Seaboard wine 2

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.

Source: AIBA Economic Impact case study – Dec. 2002


Local merchants keep their modest profits in the local economy.

Source: AIBA Economic Impact case study – Dec. 2002


Local merchants provide strong support to local artists and authors, creating further local economic impact.

Source: AIBA Economic Impact case study – Dec. 2002

Development of urban sites with directly competitive chain merchants will reduce the overall vigor of the local economy.

Source: AIBA Economic Impact case study – Dec. 2002


Modest changes in consumer spending habits can generate substantial local economic impact.

Source: AIBA Economic Impact case study – Dec. 2002


If each household simply redirected just $100 of planned holiday spending from chain stores to locally owned merchants, the local economic impact would reach approximately $10 million.

Source: AIBA Economic Impact case study – Dec. 2002