Shop Local

Spending together and supporting SMEs

Over the past year, ISME has encouraged consumers to support local businesses, who have suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has been further amplified by rising insurance costs and Brexit associated expenses. ISME’s Shop Local campaign continues to roll with a focus right now on Summer Spending on the B2C portal. With many travel restrictions still in place, the campaign encourages those holidaying in Ireland to support local SMEs in the hospitality, retail, leisure and tourism sectors; not forgetting continued spending in all other sectors too. We have also launched a new online portal that has been developed to support organisations operating in the Business-to-Business (B2B) sector. This B2B portal is a one stop shop for B2B products and services and provides information on local services such as legal and financial services, IT and marketing, transport, office support products and services and more.

Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive at ISME, said:

“It is not just as a response to COVID-19 that we should focus on local spending, but also to look long term at supporting Irish businesses. As well as employing local people, SMEs also carry a high percentage of locally produced goods; and revenue and employment is generated across local services, suppliers, and other small firms. Sourcing Irish-made goods and services for domestic or business use helps to ensure their quality, traceability, and value-for-money. You can also consider the environmental benefits of local purchasing through reducing fuel consumption and air pollution, as well as decreasing waste and the level of packaging needed for certain products when in transit from outside the island.” Every €10 spent locally on Irish products generates more than €40 of benefit to the local community in terms of employment, which highlights the added benefit of supporting Irish. Businesses and consumers can get involved in the campaign by either shopping or referring business locally or showing their support by liking and sharing content on social media. Supporting Shop Local can be win for everyone as ISME is running regular draws until 31st August 2021. To be in with a chance to win a selection of products /services from the businesses listed on both portals, view the prizes here, and to support this campaign, just share hashtag #ismeshoplocal on Twitter, just click on symbol on each Shop Local page.

Here’s what a selection of businesses featured in the portals say about the importance of Shop Local:

“It’s great to see Irish Business uniting though ISME’s “Get Involved” campaign to support and promote each other’s online products and services to customers in Ireland and abroad. Aontacht! Strength through Unity!” Stuart McNamara – Editor, BusinessIreland.ie and Director, Portmagee Whiskey

“Here at Kilbaha Gallery we have been so lucky to be surrounded by a wonderfully supportive community on Loop Head who have always made shopping local a priority. Throughout COVID, although our doors were firmly closed, our business was actively trading online and the support we received nationally in Ireland from people prioritising Irish purchases was outstanding. This was wonderful for us as a gallery but also the benefits of which were felt right through to the homes of the artists themselves who were delighted to be able to continue producing and selling truly great art and bringing a smile to homes throughout the country. Shopping locally and within Ireland produces a very important ripple effect to the local economy. “ Ailish Connolly and Liz Greehy, Kilbaha Gallery

“Here at Lensmen, we are proudly supporting this Shop Local campaign as it is important to support SMEs all year round. We believe that you should back your own, and we do that by supporting small businesses and services across Ireland.” Susan Kennedy, Managing Director, Lensmen

“Encouraging consumers to shop local is vital for protecting and promoting jobs and growing communities across Ireland. The COVID pandemic has amplified the need of promoting the vital importance of consumers supporting local businesses. Astro Park is entirely behind the ISME Shop Local campaign and its goal of promoting all local businesses across the country. James Coghlan, Managing Director, Astropark

“Shopping locally is the best way for Irish individuals and businesses to support the Irish economy. It boosts employment, reduces our carbon footprint and has a massive multiplier effect on the local economy.” Anne Reilly, CEO Paycheck Plus

“Here at The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney, the local community is at the heart of everything we do here. We could never have created The Shed Distillery & Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin without the local community support, that is why we will always support local” P J Rigney, Founder & Managing Director, The Shed Distillery Drumshanbo “Now, more than ever before, it is important to support your local businesses. We have all been through difficult times, in so many different ways, together, over the past eighteen months, so let’s contribute together in the recovery of our local businesses and enterprises. We need them and they need you.” John Gleeson, Director, Radius Technologies

“Studio Donegal has been passed on to a second generation of the Donaghy family. We know that when you shop local you are investing in the future of your local community and its economy.” Tristan Donaghy, Owner, Studio Donegal

“We here at Inis the Energy of the Sea believe in small business. It is our privilege to partner with unique shops and boutiques both in Ireland and in many other countries across the world, with our signature scent. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to purchase something special for their loved ones. Please use the Store Locator on our website to find your local stockists.” David Cox, Fragrances Ireland

To find out more about the campaign and to explore the list of businesses involved in the ‘Shop Local’ campaign, please click here.