Figures just released show that over half of consumers are planning to support small businesses in the final run up to Christmas. The study from Paymentsense shows that over 28% plan to shop in small businesses regardless of location, and more than 23% will do so locally.
Over a third (35%) of consumers said they are supporting local retailers over the Christmas period because they’re concerned about the decline of the high street, showing that national and regional campaigns promoting local businesses are starting to have an influence.
“There have been several supportive campaigns aimed at consumers which specifically promote buying from smaller local businesses at Christmas,” commented Guy Moreve, CMO at Paymentsense. “We’re hoping our study is the first sign that these efforts are having a positive impact, and that consumers are rallying behind small businesses at this time of year.”
Others believe that small businesses are an important part of the community (31%), while over a quarter said they support their local businesses all year round – not just at Christmas. Nearly a fifth of respondents said they knew many of their local business owners and wanted to support them during important trading times.
From a regional perspective, 58% of those in Bristol, and 56% of Londoners, indicated they will supporting small businesses over Christmas, locally or otherwise. Almost half (49%) of respondents from Manchester fell into this category, while slightly fewer people from Birmingham said they would shop at SMEs over the festive period (31%).
Top: Christmas shoppers are choosing to ‘shop local’ and support their local high streets.
