People encourged to shop locally in Queens

As people shop this holiday season, to find that special something for under the tree or on the table, it is important to buy local.

Spending dollars locally can help the local economy, generates employment and by reducing the impact of trucked in products it is environmentally friendly as well. “For every 30 or 40 people who leave town to do their shopping, there are one or two jobs lost,” said Sheldon Brannen, Chair of the Christmas Committee for the South Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Once the money leaves the area it doesn’t come back,” he said.

Horace MacPherson is an owner and operator of several local businesses including the Sears store in town.

He knows the importance of residents shopping locally and is proud that so many local consumers have met the challenge. “I think a lot of people do buy local,” he said. “We are very lucky that people in Liverpool try to shop here first…we really appreciate it.”

He explained that they do their best to offer competitive pricing with major retailers across Canada and will price match with those retailers. He even goes one step further and will help a customer to compare pricing by going online to major competitors websites like Future Shop and Best Buy to compare prices to make sure that the customer is getting the best deal.

Many of the large stores in Liverpool will price match major competitors, all people have to do is ask. “We have 20 people working here,” said MacPherson. “Which means we have to sell things in order to keep people hired. We are not asking people to buy but to just give us a chance first.”

Another bonus for buying locally is that if there is a problem with the product, it is much easier to resolve locally. Creative Christmas gifts can be purchased locally with baskets made up of local foods, wines and crafts.

Local artists designs, crafts, paintings or theatre tickets can be a great unique gift for that person on your list who has everything and of course the bake sales and craft sales that pop up in many church basements throughout the Christmas season could be a great place to find that special gift.

When planning out Christmas dinner or holiday party menus, it would be great to think locally when shopping for produce.

It is calculated that the average produce can travel around 1,200 km before arriving at the super market and if consumers were to purchase the local produce instead, emissions and environmental impact can be reduced.

Some shoppers find that they feel the need to save those few extra dollars by travelling to Bridgewater or Halifax to buy an item but Brannen said that in reality money isn’t really saved in the end. “By the time they’ve paid for gas and their meal just how much is truly saved,” he said.