It’s In Our Interests to ‘Buy Local’
Date: 12th Aug 2009
For years, independent businesses have joined together under ‘Buy Local’ banners to persuade customers to spend more of their hard earned money within the local economy.
This kind of campaign is not new, but the argument does appear to be gaining momentum as the current economic downturn forces us to make tough buying decisions both at home and at work.
The economic argument behind buy local campaigns is quite straightforward: Spending at local businesses, rather than at national multiple outlets or via websites, helps local economies because those firms are more likely to employ local people, buy from local suppliers and source services from local providers such as accountants and solicitors.
The jobs that those pounds support stay in the community, rather than going to chains that consolidate their suppliers and support functions elsewhere. The profits, too, stay with local owners who spend in the community, rather than going to out-of-town owners or shareholders.
So there are a number of real benefits to the community when you buy local. Your actions will help retain local businesses and services and support local jobs.
In fact for every pound spent locally, an estimated £4 is generated within the local economy.
But is it always clear whether or not we are buying local?
A national supermarket chain was recently criticised for selling milk branded as 'local' despite being produced 150 miles away.
So be aware there will always be differing views about how local is local.
At Kingfisher Print & Design, most of our business comes from Devon and we try, wherever possible, to use suppliers from within the county.
Our company also has a strong environmental commitment and there is a clear green argument for buying local goods and services.
As more products are sourced locally, fewer are brought in by road from outside the region. This means less traffic, reduced fuel consumption, fewer single drop offs and less packaging. The less our products travel, the better, as transport is a significant contributory factor in climate change.
So let’s all make an effort to ‘Buy Local’ wherever possible, for the good of our economy and the environment.
*Ross Bellotti is Managing Director of Kingfisher Print & Design which is based in Wills Road on Totnes Industrial Estate, Totnes TQ9 5XN. Telephone 01803 867087 or e mail (sales@kingfisherpint.co.uk).
