Survey reveal Australians remain loyal to their local businesses, corner shops

SOPHIE ELSWORTH
January 18, 2014
News Limited Network

AUSTRALIANS’ loyalty to their corner shops remains stronger than ever.
The second annual Westpac Australia Day report found 90 per of Australians are true to their local businesses and about one in two (49 per cent) will buy from a small business to help strengthen the nation’s economy.
The results found they are most loyal to their grocery stores (39 per cent), pharmacies (37 per cent), restaurants (21 per cent), bakeries and butchers (both 20 per cent).
Westpac’s general manager of retail banking, Gai McGrath said Australians were well aware of the important role small businesses play within their local communities.
“Australians can see the connection between supporting your local businesses and the health of the local economy and community,” she said.
“They see it also as an emotional connection because these businesses are visible to them each and every day in the community which they live and they understand the economic importance.
“They can develop that personal relationship with the local corner shop, the local butcher can keep that piece of meat aside for you.”
The survey also found more than 58 per cent of Australians believed small business was the backbone of the nation’s economy.
Owners of a Sydney business Emile’s Fruit and Vegetables, brothers Mo and Wally Alameddine, have been in business for five years together and they said the way they deal with their customers helped them do well.
“The reason we are still going in business is because the products we have are good and we treat our customers like they are our family,” he said.
“We know them personally, by name, instead of going to a big a supermarket, that’s the difference between us and the big supermarkets.”
Accounting software group MYOB’s chief executive officer Tim Reed said supporting local businesses was critical to their survival.
“In business, loving your neighbour can mean the difference between being a survivor and a casualty,” he said.
“We can give something back to local businesses by encouraging Australian consumers to shop small.
“The shops and services in our local community help sustain our neighbourhoods and provide the character that is such an intrinsic part of the Australian identity.”