We have all come across the MEME or GIF that tells us to shop local and shop small so we can make the owners of these businesses dance like performing animals in a circus. Ok, it means so much more to a small business owner when they make a sale, they see that money going straight into their pocket. But the truth is that there are so many other reasons why we should all be buying from local businesses, they may not all GIF worthy but they are worthy.
Buying locally allows the local economy to grow and develop.
Yes buying locally allows the owners to buy their kids new shoes (hopefully from another local business) and pay their electricity bills but it also gives them the money to pay council tax, income tax, rent and other bills that keep money circulating locally.
When you buy from a big business, who often have overseas headquarters and off shore accounts the money you spend here packs it bags and goes off on holiday, sometimes never to be seen here again. In fact for every £1 spent locally 63p stays local compared to only 40p when you buy from bigger companies.
Local businesses create local jobs.
This one is a bit obvious, but if the money made here makes jobs here then the people here spend that money here and the cycle of here goes on and on. Do you hear me? Sorry bad joke.
But still the truth is the more money created by local businesses the more jobs created by local businesses, and that cannot be a bad thing.
It is also a fact, trust me I Googled it, that small, local businesses are more likely to create more jobs not only because the money is there but because they are run by small business owners who understand the demands of modern life. Big businesses see their employees as number, we have all seen that, small businesses have more heart to them than that.
I once heard of a small business in trouble, facing closure and at rock bottom. They needed money that they simply did not have. Then the boss had an idea, if each of the employees agreed to take two weeks unpaid leave over the course of the year that would give the business the money it needed. The employees were given the ultimatum keep your job but lose two weeks wages or lose your job. They all chose to stay, to work together to make the business work, to keep the heart beating. Small businesses are more like a family than a machine. That particular business went on to thrive.
Local businesses keep communities alive
There are some villages in Scotland where it is impossible to just wander in and buy a house that’s for sale. You have to have rented and lived locally for a contracted number of years first. Why? To ensure that you are not simply buying a holiday house which will sit empty most of the year. These rules are in place to protect the community, because community means so much to them. It keeps the schools open, the shops busy and village thriving.
Local businesses play their part in this story too; creating jobs, providing supplies and becoming the beating heart that keeps the community alive. Think ‘Queen Vic’ in Eastenders or ‘Central Perk’ in Friends.
Now take yourself away from the idyllic villages and into the city and suburbs and you still need communities, you still need the stability of supply and let’s be honest we all secretly love the idea of walking to ask for ‘the usual’ and the person behind the counter knowing us so well it happens.
If a big business thinks they are in trouble and struggling in an area they will simply shut up shop and try somewhere else. They have the resources to do so and no emotional connection to keep them there. Small, local businesses are adaptive and ever changing to keep their doors open and stay within the community where they work and live.
Local businesses encourage entrepreneurship
Adapt or die. Dramatic yes, but it is also the moto for most successful small businesses live by. Change to meet the needs of your customers or wave them good bye as they go to someone who can. It is in this challenging environment that entrepreneurs are made.
What gives small, local businesses the upper hand in meeting the ever changing needs of their customers is that rather than hiding in an office somewhere the CEO , the boss, the big man is hands on, meeting and dealing with customers day in, day out. They know their customers because they talk to their customers. Not through stuffy questionnaires or sneaky algorithms but through genuine day to day chit chat.
The relationship built from being part of the community means customers are not shy in coming forward, like a kid with their favourite aunty they know if they don’t ask they don’t get and if they think you will listen they will ask.
Local businesses have the best, quirky, unique and wonderful items out there. Fact.
No I didn’t Google that one. I just know from my own shopping experiences that the best gifts I’ve bought or been given have come from small, local businesses like the portrait of my husband swinging a lightsabre or the Christmas tree decoration I look forward to bringing out each year.
We have all found ourselves at a local market, Christmas fayre or even on social media moseying at the incredible makes on offer, thinking how great they would look in our house, on us or given as a gift. Yes that can happen in bigger businesses but there is something special about a one off, limited edition, something not everyone has.
Going back to social media, everyone is looking for something photo worthy and you won’t find that unique something that no one else has, that makes your profile stand out buying the mass produced items from big chain shops. There is a real craving to stand out, to be unique and be the first to find that special something. Then stick it online and count the likes. But that’s a problem for another day.
The fact is people want unique, quirky, wonderful items and big businesses just cannot provide that. Fact.
Local businesses are friendlier to the environment
Even if a local business was to sell oil they had mined for themselves out their back garden, it is still more environmentally friendly to shop with them than buying clothes made abroad from the big businesses. It’s a crazy metaphor but stick with me here.
When you buy local, especially if the products are locally sourced then the distance the product has to travel to the point of sale is less, no big lorries, planes or cargo ships bringing it overseas or across country.
Shopping Local usually means you could walk to the business or worst case drive there without having to stop for an emergency loo break. So again the carbon footprint of anything bought local is much lower than having something posted to you from abroad.
Buying local produce or just buying from a local business makes everything you buy much more environmentally friendly, and you can do that without going vegan! No offence to any vegans out there.
Going loco for local or just going loco?
I never write to influence anyone, truth be told I can’t stand the term influencer, I write to share my opinions and views. My only hope is that after reading this you think twice about the purchases you make, you give a thought to buying local over eBay and amazon and that when you do, you get to do a little happy dance from the loco feeling shopping local brings.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Jennifer Rankin is a Blogger from Glasgow giving an honest insight into life as a mother, wife and teacher. You can reach Jennifer at www.theweemammydiaries.com
We would love to hear from anyone looking to be a contributing writer at Shop Boss Inc. Please email us at shopbossinc@gmail.com to find out how to get involved.
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