Go Where the Locals Shop

Thursday, March 11, 2010

BUY LOCAL - Go Where the Locals Shop

"Buy Local" Specialty Virginia License Plate

As you are aware, Retail Alliance is actively working to promote a "buy local" campaign. You are probably aware of the fact that small businesses employ just over half of the country's private sector workforce. Such enterprises also represent 97.3% of all the exporters of goods and 99.7% of all employer firms.

Furthermore, buying locally helps produce more income, jobs, and tax receipts for local communities than dollars spent with big box stores. Local businesses are more likely to utilize local ads, banks and other services. Local businesses donate more money to nonprofits and are more accountable to their local communities. Supporting local businesses preserves the economic diversity of our communities and the unique character of our neighborhoods. And, supporting local businesses is good for the environment, because it cuts down on fuel consumption. Buying locally produced goods reduces the need to ship goods from thousands of miles away and also cuts down on the distances shoppers travel.

We now have a new opportunity to promote buying locally.

Sen. Yvonne Miller is sponsoring legislation that will create a "buy local" specialty Virginia license plate. In order to secure the plate, Retail Alliance must submit 350 pre-paid applications. Upon presentation of the applications to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, delivery of the plates should be no later than October 1, 2010. If fewer than 350 applications are collected by July 1, 2010, all funds will be returned by July 10, 2010.

Download Licence Plate Application Download Full Explanatory Letter Virginia DMV

Our goal is to promote a "buy local" mentality throughout the year!

Buy Local

Join Retail Alliance in celebrating the impact of small independent businesses on our economy and help encourage consumers to participate in protecting the backbone of our communities.

Small independent businesses are a primary economic driver in Virginia and the nation. Small businesses pay 45% of the total US payroll and have generated 60-80% of the net new jobs every year for the past decade. Large businesses have cut employees; small businesses are holding their own. Small businesses with fewer than 100 employees provide work for 41 million Americans. It is estimated that of $100 spent with a locally owned business, $68 remains in the community in the way of wages, taxes, advertising, contributions etc.

Beginning July 1, Retail Alliance will run a campaign educating consumers about the important role small independent businesses play in our economy and encouraging them to make a choice to spend their money where it will do the most good – with their friends and neighbors. The campaign, “Go Where the Locals Shop,” will launch in conjunction with National Independents Week (July 1-7) and continue throughout the year.

All Retail Alliance members have received door clings identifying them as small independent merchants. Postcards offering discounts at participating merchants have also been mailed to members.

The public will learn about the campaign through a series of electronic public service announcements and media opinion pieces. Members are encouraged to write their own letters of support to their local media.
Throughout the year, working with local elected officials, Retail Alliance will conduct events demonstrating the importance of shopping locally and sharing stories with local media.

The results could be impactful.

More than 99% of Retail Alliance members are small independent operations. According to BusinessWeek, such buy-local campaigns help not only businesses, but communities as well by keeping much-needed tax dollars in the area, by keeping cities vibrant, and by strengthening employment since local businesses are likely to employ local residents.

One recent survey (January 2009) showed that for independent retailers in cities with buy-local campaigns, holiday sales declined just 3.2% from the prior year, compared to a 5.6% decline for those in cities with no buy-local campaigns, and a 9.8 % drop nationwide.

Take the Buy Local Survey

Participants

•    A. Dodson's, Suffolk
•    Abuelo's, Chesapeake
•    Advance Signs & Engraving, Courtland
•    Advertising Specialties & Promotions, Hardy
•    Alphabet Soup, Franklin
•    Altschul's, Norfolk
•    AMS Retail Solutions, Virginia Beach
•    Angry Adams Inc., Portsmouth
•    Attic Treasures Antique Mall, Norfolk
•    B' Suited Boutique, Chesapeake
•    Bayview BP, Norfolk
•    Bead Haven, Hampton
•    The Bead Cottage, Virginia Beach
•    Bonnie Arnold's, Norfolk
•    Book Owl. Portsmouth
•    Bradshaw-Kimbrel Technology Group, LLC, Franklin
•    Buchanan's, Smithfield
•    Cafe Chambord, Virginia Beach
•    Carolina Cupcakery, Chesapeake
•    Carousel Paint Corp., Portsmouth
•    Cheap Local Deals LLC, Chesapeake
•    Comet Plumbing, Inc., Virginia Beach
•    Commonwealth Employee Benefit Solutions, Inc., Virginia Beach
•    Connie's Kids, Ltd., Chesapeake
•    D.B. Bowles Jewelers, Suffolk
•    Decorum of Virginia Inc., Norfolk
•    Diamond Mobile Auto Detailing & Pressure Washing, Virginia Beach
•    Dolls of Diane, Williamsburg
•    Dray's Digifoto Services, Portsmouth
•    Dynamo Electric, Inc., Williamsburg
•    East Beach Catering, Norfolk
•    Eastern Shore Coastal Roasting Co. LC, Willis Wharf
•    Elite Clothiers, Chesapeake
•    Fairfield Flowers Inc., Virginia Beach
•    Fran's Fashions, Norfolk
•    Garden Gazebo, Norfolk
•    The General Store, Moneta
•    The Gym Downtown, Norfolk

• Hi Ho Silver, Virginia Beach, Newport News, Norfolk, Williamsburg

•    Home Brew USA, Norfolk
•    Hughes Florist, Portsmouth
•    Intercarats, LLC, Norfolk
•    Interstate Cash Register, Norfolk
•    Jewelry Repair & Design, Portsmouth
•    JoJack's Espresso Bar & Café, Portsmouth
•    K&J Lawn and Garden Service, LLC, Chesapeake
•    Lake Wicker & Patio, Moneta
•    Laura Dowell State Farm, Portsmouth
•    The Lemon Cabana, Virginia Beach
•    The Lint Lady, Virginia Beach
•    Mackans Office Supply & Printing, Franklin
•    Maternity Boutique, Virginia Beach
•    MCS Computers, LLC, Chesapeake
•    Meier's Bedding, Inc., Daleville
•    Newsoms Peanut Shop, LLC, Newsoms
•    Nunez Fine Jewelers, LLC, Virginia Beach
•    Paneling Factory of Va., Inc., Norfolk
•    Pasha Mezze, Norfolk
•    Pearle Vision, Norfolk
•    Philip Michael Fashion for Men, Norfolk
•    Pizazz Jewelry, Virginia Beach
•    Powell Home, Suffolk
•    Powerhouse Advertising, Virginia Beach
•    Prime Outlets Williamsburg, Williamsburg
•    Prolific Payment Solutions, Chesapeake
•    The Quality Shop, Norfolk
•    Rapid Refill Ink, Norfolk
•    The Royal Chocolate, Virginia Beach
•    SaranDebity, Chesapeake
•    Sasi Fashions, Virginia Beach
•    Send Out Cards, Virginia Beach
•    Smithfield Ice Cream Parlor, Smithfield
•    Spectrum Printing, Virginia Beach
•    Swisher Pens, Virginia Beach
•    T-N-T Auto Body Repair, LLC, Gladehill
•    Telemedia Productions, Hardy
•    Tidewater Women Magazine, Virginia Beach
•    Town Planner Calendar, Chesapeake
•    Travelhost, Williamsburg
•    The Traveling 2, Portsmouth
•    Vector Security, Virginia Beach
•    The Velveteen Rabbit, Chesapeake
•    VitaZen, Hardy
•    Wade Insurance Agency, Virginia Beach
•    Way Back Yonder Antiques, LLC, Portsmouth
•    Wild River Outfitters, Inc., Virginia Beach
•    Williamsburg Fine Art, Williamsburg
•    Zero's Subs , Virginia Beach

If your business participates in Shop Local and your decal is displayed on you store front window or door and you do not see your name on this list, please email Tanya Profancik.

If a Retail Alliance staff member visits your store and you have a "Shop Local" Decal displayed, you will be entered for a chance to win $500 in FREE advertising in the Retail Angles.

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