Portumna

<p>From corner shops and florists, to newsagents, cafes and pubs, our main streets are at the heart of every community in every corner of the Ireland.</p>
<p>Money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers, and farms.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Shopping at local businesses pumps money into the local economy, and by spending money in your local shop, restaurant, café or pub, shoppers can do their bit to aid our national recovery across the country.</p>
<p>Christmas sales can account for between a third and nearly two-thirds of a retailer's annual turnover. A bad Christmas can mark disaster for a small business.&nbsp;</p>
<p>And there are so many reasons why it is worth going local for some of your sale purchases including gifts and groceries.</p>
<h1>Here are 11 to get you started:</h1>
<h1>1. Your spending will boost the local economy</h1>
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<p>Shopping locally is good for your local economy. You’ll keep your income in your town, encouraging further economic development in your surroundings. Your money will support more jobs, and may support other entrepreneurs to create their own local businesses, driving the economy even further.</p>
<p>Main streets populated with thriving independent shops boost the prices of nearby homes according to a recent study.&nbsp;</p>
<h1>2. It is the ethical and sustainable choice</h1>
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<p>Buying out-of-season produce, like strawberries in December, lowers your eco-credentials.   As does eating avocado and carrots that have been flown halfway round the world or wrapped in layers of plastic.&nbsp;</p>
<p>When you shop at local butchers, bakers, cheesemakers, farm shops and green grocers, or indeed your local market at the market square, it is likely that a decent percentage of the produce has had a short field-to-fork journey.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Along with supporting local farmers, it means the food is likely to contain more nutrients and have less packaging.</p>
<p>Local shops often source their goods locally, helping to reduce their carbon footprint. When shopping local, people are also more likely to walk or cycle  – doing their bit to reduce air pollution, reduce traffic, reduce habitat loss and improve the quality of the nation’s main streets.</p>
<h1>3.  Receive the personal touch</h1>
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<p>Because the local shop and service are likely personally invested in their products or services they are selling, they are more likely to go the extra mile for their customers when it comes to providing product/service descriptions, uses, backstories, advice and customer service, not to mention asking how you are.</p>
<p>Less crowds and a more personalised shopping experience provide more opportunities for customer service to take shape.</p>
<h1>4. They sell quirky, one-off gifts</h1>
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<p>When it comes to gifts, quirky one-off items are a major plus of independent shops. Give your niece or nephew a handmade wooden toy and at least it won't be identical to everything they already have.</p>
<p>There's also the hyper-local gift choice: independent bookshops often stock titles by local authors that aren't yet on the shelves of the major chains.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>The magnificent <a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/the-cottage-store-ausfp" target="_blank">Cottage Store Antiques in Portumna</a>  is an example of a treasure trove of gifts to tantalise such as The Three Graces in our hero image recently bought for a Christmas present. The Three Graces depicted in classical artworks and literary works, were daughters to Jupiter, popularly known as Zeus in Greek, and were also companions to the Muses.  These wonderful Carol Singers were also cherished gifts from The Cottage Store.</p>
<p>Local shops also support local artists and designers, food producers and growers, so you're buying products absolutely unique to your area.</p>
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<h1>5. You will be supporting Irish entrepreneurs</h1>
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<p>Artisan markets help foster the talents of the next generation of Irish designers and retailers.</p>
<p>There is a constant turnover of new products, and sellers listen to their customers' needs.&nbsp;</p>
<p>If a certain cake is popular, for example, a baker will respond to that and quickly supply more of them – and you can suggest things too, so you can even have a bit of influence over the products on sale.</p>
<h1>6.  You are helping build communities</h1>
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<p>Bookshops, cafes and craft shops often drum up custom by hosting events, from book groups to knitting clubs and children's events. If the businesses are not supported, the local groups tend to disappear too.</p>
<p>Markets also often give space to community groups and social enterprises.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Markets can have a community value, as there is often a social purpose to stalls – they can be public spaces as well as retail outlets.  Many community groups and sports clubs like to pop up at local markets to fundraise for their club.</p>
<p>Small businesses are often run by people who live nearby. As we continue to recover from the pandemic, the experience of buying locally, eating locally, socialising locally from a friendly face offers a dose of normality that many people may have missed.</p>
<h1>7. You might get a better deal or some good advice</h1>
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<p>Local bakers throw in extra bun for regulars; grocers give informal discounts; and market stall holders are prepared to negotiate on prices.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Independent retailers can use their discretion to reward regular custom, and it can mean you get discounts on the items you actually want to buy, rather than being tempted by multi-buy offers in the big chains.</p>
<p>If you get to know your independent retailer they should be able to recommend products to you, For example, if you have a particular dietary requirement they can be great at telling you all about products you may wish to buy.</p>
<h1>8. You can sometimes try before you buy</h1>
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<p>Major retailers have the advantage of economies of scale and can afford to slash prices and offer reduced costs.&nbsp;</p>
<p>However, it's easy to waste money on products you end up not actually liking. You can hardly crack open a bottle of wine in a supermarket aisle and do a quick taste test, or check if an apple is crunchy by taking a big bite. Neither can you do this online.&nbsp;</p>
<p>At independent retailers, however, it's easier to ask to sample a product. Many farm shops, bakeries and delis hand out tasters as a matter of course.</p>
<p>And how many of you have bought clothes and shoes online without the pleasure of trying them on?  Factor in the hassle, repackaging and returning to the major retailer, and you will get my drift.</p>
<h1>8. Save jobs – and create even more</h1>
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<p>Supporting our main streets creates jobs in local communities, supporting often young and disadvantaged people to find employment.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Helping to grow the number of jobs in our local areas makes for a better place to live and work, which then creates a healthy economy for the community.</p>
<h1>9.  A safe way to shop</h1>
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<p>Businesses across the country have been following government guidance and implementing a range of measures to ensure people are safe while they shop, such as customer limits inside the store, plastic partitions at tills, hand sanitising stations, ventilation systems, mask policies and so on.</p>
<h1>10. Preserving the heart of the community</h1>
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<p>A thriving main street is key to boosting the potential of a village or town where people can socialise as well as shop.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Local businesses also generate revenue through their rates to support council services such as libraries, parks and roads that benefit communities across Ireland.</p>
<h1>11. Spoilt for choice</h1>
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<p>Small and local businesses often stock items which are made locally and aren’t available elsewhere else, providing a great range of choice and unique products that bring much-needed originality and variety into communities – including rare finds and items that aren’t mass produced.</p>
<p>When you shop local, you’re making a personal investment in your neighbourhood and community.  There is nothing more convenient than whipping out your phone, and hitting a few buttons to buy. Many of us even order our groceries online these days, especially with the ongoing pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Next time when you surf for groceries, gifts or style, or consider meeting a friend for coffee, ask yourself can I buy my gift on my local main street, can I meet my pal in my local café, can I order my groceries online from my local supermarket who may employs my son, daughter, cousin?  There are also many local sellers that have an online presence so you can buy online and still “shop local.”</p>
<p>Whether you realise it or not, when you shop local you are individually stimulating the local economy with your support and in turn, helping shape your community’s unique character and personality.</p>
<p><em>Portumna is widely recognised for its hidden charms, the jewel in the crown, lounging in the ♡  of the meandering Shannon river.  The town has everything you need to shop for gifts, style, beauty - cafés and traditional pubs to meet old friends -  why not click the link below to search for inspiration on shopping local in Portumna - you will not be disappointed.</em></p>
<p>https://xploreapp.io/portumna</p>


Eleven Rewarding Reasons to shop local

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