THE Clare Echo has teamed up with Local Enterprise Office Clare to promote local online shopping in County Clare.
With a huge shift this year in consumer habits due to the global pandemic, it’s more important than ever to be socially conscious of our responsibility to support the local economy.
Through #clickforclare, more than 100 businesses from the Banner County have signed up to The Clare Echo business directory and can be accessed from our database.
However by shopping locally you are not just helping the economy, there are also a number of brilliant benefits for the consumer to spending money with local retailers online.
SAFE & CONVENIENT SHOPPING
When you shop locally with a business brand you recognise, you will know that you’re dealing with a reputable brand so all the fuss is taken out in terms of trusting the source of your purchase. No need to check for a business registration number, no chance of being scammed, and no need to research the business rating online. Click & Collect is an option, delivery times are much more predictable and local shops will be more flexible with payment options – if you aren’t comfortable paying online, they are a phonecall away.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
When shopping online with local retailers, you know exactly who you are dealing with. The product will be picked, packaged and sent by a locally employed person so the traceability and accountability is much more transparent. The returns process is much more likely to be hassle free and your point of contact is likely to be just a phone call away if there are any issues with sizing etc. In a high-paced world of online retail, customer after care is more likely to be a high priority when you shop local.
ENVIRONMENT
Buying local is more environmentally friendly. By shopping locally, goods have been produced in a way that meets national standards and transportation costs associated with your goods are also reduced, thereby reducing greenhouse emissions.
Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, LEO Clare, says, “For every €10 spent locally on Irish products, it generates more than €40 of benefit to the local community. Over the last number of months, many of our local businesses have been working hard to set up their eCommerce websites and online shops. I encourage everyone to now get behind them, buy local in the lead up to Christmas and play your part in sustaining local jobs for our future economy.”
