Main Street/Shop Local

A national survey conducted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in partnership with ABA and other organizations has found that independent businesses experienced strong sales growth over the holidays and appear to be benefitting from increased public interest in supporting locally owned stores, banks, restaurants, and other enterprises.

Tuesday, January 17, is the deadline for responses to an important post-holiday survey, which seeks to gauge how independent businesses are faring in today’s economy and to assess whether people are more aware and supportive of locally owned, independent businesses.

Candlewick Press and ABA are partnering to bring “Find Waldo Local” to Main Street USA this July. Indie booksellers nationwide are invited to host a month-long scavenger hunt for Waldo throughout local businesses. The community-wide event was developed to help spread the Shop Local message.

December brought double-digit sales improvements to some indie booksellers, increased online sales to others, and the reversal of a negative trend to another.

ABA is urging members to participate in an important post-holiday survey of independent businesses. Last year’s survey provided unique and important data about the viability of independent businesses and the effectiveness of “Buy Local First” initiatives and garnered attention from more than 200 media outlets.

Here’s a roundup of some of the reaction from booksellers, authors, and the media to last weekend’s promotion for the Amazon price comparison app.

The results of a recent survey of 28 locally owned businesses in Greater Portland, Maine, reveals that every $100 spent at a local business contributes an additional $58 to the local economy, while the same amount spent at a representative national chain store yields just $33 in local economic impact.

Big or small, three years old or 100-plus, many independent bookstores reported robust sales for Black Friday weekend, ranging from five to 250 percent over the same period last year.

Booksellers who are looking to build on the momentum of Small Business Saturday have a ready-made option in the ideas and materials created for the “Shift Your Shopping” campaign.

This Saturday, November 26, is Small Business Saturday, but there’s still time to get involved. Stores can easily add their Facebook page link to the SBS website and download an assortment of promotional materials.