Buying local and shopping currently growing
Publication date 27 May 2020Since early 2020, our world has been turned on its head because of the pandemic. This also awakened in Belgians a new consciousness about sustainability and the local economy.
The global crisis made us reflect on we can do it ourselves, locally, and even better. Regardless of far-away, overseas exports In recent months, this began to (not unexpectedly) clearly bear fruit for local retailers in villages, towns and cities.
More than ever before, we collectively ignored the larger chains and chose fresh bread from the village bakery, fresh fruit from the local greengrocer and some good meat from the local butcher. These are just some examples that go to show how consumers are engaging with this issue and making a U-turn in favour of increasingly buying from local shops.
This awakened in Belgians a new consciousness about sustainability and the local economy.
Authentic and tangible
The appetite for authentic, tangible, locally-made businesses is growing, too. Because we are all spending more of our time staring at screens than ever before, shopping in a physical shop is becoming a more intense experience than online shopping. In a physical shop, we can smell, feel, taste and receive personal guidance in our search for the perfect item or object. The customer experience at a physical shop doesn’t compare to an online shop.
The customer experience at a physical shop doesn’t compare to an online shop.
Impulse buys
In an online shop, the customer usually goes specifically in search of a certain item, in a particular shape or finish. In a physical shop, the customer gains a total experience and more impulses leading sometimes to quick, unexpected “impulse buys”, too... Which is clearly an advantage of having a physical shop.
Shift to the city
A significant trend driving the current rapid rise in physical shops is the baby boomers who are leaving their suburban and rural areas to move back into the cities. They trade in their villa for an apartment and choose to do their shopping in their local area. For them, these shops ultimately continue to be an important meeting place.
Shops continue to be an important meeting place
Working and shopping in Zwevegem
Zwevegem is almost seamlessly connected to the edge of Kortrijk, so this adjoining municipality shares in the dynamism of the city. But Zwevegem also has its own character and village centre, with a big advantage being its peace and quiet and uninterrupted views over the countryside. In Zwevegem, you have easy access to everything and can enjoy the bustling village centre.
At Leanderhof there is 3000 m² of space for shops, retail and services which brings commercial dynamism into this new neighbourhood.
The Leanderhof residential project is located in the very heart of Zwevegem and is a place for all generations, for everyone who enjoys living surrounded by greenery, a stone’s throw away from the village centre. In addition to a high-quality residential offering, Leanderhof also addresses the needs of businesses looking for a modern site in which to house their business.
There is 3000 m² of space for shops, retail and services which brings commercial dynamism into this new neighbourhood.
The mix of generations makes this an appealing place for business owners to set up shop. You will have a certainty of customers (existing population + 700 new residents) and have a local base in a brand-new area. It also has an ideal location, close to the centre and a stone’s throw away from important access routes.