Tomorrow is a big day for small businesses. The UK is hosting its second ever Small Business Saturday, a government-backed event aimed at celebrating and boosting small business and independent retailers across the country.
With just three weeks to go before Christmas, this shopping weekend is expected to be one of the busiest of the year, so it’s the perfect time to help fuel our local economies by supporting the businesses we love.
Why is Small Business Saturday important?
It’s just one day, but we all rely on small businesses every day. According to the government, a massive 99.2 per cent of businesses in the UK are classified as small, that’s around 4.8 million small businesses employing over 14 million people. If Small Business Saturday raises the profile of small businesses, it will have done its job. 4.8 million businesses with over 1.4 million employees. This is our chance to recognize the invaluable contributions these people make in our communities and shop locally tomorrow – and beyond!
10 reasons to shop locally…
1. Shopping locally keeps money in the local economy. Research shows that for every £100 spent in a local business, £68 is likely to stay in the community, versus £43 when spent in a chain business.
2. It’s better on the environment: Buying locally conserves energy and resources as local shops often stock a higher percentage of locally sourced goods for which distribution time and customer journey times are reduced.
3. Shopping locally helps create jobs. Locally owned businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than chains do!
4. Shopping locally helps nurture your community. Studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chains! 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 your community.
5. Shopping locally means investment in creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation. These are all crucial to our economy, as they fuel prosperity. It takes tremendous courage to start a business, and when it succeeds the positive effects ripple outwards into the wider community inspiring others to follow their dreams and do what they love.
6. Shopping locally keeps your high street unique. Many town centres in Britain look the same with franchises and multinationals. Independent shops offer distinctive shopping experiences. They stock different products and keep
traditional local products alive. The more interesting and unique a community, the more you attract new neighbours, visitors and guests, and in turn creates more reason for local authorities to support them.
7. Shopping locally saves services. Private, voluntary and public sector services cluster around shops. The loss of the high street often corresponds to a reduction in these services. As shops disappear, so do hairdressers, vets, dentists etc
8. Shopping locally allows for a more diverse product choice. A multitude of small businesses, each ing products based, not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices. Many people get out of the habit of shopping locally and are then surprised by the range of products and gifts available.
9. Shopping locally means you get more time and expertise. You are your local shops’ friends and neighbours, and they have a vested interest in knowing how to serve you. They are passionate about what they do, so why not take advantage of that?
10. Shopping locally assures great customer service! 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 locally means that you get a higher standard of service!.
How can you get involved?
You really can make a difference. Tomorrow, when you’re doing your weekly shop, purchasing some Christmas pressies, or buying a new outfit for your works’ do, choose to shop locally and support small businesses, independents and online retailers. And don’t stop there! By making more conscious choices in your everyday life, buying groceries from your local fruit and veg shop instead of a supermarket, you’ll be helping to build communities that we all want to see.
For more information about Small Business Saturday UK, or to download a marketing pack. We’d love to hear if you have anything planned so please share your comments here or on our Facebook page. You can also show your support by heading over to the Small Business Saturday Facebook and Twitter pages and using #SmallBizSatUK to get involved with discussions.
