OLSH Small Business Week: Why Should You Shop Small?

You hear it all the time – Shop small! Support local businesses! But why is it so important? Think about it. When you shop small, you’re not only supporting that business, but you’re also supporting your local community. Independent businesses help stimulate the economy by creating new jobs and paying sales taxes that go directly toward funding for local schools, parks, public service workers, and more. Not only that, but a successful business also helps to keep the area vibrant, clean, and buzzing with opportunity. Shopping from these small businesses allows consumers to contribute to the cause.

There are more than 30 million small businesses operating in the United States alone, accounting for 99.9% of all US businesses. That’s A LOT of jobs being generated, and a lot of people living out the American Dream. Locally-owned businesses are operated by your friends, family, and neighbors. Being so close to the source makes for better customer service – to them, you’re not just another number. You are an individual customer with your own individual needs, and they will treat you as such.

Supporting small businesses makes innovation possible. You see some of the most unique ideas coming from small businesses. Larger retailers will focus more on mainstream items, whereas independent shops have the leeway to offer less common or more personalized products and services that play to the interests of their local customers. Isn’t it fun to decorate your house with items that you can’t easily find anywhere else? Or to give and receive gifts containing jokes or references that only your most Pittsburgh friends would truly appreciate?

These are only a few of the MANY different reasons to support small businesses. Supporting them now is more important than ever, as so many businesses have felt the sting of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, when you’re doing your Christmas shopping this year or when you just can’t bear to cook another dinner, consider supporting a local business. Shop at their online stores, get takeout, buy gift cards to use later, leave reviews. You’ll be happy you did, as you’ll be supporting the community and someone’s dreams at the same time.

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