Small businesses such as bookshops, boutique fashion stores, independent grocers and jewellers, all play an important role within our high street. Not only do they make your local area more appealing, but they also supply unique products that you may not be able to get from a large corporate company. During the pandemic, many small businesses took a big hit, with some, unfortunately, having to close down. This is why it’s even more important than ever to support your local businesses.
Support for local businesses can come in many shapes and sizes. We can all do our part to show support. Here are some ways you can help your local businesses:
Shop small and local
Big stores like Tesco and Asda are much more likely to withstand the negative impact of the pandemic than local stores. Shopping in smaller stores locally can have a big impact and help small businesses strive. Now that lockdown is over and it is easier to shop in stores again, SMEs rely on support from local residents.
Chirag Shah, chief executive of Nucleus Commercial Finance, said: “SMEs are the lifeblood of the economy and play a vital role in the communities they serve. In order for them to thrive, we need to provide them with the right tools to help them future-proof their business and ultimately succeed for years to come.” Luckily, all you have to do to help is to make the decision to shop locally. This will also invite other businesses to open in your area, making more products available and creating local jobs.
Order from smaller shops online
Smaller shops now have the opportunity to take advantage of services such as Uber Eats, which allows residents to order groceries, take-away and other products locally. The items are ordered through an app, picked up and delivered by Uber Eats. There may be similar services and apps available that can help small shops reach more customers. Taking advantage of this opportunity as a customer can be a great way to support small businesses.
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Spread the word
Not only could you shop locally, but you could also recommend shops to your friends and family. It doesn’t take much to leave a positive review on Google or Facebook, like a local business or follow them on Instagram, but for SMEs, this can be very helpful. Many people only shop from a store if it has received several positive reviews. Giving feedback and leaving positive comments on social media can really strengthen the reputation of a business.
Think ahead
If you are looking for a product that you can’t find in a shop nearby, consider asking whether it can be ordered. You may have to wait for a few days, but it will mean that you are showing support for a local business instead of choosing a larger shop. Another option is to purchase a gift card or a voucher and give it to a friend who will then be able to test the services and products of the business you bought it from.
