Irish businesses are urging people buy Irish as lockdown restrictions ease.
The movement is called Champion Green.
According to them, spending at least €20 extra a week in local shops could be a massive boost.
If every Irish adult took part, the cash injection would be around €875 million.
The movement was launched this morning with the support of Kilkenny Design, Visa and a range of trade associations.
Monica McGinn, owns Shamon Boutique in Castleknock.
She says the support she's enjoyed from local people has been excellent in recent weeks.
However she's under pressure for the summer season after the late start.
"We have stock in the shop that you know, does have a shelf life."
"It is summer stock, it needs to be moved in the summer."
"So it's been really stressful."
"But look, we've been open three weeks - the local people have been fantastic in supporting us."
"We hope that this campaign will really just capitalise on that."
"I think people, in the last three four months, have realised and are more appreciative, supportive of the businesses on their doorstep."
"Hopefully this will generate income from it, not just sentiment."
We have pledged to #SupportLocal and #ChampionGreen. Will you?
If we support each other we all can rise.
Play your part - pledge your support today at https://t.co/8PoKWIbIAY pic.twitter.com/PtIcWkcK6i— DublinHerbalists (@DublinHerbalist) June 25, 2020
Shopping Locally - "We're All Talking About Jobs!"
Kilkenny Design CEO Marian O'Gorman said spending that €20 could save businesses and local communities all over the country.
“I’ll tell you why they should do that,” she said.
“Because we are all talking about jobs; we are talking about local people in jobs and local businesses.
“So, if every Irish adult citizen spends €20 a week in the local economy for 12 weeks, that will €875m to the local economy."
"That will save jobs and that will save businesses.”
The campaign launch featured a 20ft high butterfly mural.
(L-R) businesswoman Aoibhín Garrihy and Kilkenny Design CEO Marian O’Gorman
Organisers said symbolises the ‘butterfly effect,’ where small actions lead to big impacts.
The movement includes a digital hub for businesses to highlight their local credentials and advertise products designed in Ireland.
