According to insights from Commbank, visitor spend was down by 16.5% to $9.2 million in September 2024 (from September 2023). So it’s the perfect time to show your support for small, local businesses over global online retailers.
Here’s our favourite ways to shop small & support local.
Look for local experiences & gift vouchers for restaurants, cellar doors, stores & beauty salons so you can invest back in community business & share Mudgee’s magic with more people. By buying these kinds of gifts, you’ll help businesses with upfront cash flow during the busy season.
Head to local producers & Mudgee markets to source fresh produce, artisan cheese & sourdough, homemade Christmas meals & seasonal cherries as a way of supporting local farmers & makers.
Start your Christmas shopping ASAP so you have ample time to buy from small businesses & avoiding last-minute rushes. By hitting the main streets with your gift lists, you can swap the big online chains for your neighborhood shops for everything from gifts to wrapping supplies.
From cleaning to catering, dog-sitters to local wine orders, choose local providers for your holiday needs this season. You’ll save time & energy on your to-do lists & invest your money into supporting small, hardworking businesses at the busiest time of the year.
Your dollars aren’t the only thing you can use to show support this year! Especially in the lead up to Christmas, you can show local support by tagging your favorite small businesses on social media & spreading the word with friends and family! You might even encourage others to shop small & local too.
A kind review can boost a small business’s visibility & help attract new customers. It keeps their business capital growing, while sharing your direct feedback & support with your favourite stores – something that makes a huge impact, especially on family or sole trader businesses.
