Wow, we’re getting close to November and before we realize it, we’ll be enjoying everything the festivities that the holidays have to bring to Andalusia. Already we are seeing evidence of what’s to come, as preparations are being made for Candyland events.
Alongside all the joy that the holiday season brings but there are also the chores to be dealt with, the most notable being the arduous chore of shopping for Christmas (tedious to a small portion of us, I’m guessing). Soon, the bells are going to ring the cash registers will be ringing as we take out our wallets to enjoy the joy of giving.
As we make our lists and going through them over, we can be giving back to ourselves by evaluating what items we can buy from our homes. By buying locally this festive season, we’re not only helping our local companies, but helping our family members, neighbors and friends employed locally, as well as generating tax revenue that can be put to use for public good, including parks, infrastructure upgrades schools, and many more.
According to an Civic Economics Study held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, it was found that when consumers spend $100 on local businesses, approximately $68 is retained within the economy of that area.
In addition, local businesses can help these shops and stores give back to our communities. According to SCORE the national non-profit group of business professionals retired from their careers that help small-scale businesses reach their goals, small-sized firms contribute more than 250 percent to local charities and other causes that benefit the community. In a further breakdown smaller businesses donate local charities, 48 percent are involved in educational and youth sports causes 42 percent give locally to first-responders and 39 percent contribute to local religious organisations and 37 percent offer assistance to civic groups like Rotary Clubs, Boy Scouts and Kiwanis Club.
If we shop locally, we generate a positive cycle for companies, employees, governments as well as residents. We are lucky to live in Andalusia that we have access to a range of stores selling many different productsincluding everyday necessities as well as items that are more individual. There aren’t many reasons to travel 60 miles or greater areas for shopping, and you can save your wallet a lot of money at the station.
While many shoppers fight for massive-box sales during Black Friday, let’s not overlook Small Business Saturday — which falls on the Saturday of November. 25, this yearand take a look at the amazing deals offered by businesses owned by people we have a relationship with on a personal level.
In 2021, the consumers who took part at Small Business Saturday spent $23.3 billion as per Investopedia.com.
When you are preparing to go shopping this holiday season, you should consider whether it’s worth it to spend money on leave town. Everything you require can be available right here at home.
— Robert Blankenship is the publisher of the Andalusia Star-News. He may be reached at robert.blankenship@andalusiastarnews.com.
The article COLUMN: The holiday season is the time to shop local was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
