Community leaders suggest shopping locally this holiday season

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS — As the holiday season is well upon us, local officials are encouraging Illinoisans to shop within their communities.

Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance President, Ryan McCrady, said supporting small businesses during the holidays can create unique relationships and support the state’s economy as a whole.

“One of the things I personally like about shopping locally is that those locations usually have things that you don’t find at the larger national chains,” McCrady said.

According to the National Retail Federation, bigger retail chains saw record breaking sales with $965 billion earned last holiday season.

McCrady said putting money towards small businesses can be beneficial for the state.

“Many studies have shown that when a dollar is spent at a local business, a $1.48 is generated throughout the entire economy,” McCrady said. “That additional return is almost three times more than what happens if you shop at a national chain.”

Gordon Davis, owner of Whimsy tea in Springfield, said shopping locally can make a positive impact on businesses, even if you only shop at one.

“When you buy something from a local business, they in turn buy supplies from another local business, or they are able to pay their employees,” Davis said.

McCrady added shopping locally can help you build relationships with businesses in your communities.

“Many times, you get to meet the owner,” McCrady said. “Either the owner of the business, or the artist that created the item, or the person that actually does the services.”

McCrady said shopping locally could easily mean supporting the people you know.

The National Retail Federation said they are expecting to see another breaking spending record this holiday season.