Page 18 - Phonebox Magazine December 2014

Why Shop Local?
“Christmas sales can account for between a third and nearly two-thirds of a retailers annual turnover. A bad Christmas can mark disaster for a small business. Sadly it really is a case of ‘use it or lose it’.” Clare Rayner - Retail Champion.
There’s no denying that in the last few years the way we shop has changed massively. Without doubt, the internet
makes it easier to compare the prices of items. But here we buck the trend for high streets which look the same no matter where you are in the UK, with a wide range of independently owned shops, often staffed by their owners with free parking in Market Places, High Streets and around the towns and villages.
One of the benefits of dealing with independent shops is that the owners listen carefully to what their customers want and look for, with a regular turnover of new products. Throughout the year,
5 Reasons to Shop Local
you’ ll find a range of items which are not available on every High Street, because the owners of the independent shops spend a great deal of time sourcing products which they know their customers will love.
It used to be that a lot of our local shops shut for business on Sundays, but that’s no longer the case. Take a walk around the local towns on a Sunday, and you’ll find a significant number of the shops are open.
When it comes to gifts for Christmas, quirky one-off items are a major plus. Give your family and friends a gift from one of the independent stores locally and at least it won’t be identical to everything they already have. Many of the local shops will offer gift wrapping to make
1Building community: Locally owned shops are a great way of getting to know people in the community. They can link neighbours and support local groups and are more likely to contribute to local causes. They are more likely to be invested and interested in conserving the area.
2Protect the local character of your town or village: Choosing to support local businesses helps preserve the distinctive nature and history of a your area, helping prevent clone towns.
your life easier.
Can’t make your mind up? Most of the independent retailers offer gift vouchers.
So, this Christmas, you can spend hours in front of a computer screen, then wait in for deliveries, or spend time popping down to the Sorting Office to collect that delivery you missed. Or you can brave crowds in Milton Keynes, queue for parking, pay, queue to pay for your purchases, which you can buy everywhere else anyway. Or you can choose to shop in some of the unique, local independent shops. You can park free, and be assured that your custom is valued. And most importantly that the gifts you choose will be special.
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Boost the local economy: Money spent on local shops is more likely to be invested in the local economy and is more likely to positively affect the community than if spent in larger chains. Local shopping isn’t always more expensive, which can be a thought which often puts people off
3Entrepreneurship: Help foster the talents of local designers and retailers, who create great quality and unique items.
4Make a day of it: Shop, stroll, go for a bite to eat, visit family and friends; Take your time and enjoy the day - live in the present!