Think Local First - BC Marketplace

Think Local First

Think Local First champions local, independent businesses and educates consumers about the benefits of spending their money locally.

Our goal is to encourage people to support local businesses so we can keep Greater Victoria a vibrant, sustainable community and make it a better place to live!

Independent businesses contribute to creating healthy and dynamic communities. Profits don’t get sent to a head office somewhere else; they stay and get spent here. For every 10% of dollars spent at locally-owned shops and services, 25% more money stays in the Victoria economy. This change in spending is known as the 10% shift movement, which we at TLF work tirelessly to promote. It leads to the multiplier effect, as local businesses make their purchases for office supplies, garbage disposal, lighting, etc. with other local businesses. It makes a significant difference for Victoria. If we change our shopping behavior just that much, the results are proven. One recent study commissioned by the Canadian Union of Public Employees suggests that if all of BC made the 10% shift, we would actually create 31,000 more jobs and infuse $940 million in wages into the province’s economy.

Yes, we all have times when it is not feasible to shop locally. Shopping at a chain store doesn’t make you a villain. The thought is that “Think Local First; shop local when you can” will help you become more a part of the community. This is what the 10% shift is all about. When we as a city think local first, many sustainability and environmental issues naturally fall into place.

We respectfully acknowledge our place of work is within the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and that we serve the Peoples of the many Nations throughout British Columbia.