Tomorrow is small business saturday
The campaign to encourage consumers to shop locally on the first Saturday in December is ramping up tomorrow, 6th December. This initiative which started in the US in 2010 has since spread to the UK and Ireland. The aim is to sensitise consumers to the benefit of supporting small businesses in their local area.
Seán Murphy, Retail Excellence Ireland Deputy CEO, said: “We at REI are glad to see that this initiative has been supported by so many in Ireland as this day is dedicated to supporting the local businesses that help sustain our towns and communities. REI is passionate about supporting and promoting small and town centre businesses. Small Business Saturday can play a key role in securing the future of many of our smaller town centres as the economy improves.”
“Ireland is a much better economy now than it was just a few years ago. The partial reinstatement of the Christmas bonus this past week was a boon for roughly 25% of Ireland’s population. In addition, confidence levels are high meaning that many retailers are hopeful of a strong Christmas trading season.”
“Every €1 spent locally brings €4 to the local community through employment sustained and enhanced economic activity levels. Therefore, REI and many of Ireland’s retailers are hopeful that Small Business Saturday will be a success, as the potential value of the day will extend well beyond the shop floor,” he concluded.
Small Business Saturday started as a grassroots, non-political, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities. The day itself takes place on the first shopping Saturday in December each year.
Rural Town Revival
In September 2014, REI Launched a Rural Town Revival document to provide guidance and motivation to stakeholders in all of Ireland’s towns and villages to work together collaboratively to design and implement a plan which will reinvigorate towns and villages with a view to re-engaging both citizens and customers with their respective town or village. The document is available for download HERE.
REI
Established in 1995, Retail Excellence Ireland is owned by the members, for the members. We are an organisation which invests in innovative and exciting learning, market intelligence, human resources services, Government representation and member networking initiatives. REI has over 1,100 leading retail companies who operate more than 11,500 stores in Ireland. Our members are the most progressive and innovative retailers. REI is by far the largest retail industry body in Ireland.