#ShopLocal: British Cities Leading the Way - Plan your next city break
#ShopLocal: British Cities Leading the Way - Plan your next city break
The trend of shopping locally began during the pandemic, influencing 64% of people to shop locally in Britain. This supported independent entrepreneurs and their businesses, including convenience store owners, and helped to maintain communities.
The shop local movement is beneficial in more ways than one. Transporting foods around the nation amounts to 19 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year. This is equivalent to the standard amount of carbon dioxide from 5.5 million cars in the same time period. To reduce their carbon footprint, consumers began sourcing their produce from local areas and local stores.
This article will list five cities that shop locally in Britain. To discover which locations do this the most, we will consider the number of times the shop local hashtag has been used on Instagram in each city. Considering 61.67 million people are predicted to use social media in 2022, the power of these networks has never been more evident. As a result, we are able to utilise these platforms to identify geographical and social trends.
The nation is teeming with local stores. If you’re an entrepreneur considering opening a convenience store, this article will highlight some of the best areas to embark on this adventure. So, here are the British cities that are shopping locally and leading the way to a more sustainable, community-focused future.
5. Edinburgh, Scotland
Number of uses for #shoplocaledinburgh per capita: 1751
First on our list is Edinburgh. Even if you consider yourself to be more of a lover of bourbon than whiskey, the picturesque capital of Scotland has a lot to be excited about. The cobblestone streets are decorated with market stalls, boutique shops, and independently owned stores. In fact, Edinburgh Lockdown Economy presents over 900 local businesses to choose from, encouraging the general public to use the #shoplocal hashtag.
4. Bath, England Number of uses for #shoplocalbath per capita: 2335
To the South of the nation, Bath is fourth on our list of cities shopping locally. If you’ve ever visited the charming city, you will be familiar with more than the Georgian architecture and famous Roman baths. There is a whole host of independent stores and local markets to choose from. The Farmers’ Market in Bath was actually the first of its kind in the UK. If you needed more proof that Bath is one of the cities that has been leading the way in community shopping habits, this is it.
3. Cambridge, England Number of uses for #shoplocalcambridge per capita: 2435
Next on our list is Cambridge, a quaint city in the Southeast of England. The historical location may be best known for its University, but there is so much more on offer here. The community sits at the heart of this city, and organisations strive to help those in need. During lockdown, Cambridge Local Shops embarked on a mission to deliver locally sourced goods to those affected by the pandemic. What could be more neighbourly than this?
2. Chester, England Number of uses for #shoplocalchester per capita: 2818
A historical city in the West of England, Chester is among the British cities leading the way to normalising local shopping. The North West has the third highest number of convenience stores in the country. If you’re eager to open a convenience store, this may be one of the best places to follow your dreams. The demand is certainly there, and you can fill your store with profitable amenities, from slush machines to deli counters.
1. Aberdeen, Scotland Number of uses for #shoplocalaberdeen per capita: 4622
Finally, the city with the most enthusiasm for the shop local hashtag is none other than Aberdeen. Located on the Northeast coast of Scotland, this city is full of community spirit. In 2021, small businesses connected with locals through the Good Ideas Shop display. As well as this, the city is decorated with markets, from the Rosemount to the Aberdeen & Shires Food Club. Considering this, we can see why many people in Aberdeen choose to shop local.
Cities throughout the whole of Britain are taking part in the shop local hashtag. To get involved, all you need is a dose of community spirit and an Instagram account. Thousands of people have taken part in this trend – that’s a lot of social media posts! Do you see your city making our top five list?
Sources
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/facts-about-food-miles
https://shoplocaluk.org/reasons-why/
https://www.edinburghlockdowneconomy.com/
https://visitbath.co.uk/shopping/markets
https://cambridgelocalshops.co.uk/
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/special-features/businesses-aberdeen-sharing-good-ideas-25547585
