Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar has recently said that he is 'pleased to endorse Small Business Saturday', which is now in its sixth year.
Retail Excellence awareness campaign to support local retailers this Christmas and year-round, will take place on this coming Saturday, December 7.
Varadkar said that the idea is simple; if you want to back your local businesses, and in turn your local community, then shop local this Christmas.
"Your local shop or retailer has a unique appeal; they can offer you tailored local advice, as well as the best local goods and produce," he added.
"By shopping local this Christmas, you can give your local businesses a year round boost.”
'Lifeblood Of The Community'
JP Kennedy, commercial director of Retail Excellence highlighted that with 37,400 businesses and 282,000 Irish jobs dependent on the Retail industry, initiatives like Small Business Saturday are crucial to encourage consumers to shop local and support retailers in Ireland.
"This initiative is so important at a time of significant challenge and change, with two-thirds of consumer spend online, which is fulfilled by businesses operating outside Ireland, and in the face of Brexit," Kennedy explained.
"The local retailer in your local town, village or Parish, is the lifeblood of the community".
The Irish retail representative body said that every €1 spent locally is worth €4 in terms of supported employment, supported communities and helping the business to continue to operate year-round.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
