Image: Norwood Parade
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Norwood has been named South Australia’s favourite destination for discovering and supporting local businesses in a new national ranking celebrating the country’s small business precincts.
The Parade precinct topped South Australia’s results in the inaugural Amex Shop Small Destination Index, ahead of Glenelg, Gilles Plains and Hahndorf.
Mawson Lakes and Pooraka were also included among the state’s leading destinations, alongside Tanunda, Glynde, Unley, Gawler and Bowden.
The ranking was informed by a national survey of more than 4,000 Australians examining the destinations people most strongly associated with shopping, dining and supporting independent operators.
The survey found Australians were drawn to small business destinations offering good food, distinctive local operators and a strong sense of community.
Hospitality remains one of the biggest drivers of small business engagement, with 72 percent of respondents saying cafés, restaurants and bars were the places where they most frequently supported small operators.
Australians were also most likely to discover new businesses by walking past them, reported by 58 percent of respondents, or through recommendations from family and friends, reported by 52 percent.
Almost one in five said they would travel for more than an hour or plan a dedicated trip to explore a small business destination they wanted to support.
The index was released alongside the launch of the 2026 Amex Shop Small Grants Program, which will provide up to $2 million to help Australian small businesses grow, introduce new ideas and contribute to their communities.
The program marks the 14th year of the Shop Small campaign in Australia.
American Express has committed an initial $1 million to provide 50 grants worth $20,000 each to eligible small businesses across the country, including operators in metropolitan and regional South Australia.
A further contribution of up to $1 million will be linked to eligible American Express Card transactions made at participating Shop Small businesses from August 1 to 7.
For every eligible transaction made during that period, American Express will contribute another $1 to the grants program, potentially funding up to 50 additional grants.
The transactions will only be used to calculate the company’s contribution, with customers not making a donation or paying anything beyond the cost of their purchase.
Mainstreet Australia President Joyce Watts said the funding could help operators invest in projects that benefited both their businesses and their surrounding precincts.
“Small businesses are the heart and soul of Australia’s main streets. They create jobs, bring character to our communities and give people a reason to shop, dine and connect in local neighbourhoods,” she said.
“The Amex Shop Small Grants program supports people with the ideas and passion to strengthen those places, whether that means a refreshed shopfront, new equipment or a new experience that brings a precinct to life.”
The national survey found 93 percent of Australians believed supporting small businesses was important, while 88 percent agreed small operators helped make local areas vibrant and distinctive.
Watts encouraged South Australian businesses and precincts to submit their ideas for consideration.
“Mainstreet Australia is proud to partner with American Express to deliver this initiative nationally and we encourage Australian small businesses and precincts to submit their ideas,” she said.
“When our small businesses thrive, our main streets thrive, creating stronger communities for everyone.”
Applications for the $20,000 Amex Shop Small grants are open until September 6, 2026.
For more head to, https://mainstreetaustralia.org.au/amexshopsmallgrantsprogram/.
