AS CHRISTMAS draws near, residents will probably be planning trips to Melbourne to get the last of their present shopping complete.
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However, do we really need to make the journey to complete the task?
If you ask local retailers, they would respond with a definitive ‘‘no’’.
At a time when the retail sector is struggling and online shopping continues to grow, it pays to keep in mind the support that locals should give their stores.
A city’s mood and feel often has a lot to do with the retail sector and how it is travelling.
A drive through any regional city’s central business district can paint either a stark or thriving picture for the economy at the location.
Streets in Ballarat at the weekend were flooded with shoppers and it painted a positive picture for the city’s retail sector.
But what happens when a growing number of people each year leave the city to do most of their Christmas shopping elsewhere?
While a criticism often levelled at local shopping can be a lack of variety or price difference, how can we expect any change when we don’t support what we have now?
Every year, the same push to “buy local” comes around; this year, more than ever, it is important to do so. While retailers seem relatively positive about the Christmas experience so far, the more money that is spent locally, the better for the community.
If residents want variety and a strong local shopping experience, it means they need to support what retail we currently have.
As unemployment rises, it is important we keep as much money we can in our city to make sure it thrives into the future. So as you finish off your Christmas shopping, don’t just think about the deal you are getting. Think about the wider impact your decision might make.