Mobile Applications, such as SCVNGR, may be the key to invigorating local economies by encouraging foot traffic in the door of local establishments.
Mobile Apps enable constant conversation across all digital connections, but the real opportunity is in the potential they have to inspire face-to-face community between shoppers and local, independently owned business locations.
Why shop locally?
1. Significantly more money re-circulates in your community when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned, businesses: More money is kept in the community because locally owned businesses purchase from other local businesses, service providers, and farms. Purchasing locally helps grow other businesses, as well as your community’s tax base.
2. Most new jobs are provided by local businesses: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally.
3. Local business owners invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
4. Customer service is better: Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service.
5. Reduced environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers, as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
6. Public benefits far outweigh public costs: Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services, as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
7. Encourages investment in your community: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.
8. Non-profits receive greater support: Non-profit organizations receive an average 350% greater support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.
Disclaimer: This is my holiday greetings card to (and from) my local merchants!
Why shop at local, independent businesses this holiday season?
Because Community Matters!
Build Community!
The casual encounters you enjoy at neighborhood-scale business and the public spaces around them build relationships and community cohesiveness. They’re the ultimate social networking sites!
Strengthen Your Local Economy!
Each dollar you spend at independent businesses returns 3 times more money to our local economy than one spent at a chain – a benefit we all can bank on.
Shape our Character!
Why did you choose to live here? What keeps you? Independent businesses help give our community its one-of-a-kind personality.
Create a Healthier Environment!
Independent, community-serving businesses are people-sized. They consume less land, carry more locally-made products, locate closer to residents and create less traffic and air pollution.
Lower Taxes!
Local businesses put less demand on our roads, sewers, and safety services and generate more tax revenue per sales dollar, helping keep your taxes lower.
Enhance Choices!
A wide variety of independent business, each serving their customers’ tastes, creates greater overall choice for all of us.
Create Jobs and Opportunities!
Locally-owned businesses also are the customers of local printers, accountants, wholesalers, farms, attorneys, etc., expanding opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Give Back to Your Community!
Indies donate more than twice as much per sales dollar to local non-profits, events, and teams as chains do.
Invitation:
Join me on SCVNGR at http://scvngr.com/cindyfsolomon
Relevant links:
4 Reasons to Invest in Location Based Services http://bit.ly/dbDV2B
Rewards on SCVNGR Spread Holiday Cheer to Businesses http://bit.ly/cfRspj
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