Why is shopping locally good for NZ?

Better for the environment

  • Locally owned businesses make more local purchases shortening the supply chain and decreasing emissions from transportation.
  • They are generally located in city centres or home offices reducing urban sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
  • Locally made products are generally manufactured on a smaller scale, reducing pollution.

Provide more and better employment

  • In New Zealand, more than 600,000 people are employed by over 500,000 locally owned and operated small businesses.
  • Small independent businesses are often more flexible to employees’ needs - giving staff a higher quality of life.
  • A town with multiple businesses provides a variety of employment options.
  • Multiple small businesses result in more associated employment. For example a town with 20 small shops can support an accountant whereas a big box retailer will have their own accounting team at head office.
  • Locally owned businesses allow 2.5 million Kiwis to live outside of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Households