Out of town shops have done a good job of convincing us all that local shopping is expensive, but the evidence just isn’t there to back this up . If you add in travel, expenses, fees to transport larger items home and your time, the overall cost is often much higher.
People don’t like losing shops and services in small towns and villages but don’t equate this to how they spend their money. Shops will only survive if customers spend locally.
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.
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 & bus journeys to get to, help reduce our global footprint.
Independent stores are proportionally more generous in their support for local charities, schools and community events. So supporting local shops means a financial return for our community.
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.
Evidence from numerous surveys shows people receive better customer service in local shops. Traders survive by their reputation and repeat business – so shopping local means that you get a higher standard of service.
