WITH the gift-giving season well and truly here, Bathurst residents have been urged to support their local businesses as they shop for their loved ones.
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Bathurst Business Chamber president Angus Edwards said that at Christmas time, there is always a temptation for people to shop online, where buying gifts can be done more efficiently from the comfort of their home.
However, putting a little money towards local retailers should be something on everyone’s Christmas list, as it not only supports the city’s economy, but keeps other residents employed.
It’s also important to remember that a lot of business owners rely on Christmas trade to support their stores throughout the year.
“The money is staying in town in the local economy and the other important thing is if people aren’t shopping locally those retailers will close and you won’t have that range over time,” Mr Edwards said.
While there are lots of great products sold in Bathurst stores that can be given as gifts on their own, Mr Edwards said there were some that could be given together in the form of a hamper.
Food hampers are particularly good, he said, as they can celebrate things both made and sold in the region.
“There’s lots of things produced in Bathurst as well, so if people are buying Christmas hampers we encourage them to stock them with local produce, local wines, local beer, local coffee, things like that,” Mr Edwards said.
The business chamber has been going to great lengths to encourage people to support their local retailers.
Among its ideas was the Keep it Local campaign, which included the rollout of stickers and posters, that not only encouraged people to buy locally, but for retailers to support each other too.