In 2020 many of us have been forced to alter and re-assess our relationship with buying and shopping. With so much of the year having been lived under at least partial restrictions, it has left us unable to shop normally. Often it feels the only option has been to order from the big online retailers, such as the one that shares its name with a rainforest, you know what one I mean! But there are loads of examples of local business sectors that are thriving. Some of the reasons why we should be buying from local businesses and how it helps the whole economy are listed here.
Keeps Money in the Local Area
Spending locally keeps money in the local area. Goods or services you buy and pay for puts cash in the pocket of a self-employed individual or business owner, then it is going to be spent in your area. With larger companies, any profits will be shared among many shareholders from all over the world.
Provides Jobs
You are helping to/ provide and maintain employment in your hometown. Of course, the point could easily be made that large firms also provide jobs locally. The big difference is that several small businesses will require more staff than one large one, so it makes sense to spread your custom over these.
Easy to Order
One reason often cited as a reason people order from larger outfits is the ease of ordering online. In the past, this has been possible as large companies could afford to have complicated websites with online ordering systems developed. These days there are so many ready-made online platforms for businesses of all sizes to use. Check out this Shropshire based online butcher, where you can order locally sourced meat and have it delivered anywhere in the UK.
The Larger Economy
You will be supporting the larger economy by spending your money more at smaller, local businesses. The rationale behind this is simple, you find that smaller businesses tend to be more honest with their tax affairs. This is for two reasons, firstly they are operated by individuals rather than large management structures, and ethically these individuals may consider paying tax to be the duty of a responsible citizen. This approach is not seen by multinational companies, who use all sorts of complicated accounting tricks to avoid paying large tax bills. You can also see that around 61% of all employment is provided by SMEs (Small & Medium Enterprises) making them the largest contributor to employment.
Ease of Complaint
If you have a complaint then it’s much easier to get a response from a small business owner. Even if it’s not the response you want, you will have a much higher chance of dealing with someone who has real authority to do something about the situation. With large corporations, you will have to deal with call centers and elongated official complaints. Taking time before getting your concern to the appropriate person or department.
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