A few campaigns encouraging people to shop locally have popped up in Ottawa over the last month, including the November “Support Local” campaign by Apartment613. Businesses in the city have also been offering a number of incentives to keep shoppers in Ottawa this holiday season.
“Shop local” campaigns have been around for years but have often been criticized for having little impact.
A study by the 2013 Independent Business Survey, however, found these campaigns can be effective and that independent businesses located in places with “buy local” initiatives had an average revenue increase of 8.6 per cent compared to 3.4 per cent for businesses located in areas without a campaign.
These initiatives, therefore, should not be overlooked as they are an important tool that can help keep money in Centretown and Ottawa as whole.
One of the benefits of shopping locally is that you’re supporting your community’s entrepreneurs, whether café or bookstore owners. Statistics reveal independent businesses are more likely than big box stores to spend their money in the community as well as make donations to local charities and causes.
Independent businesses also add character to our neighbourhoods because they are unique and cannot be replicated, unlike Walmart for example, which carries the same products and provides the same shopping experience whether you’re in Toronto or a small town.
A report released last year by the Bank of Montreal estimates that more than $20 billion per year is spent by Canadian shoppers in the U.S. What if that money had been spent in Canada instead?
The issue is definitely not a lack of shoppers but where these shoppers are choosing to spend their money. “Shop local” campaigns are essential because they make people aware of the importance of supporting independent businesses in their community, and offer incentives to do so.
For example, Ottawa businesses participating in Apartment613’s “Support Local” campaign offered discounts on their products during November and offered special products in celebration of the initiative.
Shop local campaigns should be encouraged year-round instead of just once per year. The city should also take an active role in developing these campaigns because of their ability to benefit the city’s entrepreneurs and to enrich the community’s economy.
Businesses in Centretown should come together and form a unified buy local campaign, offering discounts and creating incentives that encourage people to explore the area’s businesses.
These campaigns can be the reason someone goes to Bridgehead instead of Starbucks for their afternoon coffee.
The worthwhile effort means money stays in Ottawa businesses, and entrepreneurship can continue to flourish.