5 reasons why you should shop local this holiday season

Holiday shopping is here and that means it's time to find gifts for those who are close and special in our lives. However, this holiday season supporting local businesses in your community can go a long way. Here are five reasons why you should shop local this holiday season. 

1. Having a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. 

While shopping in a big box story or from a major retailer online, shopping locally creates a unique, one-of-a-kind shopping experience that you cannot receive in a big box store. Local businesses and small businesses shopping build a connection that goes beyond purchasing products, it’s how you build relationships and connections with local businesses owners in your area. 

2. Your money stays in your community. 

It is heartbreaking to see a local business close down. When you shop locally, you’re giving not only your dollars to a small business but helping your community thrive in the process. Roughly $48 to $68 of $100 dollars you spend in a small independent business stays within your local economy. Compared to shopping at a big box store or large online retailer, around $15 is circulated back into your local economy. 

3. A unique gift for a special someone.

Smaller businesses and local shops curate their inventory for shoppers in the area. Handpicking and gifting a product that is already curated makes the gifting process special. Compared to shopping at a big box or online retailer, gifts and items are more curated and set for specific shoppers, making the shopping process less special and more pushed by an algorithm or sponsored content. 

4. Gift cards do count as gifts. 

Small businesses typically carry gift cards or gift certificates for their shop and services. This is a great alternative for supporting local restaurants, beauty and coffee shops in your area. Gift a gift card of your friend or loved one’s favorite shop, coffee spot or salon in your community. 

5. You are supporting local artists!

Supporting local artists, including those who have their art in shops or galleries, helps support local artists for creating more work. In addition, items from local artists are one of a kind gifts for your friend or special someone. Unique, one-of-a-kind gifts are the way to support your local artists within your community.

We hope these reasons convinced your or made you think of local places in your community to shop this upcoming holiday season. Stick around and subscribe to Lake Norman Record's weekly free newsletter to see a local business to shop at this holiday season.

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