Back local businesses, back your community
SUPPORT Small Business Day takes place on Saturday, October 4, run by South Gippsland Shire Council and the Victorian Government.
“We see it as a real celebration of what’s special about shopping locally, and that is supporting the people that support our community,” council’s business liaison officer Renae Littlejohn said.
Ms Littlejohn praised local businesses for supporting local sport clubs and schools as well as employing our young people.
“And they do it really willingly,” she said.
Ms Littlejohn said people do tend to purchase locally where they can.
She pointed out local traders and their employees are knowledgeable about their customers, providing fast, personalised, trustworthy service that cannot be found in generic stores elsewhere.
She said even young shoppers can go alone to buy items such as sports shoes, and parents can trust they will receive good service and an appropriate product at a reasonable price.
“What you can’t find in one town, you can generally find in another town,” she said.
“South Gippsland is known for its boutique shopping – individual, beautifully created stores.
“I like to see our main streets as an open air shopping centre.”
Shopping strips in South Gippsland offer suitable car parking and accessibility.
The Support Local Business Day website says the retail sector is one of Victoria’s largest employers, directly providing more than 300,000 jobs across the state.
Each time you purchase from a small business, you could be helping to pay the salary for a friend, family member or neighbour.
Ms Littlejohn encourages people to shop locally on October 4 and to value the experience.
Shoppers will be able to win vouchers to spend at participating shops.
See supportsmallbusinessday.vic.gov.au to find out which local businesses are participating.
“When you spend locally, the money goes back into your own community,” Ms Littlejohn said.
Stay local: South Gippsland Shire Council’s business liaison officer Renae Littlejohn encourages shoppers to shop at small businesses on Support Small Business Day, Saturday, October 4. She is pictured in Leongatha’s commercial strip.
Short URL: /?p=12486
Posted by 
