When you shop at independent or local-to-you businesses, more money is kept within your community because local businesses often use or buy from local service providers, farms, and companies. Buying locally helps grow other businesses as well as your region’s tax base.
Shop Local! is a cry heard from green-minded folks during all seasons, and as holiday gifting approaches, the exclamations seem to get louder.
But what does buy local mean, exactly?
If Target is three miles from my house, does that mean I’m shopping locally?
Does buying from my local supermarket count as local?
Shopping for holiday gifts on Etsy is shopping small. Does it have the same impact as shopping locally?
And, probably the biggest question during these tough economic times is why should I shop locally when I can get a product cheaper at a chain retailer?
THE BENEFITS OF SHOPPING LOCALLY
Not only does buying local help your community, it’s also kinder to the planet. All that made in China stuff might be cheap, but the shipping, packaging, and carbon dioxide emissions are costly in the long run to our health and our environment.
The National Federation of Independent Businesses says it is the most important shopping day of the season for 36% of independent retailers. Only 24% of these businesses say Black Friday is more important.
The reason for the Buy Local movement can really be summarized in four simple phrases
SHOP SMALL
Think of independent businesses when you think of shopping small. Boutique or consignment clothing stores, toy stores, gift shops, hardware stores, salons/spas, restaurants, and sports equipment stores are just a few examples of owner-run businesses where you can find great gifts.
We don’t live in a metro area with a very large number of options, but local craft fairs and Etsy are perfect places to look for something special. To use Etsy for local shopping, simply do a search for sellers in your area. I once found a soap maker in my town who made the most beautifully-scented body products inspired by local attractions. A double local win!
SPEND LOCALLY
Where do your dollars go when you spend them? According to American Independent Business Alliance (AIBA), there is something called the multiplier effect that doesn’t get mentioned enough in the Shop Local movement.
The multiplier effect is the boost to your local economy that results from locally-owned independent businesses, owners, and employees spending business revenue within the region. In a number of studies illustrated on AIBA’s site, a proven 48% return to the community occurs when you spend locally, versus a 13.6% return when shopping chain retail.
You’ll also enjoy a higher quality product in most cases when supporting your local small businesses. Products from overseas are often cheap for a reason; they skimp on quality and often humane working conditions.
EAT LOCALLY
Don’t underestimate the amount of dollars spent on food, beverages, and restaurant visits during the holidays. Those dollars can be viewed as an investment in your community!
Investigate local butchers, shop your farmers market, check for signs in larger grocery stores that carry certain sections of items from local growers, support small wine and liquor stores, and frequent independent restaurants. An impressive 65.4% returns to your community when you eat at a local restaurant versus a chain.