Holiday Sales Increase at Independent Businesses, National Survey Finds

For the third year in a row survey results show independent retailers out performing national chains. The survey found that holiday sales for independent retailers were up an average of 2.2%. That contrasts with the Commerce Department figures which show that overall retail sales were down 0.3% in December and up 1.8% in November.
 
Results from Whatcom County found that our local stores also outperformed national chains, 86% of Sustainable Connections members polled feel that our Think Local First campaign is having a positive impact on their business, 92% think that it matters to their customers that their business is locally owned, and 80% of local participants agree that the public awareness of the benefits of supporting local businesses has increased over the last year.
 
"For the third year in a row, this study demonstrates the bottom-line impact of local business alliances running Think Local First campaigns," said Michelle Long, executive director of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. "Local entrepreneurs are the bedrock of the U.S. economy and, when they work together, they make our communities more resilient, unique, and rewarding places to live."
 
Read the official press release from Stacy Mitchell of New Rules Project.