40% of shoppers plan to get their Christmas gifts in the Black Friday sales this week, new research shows.
The survey by Champion Green and Green Friday, a support local campaign, shows that value for money and the quality of products are the most important factors for consumers.
It is encouraging people to shop local, either online or in-person to boost Ireland's local economy.
"If everyone supported and shopped with one additional local business in the coming week, it would make a huge difference to having viable well-served local communities," said Evelyn Moynihan of Green Friday.
"With increased labour and energy costs, small businesses need our support now," she added.
She said "use it or lose it" is the simple proposition.
"When it comes to local fashion, home or food stores, just like the local post-office, pub or café, they may not be here in the spring if the big Christmas spend moves out of town," she said.
Today's research shows that online shopping is continuing to grow in popularity, with 70% of adults now doing some, or all of their non-food shopping online.
Ms Moynihan said Irish consumers are expected to spend around €26 million online, alone, this Black Friday, 24 November.
"On top of that, in the run up to Christmas, consumers here spend about €5-billion-euro, Retail Ireland figures show," she said.
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"If a higher percentage of this was spent with local businesses, it would be potentially game changing for local businesses, Irish jobs, and the ability to fund our public services," she added.
The research shows that shoppers have fewer issues shopping online with domestic retailers than with their international counterparts.
Local online retailers here also outperformed international retailers for having faster delivery, and being a good choice environmentally.
However, international retailers outperformed Irish retailers on the perception of offering good value for money.
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment figures show that small businesses employ about 1.2 million people in Ireland - 70% of jobs in the 'non-financial' business economy.
