Supporting the local community

Reasons to shop locally

More and more independent shops are disappearing from our shopping centres, which means a loss in choice, quality and customer service.

  • Shopping local retains distinctiveness:
    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 needs of the area.
     
  • Shopping local creates jobs:
    Shops in the local area create local employment and self-employment. These people in turn spend in the local economy. Evidence shows that for every £10 spent in an independent shop £25 is generated for the local economy compared to £14 spent in multinationals
     
  • Local independent shops invest more in 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 your community.
     
  • Shopping local saves the environment:
    We are all aware of CO² emissions and our environmental impact. Local shops, often stock a high percentage of locally sourced goods and products, and long car and bus journeys aren’t required.
     
  • Shopping local 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.
     
  • 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.
     
  • Shopping local saves money:
    Out of town shops and national companies have done a good job of convincing us that all sole 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.
     
  • Local shops value customers 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 customers get a higher standard of service.