The eighth annual Think Local Week has just begun as the holiday shopping season in Greater Victoria starts to heat up!
The main goal of this event is to encourage more people to shop local, and in turn, support our community.
Another huge focus of Think Local Week is consumer education, both on the 10% shift and the effect supporting local, independent businesses has on economic prosperity and creating a vibrant community.
Also, for the independent business community, Think Local Week is a great answer to Black Friday and is positioned for the preceding week – and what better way to show everyone the colourful, local business community of Victoria!
Running from November 18th-24th, Think Local Week shines a spotlight on the local, independent businesses in all of the neighbourhoods closest to home.
This is important all year round, but especially with Black Friday and Cyber Monday on the horizon, followed by the holiday shopping season.
The 10% Shift
According to the non-profit group, if every family shifted 10% of their holiday (and year-round) spending to local, independent businesses, it would create dramatic, positive changes in our local economy as 2-3 times that amount keeps circulating according to the non-profit group.
This compounding effect is partly because these local businesses help employ many more people than you’ll see on the sales floor.
They’re more likely to bank and source locally, while employing other local businesses like accountants, graphic designers, sign-makers, webmasters, suppliers and many other high-skilled positions.
In turn, all these local businesses do the same thing. This domino effect is simply too good to ignore – all this from moving only 10% of the money you already spend to local businesses.
Given their investment in the business, local business owners also have an expertise that store managers at larger chains may not. Often, they’re personally responsible for selecting the merchandise and can offer insight into the manufacturer or tips on how to care for a product.
Their knowledge of the store also makes them excellent sources of advice on gifts for hard-to-please recipients. You may just find “thinking local” turns holiday shopping into a far more relaxing and enjoyable experience: one that rewards both you and your community.
Think Local First App
A key focus for Think Local First was to engage with local consumers at the point where they spend the bulk of their time discovering news and shopping – on their mobile phones.
In early 2017, the organization launched an app that features and promotes local businesses. Users can also collect points while they shop in Victoria.
This year, in addition to the prize pack below, Think Local wants to reward the app user who collects the most points during Think Local Week. The ‘passionate’ local shopper will receive an amazing prize pack including a one-night stay at Spinnakers Brewpub Guesthouse, a welcome gift of a beer and chocolate pairing, three-course dinners for two and breakfasts the following morning.
If you haven’t already done so, download the Think Local First app, create an account and start collecting points when you visit member businesses!
The key message is “think local first and shop local when you can”. It’s the local businesses in our communities that play a huge role in making Greater Victoria a place folks want to visit.
PRIZE
In celebration of the 8th annual Think Local Week, they want to treat you to some locally-sourced goodies with an over $500 prize pack from Victoria businesses that includes;
- $70 Country Grocer gift card
- $50 Robinson’s Outdoor Store gift card
-
$75 Monk Office Essentials prize pack
- $25 Honeysuckle Cottage Sales
- Ruffell & Brown Window Fashions Picnic backpack – $150 value
- $50 gift certificate from Women in Need Cooperative (WIN)
- $25 gift card from the Dutch Bakery & Diner
- Pair of $45 earring from Upcycle Clothing Collective
- Island Blue Art & Framing Store $75 gift card
CONTEST CLOSED** Congratulations to Fin MacDonald!
To enter for your chances to win the over $500 prize pack, please complete at least one or more of the following:
- Download the Think Local app to your phone and leave a comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
2. LIKE Think Local on Facebook and leave a comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
3. FOLLOW Think Local on Instagram and leave a comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from time and date of publishing until 11:59 pm PST on November 24th, 2019. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they enter by.
Think Local Week
- When: November 18th-24th
- Where: Businesses in and around Greater Victoria – View directory
