An award-winning independent shop in Aberdeen is sticking to its knitting on what is expected to be the busiest shopping days before Christmas
Kathleen Fraser, owner of Wool for Ewe in the city’s Rosemount area, is involved in Small Business Saturday, a campaign that urges shoppers to think local when it comes to buying gifts.
She said: “Hopefully it encourages people into small shops – if you don’t use them you lose them.
“It is difficult for small businesses. We struggle to compete against the bigger ones and online shopping. We’ve been voted for two years running the best in Scotland.
“It is a craft shop, mainly knitting, we do workshops. We work hard to keep at that.
“We can’t compete against online prices. But what a lot of bigger shops and online don’t do is a service. We provide a good service.”
Small Business Saturday takes place on the first Saturday in December, thought to be the busiest shopping day of the year. In 2015 the day saw customers across the UK spend £623million in independent businesses according to the organisers.
Ross Thomson, Scottish Conservative MSP for the north east, highlighted Wool for Ewe as his favourite shop at a debate on the contribution of local firms in the Scottish Parliament this week.
He visited the outlet yesterday as it prepared for its the busy pre-Christmas shopping day.
He said: “There are lots of great small businesses in Aberdeen that the surrounding area that are a vital part of our local economy. However, many are facing difficult times at the moment due to the knock-on effect of the downturn in the oil and gas industry.
“I think Small Business Saturday is a great initiative that allows people to show how much they appreciate these companies in their local area.”
Now in its fourth year, the 2016 campaign theme is “Small Business, Big Difference”.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has done research which found that for every £1 spent with a small or medium-size business, 63p is re-spent in the local area. This is compared to 40p in every £1 spent with a chain or larger business.
Andy Willox, FSB’s Scottish policy convenor said: “Independent businesses are essential to the success of Scotland’s communities.
“Now in its fourth year, Small Business Saturday gives Scots an opportunity to back their incredible local small businesses. The response has been fantastic, with each year better than the last.
“Whether you’re popping out for a paper or off to do some Christmas shopping with friends, make sure you visit your local small firms and check out the phenomenal goods and services on offer right on your doorstep. Let’s make 2016 another terrific Small Business Saturday.”
