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#1. Take advantage of curbside
A lot of local businesses have opened supplemental online stores or websites. If you don’t feel comfortable shopping in person, visit your favorite local stores online to see if they offer curbside. Even if they don’t advertise it on their website, some may be willing to bring your purchase out to you if you simply ask!
#2. Buy gift cards
Still looking for great gift ideas for the people you care about? Consider giving them gift cards to some of your favorite local spots around town.
This is the perfect way to give your friends, family and loved ones a gift that they can really use, and it comes with the added benefit of supporting your go-to local businesses. Best of all, oftentimes, gift cards can be completely digital, so you won’t even have to leave your home.
#3. Avoid shopping during peak hours
When shopping in person, it is best to shop when it’s least busy.
Most places are less busy if you shop in the mornings or early afternoons during the week. If you’re unsure about when a specific local business is busiest, you can always call and ask about the best times to shop to avoid a crowd.
#4. Make a list and spend less time just browsing
Shopping around can be a fun way to find holiday gifts for your loved ones, but it also means spending a lot more time among the crowds of holiday shoppers. That’s why it’s best to have a list and some idea of what you’re looking for before you go.
If you want to shop around and you don’t know exactly what you want, consider shopping with your favorite local businesses online.
#5. Follow safety protocols
Whatever you are shopping for , it’s always important to follow safety protocols when you’re out and about.
These guidelines include not going out if you feel sick, wearing a mask when required, staying at least six feet away from other shoppers, refraining from touching things you aren’t going to buy and washing your hands frequently.
Find all the great local businesses in North Welland listed here on our North Welland BIA Directory: https://northwelland.ca/business-directory/
