Shop Local

Shop Local - as economic developers we all know the benefits to a community when we can get residents to stay at home and shop locally. As consumers we understand the importance of keeping the small mom and pop stores in our community - in fact, most of us want to retain the unique character that these types of shops provide. So if we know it as professionals, residents and consumers - why do so many of us still shop outside our communities or at big box stores? This was one of the questions we recently discussed with a community who was wanting to put a Shop Local program in place.

Let's face it - convenience is sometimes going to win - the lowest price is sometimes going to win - the brand is sometimes going to win. A community that wants the Shop Local program to be the only shopping option in town is being unrealistic. The consumer wants all the choices available and that means having the convenience of big box along with the uniqueness that only local shopping can provide.

For towns that want to start a Shop Local campaign there are lots of resources available online. The key to getting a program off the ground is to have a champion or champions behind it. The program needs to be sold to your local retailers and residents for it to be successful. Start with a small step and build from there - get your media involved and education your consumers about the dollar value of a Shop Local program.

Here's only a couple of excellent online resources to help your community develop a program:

• StayLocal.org - New Orleans developed this excellent resource for shopping local. The website provides the toolkits, studies, reports and success stories.
• Big Box Tool Kit - This website is a project of Local Self Reliance. It provides a step by step guide to competing and winning against big box.
• Foods Co-op Toolkit - Communities are setting up food co-ops so they can get good food at an affordable price. This website helps communities set up their own food co-ops and buying groups.