Local purchasing refers to the act of buying products or services from businesses located within a particular region or community, rather than from national or international companies. This practice is often associated with a desire to support the local economy, promote sustainable production and consumption, reduce transportation emissions, and foster a sense of community.
Local purchasing is a preference for buying goods and services produced locally rather than those produced elsewhere. It is frequently abbreviated as a positive goal, “buy local” or “buy locally,” which parallels the phrase “think globally, act locally,” which is popular in green politics.
This can include shopping at local farmer’s markets, buying goods from small businesses, or sourcing materials from local suppliers for a larger business. The benefits of local purchasing include supporting the local economy, reducing carbon emissions from transportation, and promoting sustainability by reducing packaging and waste. Additionally, buying locally often allows consumers to have a closer relationship with the producers of the goods they buy, which can lead to greater transparency and trust in the supply chain.
The national equivalent of local purchasing is import substitution, which is the deliberate industrial or agricultural policy of replacing goods or services produced on the far side of a national border with those produced on the near side, i.e., in the same country or trade bloc.
Local purchasing can take many forms, such as shopping at farmers’ markets or buying from small, locally owned stores. In recent years, online platforms have emerged that allow consumers to easily find and purchase products from local businesses, including those that may not have a physical storefront.
Prior to the widespread adoption of industrialization and globalization, there were so many incentives to buy locally that no one had to make a special effort to do so; however, under current market conditions, it is frequently cheaper to buy distantly produced goods, despite any additional costs for packaging, transportation, inspection, wholesale/retail facilities, and so on. As a result, if one wants to buy locally produced goods, one must now often take explicit action.
The benefits of local purchasing can include increased economic activity in the community, reduced environmental impact from transportation, and greater transparency and accountability in the supply chain. Additionally, purchasing locally can help to create a unique sense of place and support the cultural and social fabric of a community.
