SHOP
LOCAL
10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD
SUPPORT COMMUNITY
BUSINESSES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
In an increasingly globalized world, it’s easy to rely on
big-box retailers – especially around the holidays. However,
small businesses are the foundation of our communities,
which is why it’s as important as ever to shop local
this holiday season, whether in-store or online.
1. BUY LOCAL TO SUPPORT YOURSELF. Studies show that when
you buy from an independent, locally-owned business, rather
than a nationally-owned one, signifi cantly more of your money
is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service
providers, and farms, continuing to strengthen the economic base
of the community.
2. BE FRIENDLY TO OUR ENVIRONMENT, Locally owned busi-
nesses can make more local purchases requiring less transporta-
tion and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed
to developing on the fringe. Th is generally means contributing
less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss, and pollution.
3. SUPPORT COMMUNITY GROUPS. Non-profi t organizations
receive an average of 250% more support from smaller business
owners than they do from large businesses.
4. KEEP OUR COMMUNITY UNIQUE. Where we shop, where
we eat, and where we have fun – all of it makes our community
home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the
distinctive character of this area. Our tourism businesses also
benefi t when we shop local.
5. LOCAL BUSINESSES CREATE MORE JOBS. Small local busi-
nesses are the largest employer nationally, and in our commu-
nity, provide the most jobs to residents.
6. GET BETTER SERVICE. Local businesses oft en hire people with
a better understanding of the products they are selling and take
more time to get to know customers.
7. INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY. Local businesses are owned
by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and
are more invested in the community’s future.
8. PUT YOUR TAXES TO GOOD USE. Local businesses require
comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more
effi cient use of public services as compared to nationally-owned
stores entering the community. In addition, nationally-owned
businesses oft en demanding tax incentives.
9. ENCOURAGE FUTURE INVESTMENT. A growing body of
economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized
world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to in-
vest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind
businesses and distinctive character.
10. COMPETITION LEADS TO MORE CHOICES. A marketplace
of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to en-
sure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multi-
tude of small businesses, each selecting products based on their
own interests and the needs of their local customers, rather than
on a national sales plan, guarantees a much broader range of
product choices.
Reprinted with permission by Shop Local Raleigh, a non-profi t
organization dedicated to connecting, supporting, and growing
locally-owned, independent businesses to strengthen and enrich
our community. For more information, visit shoplocalraleigh.org.
42 CIRCA Magazine | October • November • December 2020 | www.circamagazine.com
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