A WOMAN is passionate about supporting local businesses, provided they are not marking products up too much compared to global retail giant Amazon.
Eleanor Shaw is a keen advocate for independent retailers, as long as they are not “taking the piss” with the prices they charge to cover their overheads, staffing costs, rent and tax bills.
Shaw said: “I love going into an actual shop, where people are passionate about what they’re selling and don’t just want to mass-market cheap crap.
“However, sometimes smaller shops aren’t as hot on the offers. I always do a quick search on my phone while I’m there so I know an independent business owner isn’t ripping me off.
“We have a fantastic Fair Trade store near us, full of ethically sourced food and nature-friendly shower gel. I feel like a better person just walking in there.
“But I always check to see if it’s cheaper overall to bulk-buy a crate of quinoa from Amazon. The developing world deserves fair treatment, but not if it costs me a few quid I could be putting towards a new spiralizer.”