The message #ShopLocal is heard a lot these days. But why is it important to “shop local?”
By supporting local businesses, you are, in turn, supporting your local economy. And more money stays in a community when purchases are made at local businesses. The U.S. Small Business Association and the U.S. Department of Labor have reported the positive impacts of small, independent businesses on local economies.
Here are seven reasons to #ShopLocal.
- Local businesses are more likely to utilize other local businesses, such as banks, service providers, and farms.
- For every $100 you spend at local businesses, $68 stays in the community.
- Independent retailers return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales to the community they operate than chain competitors. Independent restaurants return more than two times as much money per dollar of sales than national restaurant chains.
- Small businesses employed 77 million Americans and accounted for 65% of all new jobs over the past 17 years.
There are also notable intangible benefits that come from supporting businesses in your local community:
- Local businesses are owned and operated by your neighbors! They care about and are invested in the well-being of your community and its future.
- Local businesses are more accountable to their local communities and donate more money to non-profits.
- Supporting local businesses is good for the environment because they often have a smaller carbon footprint than larger companies.
It isn’t always the most comfortable or most convenient option to visit a local independent business rather than a large national chain that might be down the street. But, by thinking local first, we can all make a huge difference in our own communities and, by extension, the world.