Between Brexit and other developments going on in the world, there’s been a growing emphasis on ‘buying British.’ Supporting local businesses is important, and without it, many businesses could find themselves failing. While it’s true that you could potentially save money by sourcing overseas, there are other incentives besides money for choosing suppliers.
Discover more about why it’s important to work with local suppliers and the benefits it could bring your business.
We’re all in this together
How much of your own business relies on local contracts? Do they make up for a significant part of your profits? If so, it’s easy to put yourself in the shoes of your own suppliers. Most businesses are still feeling the effects of this seemingly endless economic crisis, so we all need to do what we can to help each other.
Discover new and exciting suppliers
If you’ve always sourced products from overseas, you could be missing out on some of the innovative and high-quality products that are emerging from British suppliers. It’s worth going to trade shows and seeing what’s out there to help you discover new suppliers for your business.
British manufacturers often excel in their fields. The largest contract bottling company in the UK could offer you better rates and better quality than your current supplier, while UK fulfilment agencies could help you save money and time over an overseas supplier. Do some thorough research about what’s available here before you look elsewhere; you might be pleasantly surprised at what you find.
It helps your business go green
There are pros and cons of using local suppliers, but one of the most important has to be its effect on the environment. Going local means a reduction in transportation fuel costs and helps to make the most of what’s on our doorstep, particularly in the food industry. If your business is serious about its environmental policies, then you should consider championing the use of local suppliers.
It forms a closer business community
When you work alongside businesses in your local area, you’re forming a business community that can improve your local economy and create trusting working relationships. Getting to know other local businesses can be a great thing, especially if there are opportunities for cross-promotion or collaboration.
Working with local businesses also means you get to share in their success, making the place where you’re based a more attractive option for other businesses to set up shop. The Make it British blog is packed with success stories from British business owners that can provide a lot of inspiration for your own business. The emphasis on local is a good development to be a part of, and could lead you to bigger and better things.
Becoming part of the local community is great for your business, especially if you’re a small business or a startup. Take a good look at your current suppliers and what they offer to see if going local could be the best move for your business.
