Strengthening Our Regional Communities this Christmas
As the festive season approaches, there’s no better time to embrace the power of shopping local and holidaying at home. Supporting small, medium, and local retail businesses not only helps communities thrive but also ensures your dollars stay within the region, creating jobs, and strengthening local economies.
Shopping local is more than just ticking off your Christmas list—it’s a powerful driver of economic stability and growth in regional communities. When you spend money with local businesses, a significant portion of that money stays within the community, creating a “multiplier effect.” For every dollar spent at a local business, an average of 67 cents remains in the local economy, compared to only 43 cents when spent at non-local businesses. This retained wealth supports local jobs, services, and infrastructure.
Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of Australia’s economy, employing nearly 7.5 million Australians as of 2023. In regional areas, these businesses often account for a larger share of employment, sometimes up to 80% of the workforce. By supporting them, you’re directly contributing to job security and even the creation of new roles.
Shopping local also strengthens community resilience. Regional areas in Australia often face economic challenges, such as the downturn of traditional industries like coal or agriculture. Supporting local businesses helps diversify the economic base, making communities more adaptable in times of change. When businesses thrive, they reinvest in the community, sponsor local events, and foster social cohesion. This goes beyond main street businesses also, including home based businesses and local markets.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, regional Australians spend an average of $28 billion annually on retail goods. Redirecting even a small portion of this spending to local businesses could inject millions into regional economies, boosting financial health and encouraging entrepreneurial innovation.
Holidaying at Home
This year, why not pair shopping local with holidaying local? Choosing to holiday within your own region offers numerous advantages. Not only do you save on travel costs, but you also contribute directly to the local tourism industry—a sector that plays a vital role in regional Australia’s economic health.
Tourism often accounts for a greater share of GDP and employment in regional areas than in capital cities. Whether it’s visiting nearby attractions, dining at local restaurants, or staying in regional accommodations, every dollar spent helps local businesses and their employees. After the challenges of recent years, your support can make a real difference in revitalizing this essential industry.
A Celebration of Community Spirit
Shopping local means more than just buying a product—it’s about connection. You’re engaging with real people, not just online couriers, discovering unique treasures, and fostering pride in your community. From handcrafted gifts to locally sourced produce, your purchases sustain the hard work and passion of small business owners.
This Christmas, The Central West Village Voice encourages everyone to explore their local shops, markets, and regional getaways. To make the season even brighter, Kellie will be visiting local businesses across the region. If you’d like Kellie to stop by and feature your business, reach out at kellie@villagevoice.net.au.
Let’s make this holiday season a celebration of community spirit by shopping local and holidaying at home. Together, we can strengthen our regional communities and pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.
Main Picture: Portland Twilight Markets are a great way to connect with local small businesses for the perfect Christmas Gift.
