IT is hoped more consumers aged under 30 will buy locally and heed a campaign aimed at supporting Border traders hit by coronavirus fallout.
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A Go Local First drive was endorsed on Wednesday by Albury mayor Kevin Mack.
"People need to think about when they go online...can they actually buy it locally and you'd be surprised how the local businesses can price match but they just don't give them the option," Cr Mack said.
The mayor was speaking at Dean Street store Lighting Bonanza, which stayed open through the lockdown but saw trade slump.
Owner-manager Stephen Porter said there were more than instant benefits to purchasing locally.
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"It helps the community with sponsorships for sports teams and all the schools and so forth come in for donations....so it's really good to give back to the community," Mr Porter said.
He said it was noticeable that those under 30 were more likely to go online rather than in-store.
"It is generational, 30-pluses still like to come out and touch and feel, whereas the younger generation don't want to leave the home," Mr Porter said.
"It is a pity because you can learn so much more by actually getting out and talking to someone that knows their product and what they're doing."
The Albury Northside Chamber of Commerce is supporting the campaign, with general manager Carrick Gill-Vallance saying "a lot of young people target convenience and pricing over shopping locally".
Mr Porter noted online retailers did not have the same margins, but pointed to technical knowledge and after-sales service as advantages to buying locally.
The chamber has posted stories of 18 Border businesses on its website and Albury Council's economic development team is urging traders to email a picture and small blurb to ecodev@alburycity.nsw.gov.au to allow it to do social media promotion.
Mr Gill-Vallance said it was apparent Albury's dining sector had "shot back up" with Wodonga residents enjoying the chance to eat north of the Murray River.
"Accommodation is still feeling quite a significant amount of pain and they probably won't see any relief until the border closures are removed," he added, noting Sydneysiders perceived that the area was a hotspot.
