Supporting local is Not Just for Christmas

Irish businesses should be supported throughout the year. 

That’s the message behind the Irish SME Association (ISME) Shop Local – Not Just for Christmas campaign.

Every €10 spent on Irish products generates more than €40 of benefit for related businesses, which highlights the importance of shopping local to maintain employment in our communities, according to ISME. Cork businesses are also encouraged to join the new campaign.

ISME is encouraging consumers to not only shop locally this festive season, but to make a conscious effort to continue to support Irish businesses in 2021. Irish SMEs are facing significant pressure due to business closures and other restrictions associated with Covid-19. This is further amplified by rising insurance costs and Brexit.

Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME said: “It is more important than ever before to shop local, and this year we want to encourage consumers to continue to support Irish SMEs beyond the Christmas period and throughout 2021. The difficulties faced by Irish businesses since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic are very serious, and SMEs have had to make significant investments in enabling online offerings, purchasing equipment, and implementing procedures to adhere to Government guidelines, including screens, PPE and outdoor dining facilities.”

As well as employing local people, SMEs also carry a high percentage of locally produced goods and revenue and employment is generated in other local services and suppliers and other small firms.

Neil added: “Since March, Irish consumers have largely moved away from international online shopping, as 53 per cent estimate that they have done most of their online shopping with Irish SMEs. Buying Irish-made goods and services helps to ensure their quality, traceability, and value-for-money. Over the coming months, we are calling on Irish consumers to continue this trend and make that effort to shop locally, both online and in person.”