We hear “shop small” or “shop local” so often nowadays, especially since the pandemic hit our lives. So why exactly should we care about it?

You can find so many articles and blog posts about this topic on the internet, so I’m here to tell you why to shop at local markets.

Here are the whys.

1. Unique Items

There are a lot of beautiful handmade items at local markets. Because of handmade, those items are unique, and only limited numbers are available at a time. If you purchase those items for gifting, there is less chance that other people will pick the same gift for the same recipient, and it will make the recipient feel special.

2. Better Quality

Handmade items are often better quality than mass-produced items. Even if something’s wrong, the maker will likely treat you like a valued customer – who you exactly are – with quality customer service.

3. Time-Saving

Markets are one-stop destinations. You don’t have to drive from one retail store to another to shop for different things. Many markets have food and drink stalls as well. Furthermore, especially during the holiday shopping season, you don’t have to line up in a long queue to pay for the items, unlike those big stores you know.

4. Local Economy

If we spend our money in our local community, the money stays within the community and supports the local economy. In other words, the more you consciously spend money locally, the more likely it will come back to you whether you know it or not, and you can repeat the cycle.

5. Job Opportunities

Many small business owners work on their own, despite their workloads. If we keep supporting local small businesses, there is a high chance that we can create more job opportunities in the community.

6. Environment

Locally made products with locally sourced materials cause less carbon footprint in the production process. If you choose those items and shop locally, it also will reduce your carbon footprint.

7. Families

By supporting small businesses, you help business owners to support their families. It is less likely to help them buy an investment property or go on a trip overseas. Instead, realistically, it will help them pay for food, rent/rates, power bills, school uniforms, kids’ activities, and so on.

Conclusion

These are the reasons to shop at local markets that came to my mind. I hope more people will consciously choose local small businesses from now on.

It’s always nice to see small business owners support each other, and I’m grateful to be in the community, too. If you’re also a small business owner and want to connect with another small business owner, I’m more than happy to do that! Drop me a line or follow @akicreative.nz on Instagram or Facebook.

Also, any opinions, questions, or messages are welcome. Feel free to leave a comment or contact me at hi@akicreative.nz.

Thank you for reading it through. You are amazing. I hope you have a lovely day x