Local Christmas shopping

Up to 70 pence spent in local shops this Christmas will recirculate back into the Western Isles’ economy.

A study for the retail industry shows for every £1 spent locally, around 50p-70p of that money stays there. For the same amount spent off the island only 5p trickles back to the local community.

The results from the research conducted for the Federation of Small Businesses are compelling - sufficient to convince most people that when they shop locally, they are genuinely having a positive impact on the community.

Christmas spending - be that on gift and food shopping, partying or pampering with local, island-based independent businesses - guarantees customers a more unique experience.

If you are looking for a bit of indulgence at this celebratory time of year, wanting to find unusual gifts, unique outfits, delicious treats, and enjoy special occasions, then explore the wide range of offerings from numerous small shops and local traders across the Western Isles

Indeed, this is the perfect opportunity to give island grown businesses a real boost in sales.

For many, about a third of their annual sales are achieved in the six weeks before Christmas so an incremental increase during the peak period could make a significant difference to them.

Shop local and help the island economy