Shop Local This Holiday Season to Benefit Your Community

As the holiday season approaches, people begin to think about what gifts they will buy for their loved ones. But have you ever thought about how your gift-giving choices can impact your community? This holiday season, we encourage you to shop local to boost your community's economy and support small businesses. Keep reading to learn more from the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce about how shopping locally benefits the community and what local businesses you can support.

Local Shopping Promotes Job Growth

One of the most direct ways that shopping locally benefits the community is by promoting job growth. When you shop at large chain stores, a significant portion of the profits leaves the community. However, when you shop at small, locally-owned businesses, the money is much more likely to stay within the community and be used to support local jobs. In fact, according to the 3/50 Project, for every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $68 stays in the local economy. So, this holiday season, do your part to promote job growth in your community by shopping at small businesses.

Local Shopping Boosts the Community’s Economy

In addition to promoting job growth, shopping locally also boosts the community economy. Small businesses are typically owned by people who live in the community, which means that they are more likely to reinvest their profits back into the community. According to Civic Economics, for every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $45 circulates through the local economy as opposed to only $14 when spent at a national chain. This holiday season, help boost your community economy by choosing to shop at locally-owned businesses.

Businesses Can Use Cross-Promotion 

Local businesses can also support each other—and the community as a whole—through cross-promotion. Cross-promotion is when two or more businesses promote each other's products or services. For example, a local coffee shop could team up with a local bakery to offer discounts to customers who purchase items from both businesses. Or a local clothing store could team up with a local jewelry store to offer discounts to customers who purchase items from both stores. Cross-promotion is a great way for local businesses to support each other and attract new customers.

Local Businesses Can Support Each Other With Joint Marketing

In addition to cross-promoting each other's products and services, local businesses can also support each other through joint marketing initiatives. Joint marketing is when two or more businesses pool their resources to create and implement a marketing campaign. For example, a group of local restaurants could team up to create and distribute a holiday dining guide. Or a group of local retailers could team up to create and distribute a holiday gift guide. Joint marketing is a great way for local businesses to reach new customers and grow their customer base.

Supporting the Community By Sponsoring Events

Finally, local businesses can also support the community through sponsored events. Sponsored events are events that are organized and implemented by one or more businesses to promote their products or services or simply give back to the community. For example, a group of local retailers could sponsor a holiday parade or tree-lighting ceremony. Or a group of local restaurants could sponsor a food drive for a local food bank. Sponsored events are a great way for businesses to show their support for the community.

Of course, you’ll need to get the word out about these events. One low-cost and efficient way to do this is by using PDFs to send promotional materials, dates and other information to those throughout the community. When you use a free online PDF editor, you’ll soon find that PDFs make it simple to post info on your website, others’ blog sites, and social media, as well as through email marketing campaigns. They can also be used to print posters, brochures and flyers.

As you can see, there are many benefits of shopping locally this holiday season, from growing the local job market to boosting the local economy. So make an effort to support small businesses in your community—you'll be glad you did!

Membership in the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce offers invaluable benefits to entrepreneurs in our community. Join us today!