Scotland Loves Local Week highlights community stores
THE critical role of convenience stores in their local communities has been highlighted ahead the launch of Scotland Loves Local week by the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF).
During the Scotland Loves Local event, people across Scotland will be encouraged to back their local businesses in their community as part of seven days of action that will kick off from 13 June.
Graham Watson, president at the SGF and owner of Watson’s Grocers in Moniaive, said: “Local businesses are so important to our communities. Businesses and people build a relationship with each other. We try to do our very best for them.
“In small communities, when assets like local shops go, schools often follow – and all sorts of local assets. It’s a two-way street and it’s vital that we support each other.
“I know everybody. We look out for people, we deliver things for free. I can stand outside the front of the shop and wave at every second car that comes through.”
The Scotland Loves Local campaign – headed up by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) with support from the Scottish Government – seeks to drive for people to invest further in their local communities by supporting community shops.
Throughout the week, local politicians will visit their local businesses to champion them and demonstrate the importance of supporting local stores to help protect jobs and keeping money local for longer.
In fact, in 2025, STP estimated that if every person in the country were to spend just £1 a week more with local businesses, it would provide a £283million boost to the national economy in a year.
Watson said: “We live in a really uncertain world. Community shops bring a lot of security to communities – heart, soul and decent groceries. Shop local, go local. You’re doing your bit to keep communities alive.”
Kimberley Guthrie, chief officer at STP, said: “We can all play our part in helping local businesses – and places – to thrive by simply choosing local.
“That’s something we can start this weekend, by supporting local shops when stocking up to watch World Cup matches or organising events.
“The critical thing is making this a habit that we all stick with – supporting countless fantastic businesses across Scotland, creating a future where they thrive and everyone wins through their success.”
