By Pinkerala News Desk | May 05, 2020

There are far-reaching advantages to shopping locally. By supporting local businesses, you are in turn supporting your local economy and significantly more money stays in a local community when purchases are made at locally owned stores rather than nationally & Internationally owned stores.

Many businesses are being required to temporarily shut down and people staying home without business has caused small local businesses to suffer. Some of this will be temporary, but some business owners will be forced to shut down forever. The government is doing what they can do in terms of financial relief and other initiatives, but that can only go so far and for so long. Ultimately it’s going to be up to us, the local communities and customers, to support these businesses.

A significant fact that we have seen during this lock-down period is that we are only allowed to move within 5 miles radius for our shopping requirements and this emphasizes the real importance of how much we are relied upon to local shops and the importance of their continued existence. 

Buy locally whenever possible, even after this crisis period 

It strengthens your local business ecosystem, Local businesses are more likely to utilize other local businesses such as banks, local transports and nearby farms, etc. 

Small businesses often give back to the community in other ways like donations for the local events, buying or financially backing other independent groups. When small businesses are strong and sustaining, the community and the local economy are strengthened as well.

You are creating local jobs 

The job market is difficult these days, and by shopping local, you are keeping a business open and giving jobs to people within it. Think about the people that you help to get employed locally by doing this shopping. Next time when you think about buying a branded packet of coffee or tea, buy it locally and support by creating local jobs. If you are buying the same brand of product elsewhere you get the same product but buying it locally means you are supporting your local ecosystem.

These jobs could go to your friends, family, or neighbors the people whom you care for or these jobs could go to superstores that are miles far away from your home. Just from doing your part to support the community you are supporting to build a good local & social community. 

Save nature save our environment

Locally owned businesses often make more local purchases for their products, requiring less transportation and outsourcing.  Small businesses clustered near residential areas may reduce automobile use and traffic congestion, resulting in better air quality and less urban sprawl and less pollution. There are many distant advantages for our family and nature by practicing reduced mobility for shopping needs.

Support local brands online  

The higher the volume of online purchasing a consumer does, the more likely it is that they purchase with multinational brands versus local businesses. When you choose to buy online for several reasons, try searching for a local merchant online store and support them. Most online portals have large marketing spends and they are always shown in your online search but if you have prepared your mind to support local online merchants and shops, they are just a few clicks down in your search.

These are just a few examples that describe the importance of small businesses to our local communities. Supporting small businesses isn’t just about shopping but they are the reliable hands near to us when we are in real need. These establishments benefit our local economy, personal relationships and help to build the community. So next time when you’re considering going to a large superstore located miles away from your home, remember local small things make our life beautiful.