This year, small businesses all over the world have been hit hard by the on-going pandemic. Many of them were unprepared for the changes the pandemic would create – customers shopping from home and utilizing online shopping and deliveries, restaurants limiting capacities, and the dangers a new virus presents. Businesses are suffering and need the support of their local communities to keep them from closing their doors permanently. Now, more than ever, it’s important to support your local small businesses during the upcoming holiday shopping season.
Small businesses support local economy and communities in more ways than you realize. Every time you purchase a local item or participate in a local event or class, you’re making a difference in your community. For every $100 spent in a local business, approximately $67 remain in the local economy. When spending the same at a non-local business, only $43 stays in the community. Across the United States, more than $9.3 billion would be directly returned to the economy if every family spent just $10 a month at a local business. Wages, taxes, and donations from local businesses also support the local economy. Small business donations and support help fund many of our local events, such as 50s Fest & Car Cruise, Light Up Night, and even the Greene County Fair. In fact, small businesses donate 250% more than large businesses to community causes and that makes a BIG impact for local charities, youth organizations, and local service groups. (Visit https://www.score.org/resource/infographic-small-business-charitable-giving-big-impact-local-communities for more information on small businesses and charitable giving.)
Small businesses offer employment opportunities and committed employees. 56% of workers at locally owned businesses have high commitment scores compared to only 38.7% of workers at non-locally owned businesses. And because these employees are usually local, they have community ties that make them passionate about helping those in their community. This often is reflected in the customer service offered by local businesses; because they are part of your community, employees and owners are engaged with the customers on a one-on-one level and want to make them happy. They’ll work hard to ensure a positive experience.
Shopping small is better for the environment. Many small businesses use locally sourced, recyclable, or use recycled materials in their business. This helps reduce their economic footprint; by purchasing locally you can help reduce pollution, processing, packaging, and transportation waste.
Small businesses offer a unique selection of items. Among the many reasons people shop small, the majority say it’s the availability of unique products that keeps them shopping local. There’s no better way to sway shoppers to your own business than emphasizing what makes your business unique, whether it’s the merchandise you sell, the outstanding customer service you offer, or something different. Other reasons consumers shop locally include not finding the items from bigger businesses, supporting the community, trying new retailers, broader assortment of items, and innovative shopping experiences.
Our quiet little corner of southwestern Pennsylvania has more to offer local shoppers than you may recognize. Spread throughout the county and its neighboring communities are specialty gourmet candy & baked good shops, several antiques & collectibles shops, handcrafted Americana gifts and décor, great deals on brand name fashions for men & women, organic foods, herbals, skin and health care, salons, pet & farm supply, custom computer stores, home decorating centers, seasonal flag stores, sporting goods stores, floral shops, gift shops, an independent book store, and more.
Oh, and speaking of food… you can find plenty of delicious options to choose from: sizzlin’ steaks and BBQ, authentic Mexican, enchanting Chinese, kiln to table delicacies, homemade baked goods, a craft butcher shop, home-cooked cuisine, and so much more. It’s ALL right here!
And don’t forget our local artisans! Greene County is home to a large creative community, including potters, painters, jewelry fabricators, soap makers, custom home décor creators, and more. While many don’t have physical storefronts to sell their creations, they often have online stores or can be found at the local vendor & craft events held throughout the county during the holidays.
This year remember that “Shop Small” or “Buy Local” are more than just slogans for many businesses. It could be the difference between being open or closing their doors forever.
Ways to Support Local Businesses
Instead of buying restaurant gift cards to major restaurant chains, purchase gift certificates for local restaurants.
While eat-in arrangements at your local restaurants may be limited, most are now offering the option of curbside delivery or carry out.
For holiday flower arrangements, grave blankets, and other floral needs, purchase from one of our local flower shops or nurseries instead of a national brand.
Look towards local artisans for unique and creative handmade merchandise that is one of a kind, as opposed to commercially produced items.
Write a review for your favorite small businesses on social media. Online reviews are high stakes for local businesses, and a radiant review will attract other local shoppers.
Want to buy local for someone living outside our area? Give the store a call. Many local businesses are willing to ship your purchase to wherever you’d like it to go.
Small Business Saturday
Black Friday? Forget it. Crowds, traffic, common merchandise on sale for a few hours so everyone can fight over it. It’s just too crazy and overboard… and often not the value you think. Definitely out.
On the other hand, “Small Business Saturday” is much more appealing – and a great way to kickoff your holiday season shopping.
Going strong more than a decade, Small Business Saturday was introduced by American Express in 2010 as a contrast to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores. Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize businesses that are small and locally owned during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.
And according to American Express, “In 2019, shoppers came together to support their local communities more than ever. The 10th Annual Small Business Saturday hit a record high with an estimated $19.6 billion in reported spending.”
We’ve got plenty of awesome small businesses in Greene County and its neighboring communities, and if you haven’t been “shopping small” recently, you will be pleasantly surprised at the variety and affordability you’re going to find when you do.Make that discovery on Saturday, November 28 by checking out the unique shops all over our little corner of Pennsylvania.
Make Small Business Saturday a part of your annual holiday shopping tradition and be a part of the Shop Small Movement supporting business all year around. You’ll have more fun shopping small than at the mall when you visit any of the towns in the Greene County area that feature local businesses! You’ll find better stuff, better deals, and MUCH better service… Try it and see!
