How It All Began
Independent Retailer Month is celebrated each July across the United States. While consumers are encouraged to shop locally all year long, this month highlights it. The first time that something like this happened was in 2003 when Tom Shay, principal of Profits Plus, created "National Independent Retailer Week." A few years later in 2009, Kerry Bannigan, co-founder of Nolcha Shows, did a similar type of week to encourage people to buy from independent fashion retailers. Her event was city-wide in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New Jersey and was featured on many national television networks.
In 2011, Shay and Bannigan came together and began discussing an idea that would include all types of businesses. "Independent Retailer Month USA" was born that July, 2011, with the goal of becoming a global campaign. It expanded to the United Kingdom too, and in 2012, Canada jumped on board.
Why You Should Shop Local
Shopping at small, independent retailers in your city or town has a very positive impact on both the social and economic development of a community. Some of the benefits that come with it are:
- Personal Touch
"Big box" stores may offer the convenience of having nearly everything in one place, but they are so large they often lack that special, personal touch you get at an independent retailer. There are numerous people on staff at the larger chains, you may never see the same person twice, and often they only know a little bit about one specific area of the store.
The same goes for online shopping. It's convenient, but it has even less of a personal touch. Smaller retailers know everything about all of their products, and you're very likely to see the same smiling faces every time that you visit. This makes for a much more pleasant and personalized shopping experience. - Local Flavor
Large retailers buy everything in bulk and send the same products out to all of their stores all over the country. Independent retailers may not have the ability or the space to make the large orders that the big stores do, but they do have the time and ability to find local companies that offer incredible products that people in that area are truly interested in. Some of the companies on the shelves at Good & Perfect Gifts that are "close to home" include - Good & Perfect Gifts - Eldon, MO
- Wind & Willow - Mt. Vernon, MO
- molly & drew - Sac City, IA
- Swan Creek Candle Co. - Swanton, Ohio
- Community Support
Last, but certainly not least, spending money at a local retailer keeps that money in your community. Studies have shown that an item purchased at a small, local store will usually be spent again up to 15 times before leaving the area. Most money spent at larger chain stores will leave that town immediately. When you support one of your neighbors by shopping locally, that neighbor's business in turn supports the community in which you both live. Win-win!
Independent retailers at the Lake of the Ozarks cover a large area of many small towns filled with creative and talented people. This July, as well as the rest of the year, make an effort to visit some of the small businesses in your area and see what they are all about. You may just discover a brand new favorite store! We hope that Good & Perfect Gifts will become one of your favorites.
A popular destination gift shop near the
Lake of the Ozarks
1603 Business Hwy 54,
Eldon, Missouri 65026
573-392-7900
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