Shoppers & Retailers -how to embrace local

Shoppers & Businesses - How to embrace ‘Local’  You too can be a local hero 

Every ordinary person  can care enough to do  something extraordinary
like in the movie Local Hero from the 80's

Local is not just for ‘Christmas ‘ but a long term commitment so you can’t just talk the talk ….you’ll have to walk the walk as well. Here  a few ideas for shoppers and a few ideas for businesses as well! 

Shoppers

• Choose to buy one two or all your Christmas Gifts locally  -see interesting article from Irish Times this week about spending your money in independent retailer this Christmas 
• Embrace 'shop local' all year around
• If you are eating out or celebrating why not do it locally-some great restaurants pubs & hotels locally
•  Learn all about your local area & become an ambassador -promote it to locals & tourists
• Consider using local services for anything you need to do –dentist, optician etc  
• Support your local shop in person or online –shop in person or online if they have such a facility
• Take the time to check out a shop that you haven’t been in before.
• When you get good service or find something unusual –spread the good word 
• Support local events  organised by your Chamber of Commerce or other community organisations
• Consider donating some of your time to a community effort
• Sign up to RTE Local Heroes 

How businesses can embrace  ‘ Local’

     Offer good service 

Be the place they need to go to for certain items

Get feedback from your customers

Build up customer loyalty

Reward customer loyalty

      
Inform your customers & prospective customers

Use social media & other free mediums to show what you have available –upload photos, inform about new stock & ask your fans to spread the word  To see just how powerful social media is take a look at this facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday?sk=wall

Give your customer something (positive!!)  to talk about

•            Offer value for money with creative special offers
•            Eye catching displays
•            Great merchandise
•            Great service

 Network & Get involved in your Local Heroes Group/Chamber of Commerce/Community Groups

• Be aware of events taking place which can offer you opportunities to develop your business
• Encourage other local businesses to get involved in networking
• Foster ‘Co-opetition’ -this merges co-operation & competition. Learn about what other businesses in your town have on offer so you can refer customers to them where appropriate
• Support events around special occasion with creative offers& incentives
• Support local events or community events by giving some of your time or any other assistance  
• Education -keep up to date with new marketing methods -do courses & upskill
• Set up a skills barter system in your local area to save costs but still have access to expertise
• Sign up to RTE Local Heroes
• See some great tips at  http://www.rte.ie/localheroes/business_tips.pdf