When you shop at local businesses, you’re making a personal investment in your community and your neighborhood. The taxes paid by small, local businesses are used to support roads, schools, parks, and other local programs that benefit your family. Supporting local business doesn’t just stimulate the local economy, it helps give your community that unique character you’ve grown to love. Here are a few reasons to shop like a local this holiday season.
You improve the local economy
When you shop local, your money stays in your community. On average, for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 is recirculated in the local community. When the same amount is spent at a chain retailer, only $43 stays in the community. Shopping local means more money toward improving the programs and facilities your family uses every day.
You get to know the people behind the products
You can expect better customer service at small businesses because the employees are personally invested in the products they sell, and have a commitment to the success of their business. This also means they’ll go the extra mile for extra-speedy delivery or a custom request.
You get more unique gifts for your loved ones
When you shop at local businesses, you’re more likely to get gifts made by hand or edible goodies baked in small batches. Your loved ones who receive your locally-purchased gifts will sense the care that went into making them, and appreciate them even more.
Local businesses offer healthier options
Edible gifts, spa products and candles made locally generally contain fewer preservatives, because they are usually sold close to where they are made. Less travel time from farms to stores means less preservatives because the goods do not have to stay fresh while traveling across the country, or across the globe, to get to you.
Shopping at small businesses helps create jobs
Small businesses generated 63% of new jobs from 1993 to 2013. When you support your local businesses, you’re not only investing in your community now, you’re helping to pave the way for future generations to follow their goals and dreams.
Shopping at local businesses is a great way to give back to your community, and as a bonus, you get to skip the crazy lines!
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