6 Reasons to Shop Small This Christmas!

We’ve all seen it on social media, the endless requests from businesses to shop small…we’re one of them! We totally get that it’s often easier to hop on Amazon at the last minute and quickly pick something, so why would you choose to shop small and buy your equestrian gifts at The Horse Diva this Christmas? 

1. Personal Customer Service – There’s no automated email responses or chat rooms with a robot when you shop small. Every small business owner values each and every customer and any queries are welcomed. There’s nothing more frustrated going round and round on a recorded telephone system or unable even find a contact number for a company if you have a query. We always go out of our way to help and assist you whether it is more product information, an exchange or some advice.
2. Your Purchase Will Genuinely Bring Happiness – Each and every purchase makes us smile and helps us continue to run our family business. We love the fact that the collections we have creative are well received and we love to see the combinations you put together. You also help to inspire future projects and ideas to grow our business! We have all seen the phrase “when you shop small an actual person does a happy dance”. This is so true. Big retailers see you just as a number.
3. Use Them or Lose Them – Would you really want to loose the independent businesses in your community? We have seen so many lovely small businesses vanish in the last 12 months which is a massive loss. Now is a challenging time for small businesses and we are counting on support from our lovely loyal customers to be able to continue to grow. Small businesses have a big economic impact so don’t let them disappear by being a lazy shopper!
4. Create Thoughtful Presents – When you gift your presents from a family company be sure to tell others about all the wonderful companies you have shopped with this festive season. It will show the recipients how much thought you have put into their present and also help spread the word about these lovely businesses. We can even help you create this present if you’re stuck! People are much more likely to shop on personal recommendations. Helping small businesses to grow will allow them to offer you more products, wider ranges but still with that personal touch you love.
5. You’re Putting Money Into Your Local Economy – Look for businesses that are based near you. They may not be on the high street (they might be based online like us) but when you shop with them you are helping invest in your local economy.
6. Increased Product Knowledge – When you shop with a small business you will be communicating with a team who have fabulous product knowledge. That team have been involved in choosing the product, dealing with the deliveries arriving, advertising it and packing it up for you. They will know the product inside out and will be happy to share this knowledge with you.

Even if you aren’t able to shop small right now you can still do a serious amount to help your favourite small businesses. Sign up to newsletters to remind you to shop with that company when you can. Get online and start sharing, liking and commenting on their social media. Tell your friends and family about a lovely company you have spotted – why not put a product from them onto your own Christmas list. Even just dropping the business a message to say you love their goodies can really boost morale in a small team. Every little really does help and I can assure you it is so so appreciated by us small business owners.