Facts About Shopping Local

“Communities are increasingly finding that saving a few bucks often comes at a very high price.” – Stacy Mitchell

_{For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $68 stays in the local economy compared to only $43 if spent at a national chain.}

Source: Civic Economics study on Grand Rapids, Michigan – Sept. 2008

A 10% shift in market share from chains to locals could result in: Nearly $140 million in new economic activity, over 1600 new jobs, and providing over $50 million in new wages.

Source: Civic Economics study on Grand Rapids, Michigan – Sept. 2008

_{Local firms procure local goods and services at more than twice the rate of chains.}

Source: Anderson Study of Retail Economics, Chicago, IL – Oct. 2004

_{Locally-owned firms contribute more to local charities and fundraisers than do their national counterparts.}

_{Source: Anderson Study of Retail Economics, Chicago, IL – Oct. 2004}

_{An additional downward pressure on residents’ wages is associated with the majority of big box chains.

Source: Big Box Retail And Austin – Oct. 2004}

_{It is well documented that local retailers offer much stronger support for local economies than do national chains.}

_{Source: Big Box Retail And Austin – Oct. 2004}

_{Local merchants spend a much larger portion of total revenue on local labor to run the enterprise and sell the merchandise.}