Shopping locally is so important, especially in the current climate. Not only would you be boosting your local economies, but you would also be creating a more sustainable lifestyle for yourself and your community. It goes without saying that shopping locally supports the shopowner who could be your neighbor, friend from school, or a relative of yours. Instead of buying from a huge corporate brand, you could be investing in an entrepreneur.
What Goes Around Comes Around
When spending money on a local business, it can affect the surrounding area of the shop. Buying a book from the independent book shop on your village high street means that the owner will then be able to spend money at the local pub or beautician, for example. The money will stay within your community. When one business thrives, the rest will follow suit.
Honest Returns
Shopping online has its perks; it is easy, you can sit on your sofa with a cup of tea, and it will arrive within in days of pressing the button. However, shopping online has a huge disadvantage: the returns process. The returns process can cause a disruption in the cash flow of your bank account. If you bought an expensive piece of art from an online store, it might take weeks after you realize it was not aesthetically right for the space you picked. Choosing a piece of art from the independent, local interior design shop means it is a quick and easy return, and the money is back in your account or credited to you at the exact time.
Furthermore, there are elements in which you nor the online retailer can control when ordering online. For example, if the item was lost or damaged in transit, it means the length of time you would be waiting for the item is extended by weeks or even months. Having a direct and physical contact with a team member of the store can help with any concerns or specific requirements you or they need in order to make purchasing or even delivery as seamless as possible.
The You In Unique
When purchasing an item online, you can be sure that it has been mass-produced. By choosing an independent business, it means they are selecting items that the people in the area will take notice of and specifically tailoring their stock to their target audience, the surrounding community. Take this knitting shop, for example. You can find high-quality products, such as fabric and yarn, but you can also find unique products in their store and even take advantage of online classes to improve your skills. Putting the effort in to really help their customers by providing little perks like this can make a difference in your experience.
Tying together the attention to detail when choosing items to sell and the friendly customer service creates an element of warmth and appreciation, and, in return, the independent shop can rely on brand loyalty from its customers.
Giving To Give Back
Many local businesses tend to support other businesses or charities. If there is a local charity close to the community’s hearts, a community hall, or the town’s football club, it would be more than likely they would choose to support locally too in order to give back to their loyal customer base.
Shopping locally is hugely important in order to help your community run smoothly. Choosing to invest your money into an independent shop means they will give back to those around them, such as other independent shops, restaurants, or community charities. It is important to remember that huge corporate chains can survive without five customers, but for an independent, it could be the busiest day of the year for them.
