This season, shopping is on everyone’s mind. Whether you’ll be searching for the best Black Friday deals or just readying your credit card for Cyber Monday, we encourage you to also make some time to visit and support your local small businesses. You never know what unique gifts you might find — plus, your money will go toward helping members of your community. Read on to learn more about the important role small businesses play in our communities!
Small businesses make a big impact — on both national and local levels. According to the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), 98.2% of all businesses in Canada have fewer than 100 employees.1
Small businesses are a major player in the national economy. But they make an even bigger impact within their own communities. Because local businesses tend to use other local vendors for their needs, the money spent there doesn’t just support one local business, but also all the others who provide them with supplies and services. And when the owner and staff live where they work, more of their wages go right back to other local businesses, creating an interconnected support network that keeps communities thriving.
Small businesses also help communities to stay more resilient. Having a smaller organization makes it easier for local businesses to adapt to economic changes — by adjusting staff, changing product offerings, or tweaking their business model. Small businesses also have more direct access to their customers and a more intimate understanding of their needs. Having a finger on the pulse of a community means always having the knowledge necessary to adapt your business to give your customers what they want.
By being nimble and adaptable, small businesses are able to weather shifting economic tides. Having a healthy local business community helps establish stability for towns and cities. Every resident is more likely to flourish when small businesses are doing well!
More and more, people are becoming aware of the importance of supporting local businesses. According to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business,2 91% of consumers believe it’s more important than ever to support small businesses, and 83% plan to do a portion of their holiday shopping at small businesses.
The reasons are clear. In addition to the economic benefits they provide, local businesses contribute to the character of a community. No town or neighbourhood is defined by how many chain restaurants or big box stores it has. But communities become desirable places to live and visit when they have interesting, unique eateries, cafes, and boutiques. And especially when it comes to holiday shopping, visiting local stores guarantees that your gift will be thoughtful and one of a kind. Receiving a handmade, unique gift certainly feels more special than something mass-produced and available in retailers across the country.
Maybe we’re biased — after all, PostNet centres are all independently owned local businesses! But we believe that small businesses are a big deal, and that’s why we’re proud to help support them all year round by offering the essential services business owners depend on. We hope you’ll consider shopping small this holiday season. Your communities will thank you for it!
1Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. 22018 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey.
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