Why Shopping Small Matters

When we think about the impact shopping makes on our economy, we often overlook how our local economy is affected by our shopping habits. Shopping locally not only helps support mom-and-pop businesses in your area, but it helps to stimulate your local economy and community.

Shopping at your local pizzeria or local bakery are much more real to you because you can taste and smell the care that is put into every bite. Local pharmacies understand you and your health better because they genuinely care about your wellbeing. Relationship building is at the heart of what makes a small business thrive and gives the customer a better shopping experience that you can’t find in big box stores.

Here’s why you should shop local:

1. Building relationships is the heart and soul of shopping locally. When you shop locally, you get to know your community better and support bringing your community closer. Small business owners love to be part of their community and help make it unique and often help it to thrive.
2. More money stays in your local economy. When you shop locally, your money stays in your community versus if you shop at the big box stores. For every $100 you spend shopping small, on average $88 stays in your community. Compare that to national chains.
3. Shopping Small Creates Jobs. Local businesses are better at creating higher-paying jobs for your community. When you shop locally you create jobs for many kinds of professions, including essential workers.
4. Your Community Becomes a Shopping Destination. When towns and cities have more small businesses to offer consumers, they tend to become major shopping centers for people congregate. By shopping locally, you are stimulating your local economy and improving your quality of life.
5. Shop with Experts. Small business owners are far more likely to be subject matter experts than sales associates at a big box store. Jeweler’s, specialty computer shops, you name it. If you need an expert’s help and opinion, shopping small is the way to go.
6. Shopping Local means Shopping Green. Shopping locally is better for the environment. It reduces the greenhouse gasses from shipping and the amount of packaging needed. Shopping small helps our planet.

Small Business Saturday is on November 27, 2021. Merchants who want to learn how to take advantage of Small Business Saturday can read our blog post about preparing for Small Business Saturday here.