By Judy Worsley
Top ten reasons to buy local
1) Buy local — support yourself
When you buy from an independent, locally-owned business, rather than nationally-owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers, and farms — continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.
2) Support community groups
Non-profit organizations receive on average two and a half times more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.
3) Keep our community unique
Where we shop, where we eat and have fun — all of it makes Aldershot home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of our community.
4) Reduce environmental impact
Locally-owned businesses make more local purchases, which require less transportation, and generally set up shop in town or city centres as opposed to contributing to further development on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to urban sprawl, congestion, habitat loss, and pollution.
5) Create more good jobs
Small local businesses employ the most people nationally; within our community, they provide the most jobs to residents.
6) Get better service
Local businesses often hire people with an excellent understanding of the products they are selling and who take more time to get to know customers; local businesses care about developing relationships with their customers.
7) Invest in community
Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
8) Put your taxes to good use
Local businesses in town centres require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services compared to nationally-owned stores entering the community.
9) Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy
A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
10) Encourage local prosperity
In our increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.
Think local first + buy local when you can = being a local!
Do you love Aldershot?
You will love Aldershot even more after reading about this special contest! I Love Aldershot is a special project designed by the Aldershot Business Improvement Area to encourage shoppers to shop locally and discover new stores, services, and restaurants in Aldershot. The event will continue until October 20, 2020.
Every time you shop in a participating I Love Aldershot business, you will receive a contest ballot to win a $200 voucher for any participating store or service. Three winners will be selected at random from all ballots submitted over the duration of the program. Look for the ballots, promotional posters, and ballot boxes as you explore Aldershot. Enjoy your visit and tell everyone you know why you love Aldershot. Visit www.aldershotbia.com for more details.
Judy Worsley is the Executive Director of the Aldershot Village B.I.A., and the founder and owner of the Transition Group: Moving your organization to the next level.
