We live in a time where shopping locally and consuming ethically are at the forefront of more consumer’s minds.

You have probably heard that supporting local businesses provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to thrive, positively impacts your community and helps you find unique products. While these are certainly a few of the many benefits of supporting local businesses, you as a customer also benefit from an enhanced customer service experience by supporting local businesses.

Why do Local Businesses Offer Such Great Customer Service?

Local businesses are focused on you. They have the time, resources and drive to go the extra mile to satisfy their customers. Local business owners understand that your time is valuable, and that shopping locally may add an extra stop or require you to travel further than hitting a one-stop shop like Wal-Mart, which is another reason why they are focused on ensuring that your efforts are worth it.

As a consumer myself, ethical consumerism is something I have become passionate about and I have been identifying more opportunities to use the money I have to spend on both necessities and luxury items in a way that will bring a positive impact to my community and perhaps beyond in areas like environmental sustainability and labour rights. This motivated me to explore the local business scene in my area and I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only was I able to make a positive impact with my dollars, but I enjoyed my shopping experience in a way I hadn’t before.

In my experience shopping locally, employees have always been the friendliest. They are truly interested in getting to know their customers in order to provide a personalized and customized experience. I have found that small business owners are really interested in collaboration and finding innovative ways to form partnerships with their customers and other businesses in the community.

Small businesses have the advantage of working with tight-knit staff that are passionate about the work they do. While shopping at a chain store it is highly unlikely you will ever come into contact with the business owner, but at small local shops it is highly likely. In my experience, if I have been unsatisfied with a product or service through a local business, I have been greeted with empathy and open communication to solve the problem. Local business owners are dedicated to keeping you as a customer rather than viewing you as another number on a spreadsheet of consumer statistics.

Key Experiences:

I have shopped locally at businesses supplying a variety of different products and services from ethically sourced clothing to flower arrangements to locally grown food to décor and gifts.

All of these shops have provided me with key experiences to take away that I have not experienced elsewhere, such as:

  • Staying open late to accommodate a sudden need for a gift
  • Remembering details about the items I bought last time I was in and asking me how they worked out
  • Asking genuine questions about my life in an effort to get to know who I am beyond the purchase I am making
  • Providing one-of-a-kind goods that cannot be found anywhere else
  • Recommendations to other local businesses I may enjoy supporting (even if they are competition)
  • Inviting me to a community event they are hosting outside of business hours (for example a documentary viewing or a creative arts workshop)

With environmental sustainability and improved human rights needing to push the global agenda, it can be difficult to know how we can positively contribute. A great way to get started is by visiting your local businesses! Shopping locally casts a vote with your wallet that tells your community that you are supporting entrepreneurs and responsibly sourced goods while letting big corporations know they need to do better. Shop local to make a difference in your own life and the lives of others!

At Creative Campbellville, we love supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs. Get in touch with us to discuss how we can help with your customer experience and how you can become one of our featured entrepreneurs!

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