Support while you shop. Give South African-Made prezzies this Festive Season.
For South Africans, warmer weather means Summer Holidays are around the corner. It is a time to relax, spend time with friends and family and celebrate the festive season. This means we are in a shopping mood, and gift-giving is high on the priority list.
We are calling on South Africans to shop consciously this festive season, by actively looking for local makers and designers when buying gifts. It really is a win-win to shop locally.
When you buy local, you are supporting our communities in more ways than one.
1. The Rand stays within our borders.
Each time you buy a foreign brand, your money goes out of South Africa. There is a misconception that foreign brands are better quality. Remember, handmade IS top quality!
2. You are investing in the future of your community.
A 2018 Small Business Economic Impact Study by American Express found that 67% of each dollar spent at a local business stayed within the community. Of that amount, 23% gets reinvested back into other local businesses.
3. You are enriching people, not executives.
When you buy from big brands, you are contributing to the bonus of a high-level executive, not so with a smaller maker. They are employing and training locals, sending their kids to schools, saving for a car or home, and making a better life for themselves, their families, and their employees. It is a much more noble cause to put your money behind!
4. Shopping locally reduces your environmental impact.
Choosing local helps reduce the negative effects of manufacturing and transportation of goods.
5. Giving creates more giving.
When you support a small local business or maker, your purchase creates a ripple effect in that direct community. When a small business is empowered, they empower others around them by buying from other local businesses, employing locals, and supporting causes in their communities.
6. Supporting locals helps them create more cool stuff!
When supporting local makers, they are enabled to create more beautiful products that are perfect for their local audience. In turn, we get more options for wonderful designs and grow our local design culture. Why would we want to look like Parisians, when we are so uniquely South African?!
7. Shopping locally is more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Choosing local helps reduce the negative effects of transportation and manufacturing of goods across borders.
Wherever, and whenever possible, shop, love & support local Merry Makers this festive season!
Here are 5 Ways to support local & make a difference!
- Wherever you can – buy locally made goods. #knowwhomadeit
- If you see something interesting/nice, ask who made it! #askwhomadeit
- Let’s make it a thing to tell our friends and fam if something is local, and where to get it! #supportwhomadeit
- Share your purchases online and tag a maker! #sharewhomadeit
- Visit markets like The Linden Market or seek out local makers online on platforms like The Linden Market Online and get to know the talents behind the products! #meetwhomadeit
This festive season, let’s buy gifts and products that are #MerryMadeSA. The more we come together, and make supporting local a priority for our communities, the better we will all be in the long run!
A great opportunity for this will be at The Linden Market Christmas Edition 26 & 27 November where we have some incredible makers sharing their festive season ranges. And if you can’t join us, do not worry, we are now also ONLINE at The Linden Market Online. #sharinglocalawesomeness
Running out of time and need help? You can also have a look at our TOP locally made gift picks for Christmas.
With Market Love,
The TLM Team