Shopping Small Matters: Here's Why
Shop small is more than a catchphrase or tagline.
When you choose to shop at a small business, you empower people, families, and communities.
We are all resilient, creative, and supportive, and we've shown these characteristics all through the turbulence of 2020. So what better way is there to prop one another up than by shopping small and local?
Here are some huge reasons why shopping small is more than just a catchphrase:
Small businesses make a major economic impact
More than half of the U.S.'s jobs since 1995 were created by small businesses. And according to the Small Business Administration, since 1990, big businesses eliminated 4 million jobs, while small businesses added 8 million jobs.
Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents. The more you shop at a local store, the more potential job opportunities you could help them provide.
Buying local supports our community
Studies show that significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers, and farms when you buy from an independent, locally-owned business rather than a nationally owned business.
This creates a beautiful cycle of support, and together we continue to strengthen our entire community.
It feels good to help neighbors and friends succeed
There's something special about knowing the owner of the store when you walk in. You can ask about family, share news in your life, and feel the comfort of familiarity.
When you support local small businesses, you are helping families you know feed their kids, pay their mortgage, secure their future, or even make ends meet.
Small businesses give back to charities
The Small Business Administration found that 75% of small business owners donate some portion of their profits to charitable organizations each year. And many times, those charities are found right in the middle of our communities.
So every time you shop local, a part of your total may also be donated to a local charity. You’re impacting more than just the business owner. You’re helping people who are in need in your community!
At Gifted, we choose non-profits to partner with all the time because we want to strengthen and support our community. Through our Gifting For Good program we regularly partner with local non-profits to help raise money and awareness. We just wrapped up a donation campaign for Together We Rise. This amazing non-profit organization is dedicated to making the foster care experience better for the more than 430,000 kids experiencing it.
We're proud of these partnerships and feel good about making a difference in our community and world!
Small businesses offer neighborly customer service
Small business owners strive to survive, and that means we’re always looking to serve our customers and community well. And one way small businesses do that is by providing more personable, hands-on, and memorable customer service.
When you shop at a farmers market or local shop, you get to see the faces of the makers and creators, and you get to shake their hands (or socially-distanced wave!). You’re getting the highest quality service and the enthusiasm of the business owner.
At Gifted, we take pride in helping you choose just the right gifts for the important people in your lives. Whether it is a gift for a significant birthday or a simple “just because I love you” gift we are committed to helping you select gifts you will be proud to give. And our beautiful gift wrapping is just another example of the love and care we put into the experience of gifting.
Shopping local gives your community's creatives much-needed exposure
Small communities are often full of incredibly talented artists who can't afford shop space until their business takes off. So instead, they partner with local businesses to sell their products at a storefront.
So when you shop local, you give the talented craftspeople and creatives in our community the exposure and funding they need to grow their business.
It's more than a tagline. Shop small is all about creating, connecting, and inspiring a community.
Whatever you consider "home" - a cozy one-bedroom apartment, mom and dad's guesthouse, or the beautiful home your family built and created- connect to that community. You live in a city that is full of hidden gems that need your support now more than ever.
Help grow your community by shopping locally. When you do, you give the hard-working small business owners in our city the opportunity to thrive. And in doing so you are ensuring that your neighborhood will be vibrant and a place you will be proud to call home.