Mayor Walsh challenges holiday shoppers to support local businesses

Mayor Martin J. Walsh launched his “Five on Main” Challenge, a campaign to inspire holiday shoppers to support Main Streets and other local commercial districts during the 2014 holiday season.

Participants in the Challenge will pledge to support local business five times during the holiday season, either purchasing gifts, dining, or participating in local holiday events in Main Streets districts. Holiday shoppers are encouraged to accept the Challenge via social media, using the hashtag #5onMain.

“I challenge every holiday shopper, whether they live in Boston or not, to sample all that our Main Streets districts have to offer this holiday season,” Mayor Walsh said. “Between 20 and 40 percent of yearly sales for small- and mid-sized retailers take place within the last two months of the year, and as a city, we should support our local businesses.”

Recent data from Deloitte University Press 29th Annual Holiday Survey indicates a projected increase in consumer holiday spending, with average holiday spending projected to total $1,300. While consumers are moving to shopping online, the survey shows that consumers still prefer to buy locally and in-store to support local community/economy, find one of a kind gifts, and enjoy the convenience of shopping in their neighborhoods.

In order to help shoppers participate in the Challenge, a list of local Main Streets holiday events will be available at www.holidaysonmainstreets.com, and participants can follow @BostonMainStreets for regular updates. City staff will be monitoring the #5onMain hashtag through the holiday season and retweeting clever and original gift ideas.

To participate in the Mayor’s Holiday Challenge on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, please use hashtag #5onMain.