In recent years, shopping local has become much more popular and reminiscent of the days before huge corporations ran the high streets. There are tonnes of benefits to shopping small, shopping local, and shopping sustainable and we’ve been doing research into the top ones.

In this post, we’re going to be looking at why you should be shopping small, local, and sustainable, including the benefits to the environment and the support for local economy. To find out more, take a look below now.

It’s good for the environment

Shopping small and local to avoid the accumulation of thousands of air miles is better for the environment by far. This means that the carbon footprint of the items you buy is lower, making them better for the environment.

Shopping sustainably also means investing in businesses that have considered the welfare of their animals, the emissions generated on their farms, the pesticides or antibiotics used over the course of the year and much more besides. Putting your faith in farms that take a more natural and less intensive approach to agriculture is almost always advisable if you have one eye on the environment.

Supports the local economy and saves jobs

Shopping local or at least national means supporting the economy on which you also rely. By putting money back into local businesses, you’re ensuring that the local economy is strong and that local businesses can continue doing their work.

Small businesses also support jobs, whether local or not, and support the growth of the economy in which they are situated. Small businesses are also fountains of innovation, helping to push new design, creations, and ideas.

Better customer service

There’s nothing better than good customer service and by shopping small and local, you’re likely to get it. These smaller businesses tend to be run with small groups or by families, meaning they’re more invested and more a part of their business. Small business owners tend to pour their heart and soul into their business and so good customer service feels more like a given.

The products are made with love

Like we discussed in our previous point, small business owners pour their heart into their business and their products. This means the products you’re buying are a labour of love. The products are created and produced by owners and employees who are truly invested in the business, meaning they want what is best for it and they want to provide the best for their customers.

The products tend to be better

And along those lines, because of the love that is put into these products, they’re better. There is more thought and more love put into the products.

Small businesses may sometimes be slightly more expensive than mass-market alternatives because the products are usually made in smaller batches and don’t have the luxury of economies of scale. Though they may be more expensive, these products are usually better and therefore worth the money.

Better product diversity

And finally, smaller businesses tend to have a greater product diversity. For example, Dorset Meat Company offer a huge variety of Aberdeen Angus beef and other meat products, like goat meat, that you’re unlikely to find in your local supermarket. This means you can buy more interesting products at small, local, and sustainable businesses, making it a great way to shop to find something a little bit different and a little bit unique.

Conclusion

Shopping small, local, and sustainable means opening yourself up to a world of diverse products that are created with love and are much better for the environment. Choosing to shop this way can be a great way to support your local economy and do your bit for the climate.