ISME in Christmas call to shop local

ISME, the Irish SME Association is appealing to Irish consumers to make a national effort to ‘shop local’ and ‘ buy Irish’ this Christmas.

The Association has spoken on local radio around the country about the importance of shopping local this Christmas. ISME’s regional Shop Local Campaign has highlighted the need to rally behind local entrepreneurs in the run up to Christmas.

“Every €10 spent locally on Irish products generates more than €40 of benefit to the local community in terms of employment. The retail sector employs more people than any other sector in the Irish economy,” said ISME CEO Meil McDonnell.

“Buying from locally owned businesses keeps money circulating closer to where you spend. Local shops use local services, accountants, insurance brokers, and suppliers, as well as employing local people, they also carry a higher percentage of locally produced goods,” Mr McDonnell said.

“Larger-online retail giants pose a significant threat to the future of many of our towns. While online shopping is a resource for many buyers, the quality, traceability, and value-for-money of Irish products should be remembered,”.

ISME Marketing Executive Ciara Whooley who is spearheading the Shop Local Campaign called on shoppers to back their local businesses.

“Now is the time to rally behind our local entrepreneurs, support our towns and villages, and to help our local economies grow. Christmas is about experiences and memories; these are best created while shopping locally. Christmas is an expensive time for everyone, especially when we ‘panic purchase’ as the 25th looms ever closer. ISME has found significant value for money in local shops,”.