Those polled said they will be buying as much as 38 percent of their Christmas shopping in small, independent local businesses – rising to 49 percent of Brits aged between 18 and 29 years old.
Almost half (47 percent) say they will be visiting their local grocer to buy fruit and veg, 42 percent will be buying local cheeses and 24 percent will be purchasing an organic turkey from their local butcher, while 39 percent will be popping into their local bakery, and a quarter (26 percent) will be buying their festive chocolate from their local sweet shop.
And when it comes to pressies, 26 percent will be browsing local gift shops rather than the internet.
And according to the research, commissioned by Smart Energy GB, we like buying from independent shops as they’re within walking distance (55 percent); it’s more sustainable to buy locally produced goods (33 percent), and it is nicer to go to places where people recognise you (28 percent), with 72 percent saying they are friendly with the small business owners around them.
Almost one in three (30 percent) opt to shop local to help them stay in business, with 28 percent happy to pay more to support independent shops.
As a result, we will be making an average of six trips to gift shops, five trips to the butcher, six trips to the baker, five trips to a wine shop and six to a greengrocer.
According to the 500 small business owners also interviewed, they have extended their opening hours (57 percent); even though three quarters (74 percent) say they are concerned about increased running costs and energy costs (80 percent) this winter.
Victoria Bacon, director at Smart Energy GB, said: “It’s great to see Brits supporting their local businesses this Christmas. We can see over half of local businesses are going to extend their hours, even though running costs, including energy, remain a concern. Getting a smart meter installed can help small business owners to manage their energy usage and costs, which can help with financial planning and cashflow.”
Other ways the country will be supporting their local community over the festive period include going to a local restaurant for a Christmas Eve meal (37 percent), treating themselves to a takeaway (66 percent) and visiting a nearby barber or hairdresser (46 percent), while a half (49 percent) of all ages surveyed said a Christmas Day pint down their local, was one of the top Christmas experiences.
Christmas is a vital time for small businesses with 76 percent of small business owners saying that festive period is the most important time of year for generating turnover.
In fact, it is so important that 52 percent admit that if they don’t have a profitable Christmas they would struggle to continue operating in 2025.
78 percent of local shop owners believe that consumers are increasingly doing their shopping in local independent businesses at Christmas time, with independent stores expecting footfall to increase by an average of 44 percent, and over half (51 percent) of small businesses are offering special Christmas promotions.