When you shop local, you do far more than get the items that you want quickly and conveniently. Buying local actually stimulates the economy in our community, helps benefit local schools and charities — and it even helps the environment.
Take a look at some of the many reasons why it’s important to shop and buy locally:
Buying local keeps money in our community
When you buy locally, the small business you’re making your purchase from certainly benefits, but the benefits keep growing. A small business that does well is likely to hire more people, who then spend more money in the community.
Buying locally also pours money into the local institutions who need it. Taxes are paid locally, boosting the community’s libraries, schools and infrastructure. Local businesses are also more likely to donate to charities in the local community, helping make improvements that all can enjoy.
Buying local better for the environment
Whether you buy online or from a major chain store, it typically requires some major effort to get your item to you. Trucks have to haul products across the country, burning up fossil fuel and contributing to pollution.
Buying local offers more diverse choices
When you go to one big box store after another, you’ll see the same product choices, over and over. The only real difference is in price — and often that difference is a matter of pennies.
Buying local keeps our community unique
Related to the previous reason to buy locally is the idea that those unique products lead to a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. No one goes to a big box store to browse or to enjoy recreational shopping. But when your local shopping district is filled with local retailers, you create a sense of self-image that helps define our community. Our unique businesses are something to be proud of, and when we all support them, they create a reason for other shoppers to come visit our community.