Home / News and Events / Latest News / ISME urges people to shop local and buy Irish this Christmas

ISME urges people to shop local and buy Irish this Christmas

Online retail and possible weak Sterling, post UK election, pose a threat to local retailers.

  • Irish consumers need to support local businesses.
  • Irish manufacturers, producers and retailers are significant employers.
  • Quality, traceability and value for money key features of Irish products.
  • With four weekends remaining before Christmas, ISME, the Irish SME Association today (28th November) is appealing to Irish consumers to make a concerted effort to ‘shop local’ and ‘buy Irish’ this Christmas. Uncertain times lie ahead for Irish retailers with Brexit, and ISME encourages people to support indigenous business and SMEs.

Commenting on the importance of shopping local ISME CEO Neil McDonnell said:

“Every €10 spent locally on Irish products generates about €40 of onward benefit to the local community. The retail sector employs more people than any other sector in our economy.

Buying from locally owned businesses keeps money circulating closer to where you spend. Local shops use local services, accountants, insurance brokers, and suppliers, as well as employing local people and they also carry a higher percentage of locally produced goods.

By shopping locally, we support our towns and villages and keep our butchers, jewellers, pharmacies, brewers, distillers, confectioners, post offices, fashion, electronics and hardware stores, and all our local shopkeepers in business.”

Adding:

“Larger-online retailers pose a real threat to many of our local vendors. While online shopping is a resource for many buyers, the importance of quality, traceability and value-for-money of Irish products shouldn’t be forgotten.

Supporting local business, even with just a portion of your Christmas spend, means you are supporting the ‘home-grown’ team and helping to keep the local economy moving. Buying locally means you will gift something unique, special, and more valued this Christmas.”

ISME will use the hashtag #ShopSME as part of this campaign and we welcome more Members adding content to our  Shop Local page.