Last week, The Banner presented five of the top 10 reasons to shop locally. Here are the other five:
6. Customer service is better.
Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service. You are also going to see these people around town and they are less likely to blow you off or be rude because they have to face you day after day.
7. Local business owners invest in 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 welfare and future.
8. Public benefits far outweigh public costs.
Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public services relative to chain stores.
9. Competition and diversity lead to more consumer choices.
A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.
10. You matter more.
We talk a lot about exerting influence with your purchasing choices, or “voting with your wallet.” It’s a fact that business responds to their customers, but your values and desires are much more influential to your local community business than the large big box stores.
Don’t forget the other components of the holiday season, including family dinners and office parties. These are two more ways to support the local community, by helping to support local producers. Local stores are more likely to carry local produce. Keep that in mind when planning your grocery shopping or Christmas dinner. Agriculture plays a big role in our local economy and by supporting our farmers and producers, we’ll help ensure this important sector remains strong.
Local eateries are increasingly offering local fare. By dining here, we are again supporting the producers, a local business and the people who run them.
North Perth is home to a number of one-of-a-kind restaurants. Supporting them, and shopping locally in general, helps retain North Perth’s uniqueness and identity. Each community is like a fingerprint – no two are exactly alike.
Businesses are part of what makes up local character and help make it distinct. When we choose to do business in a local store instead of a big-city retailer, we can truly appreciate being somewhere unique. As we support these businesses, we are helping to ensure our local flavour stays vibrant.
There is always the ripple effect. Dollars spent locally help support local services and infrastructure. A strong economy means more money for good roads, new projects, fundraising initiatives and financial support for schools and hospitals.
Finally, it strengthens community spirit. By doing business face-to-face with fellow North Perth citizens, friends and neighbours, we forge a sense of partnership and unity in our community. Merchants know the public is going to do what they can to support them and conversely, shoppers know their local merchants will do what they can to provide the goods and services they require with a familiar face and top-notch community service.
- S.B.