The global economy is reeling from the effects of the pandemic and this has affected small businesses all over the world. While giant organisations like Amazon seem to be unaffected, it is the small business that suffers from the many lockdowns and as consumers, we should all use our purchasing power to support local businesses whenever we can.
- Switch to craft beer – It might surprise you to learn that there are small microbreweries all over NZ that brew the very best craft beer and there’s probably one near your home. Buying your beer from a local microbrewery helps to support local businesses and if we all did that, our local community would benefit greatly.
- Fresh fruit & vegetables – You may not be aware that there are a lot of small organic farms in NZ and they all sell their produce via their websites. Avoid buying your fruit and vegetables from a supermarket chain, as you are lining the pockets of their executives and managers; eating organic food is much healthier, while you are supporting local families when you shop with local organic farms.
- Domestic services – Whether you need an emergency plumber or a master tiler for the bathroom, dealing with local businesses is much preferred. There are many one man shows that offer a great service and this is a good way of doing your bit to help your local community.
- Talk to your neighbours – We all have our own stories and some people are very stressed at this time; talking to those who live near you can be more helpful than you could imagine, as some people just need someone to listen to their problems. Help whenever possible and you will find there are many ways that you can help those who live nearby.
- Visit the elderly – If there are old people living in your community, pop in to see them every week if possible. They will appreciate you looking out for them and maybe there are some chores you could do around their house. We should all help each other during these troubled times, especially keeping an eye on those who live alone and offering assistance when appropriate.
- Always shop with local traders – Prior to ordering things online, double check that the item is not available in your local stores. If it is, you should buy from a local business and if we all did this, local businesses would do more than survive.
We are all hoping for a return to normal in 2022 but until then, we all need to do what we can to support our small community.
