The readers of Construction Distribution may differ in their product line cards, their mix of customers and the number of locations they have, but one thing all readers have in common is they are independently owned local businesses. As such, you have probably struggled with competition from national chains.
STIHL is now sponsoring Independent We Stand, a movement to educate consumers on the benefits of supporting local businesses, and in turn their local communities. Studies have shown that locally owned businesses reinvest locally at a rate 60 percent higher than large chains. That means when you spend $100 at an independent business, $68 returns to the local community; when you spend that same amount at a national chain, only $43 goes back to your town or city.
Independent We Stand and STIHL are working to spread the knowledge of the benefits of spending locally through the website www.IndependentWeStand.org, which provides useful tools for business owners and others who would like to get involved in the “buy local” movement.
Register your store
One of the actions you can take to help promote the “buy local” movement is register your store at www.IndependentWeStand.org. Your store will become part of a searchable online database consumers can use to find local businesses in their communities. Since the cause was launched in September 2010, nearly 40,000 consumers and business owners have joined the movement. The website also includes a variety of tools to help you promote your involvement in Independent We Stand. Educate yourself on the issues by reading the website’s articles explaining the economic benefits of spending money locally. You will also find downloadable marketing materials, a web button you can post on your website that links to www.IndependentWeStand.org, and Independent We Stand clothing, bumper stickers and other gear. The movement has an eNewsletter, Facebook page, Twitter account and YouTube Channel, all of which feature stories about local businesses across the country.
Choose to buy locally
Getting your company involved in Independent We Stand is only one way to promote local, independent businesses. Another way is to practice what you preach. STIHL includes this report on its website: “A study in Grand Rapids, Mich., found that if 600,000 people shifted 10 percent of their spending to local stores, in one year, the following would be created locally: 1,600 jobs, $137 million in new economic activity, $53 million in new wages.”
STIHL has always maintained a belief in the strength of the local business. They have never sold their products through mass merchants, and are now stepping outside of the outdoor power equipment industry to help small business owners nationwide. Here is your chance to promote your business and promote consumerism at local, independent stores.
Rebecca Wasieleski,
Editor
Rebecca.Wasieleski@cygnusb2b.com