10 reasons to Shop Local

Many people get out of the habit of shopping locally and are then surprised by the range of products and gifts available.

2. Shopping local saves you money

Out of town shops have done a good job of convincing us all that independent traders are expensive, but the evidence just isn’t there to back this up. If you add in travel, parking costs, fees to transport larger items home and your time, the overall cost is often much higher.

3. Shopping locally retains our communities

People don’t like losing shops and services in the borough but don’t equate this to how they spend their money. Shops will only survive if customers spend locally – so if you want a vibrant town centre, where people can socialise as well as shop, shop locally.

4. Shopping local retains our distinctiveness

Many town centres in Britain look the same with franchises and multinationals. Independent shops create distinctive shopping experiences and stock different products. Independent shops keep traditional local products alive. They respond more quickly to the needs of local customers, stocking products to meet the changing population needs. They can also be more innovative...organic products were first developed by independent traders.

5. Shopping local saves the environment

We are all aware of CO2 emissions and our environmental impact. Local shops, which often stock a high percentage of local sourced goods, products and do not require long car and bus journeys to get to, help reduce our global footprint.

6. Shopping local creates jobs

Shops in our town centres and villages create local employment and self-employment. These people in turn spend in the local economy. Over half a million people are employed in retail in our rural towns and villages. Evidence shows that for every £10 spent in an independent shop £25 is generated for the local economy compared to £14 spent in multinationals.

7. Local independent shops invest more in our communities

Sole traders and independent stores are proportionally more generous in their support for local charities, carnivals, schools and community events. So supporting local shops means a financial return for our community 8. Local shops are for everyone Most people can get to their local shops easily and this is especially important for elderly, vulnerable and young people and those without transport. Keeping your shops open by buying locally helps the whole community.

9. Local shops value you more

Evidence from numerous surveys shows people receive better customer care and service in local shops. Traders survive by their reputation and repeat business - so shopping local means that you get a higher standard of service.

10. Shopping local saves services

Private, voluntary and public sector services cluster around shops. The loss of the high street retailers often corresponds to a reduction in these services. As shops disappear, so do hairdressers, vets, dentists etc.

So shop smart and Shop Local.