Thursday, 7 May 2020
The South Australian Business Chamber is calling on South Australians to support small, locally owned businesses when COVID-19 restrictions are expected to be eased in coming weeks.
The peak industry body says the Buy Local to Save Your Local campaign is critical, with a small window of survival for many small businesses hit hardest by the economic impact of COVID-19.
“There will be widespread carnage if South Australians don’t get behind small local businesses in the immediate weeks once restrictions are eased,” said the South Australian Business Chamber CEO, Martin Haese.
“We are asking South Australians to choose wisely. Think about your local florist, your family owned grocer, favorite restaurant, local pub, physiotherapist or hardware store.
“If you want them to be here next year, you need to support them now. “A little goes a long way. Your choice to buy local will help our economy in the long run.”
Mr Haese said in a recent survey by the South Australian Business Chamber, most alarmingly, 36 per cent of businesses cast doubt on whether they can last another three months of restrictions.
The survey found that the survival of micro to small businesses was most at risk, with the hardest hit industry sectors having a higher concentration of smaller businesses.
“South Australia is often touted as the small business State. With so much at risk, those words must be backed with action if we genuinely want to save hundreds of businesses and many thousands of jobs,” said Mr Haese.
For example, in the accommodation, food and retail sectors alone, the survey found astaggering 52 per cent said they would not survive past three months of restrictions.
“Particularly in the food and retail sectors, what we are seeing is the big boys are doing better and the small guys are suffering,” said Mr Haese.
“When the Prime Minister announces the re-boot of the economy tomorrow and the doors reopen, South Australians have a clear choice: Buy local to save your local.”
Owner of Shades and Opt Shop Optometry in Rundle Mall, Dennis Karis, encouraged South Australians to get behind the campaign.
“If you support local, you can keep the State alive and keep it well,” he said.
“Please support your local businesses and independent retailers to ensure they survive the coming months. We’ve been here 35 years and we want to be around another 35 years.”
