January 17 Deadline for Post-Holiday Survey

Tuesday, January 17, is the deadline for responses to an important post-holiday survey of independent businesses. The American Booksellers Association is encouraging all bookstore members to take just a few minutes to complete the fifth annual survey, conducted in partnership with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and a number of other independent business groups. The survey does not solicit the names of booksellers or their businesses, and only aggregate data will be viewed and released. All individual responses are completely private.

The short survey has two goals:

• To gauge how independent businesses are faring in today’s economy.
• To assess whether people are more aware and supportive of locally owned, independent businesses.

Last year, more than 2,700 businesses completed the survey and its findings were featured in more than 200 stories in local and national news media. The survey provided unique and important data about the viability of independent businesses and the effectiveness of “Buy Local First” initiatives, and it documented increased public support for independent businesses.

Here’s a link to the online survey, which should only take a few minutes to complete; booksellers with questions can e-mail David Grogan, ABA senior public policy analyst.