Shop Local and support your community

Many consumers have slipped out of the habit of shopping locally, with today’s hectic lifestyle meaning convenience often trumps speciality and customer service for shoppers. However, making the choice to shop locally over choosing bigger brands or shopping online is more critical today than ever before.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major wake-up call for many people. Local businesses are the beating heart of our communities, and many have been working around the clock to provide new ways of serving their valued customers. Consumers will have to make smarter decisions about where and who they shop with in the years ahead and buying locally will become essential for local communities to continue to thrive and support one another on the other side of this pandemic.

TaxAssist Accountants is very much behind the Buy Local message and we’ve put together seven ethical and economic reasons why more of us should choose local suppliers and producers:

1. Maintain a strong job market for local communities

Having busy, thriving stores fosters local employment and self-employment. In turn, local employees spend their hard-earned income back in the local economy too in a self-perpetuating cycle helping to keep communities going.

2. Breathe new life into the local economy

Research suggests that for every $10 spent at the tills of a local independent store, it provides up to five times this amount for the local economy. The more revenue a small business receives, the more it puts back into the local community in the form of employee wages and spending profits on other local businesses. This then shares the wealth and helps to underpin a sustainable local economy.

3.Support local innovation and creativity

Local, independent businesses are the proving ground for innovation and creativity. It’s the passion and drive of local small businesses which breaks boundaries that inspires larger firms to innovate and retain their authenticity. 

4. Enjoy a personalised, tailored shopping experience

One of the main differentiators between buying locally and online is the fact that you are buying from local entrepreneurs and personalities. This provides that personal touch, with local businesses passionate about going the extra mile to help you find what you need rather than what a larger business wants to sell to you.

5. Support entrepreneurs offering originality

Local businesses tend to offer a credible alternative to a high-street chain store. An independent store will offer engagement and originality that can provide a breath of fresh air. Whether it’s an alternative product or a unique store layout, shopping locally can keep our retail experiences interesting and varied.

6. Keep local produce alive

Buying locally empowers independent specialists to keep producing authentic, traditional local products. Local firms tend to be more agile and receptive to the needs of their customers, producing and sourcing products and goods that meet the changing demands of their communities.

7. Limit your carbon footprint

Last but by no means least, shopping locally is kinder to the wider environment too. First and foremost, local stores will often stock a greater percentage of goods sourced and produced locally, reducing the miles from producer to consumer. Furthermore, using local stores that you can walk or cycle to limits your own carbon footprint.

Buying locally is a choice, a choice which gives a community a chance. Give something back to your own local community in their time of need. Shop local.

 

Date published 22 May 2020 | Last updated 22 May 2020

This article is intended to inform rather than advise and is based on legislation and practice at the time. Taxpayer’s circumstances do vary and if you feel that the information provided is beneficial it is important that you contact us before implementation. If you take, or do not take action as a result of reading this article, before receiving our written endorsement, we will accept no responsibility for any financial loss incurred.