It is 7:30 a.m. on a Monday morning. Another relaxing weekend has come and gone and before venturing back into the busy work world for five full days, a cup of warm, fresh-brewed coffee is the first thing on the agenda. More often than not, Americans in this situation are going to visit a national chain (i.e. Starbucks or McDonald’s) to satisfy their java craving. Please don’t misunderstand; Vision Marketing is a fan of these national brands, but after working with our Retail Merchant’s Association this summer on a Buy Local promotional campaign, it has reminded us how beneficial buying locally can be. As a result it has also inspired this blog post to share some of the reasons why a person should consider buying local:
Local businesses regularly give back to the community Have you ever noticed how the list of sponsors on a little league baseball team’s jersey is, more often than not, of beloved local businesses? According to sustainableconnections.org, community groups receive an average of 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.
It helps protect the environment! Not buying locally often means a lot of transportation in order to obtain distantly produced goods. Most imports are done by shipping and according to research done by elocal.com, transportation by shipping produces emissions of 1 billion metric tons of CO2 and uses 11 billion gallons of fuel per year internationally.
It stimulates the local community According to research by the nonprofit Institute for Local Self-
Reliance, and Austin (Tex.) consulting firm Civic Economics, for every $100 spent at a locally owned store, $45 remains in the local economy, compared with about $13 per $100 spent at a big box. Knowing this, why not make an effort to invest in your local community?
It promotes a family atmosphere A sense of community in your local area is important. Uniqueness often fosters that feeling. Multiple states across the U.S. can boast about having a Starbucks, but being able to offer something different creates pride and bonding in the community. Supporting local businesses helps give the place you call home a unique character and draw.
As you can see, buying locally does have its advantages. However, the point of this blog post is not to shun big-named businesses. It is simply to point out that the option of buying locally deserves more thought and consideration.
For communities and local businesses interested in developing their own Buy Local Campaign, contact Vision Marketing today for help with your promotional materials. Call us toll free at 1-877-563-5654 or send an e-mail inquiry to ron@visionmarketinginc.com.
Here are a few more poster designs that we can customize and print for your business.
