Every city has quaint neighborhoods sprinkled with local businesses offering unique, personal items and delicious, thoughtfully-sourced dishes. But their most important quality is intrinsic support of the local economy. We all play a critical role in whether or not businesses like these survive. Small businesses face competition from big chain stores, shocking rent increases across the retail sector, and often struggle to secure funding. And that was before a worldwide pandemic!
Help us support small businesses like Bliss this holiday season (and always). Here are a few reasons why it’s so important:
1. Small businesses make a key, positive impact on our local economy
We make a choice with every dollar we spend – so we can all help local economies stay afloat and give small businesses a fighting chance to rebound when we emerge. Growing companies also support many other small businesses that service them. Entrepreneurship inspires and facilitates more entrepreneurship.
When you shop local, your dollars stay in the community and stimulate local development. In terms of local businesses, the impact is even more obvious. It's called the multiplier effect. For example, a restaurant buying ingredients from local producers uses a local insurance broker and hires a local design firm, building relationships that help the whole business community prosper.
2. Small businesses support communities and jobs
Small businesses are major contributors to the heart of their community. “Main Street” is a center of activity, where stores, business associations, and local government create and preserve the character of the area. A deliberate focus on supporting local business helps drive up the appeal of the shopping area and attracts tourism dollars. This has a positive impact on hotels, attractions, and the entire service sector in the area as well as property values.
Small businesses also create local jobs! As of 2018, US small businesses employed 48% of the private workforce. A healthy presence of small businesses in communities also helps people learn on-the-job business skills, empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.
3. Small businesses are usually more sustainable shopping alternatives
Many small businesses may have a shorter manufacturer-to-consumer journey, meaning there is more transparency in ingredients, materials, and the source of the products you buy. Small businesses are often makers themselves or sell products made by small-batch brands. These businesses often have the means to manufacture and source locally and ethically because of smaller quantities. You may pay a little more for these goods compared to chain retailers, but you have the peace of mind that comes with thoughtful production.
4. Small businesses put customer experience first
The intimacy and personalized care of small businesses is unique. Many new business owners launch and fill every role in the business themselves, including customer service. Without the layers of management and corporate policy, small business owners can make their own rules. Good ones bend over backward for each shopper—because every customer matters when you’re small.
Shopping small businesses is often a pleasant point of discovery! Smaller, local, and handmade brands often can’t fulfill wholesale orders for larger chains, so their goods generally can only be bought direct from them or through independent retailers. Where department stores win on volume, small businesses shine in diversity and uniqueness.
Here at Bliss, we love shopping our local Long Beach neighborhoods as well as those throughout the area.
We are proud to feature brands we love and believe in: ONLY YOURx skin care, Purpose Jewelry and ornaments, Gehwol foot care products and cozy socks, Hank & Jean Jewelry, Aquis and our own homemade candles, bath salts and scrubs!
And don’t forget about gift certificates from Bliss or any of your favorite small businesses! Call us at 562-439-4333 or visit www.blissonbroadway.com. We can have your purchase ready for pick up!
Happy Holidays. May you and yours stay well and enjoy the season.