10 ways to shop local on Small Business Saturday
Why Support Local?
Local business is essential for our economy. They bring growth and innovation to our communities. They provide employment and create entrepreneurship opportunities and support the local economies, communities and neighborhoods.
They also care about their community. They know their customers by name; they are our neighbors and friends. They are what make our towns special and unique.
Most are feeling a financial strain right now, and are worried about the future. But if you need to buy something, try your local store first. If you still have an income, try ordering from your favorite local restaurant once a week.
Here are 10 other ways to support your local businesses:
- Many restaurants are offering delivery and pickup, but check for delivery options at places other than restaurants. Your local toy store, flower shop, bookstore or clothing boutique may not have their usual storefront, but many are providing delivery or curbside pickup.
- Buy gift cards from your favorite restaurants, stores, hair salons, spas, childcare providers and hardware store as holiday gifts.
- Check with the businesses you frequently shop with. They may have altered their services to fit the temporary ‘new normal’. For example, your local cleaners now may provide a disinfecting service, or maybe a toy store is now selling homeschool supplies.
- Check to see which of your services/providers are now being provided online. Therapists, tutoring, yoga, personal trainers, coaches, financial planners, lawyers, music classes for kids - all of these can be continued through videos or online conferencing.
- Tip service workers extra.
- If you or your child already paid for a class that was cancelled, instead of a refund, donate that lost money to the organization.
- Are you a website designer, developer, or a social media expert? Offer your services to local businesses that don’t have an online presence to help them sell and promote online.
- If you learn of a unique promotion or idea from a local business, share it online. Because local businesses usually don’t have huge marketing efforts, their customers can help spread the word through social media.
- Share hoarded sanitizer and supplies with local businesses.
- Just give a donation. Cash is always appreciated.
Source: Forbes.com
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