EFFORTS to encourage Sydneysiders to buy regional for their Christmas shopping are paying off, with those customers accounting for more than 80 per cent of one fledgling business' sales.
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The state government launched the Buy Regional website with 33 business listings last month, across wine and beer, food, fashion, kids, art and design, hampers, experiences, animal gifts and wellbeing categories.
Orange's participating businesses include Jumbled, Iglou, Heifer Station Wines, Ross Hill Wines, Ferment, Gilbert Family Wines, Printhie Wines, Angus Barrett, Adagio Mills, Julie Herbert Millinery, Barney and Jacq, BiteRiot, Booful Gifts and Homewares in Molong, the Corner Store Gallery and Easy Wormer.
Data released by the state government revealed the website had amassed 100 extra small business listings and 110,000 page views in the first 10 days.
The number of categories also continues to grow.
Among the Orange businesses to add themselves since the launch was Ella's World, owned by Jana Poppe, who said she was able to give her employee, Alexis Neville, more hours as a result.
Ella's World started four months ago ans stocks baby swaddles, clothing and accessories and Miss Poppe works from home, collaborating with other small businesses across the region to create her stock.
"We weren't sure we were eligible [for the website] as a young business, but within three days, they had it organised - it was so easy," she said.
"Straight away we got business and they were from the Sydney region - roughly 80 to 85 per cent came from the Sydney region through the website."
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro thanked Sydneysiders for backing the website.
"We are receiving great feedback from the many boutiques, suppliers and experience providers listed with Buy Regional, many who tell us that these sales are going to help to give them a Christmas," he said.
"It's a great start but there's still a way to go - keep buying regional to support people in the bush and help our regional towns through the worst drought in recorded history."
To add your business to the website email buyregional@dpc.nsw.gov.au - the state government has assured businesses their details will be uploaded as soon as possible.
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