It’s here, the shopping event of the year, get ready to Shop Small® on November 30, 2019. Celebrate local Mom + Pop shops, and show them some love by picking up a few holiday gifts.
Yeah, I know it’s easy to shop online: no crowds, no jockeying for parking spaces, and the dopamine rush is higher buying online than in stores. A question. How does shopping online support your community? And yes, I realize the Etsy’s of the world, and I love shopping on Etsy because it’s a version of shop small. But, when I purchase a sweater from a knitter in Poland, how do I support my local community aka the local economy.
Can, we as consumers, become more mindful shoppers? I hope we can all answer that question with a resounding YES!
Shop Small®
Are you familiar with these findings from American Express in regards to Shop Small®, aka small business Saturday?
Every time you pick up a coffee at your local café, grab lunch at the mom-and-pop shop, or buy a new bag from a local store, you make an impact in your community. For every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S., approximately 67 cents stays in the local community.
American Express
Here’s some more food for thought.
On average, 48 percent of each purchase at local independent businesses was recirculated locally. This is compared to less than 14 percent of purchases at chain stores.
American Independent Business Alliance
OUCH!
Shop Small Shopping Tips
I love to shop small. But over the years, I’ve noticed not all local shopping environments are created equal. When I shop locally I want to support business owners who are creating products nearby or regionally.
A few shopping tips to support Shop Small Business Saturday:
- Skip the big box chain liquor stores and shop locally for wines and artisanal brews. I promise you there are a few or many, wineries and craft breweries nearby.
- Support local state park gift stores, yeah some of the stuff is kitschy, but you’ll be supporting a wonderful cause, Mother Nature!
- Dine at local Mom + Pop diners, cafe’s and restaurants. Make a promise, if you dine out often, do this at last once a month.
- Look for neighborhood crafts; candles, jewelry, lotions, furniture, and more
- Visit community crafts markets for homemade jellies, farm-to-table items, and enjoy a day fellowship, and holiday celebration.
- Shop local museum gift shops as they offer a great selection of arts and crafts; make sure they are local and not made overseas! Sometimes that’s a thing!
Shop Small® 2019
Well, I hope I’ve convinced a few of you to shop small this year and to make Shop Small an everyday ritual. Pleeese, I’m not saying don’t shop online or at big box stores. Hell, I shop at Walmart because their organics are pretty darn good and the prices are right.
What I’m advocating is we become mindful of the stores we walk by every day, and in some small way support them, too. Even if you don’t have a dime to spend support them in these simple ways: Share. Repost. Tag a Friend. Comment. Refer-a-Friend!
Happy Shop Small® Saturday!
