5 Reasons to Shop Close to Home

There’s no denying the convenience of shopping online or at big box retailers. However, you can make a huge impact on your community simply by choosing to shop local more often.

When you support small businesses, you open up the door to new opportunities both for yourself as a consumer and for local business owners. You might discover a new go-to restaurant or your next favourite pair of shoes while local business owners receive the support they need to grow and offer even more of those products you love.

Not convinced yet? Check out these 5 reasons why you should start shopping locally to learn more about the importance of supporting small businesses.

1. Boosting the Local Economy

One of the biggest advantages of shopping at smaller businesses is the direct impact it can have on the local economy. When you spend money at a local business as opposed to a global retailer, a larger portion of that money will stay within the community. This is because local businesses reinvest that money back into their employees and help establish supply chains with other small businesses in the area.

With money constantly circulating among these businesses and their employees, the community gains the ability to grow and expand, opening opportunities for even more small businesses to pop up, thus creating even more jobs.

2. Charm & Uniqueness

Local businesses tend to offer products and services you won’t be able to find at big box stores. From handmade jewelry to locally sourced foods and beverages, the products you find at small businesses are one-of-a-kind and often capture the unique charm of your community.

Plus, local store owners tend to have a passion for their craft that directly translates into deep industry knowledge and expertise. If you want to learn more about an industry, there’s no better source of knowledge than the small business owners in your community.

3. Personalized Service

Unlike larger chain stores, where interactions can often feel transactional, local retailers prioritize building relationships with their customers. As we mentioned, store owners and staff are usually passionate about their products and can provide specialized recommendations based on your individual preferences and needs.

Even that small amount of personalized attention can make your overall shopping experience much more pleasant. Not only can you find the exact product you need faster and easier, but you could also establish a relationship with the shop owners that makes visiting their business feel like catching up with a friend.

4. Incorporating Feedback

How often have you tried to get an issue resolved with a larger retailer only to have your problem pushed aside or overlooked entirely? Unfortunately, this type of impersonal service has become a common part of the average customer experience.

However, small businesses are typically far more in tune with their customers, especially when it comes to incorporating feedback. Since they need to meet the specific needs of their community in order to be successful, they must take the time to listen to feedback and actively resolve any issues that arise. In fact, the service you’ll receive at most local businesses goes above and beyond the service you’ve probably come to expect from interacting with big stores.

5. Attracting New Residents & Businesses

If you want to see your community expand, shopping locally is a great way to contribute to that growth. New residents usually flock to areas that have character, including unique shops, restaurants, entertainment offerings, and more. As these new residents settle in your area, they bring their support as well as new business ventures of their own that could become future favorite hotspots in the community. Everybody wins!

A New Level of Local Shopping With Ostana

Ostana strengthens the connection between small businesses and their customers. Our state-of-the-art loyalty & engagement software allows you to explore all the latest offerings from your favorite local stores while also discovering new deals in your area.