Shop Indie This Christmas

Shop Indie This Christmas

2020 has been a difficult and testing year. Strict lockdown measures stemming from a global pandemic have seen everything we knew and had previously taken for granted replaced with a ‘new normal.’ Amongst other things, this has resulted in panic buying, leaving the most vulnerable forced to go without, as they stand between empty shelves in their local supermarket. With many countries locked down at home we took to shopping online en masse.

While supermarket giants and major online department stores may have benefitted from this sudden influx, many businesses have struggled. This is especially true for small independent businesses; artists, creatives and local market stalls selling their handcrafted products.

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When you shop small you are buying from a person; probably the very person who actually made that product. They are knowledgeable about the item you are buying, and they’ll work with you to offer and accommodate suggestions. Most importantly, they will truly care about the work, having thought through every last detail. Independent businesses are not owned or run by boards and shareholders. They do not target you with recommendations based on your browsing history, or communicate with you in the form of a live chat ‘agent’. One thing I love about independent businesses is the sense of community they bring. Whether out at your local marketplace, a small village or even online, people come together to support one another. I love the buzz of a market; it connects people who otherwise would never have met and sparks curiosity, conversations and friendships. Since starting my business I’ve become part of a wonderfully supportive network and it’s the biggest perk of the job.

Small businesses are also more likely to source locally, and often from other small business owners. This means not only do you get better value for money from locally sourced, quality products and ingredients, but this helps more money stay in your area too. You might also find that customer service is their top priority. Forget the long lines in busy shops or waiting on hold to call centres. Every customer is so important to them that it’s likely you’ll receive a quality personalised service.

Small business owners don’t work a 9 to 5, they live and breathe their work. When you shop small you are buying something that has been handcrafted with care, attention to detail, and love. The makers and artists run on passion and a fire in their belly that produces works of art and unique one-of-a-kind pieces that cannot be bought anywhere else. Their work is a reflection of themselves filled with heart, happiness and soul. You are allowing someone to realise their full creative and artistic potential and do something they love. You are helping to fund innovation and ideas, and bring them to life. When you shop small you are buying a piece of their imagination, a little piece of somebody’s dream, and to me that is priceless.

I encourage you all to shop small this Christmas and support independent businesses.

Amy Burge Founder of Folly Fairs www.follyfairs.co.uk

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