Why shop at local small businesses?
It might seem crazy obvious, but shopping locally can do a lot for the consumer, the community, and the environment.
The fun part is that shopping locally puts much power in buyers' pockets. They are "voting with their dollars," so to speak.
Here are some cool facts about shopping locally:
The economic benefits of shopping locally are impressive: According to an American Express 2018 study, 67 cents out of every dollar spent in the community stays there.
Surprisingly, many people are already eager to spend locally, especially after the pandemic. Intuit found that out of 1,500 Americans surveyed in 2021, 70% already supporting small, local companies.
These are 20 sensible reasons why shopping locally is the best kind of shopping.
As much as numbers help convey why shopping locally should be on top of any shoppers' list, many other reasons don't just have to do with the numbers.
Shopping at the local level is a win for consumers.
1. Shipping costs are reduced. 🚢
Everyone loves saving money. And by shopping nearby, there's likely to be no cost to getting a purchase in hand.
There's virtually no wait time, either!
2. Quick last-minute shopping is a breeze. 🛍️
Small companies make a great option for last-minute shopping, even with the ease of the internet. When time slips, it's easy to hop down to a nearby store and get what's needed.
3. Local shopping can become a family adventure. ⛰️
Supporting local companies and having fun with the kids?
Yes, please!
On a dull Saturday afternoon with nothing to do, shopping locally can be a fun excuse to get out of the house, get some vitamin D, and entertain the kids.
4. It's easier to get steps in when you shop in your neighborhood. 🏠
Spending time sitting at home is so easy, mainly thanks to remote or hybrid work.
Instead of ordering another thing online, it might be great to step out of the house and get some light exercise by browsing local stores.
5. Local items are unique. 🎁
Finding gifts for some people, especially those who seem to have it all, is tough.
When people buy locally, it's easier to find unique small knick-knacks instead of big box items everyone already owns.
Handmade gift cards from local stores can be a bonus.
6. Better customer service is another perk of local shopping.🏪
Another plus of shopping local vs shopping corporate is better service.
Because these small shops are built by the community, building relationships with these owners and their staff is more effortless.
The shopping experience will be much less stressful with a friendly face.
7. Local entrepreneurs can be inspired. 👩🎨
Setting up a business is an exciting and challenging task.
For those that want to launch their venture—virtual or otherwise—there's a lot to learn from other local entrepreneurs about what it's like to set up and run a business.
8. The quality of the products is better at local businesses. 📈
Local shops sell products for local and small-scale consumption.
Though they might cost a bit more, the products are made with quality materials and ingredients, as there's no need to mass produce and cut production costs.
9. Knowing what products are made of is easier. ♻️
Because the products of local stores are made nearby, it's easier to identify the materials.
Just ask the person selling them to you. It feels safer to consume these products from home.
10. Buyers understand the power of their money better. 💰
For those more conscious about their spending, seeing how it contributes to them, the community, and the economy is admirable.
Shopping locally helps your community.
So far, these 10 reasons to shop locally should sell most people on the idea.
But for those needing more persuasion, shopping locally is also a great way to help a city.
How does shopping locally help the community?
11. Purchases directly impact neighbors. 🏘️
Local companies are run by the same people that live in those neighborhoods. They are likely to see familiar faces when shopping within their city.
It feels good to help out a neighbor and encourages community building through shopping.
12. Local shopping helps the city's economy. 🌆
When people support small businesses, they are helping the city's economy.
The tax dollars spent on local purchases will be collected by the local government and used to improve the city in which the spender lives.
13. It creates more jobs for the city. 👨🌾
Another reason to support local businesses is that it contributes to job growth in the city.
A local business tends to hire people who live nearby because it's convenient, and they know the potential customer base better than outsiders.
14. Local businesses understand city needs. 🏬
Many businesses are established as a response to a specific need in the community.
These business owners understand city needs better than larger businesses. They live where they work, and thus they can produce and sell items that people need.
When people shop near their community, they’re contributing to sustainability.
It's great to benefit shoppers and our communities through local purchases.
A bonus is that these kinds of purchases also promote sustainability.
Why is shopping local good for the environment and society?
15. Shopping locally reduces a consumer's carbon footprint. 🦶
Local items are made with local products produced sustainably, thus decreasing a buyer's carbon footprint.
The reduced cost of shipping on the environment is also a bonus.
16. Workers are treated better. 🤗
Shopping small businesses also helps ensure workers are paid well and treated respectfully.
Local enterprises must abide by their government's labor laws. For larger businesses, it's more challenging to know that their products are made sustainably.
17. It means supporting the city's history, culture, and traditions. 🧧
Not convinced to shop local, why shop local small business is best, or why it's worth spending dollars nearby?
Buying close to home can help preserve local traditions, that's why.
Families have built many local businesses for generations and thus preserve some of the community's history and heritage.
18. Local shopping supports other local businesses simultaneously. 🫂
If people shop small businesses, they’re not only supporting one local company—they're likely supporting multiple.
For instance, the bakery that sells pastries may source its fruits and eggs from a local farm.
A local clothing store may get its items from local designers.
Shopping in the community is an action that has many ripple effects.
19. Small, local establishments listen to local buyers. 👂
Like local entrepreneurs who understand city needs, it's easier for consumers to voice their concerns and needs.
Buying local means interacting with business owners and letting them know what's great or not about their products.
20. It's easier than ever. ✅
Shopping in the city is so easy that it doesn't require much thought or effort besides leaving the house.
It's as simple as going to a local store on a trip to the supermarket or before picking up the kid at school.
Local purchases can be made anytime, anywhere.