O P I N I O N
When you’re making your shopping decisions, what is the most important thing to you? For many consumers, the idea of shopping with small business owners isn’t just a cool thing to do one Saturday out of the year. Shopping small is more than just a hashtag; it’s a way of life.
Shopping with small retailers offers a multitude of benefits over shopping with big box chains and high volume manufacturers. If you’re still wondering what shopping small is really all about, here are some especially impactful reasons you should consider making the switch to the #shopsmall life.
⇒You’re supporting a small proprietor and boosting the local economy. Every dollar you put into the pockets of “the little guys” instead of handing over to the big corporate chains is a dollar put right into the local economy. Whether you’re purchasing within your immediate community or with a small retailer online, you’re stimulating the economy in a big way when you choose to shop small. So instead of buying soap from a big chain like Wal-Mart, you could buy it from Hemlock Spring Soaps, made in Lyndeborough, NH. That way, you know exactly who you’re supporting and you’re putting money back into the community.
⇒You know exactly who you’re supporting. When you’re out shopping, how often do you know the parent company of the manufacturer you’re buying from? You may think you’re making conscious decisions about your purchases, but it’s hard to know where your money is really going. When you buy from a small business owner, you have the comfort of knowing who you’re dealing with and can make the conscious choice to give your money to people you support.
⇒You can get individual, undivided attention from people who really care. More often than not, a small business owner isn’t out there trying to strike it big. They’re just out there doing what they love and sharing it with the world. This is one of the biggest reasons I decided to open my own small shop, Dressed Like You. When you shop with people like me, you’re going to get the attention you deserve when you’re spending your hard-earned dollars. I love helping my customers figure out exactly what they’re looking for based on their individual needs. This is by and large one of the best reasons to shop small.
⇒You’ll get amazing customer service. Even after your card has been swiped, a small business owner will give you an unforgettable customer service experience. No sale goes unnoticed to the small proprietor. If there is any hiccup in getting you what you need, you’ll be able to find the business owner directly and get your issues ironed out. Because each and every transaction means the world to the life of a small business, your experience means the world to the small business owner. They’ll want to make sure you leave with a positive impression of their brand name, so you can tell your friends later.
To get a taste of what it feels like to be valued as a consumer, you can start by checking out any number of locally-owned New Hampshire businesses. Remember, you’ve got the power in your wallet to make the right retailers succeed!
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Abigail White is a local entrepreneur and graphic designer. She is the owner of both Dressed Like You, a clothing and accessory company, and Abigail White Co., which offers graphic design services. She lives in Manchester with her dog, Joey.
