Victoria businesses are asking the public to keep their dollars at home during the third Think Local Week starting Dec. 1.

Think Local First Victoria is an initiative consisting of Greater Victoria merchants that aims to encourage residents to shop at local businesses.

B次元官网网址淭he primary focus of Think Local Week is to educate the public on the benefits of buying local,B次元官网网址� said Gayle Robinson, president of Think Local First Victoria and owner of RobinsonB次元官网网址檚 Outdoor Store in downtown Victoria.

B次元官网网址淲hen you spend 10 per cent of your money locally, 25 per cent more stays in Victoria.B次元官网网址�

Through promotion in all participating businesses, Robinson hopes Think Local Week will raise the profile of area retailers. B次元官网网址淚 think Victoria has a huge appetite for supporting local businesses,B次元官网网址� she said.

Russ Benwell is a board member with Think Local First and co-owner of Red Barn Market, which has four stores in the region, including one at Latoria Walk in Colwood.

He said the program has been well received so far and helps prove that people appreciate the opportunity to support local merchants.

He recalled working for Thrifty Foods some years ago when that company was rapidly expanding.

B次元官网网址淚 remember research being done that said they had a market share of something like 50 per cent,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淲e want to promote the independents, which is not to say there isnB次元官网网址檛 a place for the big-box stores. But where they can, we encourage (shoppers) to make that choice to support the locally owned retailers.B次元官网网址�

Nigel Brown, vice-president of Think Local First Victoria and owner of Ruffell & Brown Window Fashions, said local businesses create a unique, competitive shopping experience in a community.

B次元官网网址淭he biggest misconception is a lot of people think local independent businesses are not competitive in terms of pricing,B次元官网网址� Brown said.

B次元官网网址淣ot only are we competitive, but you get a lot more service and other benefits you might not get at some of the other places.B次元官网网址�

Along with creating awareness, Think Local First will also be hosting a social media campaign, in which it will be giving away $1,000 in gift cards throughout the week via Facebook and Twitter.

In the new year, Think Local First Victoria will be launching a new loyalty card campaign.

Think Local First has more than 165 member businesses in Greater Victoria, 20 of which will be used as a test for the pilot project. Shoppers can use the card at any of the participating businesses, where they will earn points on purchases. Those points can then be redeemed online for products or gift cards, for example.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not something thatB次元官网网址檚 normally available for smaller business,B次元官网网址� Brown said. B次元官网网址淚t will encourage consumers to support local businesses.B次元官网网址�

The idea came out of PortlandB次元官网网址檚 Supportland program. B次元官网网址淲e will be the first Canadian launch,B次元官网网址� Robinson said.

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editor@goldstreamgazette.com