Member Article

The value of shopping small

Ahead of Small Business Saturday next weekend (6 December), new research has revealed the social and community value of shopping in small independent shops.

The findings by American Express reveal that small shops provide £537million worth of free services to local communities annually such as checking in on locals and sourcing bespoke products. The report also shows that 60p in every £1 spent by independent businesses goes back into the local economy.

People who live near areas with a higher proportion of independent, small shops tend to be more sociable with people in these areas twice as likely to say “hello” to people on their high street. Similarly shoppers on independent high streets are twice as likely to have a conversation with someone they do not know, having 56 conversations a year (vs. 28).

Retail expert Kate Hardcastle commented: “We’ve long known that small businesses make a big contribution to their local economies. What this research gives us for the first time is a sense of the extent to which independent small shops are investing in their local communities. They are not just selling fantastic goods and services, they also play an integral and broader role supporting local people and showing real community spirit.”

Rafa Marquez, UK Managing Director at American Express, said:

“American Express has a long history of working with small independent retailers and we recognise the role they play in their local communities. This research shines a spotlight on those personal, added value services that take the notion of customer service to another level. We hope the rest of the country joins us in showing appreciation for these heroes of our high street by shopping small this Small Business Saturday.”

For more information on Small Business Saturday visit www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com or to see which local, independent businesses will be part of the Shop Small promotion visit www.amexshopsmall.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah .