The Inn collection, who own restaurants in Alnwick
which tell us why giving your cash to smaller businesses is the way forward. Sometimes
it’s hard to avoid spending money with corporate companies, as they often offer
attractive deals and then there’s the fact that many big chains are conveniently
on your doorstep. But, when you’re presented with the choice, why should you
choose to shop locally?
You will be helping the environment
When you shop at a local pub, bakers, market or farm shop,
it’s more than likely that the produce you’re consuming is locally sourced.
Corporate companies often own a few farms or production plants around the
country.
As all products must be transported from here, this journey
can cause a loss in nutrients too. They’re then also heavily packaged in
plastics to ensure a safe transportation — different to locally sourced goods.
Exclusive deals
Local and smaller businesses have the authority to negotiate
prices with you. You might find that your grocer gives you a few extra buns
here and there and your local farm shop gives you an exclusive deal just for
being a loyal customer. By building up a relationship with your local shop
owners, they can let you know of any upcoming offers or recommend products and
services for you based on what you usually buy. It’s unlikely that you’d get
this sort of repertoire with a national chain company.
It benefits your economy
You might not think that your personal spending can benefit the
wider community, but this is where you’re wrong. In fact, research has shown
that spending just £10 with a local independent shop can equate to an
additional £50 into the economy. This is because local business owners put the
money back into the community through spending themselves at local services.
It’s important to support small businesses in your area, as
they can bring many jobs to your city or town. The more that they can grow, the
more jobs that they can offer too. Statistics showed that if 50% of the small
businesses that are currently trading were able to take on one more person in
the next 12 months, there would be more than two million new jobs created! As
you will know, the more people that are employed in your area results in more
money being pushed into the local economy and then invested in you!
A personal touch
If you care about receiving tailored customer service, you
might find that shopping locally is best.
It’s true that for many corporate chains, they’re all
decorated the same and advertise with the same promotional materials. Compare
this with a local business and you’ll probably discover that the décor fits
with the local aesthetic of the area and any marketing materials are tailored
to the custom that they get in their own branch. When it comes to pubs, it’s
fair to say that often, the pub owners are local people themselves. This means
that they can often bring a more personalised touch to the customer service
they offer and connect more with their visitors.
These localised touches help better meet the needs of
customers too. If there is an event being held in the area, for example, it’s
likely that the business will become part of it — perhaps by offering
complementary products or creating an offer that fits in with the occasion.
From helping to invest in your local economy to securing
yourself the best deals, there are many advantages to shopping local. Take the
leap and spend your cash in a smaller business from now on and reap the
benefits!
