Viking Marine of Dun Laoghaire is backing this Saturday's 'Small Business Saturday', an initiative driven by government and spearheaded by Retail Excellence Ireland.
The Small Business Saturday Awareness Campaign launched to encourage consumers to shop local and support small retailers this Christmas.
Retail Excellence and An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD have launched an awareness campaign to support local retailers this Christmas and year-round.
As Viking Marine's Ian O'Meara told Afloat.ie 'there's nothing better than shopping local and finding something different, special and local or artisan'.
Chandler Ian OMeara competing on a J109 Photo: Afloat.ie
O'Meara says Viking Marine is backing not just the Small Business Saturday initiative but pushing local Irish marine brands too, such as McWilliam Sailing Bags and Dubarry deck shoes, as ideal Christmas gifts at his Dun Laoghaire Harbour store.
A big stock of Mcwilliam sailing bags at Viking Marine
The campaign, which was launched at Government buildings, centres around Small Business Saturday which will take place on Saturday, December 1st this year. Originally an American concept, Small Business Saturday is an initiative that is supported and promoted by Retail Excellence, the largest retail representative body in Ireland.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has launched an awareness campaign to support local retailers
This is the fifth year of the Irish campaign which profiles small businesses and encourages consumers to shop locally and support jobs and enterprises in their respective communities. Group Chief Executive of Retail Excellence David Fitzsimons said “It is important to recognise the massive impact small businesses have on our economy, both nationally and locally. With 37,400 businesses and 282,000 Irish jobs dependent on the industry initiatives like Small Business Saturday are crucial to encourage consumers to shop local and support retailers in Ireland". "This initiative is critically important at a time when two-thirds of consumer spend online is fulfilled by businesses operating outside Ireland and in the face of falling excise figures recorded by the Department of Finance which is largely indicative of an increase in cross-border shopping".
Commenting on the launch, Taoiseach Leo Vardakar said "I am pleased to endorse Small Business Saturday, now in its fifth year. The idea is simple; if you want to back your local businesses, and in turn your local community, then shop local this Christmas. Your local shop or retailer has a unique appeal; they can offer you tailored local advice, as well as the best local goods and produce. By shopping local this Christmas, you can give your local businesses a year-round boost". "Retail Excellence would like consumers to understand that their small change can make a big difference on Small Business Saturday in their local economy.
Every €10 spent locally is worth €40 in terms of supported employment, supported communities and helping the business to continue to operate year-round.”
