Buying locally at Christmas starts a cycle that benefits everyone!

Thursday, 5 December 2013

Opinion piece submitted to local media on December 6, 2013

Everyone does their Christmas shopping differently! 

Some people layby their gifts in October and pay them off gradually.

Others even plan a year ahead and line up for hours to get the best deal at the Boxing Day sales.

If you’re anything like me, you usually leave it until the last minute!

With the growing popularity of online shopping, our local small businesses are being forced to compete with major firms in national and global markets.

Research shows small businesses with a website or social media platform were last year up to 50 per cent more likely to have an increase in annual revenue.

However, many businesses do not have the budget, resources or technological know-how to establish an online presence. 

Their viability is reliant on our support!

What some of you may not realise, is that small and medium sized businesses are the backbone of regional Australia.

They are the engine room of our economy and, in many cases, the social glue that holds our communities together.

They employ about 50 per cent of all Australians working in the private sector.

In Queensland, small businesses account for 96 per cent of all businesses in the State.

Campaigns and initiatives like Shop Small, Buy Locally and Australian Made have been enormously successful in promoting the invaluable role these businesses play in our communities.

Buying locally starts a cycle that benefits everyone in the Hinkler electorate!  

By buying locally we are giving our businesses the confidence they need to strengthen and expand their operations, which means more jobs!

I will be shopping locally wherever possible this festive season and I encourage you all to do the same!

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year! 

Keith Pitt MP, Federal Member for Hinkler.

 

 

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