By Keith Dawn
We all do it. We’re hooked. It’s just too damn easy not to. Amazon and other e-commerce sites have made shopping online so convenient and easy, that’s it tough to avoid…especially when we’re in a pinch for time or shopping for the cheapest widget. I urge all of us, including me (and my wife) to avoid it when possible. Shop local for the sake of the local economy!
Obviously, there are some businesses that we just cater to based on their nature, such as local restaurants and bars, gyms and service providers like plumbers and HVAC folks. But when it comes to shopping for things we’re going online for, think local. Think about the uniqueness we have in the area. Shopping areas like downtown Ocean City, The Towne of Historic Smithville Shoppes/Village Greene, the streets of Hammonton and Cape May to name a few. Many of these areas strive to attract tourists, but there’s a lot of great reasons for locals to shop there as opposed to the merchandise we shop for online.
Approximately 20% of new businesses fail during the first two years of being open, 45% during the first five years, and 65% during the first 10 years. Only 25% of new businesses make it to 15 years or more. There are a number of reasons for this such as a poor strategy/business plan, lack of focus on the bottom line and no unique selling proposition that sets businesses apart from their competition. Let’s not let the local consumers be a part of the problem.
Many of these businesses operate on razor-thin margins and it doesn’t take a lot of customers to help them break even and feel the support they need to keep going. Buying that fabulous new table for your dining room basically makes you a hero.
Shopping locally is important for several reasons:
Supporting the local economy. When you shop at local businesses, you are supporting the local economy and the livelihoods of people in your community. The money you spend stays in the community and helps create jobs and support local businesses.
Building community. Shopping locally can also help build a sense of community. You can get to know the people who own and operate the businesses near you and build relationships with them. This can create a sense of belonging and a stronger sense of loyalty.
Unique products. Local businesses often offer unique products that you can’t find elsewhere. These products can be of higher quality and can offer a more personalized shopping experience. By supporting these businesses, you are helping to preserve the diversity and character of your community.
Reducing environmental impact. Local shopping can also help reduce your carbon footprint. By purchasing products from local businesses, you can reduce the amount of transportation and packaging required to get those products to you, which can have a positive impact on the environment.
Overall, shopping locally can have a positive impact on our community and the environment, while also offering unique products. Together we can help these small businesses stay and thrive for 15 years or more. I promise to do my part.
Keith is a seasoned media executive and former publisher for The Press of Atlantic City.
Keith is now a business coach/advisor and CEO of his own consulting firm called Strategic Growth Partners. He’s passionate about helping businesses grow. He can be reached at keith.dawn@sgpCoach.com or you can visit his website for more detailed information at https://www.sgpcoach.com.
