We take a brief look at why its so important to shop locally and how you can do your bit.

Buying local means face-to-face customer service and support plus the benefits go even further:

• Buying local builds character of the community, giving it a distinctive identity that stands out from generic image of cookie cutter retailers.
• Buying local helps to build stronger communities, benefiting neighbours in a network of economic and social relationships, and contributing to local interests.
• Locally-owned businesses mean that business decisions are made locally by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions.
• Local owned businesses provide more jobs locally and often provide better wages and benefit than chains do. They also contribute a much larger share of their revenue into the local economy.
• Buying local gives people the chance to try and taste something often handcrafted, unique and award-winning

It was comforting to see a huge retailer such as Tesco recommending to visit your local pub instead of their alcohol aisles post lockdown, it demonstrates that even these big businesses can see the negative affect it has had and will have on the community otherwise.

Thankfully, more than 9 in 10 of people who have shopped locally say they will continue to do so, a survey by Barclaycard found and nearly two-thirds of consumers in the UK have chosen to buy closer to home in the past year, leading to a 63% rise in spending at specialist food and drink stores such as butchers, bakeries and green grocers last month, the debit and credit card operator said.

Local stores have been boosted by the shift to working from home and strengthened interest in supporting businesses that have kept communities going through hard times.

Not only can individuals do their bit, its just as important for businesses of all sizes to support local companies when considering corporate gifting.

With this in mind, It was amazing to work with Leeds Building Society on their competition to 'win a match day hamper', as a sponsor for Leeds Rhinos they know how important local brand awareness is for their services and trusted our expertise in being able to source and send out hampers to the lucky winners.

In addition, The Department for International Trade (UKTI) made a mindful decision to treat their Yorkshire based Colleague to a retirement hamper, it was really comforting being able to suggest and source products from local suppliers who have truly all had a hard time during the past lockdown year, putting a smile on everyones faces - win, win all round.

We'd love to support you with your corporate gifting ideas, see our corporate gifting page here and drop us an email or phone call anytime.

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