Supporting your local businesses

 


Local Business

Small local businesses are the cornerstone of many a community and even more so in these testing times. So often overlooked for the larger out of town shopping centres and the one stop shop for all our needs, the change to shop locally can redefine and promote our community spirit and well being.

The UK has the name as a nation of shopkeepers and anyone that has grownup in a small community the corner shop bears fond memories of popping in for provisions, when shopping was done a daily basis and not as it is now once a week or month for the big shop. A place to catchup on village life, local produce and for many of us a social experience as this for some would be the only contact with neighbours.

Online Shopping

Covid has changed everything including our shopping habits. Online shopping has reportingly increased by approximately 70% during last summer in the UK and 129% across the UK and Europe combined. With many companies having to increase their staffing levels to cope with the every increasing demand on customer service staffing requirements. Existing staff are being retrained to enable companies to diversify with the new shopping trends of not only the UK but worldwide.

This has also had a big impact on many companies internal technology infrastructure, having the correct systems in place to cope with increased orders coming in, fulfilment and delivery in these unprecedented times. Companies have had to think and act fast to stay ahead of shopping trends and improvise.

Changes to their product range to adapt to a different market, offering alternative delivery methods, dealing with online payment providers are all areas that for many companies have created new challenges. Along with making sure your website is maintained to offer the customer the best experience available is paramount in securing repeat business.

Benefits of shopping locally

These areas of change are not limited to larger retailers, many local community shops are thinking outside the box to draw customers in whether online shoppers or footfall. Being able to adapt is key to staying in business.

Small local traders and artisan shops are all doing what they can to stay ahead of the game, investing in technology and marketing their product the best way they can while all the time making sure they abide by the latest Covid regulations. And, although online shopping has many benefits to the consumer supporting your local retailer does add a feel good factor to your day!

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