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St. Cloud times
The mall that we will have access to in 2021 is literally the whole world. A few clicks, a sequence of digits from a credit card and any gift from anywhere is displayed on your doorstep.
The retail industry has been in this truly global marketplace for years. The pandemic accelerated the widespread user experience solutions that made it a tool for every generation. Because once you trust someone to provide you with the food and recipes you will be consuming, all barriers are lifted when the time comes to stock up on supplies.
These changes are a blessing in many ways. The automatic delivery of household items saves time and means that what families need is always at hand – detergent, coffee, cat litter or fruit snacks.
For the elderly, the disabled or anyone struggling with mobility, delivery to the front door is an indispensable convenience that maintains independence.
Nevertheless, the holiday should be about giving gifts. Think about how the decisions you make about your gift spending can have double effects – for the recipient and for companies that support not only the Central Minnesota economy but the quality of life as well.
Here are 9 reasons to spend money on local businesses whenever you can this holiday season – and beyond:
1. Local dollars tend to stay local. And that means that the money that is spent here is reciprocated here. Studies have shown that for every $ 100 spent in a local store, $ 68 remains in that community – far more than the estimated $ 43 for every $ 100 spent in a national Retailers will spend staying local.
The proceeds from local purchases are more likely to be donated to local causes to support local schools, pay local taxes, and make new local investments. More of your money stays here and has a chance to serve you in some way. What a great gift-with-purchase.
2. Local businesses help to maintain the special features of the cities. A big box store is the same everywhere – same signage, same architecture, same products, same prices. Local shops reflect what is special about your city and make your city even more special (maybe even a travel destination).
3. Shopping locally reduces packaging waste or, in other words, prevents you from getting injured in an avalanche of empty, oversized shipping boxes.
4. No porch pirates.
5. Do you want to go to Santa Claus with the kids? Amazon can’t help you there. Would you like a cookie tasting or would you like to see great Christmas decorations that you didn’t have to put up yourself? You are looking for a local shopping experience.
6. You will be noticed. When most of the gifts under the tree are available for everyone, anywhere, the gift you choose from a well-curated local company sends a message that you chose your gifts consciously, not just conveniently. And who doesn’t want to be known as a great gift giver?
7. Better customer service.
8. Local spending creates social capital. Chatting with the owner while shopping, even if it’s just an offer to help you find an item, is a human connection. If you click “Checkout” with the mouse, you won’t run into a former classmate.
9. If it feels good to give a gift, it feels even better to give a neighbor a gift that will make him successful.
In any economy, we generally get more of what we spend our money on. If you’re looking for more local, unique, interesting, and successful small businesses with products unlike those in Anytown, USA, the choice is clear: Spend Locally. It is good for you too.
This is the opinion of the Times editorial board, which includes news director Lisa Schwarz and content coach Anna Haecherl.
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Other’s opinion: Where you shop matters. Your dollars matter
