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WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE TO SHOP LOCAL

07/06/2022

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE TO SHOP LOCAL

Australia is home to over 3.5 million small businesses who are the backbone of our economy. Whether it’s a butcher, greengrocer, ﬂorist, or local retailer our small businesses keep our country running.

SHOP LOCAL SA is all about supporting local South Australian businesses. Check out our blog to find out some ways you can help the small businesses in your community and discover the other benefits of shopping locally.

Shopping locally can impact so much more than our wallets. From simple reasons like convenience to ones that affect the environment and local economy, here are 10 of the most impactful reasons to shop local and how it benefits you and the world around you.
Why shop local?

1. It’s convenient

Convenience plays a huge part in our lives. After all, how easy is it to just ‘pop to the shop’ when it’s within walking distance? Today, many people opt to shop locally because of its proximity to home. But shopping on Shop Local SA is the perfect alternative for those who can’t leave their house or simply don’t want to. It provides the benefits of local shopping without the downsides of purchasing at large online retailers.

2. It’s better for the environment by helping reduce your carbon footprint

Most people are conscious about their environmental impact, whether trying to limit their single-use plastic, travelling more ethically or avoiding driving when they can. For this reason, shopping locally and more sustainably is perfectly suited for those being mindful of their environmental impact. However, not everyone has the luxury of visiting an actual store. Where this is the case, online shops, such as Shop Local SA, can be the ideal alternative.

3. You help support local businesses

This is one of the most important reasons to shop local. Independent businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic. As a result, many enterprises have struggled to keep afloat or find new ways to service customers. Buying from a local business, whether from a market stall, an actual shop or an online shop, is a great way to support them both financially and figuratively by showing you love what they do. This means they’ll be able to continue doing the great work that they do.

4. You invest in your community

Of course, shopping in a local business helps it financially, but it also supports the wider local economy and community. It’s an excellent opportunity to see new businesses continue to open and prosper within the neighbourhood. In turn, thriving independent businesses can help keep communities alive – this means there are sporting clubs for your kids to play in, local churches and community groups, vibrant main streets, thriving schools and excellent health care in communities.

Boston Football Club

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Boston Sports Association is home to Boston Football, Netball & Basketball Clubs. The Boston Football Club has come a long way from those humble beginnings in 1972 and now we celebrate our golden anniversary in 2022. Local community can support the club by purchasing the merchandise through their online store.

5. It helps create demand for local jobs

In addition to investing in your community, you can also help improve employment rates within the area by using local shops. Local businesses often provide a large number of jobs to communities, and, in some cases, can even be someone’s first workplace to help kick-start their career. As the business grows, so too will the employment opportunities and local economy. Remember our small business sector is our country’s largest employer!

6. There are great deals to be found

Local shops rely on footfall from local people. Smaller independent shops are likely to have fewer people visiting and shopping with them than more prominent mainstream brands. This means they often have to create deals that help bring in customers. This is something that larger shops might not necessarily do, resulting in a win-win for both customers looking to make a purchase and the business itself.

7. You’re likely to find quality products

Local shops and businesses may not always be able to compete with larger chain stores and brands in terms of advertising. However, unlike larger stores that have to stock many products, local businesses are more likely to focus on the quality of the things they sell rather than the quantity. Shop Local SA has made it easy for you to find quality products you might not otherwise discover in pockets of our state you may not get a chance to visit – and they can be delivered directly to your door.

Alternative cosmetic brand that is made in South Australia

Brayfield Park Lavender

Brayfield Park began with our family of five on the old farm in Wellington, South Australia. With four generations and twenty-two hands to pitch in, everyone has a role to play – from Great Grandma sewing wheat bags right down to the smallest hands ‘helping’ to fill muslin bags with dried lavender.

Visit Brayfield Park Lavender online shop.

8. Items and food are more likely to be sustainably sourced

Unfortunately, high demand for resources and global warming have had a profound effect on the world. But if we want the same products to be around for future generations, we need to think more ethically in our day-to-day life. Regardless of whether you’re looking for something for kids, gifts for the home or food and drink items, sustainability goes a long way. Many local shops pride themselves on sourcing food and products using more responsible practices.

Some of the sustainable brands on Shop Local SA:

SUNSHINE BAROSSA AUSTRALIA

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The home of handcrafted bespoke leather handbags and jaw-dropping accessories, Sunshine Barossa is your stop when you want to say farewell to fast fashion and invest in something to treasure for years to come.

All the leather she uses was destined for landfill, so it's a nice way of keeping the beauty of that animal going. Vegan can also choose her range made from Portugal high-end cork.

Visit store now.

9. There’s more chance of finding the weird, wonderful and quirky

Big brands usually follow a pattern of selling mass-created, trending seasonal products, whereas local and independent shops stock items that are traditionally made more locally and not available anywhere else. Whether it’s the pattern, design or the flavours of the product, its uniqueness means there is very little chance you’ll find it elsewhere.

10. Reduced pollution from transportation

A major reason why shopping locally is better for the planet is quite simply that goods don’t have to travel anywhere near as far to reach you. Just consider the impact of supermarket veg that has come halfway around the world to land on your dinner plate, versus fresh produce that comes from a farm in your local area.

By buying locally, you can help to cut carbon emissions and air pollution - whether that’s by reduced food miles or indeed transportation of any other item. It’s better for the planet and helps support the local economy, too.

When residents and neighbours work locally, they also save time, money, and energy commuting to jobs that might otherwise be farther away. Depending on where you live, local jobs might enable neighbours to walk or bike to work instead of drive. This is beneficial to building better communities and reducing pollution from commuting.

Use Shop Local SA for all your shopping needs

Shop Local SA makes it easier to shop locally by bringing your local shops and business together in one place, allowing you to search for items easily or choose to look at the products in your favourite shops instead. It’s never been easier to shop locally, support small businesses and make greener everyday choices.

If this blog has inspired you to shop locally to build your local community please like and share our blog, and jump on the Shop Local SA and make a purchase from a local!

shoplocalsa.com.au

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WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE TO SHOP LOCAL

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE TO SHOP LOCAL

1. It’s convenient

2. It’s better for the environment by helping reduce your carbon footprint

3. You help support local businesses

4. You invest in your community

5. It helps create demand for local jobs

6. There are great deals to be found

7. You’re likely to find quality products

8. Items and food are more likely to be sustainably sourced

10. Reduced pollution from transportation

Use Shop Local SA for all your shopping needs

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