How supporting local businesses benefit us.

Where you spend your money makes more difference than you might think. When you buy from businesses in your area, especially ones that are locally owned, the benefits go well beyond the purchase itself.

Money that stays in the community
When a business is locally owned, the owner is part of your community. The money they earn is more likely to be spent nearby, at the local garage, café or hardware store, or put back into their own business. So part of what you spend keeps circulating locally and supports other businesses along the way.

Jobs that keep people here
Local businesses employ local people. Every job they provide is one less reason for someone to leave the area to find work. For many of us this is personal. It can be the difference between our children or grandchildren living nearby or in another city.

Everyday connections
Each time you pop into the pharmacy, chat with the person behind the counter or stop for a coffee, you're building a relationship. Over time these everyday conversations add up. People get to know you, and they notice if you haven't been in for a while. These connections are a real part of feeling at home in a community.

Less travel
Shopping closer to home means fewer trips to bigger towns and fewer kilometres on the road. It's a small contribution to addressing climate change, but small contributions add up.

Why this matters now

These benefits, together with technology that lets people work remotely, make it much easier to keep living in smaller communities than it was in the past. New residents and new businesses also bring fresh energy to an area.

Some small communities in Aotearoa New Zealand that were once expected to decline have turned things around. They're seeing new businesses open and their populations hold steady or grow.

The services you'll rely on later

The businesses you support today are the ones that will be there when you need them most. If the local pharmacy, supermarket or garage closes, it can mean travelling further for everyday essentials. That becomes harder if you stop driving or your health changes. Keeping local businesses going is one way of making sure you can stay in your community as you get older.

Every bit helps

If you live in a small community, you'll probably know that many businesses run on tight profit margins. A handful of regular customers can make a real difference. Everything done to support them helps the community grow and helps people, including you, to remain in the area throughout their lives.

Simple ways to support local businesses

• Buy locally when you can, even if it's only some of the time.
• Before ordering online, ask whether a local shop can get the item in for you.
• Tell friends and family about good service you've received.
• Go along to local markets, events and fundraisers.

Shopping locally isn't always possible. Prices can be higher and the range smaller, which matters if you're on a fixed income. That's fair. Even moving a small part of your regular spending to local businesses helps.