Shop local this Christmas says FPB

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is calling on shoppers to support their local independent retailers in the final run up to Christmas. It has been widely reported that retailers are expecting a tough festive period, with Lloyds TSBís Chief Economist Trevor Williams stating that interest rate rises have ëdampened consumer optimismí.

The FPB fears it will be smaller businesses that will be hit the hardest by this downturn in consumer spending. Chief Executive Nick Goulding says they face unfair competition from all sides: Larger retailers such as the supermarkets enjoy many benefits as a result of their scale and purchasing power.

They create huge free car parks where the high street has little or no free parking, and they arenít burdened by disproportionate taxes like business rates. Meanwhile, some online retailers based in the Channel Islands are exploiting a loophole in the law to import goods VAT free, something high street retailers cannot possibly compete with.

The FPB is calling on shoppers to take advantage of the quality of service from their local shops, find some Christmas bargains and support their local business community. Mr Goulding said many small retailers depend on good Christmas trade: A busy build up to the festive period can make the difference between a good year and bad year for smaller retailers. It is vital that for the sake of our high streets and local economies that shoppers stay local this Christmas.

Brian Johnson owns and runs The Old Barn, an outdoor clothing retailer in Castleton, Derbyshire, he said; Christmas is one of our peak trading times and it can make or break a yearís trading. We hope that consumers will resist the temptation to do all their Christmas shopping at identikit shopping centres throughout the country.

Mr Goulding went on to highlight a number of benefits for the consumer of shopping locally: Small independents provide a quality of service that their larger counterparts canít match. The reality is that there are some very competitive prices out there for the consumer, and they shouldnít believe everything that the larger retailersí marketing tells them.

Mr Johnson agreed, and said that the shopping ëexperienceí provided by independent retailers was far superior: The shops here are a bit different, the place is a bit different, and Christmas shopping here is enjoyable, it is important that customers continue to take advantage of a diverse marketplace, otherwise retail giants like Tesco and ASDA will lead consumers into less choice.