Supporting Small Businesses
Supporting local businesses can positively impact your local community, while helping you discover innovative, unique, and more sustainable products and services along the way.
Every purchase you make can make a big difference for small-sized companies, boosting employment and income in your area.
Small shops, and the people behind them, often give back to their community, and are crucial for local economies. Here are a few reasons to help them:
- To help stimulate the local economy. Shopping local will help business community development, creating a healthier economy in your town, city, or neighbourhood. Exploring your neighbourhood and visiting local bakeries, cafes, bookshops, or small boutiques can help them thrive and enable them keep providing the services you enjoy.
- To create more job opportunities. A side effect of shopping small can be a reduction in unemployment rates in your area. Supporting local businesses can give a new generation of entrepreneurs the opportunity to succeed.
- To enjoy a personalised customer experience. Small-business owners enjoy building strong relationships with their customers, since they’re a key part of the community. Plus, they’re well-informed, happy to answer questions or order products you might need.
So, you want to know how to get to know small-sized shop owners in your neighbourhood. Wondering where to start?
- Start local. Discover new independent brands and see how you might be able to build these small businesses into your weekly shop, as regular custom can help small businesses remain strong.
- Buy gift cards or holiday gifts. Many small independent businesses offer handmade and sustainable alternatives.
- Support through word of mouth. Recommending your favourite shops to family and friends is a simple and easy way to support your favourite businesses.
- Sign up for loyalty programmes. A great way to support small-sized shops and get discounts and rewards.
Discover how your American Express® Card can help you support your community.
Social media can be a great way to support small businesses for free.
- Shop online. The internet is a great way to extend your support of independent businesses instead of big e-commerce retailers.
- Spread the word. Follow your favourite shops on social media, share their posts or leave positive commentes to help local businesses attract new customers.
- Write brief reviews. Use the web to talk positively about services you've used to show your appreciation.
- Use location tags. TAgging on social networks to share venues you visit with your followers can inspire them to visit too.
- Sign-up for their newsletter. This can keep you updated on their latest news, promotions, events or new products and services.
- Take online classes. Develop new skills and find new passions.
Discover more about Shop Small
How to Promote a New Business
Explore our guide for small business owners to find out about marketing tactics and tools that can help you advertise your business.
Shop Small Home
Learn how American Express supports small businesses and how you can get involved too - either as a shopper or as a small business owner.
