15 December 2015

“You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone…” by Tina Zawila

In the last few weeks we have seen several iconic local businesses in Central Queensland announce that they are closing their doors.  Some have been in business for 15, 30+ and 40+ years.  All of them offer our local community a specialist product/service, or simply independent and unique products coupled with good old fashioned customer service that usually goes hand-in-hand with a business owned and operated by a local, employing local people.
There are many reasons why a business simply closes its doors, and it’s not always a “forced” or sad decision, however, in most cases it does arise out of necessity rather than choice. 
Unfortunately, many small businesses now find themselves competing with multi-nationals next door offering low priced products and services, and/or competing with their own suppliers who sell their goods online to the same customers the local business is trying to serve!  This increased level of competition is putting a tremendous strain on small business owners.
If the current trend continues, we will face a future where we will not be able to “go shopping”!  We won’t be able to stroll through a local store, chat with the shop assistant, touch, feel and try on the products, and share the experience with friends. 
So if you were saddened to hear that local businesses are closing their doors, or if you want to preserve your shopping experience, what can you do about it? 
Independent, local businesses need local support.  They need you and I, who live and work in this community to buy from them, to shop here in our own home town.  After all, these same small businesses offer many of us employment!
So the next time you are shopping, give a thought to who you are spending your money with.  Can you buy the same or similar product or service from a local, independent business? 
Sothertons Gladstone is a locally owned and operated business, supporting locally owned and operated small businesses.  If we can support you, please call us on 4972 1300.


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