Waterford City and County Council is rolling out a campaign to support the ‘Shop Waterford Support Local’ initiative in Waterford this festive season.
Julie Walsh of Waterford City and County Council’s Economic Development team states, “In an era of global connectivity and convenience, the call to support and champion the spirit of local commerce is more important than ever.”
Festive spending across Ireland is expected to break records this year. In December 2023 alone, €1.4 billion passed through Ireland’s tills just on groceries, with the average household spending an all-time high of €767 on groceries alone. Waterford’s positioning, boasting the largest catchment population outside of Dublin with over 634,000 people within an hour’s drive, faces significant opportunity. A report published in Spring 2024 by Waterford Chamber outlined a retail leakage of over €600 million and we need to take steps to address this.”
Julie emphasizes, “Local businesses play a critical role in the economic vitality of our city and county. We are fortunate to have a vibrant tapestry of local and independent retailers with unique and quirky choices for consumers, a vast array of multi-award-winning local food and drinks producers, a top-class hospitality sector, an array of leisure and service providers, along with a lively night-time economy. It’s crucial for everyone to ‘Shop Waterford and Support Local’ first when it comes to spending this festive season to mitigate the leakage of retail spend.”
Waterford, an award-winning destination to live, work, and visit, has recently added the title of European City of Christmas to its accolades. With its robust Winterval Festival, unique shopping experiences, and world-class attractions, the city is set to draw in even more locals and visitors this year. “The ‘Shop Waterford’ campaign serves as a reminder to consider what’s on our doorstep and to shop local,” adds Julie.
The campaign runs in support of the ‘Think Waterford First Gift Card’ from Waterford Chamber and the ‘Chamber Vouchers’ from Dungarvan and West Waterford Chamber of Commerce. These initiatives also create a tax-efficient opportunity for regional employers to support local businesses by providing Chamber vouchers to their employees.
As part of the “Shop Waterford, Support Local” campaign, a series of engaging promotional activities will connect consumers with local businesses along with social media competitions on @ShopWaterford social platforms will offer exciting prizes, enticing shoppers to explore local products and services. Stories featuring local businesses and owners, fostering a sense of community; the campaign will also include social media influencer highlight videos and more.
“Local businesses are the backbone of our economy, providing employment opportunities, contributing to local development, and creating a unique identity for our city, towns and villages,” Julie concludes. “By choosing to spend your hard-earned money with local merchants, you are directly contributing to the growth and prosperity of your community. We are asking the people of Waterford to ‘Shop Waterford – Support Local’ this festive season.”
To find out more, join competitions, and support the initiative, visit https://www.facebook.com/ShopLocalWaterford/