We at Sunshine Co-operative aim to provide affordable, accessible, and healthy food to create a community that has a stronger sense of health and wellbeing. Businesses such as ourselves aim to build up our business due to us being passionate for what we sell, letting us create products which are unique and personal just for the customer - a service which especially comes in handy during the later months of the year when you're searching for something specific for that special someone. Shopping locally at Christmas lets you as the customer receive a personalised service, and at times, personalised products, since at times good customer service can be difficult to find in big chain stores such as your larger supermarkets.
One of the biggest perks of shopping locally with us during the Christmas period is the personally hand-crafted items you come across. Here we have our second gift idea of the month - Classic Kimchi and Green Mexican Kimchi, sourced from another local business located in Newcastle, Catchi's Kimchi. In purchasing the product through our store, you aren't just supporting one local business, but two! Or, if there's someone you just aren't sure what to buy, why not buy them one of our gift vouchers! This way the money goes to help the business, and they can choose their preferred product (available to buy in store and on our website.)
At Christmas, as well as all year round, something you can do to help a business like ourselves which is so simple yet so effective, is spread the word. If you happened to have been in store to visit us, tell people! Tell others about us and the friendly face that welcomed you in, the product you bought and what you thought of it - all feedback helps us grow, since this lets us obtain a larger audience of people with the same passions in which we share. If you happened to buy something from us online, why not leave an online review! Simply telling others about your experience with us can go a long way, which is especially important at Christmas, letting businesses like us thrive, as well as hopefully increasing the amount of customers we see coming into the store to see for themselves.
A lot of talented artists may sell their products in local businesses due to perhaps not being able to afford the shop space until their business takes off, so by shopping local, you are giving these people exposure as well as funding towards their business. Recently we had Cath in store from Weleda, a world-leading manufacturer of holistic natural cosmetics as well as pharmaceuticals for anthroposophical therapy. Weleda are all about sustainability and ethically sourcing their products, just like us. Having Cath in store meant that our customers were able to personally connect and learn more about her products and where they come from, such as skin food and moisturiser, as well as demonstrations of facial techniques and massages.
Furthermore, on the topic of food, when shopping locally with us you are ensured when buying the product that it is a healthier, as well as tastier version of the product you would find in your local supermarket. So this year when buying the food to prepare for your Christmas dinner, why not source the food from us? This way you know exactly where the food has came from, how it was grown, and instead of your money going to a large chain of stores, it is going straight into your local community, helping those around you, as well as their families and employees.
Due to the pandemic and the closing of stores, a lot of people have realised what they could've lost, and why putting money back into the local economy is so important, now more than ever. The pandemic opened the eyes of so many into realising what is on their door step. According to the Centre for Retail Research, online sopping in the UK at Christmas increased by more than 56% compared to the same period in 2019. The final few weeks before Christmas are the most profitable time of year in retail, so whether it's buying your turkey from a local butcher, or your veg from us! We can all do our part to help those around us and in the community this Christmas time.
Emma Wallace, Sunderland College
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