In this two-minute read, we look at why it’s so important
and enjoyable to buy from local, independent stores.
Tomorrow, Saturday 4 December, is national Small Business
Saturday.
The campaign, which was begun by American Express, is in its
ninth year and has grown steadily.
In 2020, a record £1.1 billion was spent with small
businesses on Small Business Saturday and 15.4 million people chose to make a
big difference by shopping small and locally.
It’s a day which traditionally kicks off the Christmas
shopping period across Torbay and the entire UK.
There has never been a better time to look locally for your
festive items, presents, and anything else that makes it ‘the most wonderful
time of the year’.
When we buy locally, we support our neighbourhoods and give
them the best possible chance of remaining lively, sustainable, and successful.
Below are five ways you can support the local economy (and
probably bag yourself a bargain in the process).
1) Buy
local or bye local – Remember, Christmas is a crucial period for
independent traders, especially post-pandemic. We need to use them, or we could
lose them.
2) Vote
with your wallet/purse – When you buy from a local business you are showing
that what they bring to the community is valued by you.
3) Get
social – Tag the store you bought from in a social media post.
4) A
form of thanks – Many small businesses and shops get involved with
supporting community projects and events over the year. A purchase from them,
no matter how small, shows you’re grateful for their local involvement.
5) Do
a review – One of the best things about shopping from smaller, independent
businesses is that your purchase really matters to them, and the service is
often superior to larger, national retailers. Let the world wide web know if
your experience with a local shop or business has been a positive one by
leaving a Google review or similar.
We’d love to know which Torbay shops you’ll be buying from
in the run-up to Christmas.
Let us know by mentioning and tagging them in the comments
below.
Together, we can make a big difference.
From all at Ridgewater Sales and Lettings.