Support small business: Shop early and buy local for Christmas

Shoppers can save Christmas by sticking local and staying off Amazon, say small business owners who need your help to survive the pandemic that’s shutting doors.

Small business is in the fight of its life to not only survive Delta but to save Christmas at the same time.

They are battle weary after trying to keep doors open for the past 18 months — a task finally boosted this week by the prospect of freedom to reopen after months of lockdowns — but their message is clear. Shop local, and stay off Amazon.

“Often at Christmas time, we leave it all to the last minute, panic and then rush to the nearest chain store to buy things for the sake of it, because we need something to give on Christmas Day. This year we can’t do that,” said small business expert Liz Nable.

“But I think that’s a good thing. Like when all the state borders were shut and we could only travel to rural and regional NSW, we had no choice, but those country towns boomed.

“The long term and lasting effects of this experience will help us realise the choice and quality of what’s right in front of us.

“Forget Amazon, Aldi and Kmart. Amazon will always be there, they’re making billions, they don’t need our help. Small businesses do.”

Small business expert Liz Nable. Picture: John Appleyard

Online shopping has surged as a result of state-imposed lockdowns in July, with new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing $3.7 billion was spent online – the highest level recorded for a single month – an increase of $603 million or 19.3 per cent compared to June.

Nable, who has been a small-business owner for the last decade, owning multiple locations of the fitness franchise Xtend Barre, said if Covid had taught us anything, it was how much we value our community and local businesses and now was the time to show it.

“We can take our time, to give intentionally, to plan and to enjoy the process of not just giving a gift, but supporting the local economy along the way. It’s a win win,” she said.

“Buy your Christmas wreath from the local florist, get your ham from the local butcher, buy your gifts online from your dress store or designer or businesses like Buy From The Bush or give gift vouchers form the local day spa or hairdresser.

“All we need is right in front of us. And last minute shopping is going to be out of the question, so get organised.”

Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra said the lockdowns have accelerated trends of more customers choosing to shop digitally, a factor contributing to supply chain disruptions and delays some customers are already experiencing.

He said those issues are here to stay for the next few months, so if you want Christmas to come on time — act now.

“It’s no surprise to see a surge in online sales … unfortunately, this increased demand is contributing to the increased stress our supply chains are already under, which has been an ongoing issue for Australian retailers throughout the pandemic,” Mr Zahra said.

“The capping of incoming international flights has put significant pressure on shipping, and we are seeing container costs escalating up to four times their usual rate.

“Retailers are having to order stock much earlier than they normally would, with most larger retailers building up healthy inventory levels to ensure that they can satisfy their customers.

“The key message for consumers in all of this is to be prepared.

“Give plenty of time for your items to be delivered and it’s also an important reminder not to leave your Christmas shopping until the last minute.”

Kidswear retailer

Sophie Bacic, owner of blinged-up kid’s goggle brand Bling2O, encouraged Aussies to get behind small business and do Christmas shopping early, to help struggling entrepreneurs pandemic-proof as best they can.

To entice much-needed eyes to her business, Bacic has recreated her website to give it a fresh new look, and added other products to make it a one-stop shop for unique children’s gifts.

“I think the important message is for people to get behind the little brands – the men and women who worked so hard to create thriving businesses over the years, only to have them suffer so greatly now because of something that is absolutely out of our control,” she said.

Owner of children’s goggle brand Bling2O, Sophie Bacic.

“Christmas is coming and shoppers really have to be prepared.

“Buy now and put the goods away ready to go. Not only have you covered yourself for any unexpected delays, but you’re giving a local business much needed cash flow to keep going and get through this.”

She said the biggest challenge for her business was the closure of retail stores, which significantly effected her wholesale business coming into what should be its peak season.

“Aussies supporting us right now is exactly what’s going to keep us going, and through all the stress, we are so grateful for that.”

The Homewares store

Keshia Fiorenza opened homeware and gift store Heroine last year and was forced to shut her Mosman doors due to the lockdown. She has since pivoted and launched a website to sell her wares, and urged Australians to get behind their retailers that need their help to survive.

“This is it. We have to rally and help each other,” Fiorenza said.

Homeware business owner Keshia Fiorenza had to close her store down during the lockdown.

“There are so many extraordinary business owners who have put their heart and soul into what they do and not being able to trade as we normally would is heartbreaking.

“If you drive down the main street of any suburb, all you see are empty shops.

“Find their websites and if you can, support them so they can come back when this is all over.

“Don’t buy from Amazon or always go to Kmart because it’s cheap and cheerful, we need to support the Australian talent in this country.

“The artists, the candle makers, the fashion designers, this is the hardest time for everyone, we all have to work together to make sure we get through it.”

Clothing retailer

Pamela Jabbour is a survivor, surrounded by a team of survivors who will fight, innovate, reinvent and reset to make sure they do.

The 36-year-old Marrickville businesswoman started Total Image Group 16 years ago, straight out of university – and this is the first time in 16 years she doesn’t know what the future looks like.

Pamela Jabbour started Total Image Group 16 years ago.

Total Image Group is recognised nationally for designing fashion forward, fit for purpose uniforms that tell the story of the companies they represent, dressing more than 300,000 people a day all over Australia working across all industries including retail and hospitality.

Since July, the business’ day-to-day workload has significantly reduced.

“I know we will survive, we must, too much has gone into this and too many depend on us to,” she said.

With recent months down as much as 50 per cent, the pandemic was not just taking a financial toll.

“This has triggered an anxiety and uncertainty that I can’t seem to control or shake. It has absolutely impacted my health,” she said.

“And continuing like this is not sustainable.

“I’ve just come off seven weeks of migraines, sleepless nights and a severe
neck and shoulder pain that was triggered from stress.”

The giftshop owner

Avalon’s Louise King said her businesses — The Hunted at Cammeray and Lane Cove and Elms + King and Arlington Milne, are down some 80 per cent, even with their online components.

Louise King says business has decreased more than 80 per cent even with online sales.

The lifestyle retail brick and mortar stores have been open on Sydney’s north shore for almost 10 years, and she has every intention of surviving this shutdown but admits, the longer it goes on, the harder it is.

“I feel like there is a lot of Covid fatigue among not only business owners, but their customers,” King told Saturday Extra.

“I feel there is a kind of despair in NSW at the moment with the community not seeing an end in sight. The numbers aren’t improving, there isn’t as much stimulus as the first lockdown and people are not spending the money they were the first time.

“There is a feeling of ‘nothing to look forward to’, so it makes it really difficult to move our clothing stock when people feel like they have nowhere to go.

“I would encourage all communities and individuals that have the means to really get behind your local shops right now and spend some money.

“Buy vouchers for hair and beauty, buy from your independent boutiques online. It really will be the difference between businesses that can’t really hibernate still being part of the community when we eventually get to re open.

“What keeps me going is a little saying: ‘We haven’t come this far to only come this far’.”

Think regional

Deputy Premier and Regional NSW Minister John Barilaro said online shopping was a great way to support businesses while Covid stay at home orders are in place, with website Buy Regional offering thousands of gift ideas from businesses now suffering even more as Covid makes its way into country NSW.

“Many rural towns are seeing bumper crops and excellent harvests after much-needed rains across the state over the last year, but in the face of the pandemic they still need your support, and there’s no better way to help regional vendors than by giving them your business,” he said.

Buy Regional brings together more than 600 regional businesses from various corners of NSW, and more than half a million online shoppers have used the site first launched in 2019 to help boost sales following the worst drought on record.