The Irish SME Association (ISME) has launched its ‘Shop Local – Not Just for Christmas’ campaign, highlighting the need to support Irish businesses all year.
The group hopes that their members in Dublin offering business to business services, consumer products and services across the retail, hospitality and personal grooming sectors will join this initiative and avail of the opportunity to promote their business free of charge.
As businesses face into the Christmas shopping period, ISME is encouraging consumers to not only shop locally, but to make a conscious effort to support Irish businesses in 2021, as Irish SMEs face pressure with business closures and other restrictions.
Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME said: “It is more important than ever before to shop local, and this year we want to encourage consumers to continue to support Irish SMEs beyond the Christmas period and throughout 2021.
“The difficulties faced by Irish businesses since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic are very serious, and SMEs have had to make significant investments in enabling online offerings, purchasing equipment, and implementing procedures to adhere to Government guidelines, including screens, PPE and outdoor dining facilities.”
As well as employing local people, SMEs also carry a high percentage of locally produced goods, and revenue and employment is generated in other local services and suppliers and other small firms.
Neil added: “Since March, Irish consumers have largely moved away from international online shopping, as 53% estimate that they have done most of their online shopping with Irish SMEs. B
“Buying Irish-made goods and services helps to ensure their quality, traceability, and value-for-money.
“Over the coming months, we are calling on Irish consumers to continue this trend and make that effort to shop locally, both online and in person.”
To find out more about the campaign and the businesses involved, visit: https://isme.ie/shop-local.
