Local Economy
How does your region keep its money working locally?
Five ways to shop local. One week in September.
Shop Local Week runs from 13 to 19 September 2027 (proposed), the week after SIITR27. Businesses, councils, chambers and residents take part through five categories. Any town can take part, with or without a gift card program.
Shop local this Christmas, from 7 December 2026
The Christmas pilot is the first step towards Shop Local Week in September 2027. In the week of 7 December, shop at a local business in your town and post a photo of what you bought, ate or had fixed on social media with #ShopLocalWeek.
There is nothing to upload on this website or the Shop Local Week website. Register your interest on ShopLocalWeek.com.au for updates on the full campaign.
- Shop at a local business in the week of 7 December 2026
- Post a photo on social media with #ShopLocalWeek and tag the business
- Register your interest on ShopLocalWeek.com.au
Why this action?
Why this is a challenge
Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, up 13.9% on the year before. Each dollar spent with an online or national retailer is a dollar that does not circulate through local businesses.
Local businesses often see each other as the competition, and towns wait for someone else to act.
How this action helps
Shop Local Week gives every town the same week, 13 to 19 September 2027 (proposed), and five simple ways to spend locally. Towns plan it together, so businesses, councils and chambers act as one. Local gift card programs show what is possible: Why Leave Town programs have loaded more than $25 million onto local gift cards in more than 80 communities since 2010.
How this action came about
The Local Economy focus area was identified during the Ready Communities Flagship Program in Stanthorpe QLD, where the focus was keeping money in the region and circulating it locally.
In the SIITR26 Impact Lab we learned: Buying local is an intentional investment in local community. For one week in September, plan how you can better support local business, build your community, and showcase your region.
Sources: Australia Post, Annual eCommerce Report (2026). Why Leave Town, whyleavetown.com.
Register, plan, get ready, shop, tell us
- 1
Register
Register your town and businesses on the Shop Local Week website. Chambers and councils register their town. Businesses register free and get a supporter badge.
- 2
Plan your week
Plan your town's week across the five categories.
- 3
Get ready
Each category has its own webinar and toolkit, monthly from February 2027.
- 4
Shop local
From 13 to 19 September 2027, people post photos of what they bought, fixed or enjoyed, with the Shop Local Week hashtag.
- 5
Tell us how it went
After the week, towns apply with photos, videos and results. Every application becomes a shop local story.
Five ways to shop local
Feast Local
Cafés, restaurants, pubs and food producers.
Glow Local
Hair, beauty and fashion.
Gift Local
Gifts and gift cards.
Fix Local
Repairs and trades, at home and in the main street.
Enjoy Local
Entertainment, activities and a date night.
Key dates
- Launch webinar
- Thu 12 Nov 2026, 11am AEST (12pm AEDT)
- Christmas pilot
- Week of 7 Dec 2026
- Monthly webinars
- From February 2027
- Shop Local Week
- 13 to 19 Sep 2027 (proposed)
- Town applications
- Late Sep to Oct 2027
Webinars
All webinars- Thu 12 Nov 202611 am AESTLocal EconomyLaunch webinar: Shop Local Week and the Christmas pilotReady Communities and Why Leave TownAdd to calendar
Partners
- Challenge partner
- Why Leave Town
- An initiative of
- Ready Communities, powered by Why Leave Town
From Stanthorpe QLD to the nation
How this focus area developed
Host community
Ready Communities Flagship 2026, Stanthorpe QLDKeeping money in the region and circulating it locally.
Challenge statement
May to July 2026How does your region keep its money working locally?
Local stories gathered.
Read the July convening insightsSIITR26 Impact Lab
September 2026Money leaves town through online and national retailers. The Lab proposed a national shop local week.
National activation
November 2026 to September 2027Five ways to shop local. One week in September.
Go to ShopLocalWeek.com.au
Transcripts and meeting insights
July convening insightsFive ways to shop local. One week in September.
Go to ShopLocalWeek.com.auFAQs
Where do we register?
On the Shop Local Week website, ShopLocalWeek.com.au. Chambers and councils register their town. Businesses register free.
Does our town need a gift card program?
No. Any town can take part, with or without a gift card program.
When is Shop Local Week?
13 to 19 September 2027 (proposed), the week after SIITR27.
What happens after the week?
Towns apply with photos, videos and results. Every application becomes a shop local story, and a winner is named in each category.