London is shopping locally this Christmas

London is going local this year with almost two thirds of Londoners (62%) choosing to shop at small independent outlets this festive season, according to new research by TSB. This compares with nearly half (49%) of London's shoppers who will do their shopping online and a third of Londoners (33%) who will travel to shopping centres outside their borough.
 
Almost half (46%) of Londoners are intending to buy their Christmas presents from local shops compared with only a third (32%) of Scots who admit to buying their Christmas presents locally.
 
Londoners love local convenience

Three fifths (59%) of Londoners said the main factor for them to shop locally is convenience. However, nearly half (48%) have said it is also because of the quality of the goods they can buy locally.  Importantly, almost two fifths (38%) of Londoners have said their main reason for shopping locally is to support small, local businesses in their borough.
 
Local awareness is high in London
 
Impressively, just over two thirds (69%) of those living in London are aware of the impact local spending can have on their community – up to 70 pence in every pound is re-invested back into the community when goods are bought locally. Over half (52%) of the London population have said knowing the impact their spending can have on their local community will encourage them to change their future shopping habits.
 
Richard Harris, Network Director for TSB in London and South East, said: “Many people do not realise that up to 70 pence in every pound spent locally is re-invested back into the local community. By choosing to do Christmas shopping in a small, local shop people can make a real impact. It's great to see that Londoners understand the impact they can have in their borough and they will factor it into their spending to support their local economy ensuring it thrives.”