Why Shopping Local benefits all

What’s all the fuss about shopping local?

We hear all around us about ‘shopping local’ supporting our ‘local’ Town etc, but what does it all mean and why does shopping locally have such a big impact?

Lots of studies tell us that shopping local not only supports local jobs, but means more money is staying in the local economy. Big companies and multinationals’ profits are often shipped off elsewhere and rarely use local suppliers, whereas the small local business often has local owners, local workers and local suppliers. It is this distinction that really makes the difference.

Local shops also often offer superior customer service. How many times have you gone to one of the big chain DIY stores to look for help or one of the large electrical superstores and asked about home delivery? We have all been frustrated by their indifference, but often you will get just a good a deal locally and leave the shop with a smile on your face!

There are lots of new websites and local initiatives too to help in this campaign. Websites such as ‘Mystreet.ie, Localzone.ie, Fiver Friday and the new WicklowTown.ie website all of which are encouraging local shopping. Wicklow Town even has a new ‘I love Wicklow Town’ brand – more of which will be rolled out over the coming months.

Here in Cullens Butchers for example, almost all of our suppliers are located in Co Wicklow, with the exception of some additional suppliers in surrounding counties of Wexford, Carlow and Dublin.

Our Beef, Lamb, Pork and Bacon all come from right here in Wicklow. Our Veg suppliers are in Wicklow Town. We use marinades and sauces made in Kilcoole, Herbs and Spices from Rathnew. We sell Local Jams and Honey and our Italian Meats are supplied from a company based in Newtownmountkennedy. We also sell Wicklow Cheese, Free Range Eggs from Arklow and our Wild Game, Corn Fed Chickens and other speciality meats come from Glenmalure.

On the other side we also supply lots of local Hotels, Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Delis, Golf Clubs and Convenience Stores with our products helping complete the cycle of local to local..

Keeping business local helps us all!

1.            You keep money in the local economy.

2.            You embrace what makes us unique.

3.            You take advantage of our expertise.

4.            You make us a destination.

5.            You invest in entrepreneurship.

6.            You create more choice.

7.            You help keep your local Town healthy.

8.            You nurture community.

9.            You help create local jobs.

10.          You help the environment.