Over 60% of Shoppers are Concerned Local Businesses will not Survive the Festive Period due to New Variant Impacting Trade

National independent business directory & marketplace, Shopli, believes that Christmas shopping has changed for good as consumers are more focussed on their local communities, sustainability and supporting independent businesses. A recent survey of festive shoppers* supported this theory and nearly half (43%) of those surveyed admitted that supporting and shopping independently actually gave them a boost of happiness.

The survey went on to show that the majority of Christmas shoppers polled (62%) said they were worried independent businesses would not survive if they did not support them during the festive period. There are over 250,000 independent retailers, hospitality, leisure & similar style businesses across the UK all being impacted by the Covid as the new variant impacts consumers venturing out. Along with many national brands, they play a vital role in keeping local high streets and centres thriving whilst helping attract shoppers and business to these communities.

Lee Nathan, CEO of Shopli, and Regional Chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) commented, “The pandemic has changed how the UK public shop and the majority of shoppers especially during the Christmas period want to support independent businesses and services. It is great to see so many shopper’s conscious about where they shop and spend during the festive period. It has been another difficult year for retail and Christmas is such a vital period for thousands of businesses.”

Shopli’s ground-breaking solution allows shoppers to discover local businesses, shop and save nationally with thousands of independents, connect and chat to them directly, safe with the knowledge that every business adheres to Shopli’s code of conduct, guidelines, standards of practice and behaviour. The Shopli platform is completely free and utilises a cutting-edge website and app to connect consumers with independent businesses and communities across the UK.

Lee added, “At Shopli we connect consumers with independent businesses and communities both locally and nationally and offer a completely free solution that will help local businesses sell to a national audience and attract more shoppers from their communities to discover and connect with them.

As the regional chairman for the FSB, I am actively involved with many local business owners and know first-hand the struggles many have had over the last couple of years and we have developed a platform that helps these retailers and services to compete on a national level.”

The Shopli app is available on both Android and iOS operating systems and already has thousands of verified retailers, services and products available and is completely free for both consumers and independent businesses.