You may have heard the saying ‘Think locally, act globally’ – but how can you actually live it? We tend to think that what we do at an individual level doesn’t have a whole lot of impact locally or globally – but it can. Shopping locally can have a number of positive benefits on your community, while also reducing negative impacts both locally and globally.
The way we shop today has changed dramatically from our parents’ generation – or even 10 years ago! For starters, the environmental impact of shopping in the pre-internet era was negligible compared to the way many of us shop now, with the convenience of online shopping shipped straight to your door.
So, why is shopping local so important? Here are six of our favourite reasons.
1. Putting the person back in personalised service
When you spend your money within your community, you’re more likely to know your business owners and their staff, and they’re definitely more likely to know and appreciate you. They’ll not just know your name, they’ll know your tastes, value your opinions and patronage. And when it comes to important issues like getting the best health advice, for example, that personal relationship and connection may not be quantifiable, but it’s priceless.
2. You’ll reap the health benefits
Doing your weekly fruit and veggie shop at your local fresh produce markets or health food store is a simple change you can make for the health of yourself and your family.
Supermarket produce may be coming from much further away – especially if it isn’t in season – resulting in an increased travel time between the farm and your plate, and unfortunately, the nutritional value of fresh fruit and veggies tends to decline during storage. For example, a study conducted at the University of California, Davis revealed that fresh produce loses between 15% and 77% of its vitamin C within a week of being harvested.1
3. Support your local community
Doing your shopping locally can make a big difference to your community – not only do you support the business itself, but you’re also supporting job creation for local workers. Shopping local has also been shown to create more self-sufficient businesses with less dependence on imports – which has a flow on effect for local suppliers, artisans, and the environment. Money kept within a community helps to increase the local tax base, leading to greater economic activity in your hometown or suburb – benefitting everyone.2
4. Shopping local helps the environment
When you shop online, you’re far more likely to be purchasing items that are packaged up in plastic (lots and lots of plastic!) and that have taken a lengthy journey to get to your door.
Both of these issues increase greenhouse gas emissions far more than a quick drive or relaxed stroll to your local shops. Yes, local shops carry imported goods too - it’s a fact of our globalised way of life - but shopping thoughtfully and locally is more likely to support local artisans and require little to no packaging. Especially if you BYO shopping bag.
5. Find something a little different
Whether you’re perusing the local farmer’s market or trying something new that caught your eye in your favourite health food store – you’re likely to find a greater level of diversity when you look to local businesses. For example, demand may be different for products in your area and the business owners are able to respond by providing what their local customers prefer. Local artisans in the area may have a unique take on a product, be it food, art or clothing that means you won’t find a product quite like it anywhere else.
6. Shopping locally is shopping mindfully
We’ve never been more connected. Yet in many ways we’re also more isolated, which can lead to loneliness and mental health issues. What we need to foster more than ever is a sense of community, belonging, and face to face interaction. Online browsing can be fun, but it will never be as valuable as interacting in real life. Going into your local businesses can help you to not only shop more mindfully, but it can also be a nice reminder that you’re part of a community that needs you as much as you need it.
So, grab your canvas bag and get to your local stores, you’ve got a community to support – yours!
References:
- Rickman JC, et al. J Sci Food Agric 2007:87:1185-1196.
- Michigan State University 2010. Accessed March 2021 from: https://ced.msu.edu/upload/reports/why%20buy%20local.pdf
- NC State University. Accessed March 2021 from: https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2016/01/19/small-business-philanthropy-on-the-rise-what-nonprofits-can-learn-from-how-small-businesses-are-giving-back/
FAQs
Supporting Your Local Economy
Local businesses often employ your neighbors, contribute to local taxes, and reinvest in their own operations – creating a cycle that benefits everyone. In addition, shopping local can create a sense of community pride and support.
Why should people shop locally? ›
Supporting Your Local Economy
Local businesses often employ your neighbors, contribute to local taxes, and reinvest in their own operations – creating a cycle that benefits everyone. In addition, shopping local can create a sense of community pride and support.
Why is it good to buy local? ›
Local businesses not only pay their employees, they also spend money at other local businesses. That means by buying local, you help create jobs for your friends and neighbors, contribute to improved public infrastructure, and invest in your community both socially and economically.
What are the benefits of shopping locally for the local economy? ›
Employment and Fair Wages
Local businesses tend to hire more locally which is an economic benefit for the community. Less unemployment means less violence in the community and more revenue being recycled. Local business owners are also known to give fair wages when compared to big chain stores.
Why shop at a local market? ›
Local food is fresher, tastes better and is likely more nutritious. At a farmer's market, most local produce has been picked within the last 24 hours, ensuring it is ripe and at its peak nutrient-density. In contrast, most supermarket produce was picked days or weeks prior to reaching the grocery store shelf.
Why are people buying local? ›
Shopping locally isn't just great for the economy – it also has environmental and social benefits. When you shop at a local store, you're reducing your carbon footprint by reducing the need for shipping and transportation. This is especially true for agricultural businesses that provide meat, dairy, and produce.
Why do people prefer to shop out of town? ›
Out-of-town shopping benefits for customers and retailers
There may also be crèches and play areas for children which can make the shopping experience more enjoyable. Retailers benefit from these locations because they have larger contemporary shop units which allow a greater range of goods to be on show for sale.
Is buying local healthier? ›
By comparison, local food is healthier because it's only transported short distances and isn't exposed to chemicals, gasses, or waxes used to preserve food for long-distance transport. Eating local also means you can meet the people who grow your food.
Why do consumers prefer local products? ›
A large part of the attraction with buying locally is supporting the local economy. For consumers, it also means knowing where your food comes from and getting fresher food. While buying locally is usually more expensive than mass-produced options, some consumers feel that the quality is worth the price.
How does shopping local help the environment? ›
Buying from local farmers and manufacturers generates more jobs and wealth in local economies and reduces unnecessary transport, which often contributes to environmental contamination.
Serves as a form of relaxation, entertainment, and escape. Shopping involves visioning and anticipation. We imagine the items we will purchase and how our life will improve with their use. This lowers our stress level and can entertain us to the point where we escape more unpleasant preoccupations.
How much money stays local when you shop local? ›
American Express provides support for that statement. Its 2022 Small Business Economic Impact Study finds that for every $1 spent with a local business, over two-thirds ($0.68) stays in the local community to support local families, local causes, and other local businesses. It's called the multiplier effect.
Why is it good to shop local? ›
Your spending habits have power, and that's especially true when you shop local. Each dollar spent at a local business stays within your community, contributing to its growth. This concept is often called the “Local Multiplier Effect”. It means that money spent locally gets recycled back into the economy.
Why is it important to buy from local markets? ›
Buying locally makes you more aware of what goods, services, and food is available from local people. The more you know about what your area can accomplish the better consumer choices you can make to help you live a more nutritious and sustainable lifestyle.
Why local shopping is better than online shopping? ›
Shopping local helps the environment
When you shop online, you're far more likely to be purchasing items that are packaged up in plastic (lots and lots of plastic!) and that have taken a lengthy journey to get to your door.
Why is shopping locally better for the environment? ›
When you shop at a local vendor, you make selections that don't have to be transported hundreds of miles via trucks or planes. In other words, you're cutting transportation-related fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Why is local shopping better than online shopping? ›
Shopping local helps the environment
When you shop online, you're far more likely to be purchasing items that are packaged up in plastic (lots and lots of plastic!) and that have taken a lengthy journey to get to your door.
Why do people prefer local brands? ›
For 57% of consumers, it comes from a wish to support their local community and an understanding that their spending can make a real difference at a grassroots level. Quality and service are paramount for 43%, clearly believing these attributes to be superior among smaller enterprises. Trust is another crucial factor.
What are the benefits of local grocery stores? ›
Buying food locally is healthier and tastier.
The long journey to the grocery store also rids produce of most of its nutrients, so when it finally makes it to your plate most of the nutritional value has been lost. Buying locally prevents this loss of nutrients and ensures a high quality taste.
