- WA consumers encouraged to buy local at small businesses this festive season
- Extended festive trading hours offer convenient in-person shopping opportunities
- Buying with small businesses keeps profits in the local economy and creates jobs
The Cook Government is calling on Western Australians to spread the Christmas cheer to small businesses by keeping their festive shopping and spending local.
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) estimates the average Australian will spend $707 on gifts over the Christmas period, up $61 since last year.
Buying from WA small businesses this festive season keeps money in the local economy and helps create local jobs.
With just 18 days until Christmas, local shoppers can avoid the worry of delayed deliveries by taking advantage of longer in-store shopping hours to choose gifts in person.
Extended Christmas trading hours in the Perth metro area and some regional locations start today, with general retail stores able to open from 8am every day, until 9pm on weekdays, and 6pm on weekends, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Clothing, books, toys, jewellery and experience vouchers are all tipped to be popular Christmas gifts in 2024, with options available for everyone on the list and for every budget.
By making a conscious choice to shop with smaller businesses, Western Australians can help provide the State's small businesses with an economic boost this festive season.
As stated by Small Business Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"Small businesses make a massive difference for Western Australia in every sector.
"For those businesses operating in retail, food, tourism and giftware, the Christmas shopping season is an important period that can help offset quieter times in other periods of the year.
"By backing small businesses at this time of the year, you're helping to ensure they can be a part of your local community for the year ahead.
"We know small businesses will be busy doing what they do best - serving their community.
"During the festive season, let's give back by choosing to put our shopping dollar where it counts and buying locally."
As stated by Perth MLA John Carey:
"As the Member for Perth, I have always championed supporting local businesses across Perth as small businesses bring vibrancy and character to our city.
"It's brilliant the amount of choice Perth's small independent retailers offer, not only during the festive season, but all year around.
"Whether it is our bookshops, clothing stores, cafes, or a business like Two Green Men, you don't need to look further than Perth for the best local Christmas shopping options - so please shop local this Christmas.
"Our Government has been driving the revitalisation of the Perth CBD and we're investing hundreds of millions of dollars to create jobs, economic activity and attract more people to Perth - further supporting our critical local businesses."
