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The move comes as research from one of the UK’s biggest banks predicted a boom in local stores as more consumers stick to shopping locally.
The Scottish campaign’s aim is to nurture support for local businesses during the recovery from lockdown and Covid 19.
Scotmid chief executive John Brodie said: “Scotmid’s core purpose is to serve our communities and improve people’s everyday lives, so we are delighted to support an initiative with the same objective.
“Throughout the pandemic, communities have depended on local businesses working tirelessly to meet their changing needs.
“We must continue to support those who have been there for us; local businesses are a key part of the post-pandemic revival.
“The message to ‘think local first’ is simple but powerful. The future of businesses and jobs around us depends upon the decisions we all make. Choosing local makes a real difference.”
The Scotland Loves Local campaign is spearheaded by Scotland’s Town Partnership (STP) and backed by the Scottish government.
STP chief officer Phil Prentice said: “Scotmid and its staff are among those who have been there like never before for the communities it serves throughout the pandemic – going above and beyond to help their customers when they needed them most.
“We are delighted – and grateful – to them for supporting the Scotland Loves Local campaign.
“This sponsorship allows us to shout even louder about why it’s so important for us all to show loyalty to our communities and stick with our local businesses.”
Scotmid has 187 convenience stores across Scotland, employing more than 3,000 people.
The Barclays survey backed the idea that local shopping could become even more important in the next 12 months.
The research, by Barclays Corporate Banking, suggested that 17.000 local stores could open in the next year as British shoppers adapt to a post-lockdown world by “looking local”.
Barclays Corporate Banking’s research shows that home and hybrid working patterns will persist into 2022 for more than two fifths (44%) of workers, with 16% expecting to work entirely from home and 28% anticipating a part-home, part-office model.
A quarter of consumers (25%) now say that the best way a retailer can appeal to them is to open stores in their local area.
