With recent research suggesting that Australians prefer to buy local and support local businesses, PayPal Australia has launched a new gifting portal featuring businesses from the #BuyFromTheBush movement.
The portal, which went live last week, features 20 businesses from across Australia. It has been designed to give Aussies gift-spiration so that they can tick off their Christmas shopping lists in one place and buy meaningful gifts for their loved ones.
“Our mission this Christmas is to help Aussies give something special from somewhere special, so there’s a little more joy all round,” says PayPal Australia’s shopping expert, Danielle Grant.
“We’re really excited to launch the #BuyFromTheBush portal on PayPal’s website because every purchase made with businesses on the platform will support our rural communities, many of which have been impacted by the drought.”
Grace Brennan launched #BuyFromTheBush to encourage city dwellers to buy from small, rural businesses that have been impacted by the drought.
“There are so many hidden treasures in our regional communities and I wanted to show Australians the range of unique and beautiful brands that are out there,” Brennan explains.
“I am thrilled to be working with PayPal to drive even more awareness about the movement and I look forward to hearing the success stories from the businesses involved. The beauty of the online gifting portal is that it shows how many of our growing rural businesses are just a click away and all Australians can do their bit to support our rural communities by shopping from the bush.”
One of those businesses involved is boutique gift and homewares store, Mink and Me, based in Coonamble, NSW. Owner Lucy Moss says this year has been very tough and they have definitely felt the impacts of the drought.
“Running a business in the country is overwhelmingly fulfilling but it also comes with its challenges,” she says.
“We were so excited when #BuyFromTheBush launched and after being featured we saw a 105 per cent increase in sales from same period last year (Oct/Nov). This meant that we could purchase new stock for the busy festive season and drive even more sales, which would not have been able to do otherwise.”
