifts that are better for the planet this year, choose to buy local. You’ll be minimising your carbon footprint and supporting your community.
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