Champion Green is urging consumers to buy local in the run up to Christmas and turn Black Friday into Green Friday on November 26.
The Champion Green campaign aims to encourage the public to shop locally to help businesses in the community bounce back from the impact of Covid-19.
The support local campaign has launched shopper promotions and advertising to encourage consumers to think about sustainable communities and jobs, and to shop online and instore with local businesses.
"Love local is the message", Sven Spollen-Behrens, Small Firms Association Director, said today as he called on people to choose more consciously during the busiest shopping season of the year.
"Jobs and prosperity in communities depends on a healthy national economy. If we do not support local, we lose local shops, businesses and services, as well as the direct and indirect employment those businesses help sustain," the SFA director said.
A recent Champion Green survey showed that 77% of adults agreed that it is a good idea to help support their local businesses and community. 68% said they would actively do more to support local businesses this Christmas.
The survey also revealed that 23% of consumers said they plan to spend more on Christmas this year compared to last year, while 8% expect to spend less.
Of the 23% spending more this Christmas, the average is €290 more than 2020. 14% said they will spend a considerable €500 extra this year, compared to last Christmas.
Evelyn Moynihan, the Kilkenny Design CEO who helps run the campaign, says local shopping also helps reduce waste, emissions and air-miles.
"Sustainability is important in environmental terms, and means preserving living local communities. Local businesses are a lifeline for charities and community groups, and, by supporting the independent shops and businesses that make Ireland unique, we are preserving an important aspect of our identity and culture," she added.
