Why Shopping Local Matters More Than Ever!
- Linda Tacey
- Oct 27, 2025
- 4 min read
Support Small Business This Holiday Season
Support Small Business This Holiday Season
Why Shopping Local Matters More Than Ever
The festive season is just around the corner — twinkling lights, joyful gatherings, and the hunt for the perfect gifts. But as we make our lists and check them twice, there’s something truly meaningful we can all do this year: support small businesses.
In an age of fast online shopping and global retail giants, it’s easy to forget that behind every small business is a dream, a family, and a team of hardworking locals keeping our communities alive. When you shop small this holiday season, you’re not just buying a product — you’re helping keep local jobs, creativity, and connection thriving.
When you buy from a craft market or local market when shopping for gifts you are likely to find something handmade, something unique that you can't get at a major shopping centre. Homemade goods are made with quality ingredients and have had time spent on their concept to creation, something mass production can't afford to do.
Some of my fondest memories are shopping at the local market with my mother and grandmother. We bought all our produce from the local farmers market. Now I love taking my grandchildren to my local market. I always give my grandchildren around $5 and the joy of them working out what to buy and watching them is just so special.
Why Supporting Small Business Matters
Small businesses are the heartbeat of our towns and cities. From handmade soaps and local produce to independent bookstores and boutique clothing stores, these businesses make our communities unique.
Every purchase helps support local makers, artists, and entrepreneurs who pour passion and purpose into what they create. Unlike large corporations, small businesses often reinvest in their communities — sponsoring local sports teams, sourcing locally, and creating meaningful employment.
When you choose to buy from a small business, you’re choosing sustainability, craftsmanship, and connection over mass production. It’s about celebrating real people and their talents — and that’s something truly worth gifting.
The Importance of Local Jobs
Jobs created by small businesses are vital for the health of local economies. They offer opportunities for young people, flexible options for parents, and a sense of pride for those who want to contribute to something meaningful.
In fact, research shows that when you spend $100 at a local business, up to $68 stays in your community — compared to far less when you shop with big online retailers. That money circulates, supporting local services, schools, and future opportunities.
When we support small businesses, we help build stronger, more resilient communities — ones that can weather challenges and continue to grow.
The Future of Retail: A Personal Touch
Retail is evolving fast, but small business owners are leading the way with creativity, innovation, and care. The future of retail is personal — it’s about storytelling, sustainability, and shared values.
Independent makers and shop owners are reimagining retail as an experience: friendly chats at the checkout, thoughtful packaging, and handmade touches that remind us why we love shopping in person. Whether it’s a weekend market, a local artisan fair, or a cozy shop down the street, small businesses are creating experiences that big corporations simply can’t replicate.
By choosing to shop locally this season, you’re helping shape the future of retail — one where authenticity and community come first.
Explore Local Markets and Farmers Markets
If you’re not sure where to start, head to your local markets or farmers markets. They’re vibrant hubs of creativity, filled with local makers selling everything from handcrafted soaps and candles to fresh produce, artwork, and gifts made with love.
Take a stroll through the stalls, talk to the makers, and discover something unique — a gift that tells a story. It’s a wonderful way to connect with your community and find treasures that can’t be bought on mass-market shelves.
You might even discover a new favourite local brand, a small business that aligns with your values, or an inspiring entrepreneur turning passion into purpose.
Share the Joy: Spread the Word on Socials
One of the easiest — and most powerful — ways to support small business costs absolutely nothing: share what you find!
If you come across a local market, a handmade gift, or a great small business deal, snap a photo and share it on your social media. Tag the business, add your local hashtag, and tell your friends where to find them. Word of mouth and social media shares are lifelines for small businesses, especially during the holiday rush.
Your post might inspire someone else to buy local too — creating a ripple effect that supports small makers across your community.
My Locals that I would love to share: If you have any local markets share in the comments!
My local markets are:
Akoona Market Berwick
Dandenong Market
Craft Markets Australia - (link)Great place to find local markets
Local Events - on Facebook - Great place to find local markets
A Simple Gift with a Big Impact
This holiday season, consider giving gifts that give back — to your community, your local economy, and the environment. Choose handcrafted over mass-produced, sustainable over disposable, and personal over generic.
Whether it’s a beautifully made bar of natural soap, a jar of local honey, or a handmade candle, your purchase has power. It says yes to creativity, yes to community, and yes to a future where small businesses can continue to thrive.
Together, we can make this festive season more meaningful — not just for ourselves, but for the people who bring heart, passion, and authenticity to every product they make.
So this year, shop small, shop local, and share your finds. Because supporting small business isn’t just about gifts — it’s about giving back.
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