Guardian Media Group’s online community platform n0tice.com has unveiled a crowdsourced guide to the UK’s local independent shopping scene for the Guardian website.
Created by global marketing and technology agency LBi as part of its partnership with the media group, the guide celebrates the UK’s best independent retailers. In a bid to ensure more money is spent in local shops this festive season LBi’s interactive #LocalShopping map invites shoppers and businesses to contribute their best local shopping tips via Twitter, Instagram or the n0tice platform.
Founder of n0tice.com, Matt McAlister, commented: “Every £1 spent locally stays in the community for up to five transactions, whereas every £1 spent in a chain store only stays local for one or two. That’s why it’s fantastic to use the n0tice platform to celebrate the diverse UK local shopping scene and encourage people to support independent retailers.”
The best tips tagged with the hashtag #LocalShopping will then be featured on the map. The ‘best local shopper’ will also be crowned alongside the location that’s the most popular #LocalShopping hotspot. Shoppers and business can also embed the map into their own blog or websites.
Of the campaign Graham Hodge, head of branded content at LBi, said: “This campaign is all about using the power of social media to celebrate and support local gems.”
Lending their support to the campaign are a number of Guardian journalists and public figures such as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, and Guardian fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley, who have named their favourite local booksellers, record shops and boutiques in the Guardian’s Weekend magazine and Life and Style online section.
Life and Style editor of guardian.co.uk, Kate Carter added: “People love to rave about their favourite local gems and get the warm glow of supporting a local business, and of a friend taking their advice. This new initiative makes it easy for shoppers to give and receive tips on the best local retailers.”