Can you feel that? Thousands of feet, marching closer and closer to the biggest retail season of the year.
Holiday shopping is closer than we’d all like to think. As local businesses, of course, we prefer local people to shop…local.
Just in case you need a topic for your next dinner party monologue, we’ve put together some of the best reasons to shop local, along with a printable that you can pass out to your customers, relatives and friends. Keep reading to learn more!
Why should a person shop local?
Small businesses donate 250% more than larger businesses to non-profits and community causes.
When you support a small business, you are also supporting the community. Locally owned companies donate more than twice as much to local non-profits and other community causes as big box stores.
Want to support your local schools, sports teams, libraries, food banks, meals on wheels and more? Shop at small businesses. Boom. Done.
If you spend $100 at a local business, roughly $68 stays in your local economy.
If you spend the same at a large business, only $43 stays in the local economy.
Large national chains siphon money out of local economies. By contrast, independent local businesses keep 58% more of the money you spend right in the community where you spent it.
The costs of running a small business often go right back into your local community. Employee wages, local supply chains, business fees – all money invested directly into the economy where the business operates.
Independent businesses beat their chain competitors in overall customer satisfaction
This will come as a surprise to no one: small businesses take better care of their customers than large, faceless conglomerates.
Chances are great that you can speak directly to the owner and decision maker of a local business. You might even know him or her personally. The employees will eat lunch at the same sandwich shop you do, and your kids will graduate from the same high school.
Corporations wish they could achieve that level of personal touch in their customer service – but with a small business, it just comes built in.
Independent businesses create about two-thirds of private sector jobs.
Every $10 million of spending at a local business creates 57 jobs, whereas the same spending at a large online retailer creates 14 jobs.
Jobs. Independently owned businesses create more jobs. They create more jobs by sheer numbers, and they create four times as many jobs per dollar spent.
If you are concerned about the job market, shop local!
Local businesses have a smaller carbon footprint.
Pop quiz:
Small local businesses are more likely than huge national companies to do which of the following:
- Use recycled materials and products
- Recycle used products and materials
- Cut down on transportation by using local supplies
- All of the above.
You know it – the answer is 4. Your local businesses leave a smaller carbon footprint.
Shop local!
Know someone(s) who could use this information? Download our printable and distribute generously, share this article, pin the infographic – pass the word along!