Why Buying Local Is Worth Every Cent

Where you decide to shop this holiday season could have a major impact on both the economy and our environment, according to a new infographic from CustomMade, the online marketplace for custom goods.

With the holidays just around the corner, this is the season for big box retailers and e-commerce giants to unveil primetime advertisements and doorbuster deals as they count down to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Planted firmly between these commercial celebrations, however, is Small Business Saturday, a movement with the purpose of supporting small and local businesses which bears stark contrast to the frenzied crowds and early morning deals from retail giants.

As you decide where to shop for gifts for friends and family this holiday season, why should you consider purchasing gifts locally from small businesses, when the big box retailers have spent so much competing for your attention? Well, when taking the state of our economy into consideration, buying local could be the best decision U.S. shoppers make this season. For example, according to the Andersonville Study of Retail Economics, local business generates 70 percent more local economic activity per square foot than big box retail.

Our environment also benefits from your decision to shop from local businesses. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), industrial pollution is responsible for almost 50 percent of the pollution present in the United States. Shopping locally helps cut down on processing, packaging and transportation waste, leading to less pollution. Overall, buying local is a chance to support the growing Maker Movement, meet talented artisans and small business owners who take great pride in their work, experience handmade, one-of-a-kind and meaningful gifts and support your community. Consider this, and the stats in the infographic below, when deciding where to make your purchases this year.