Buy-Local Movement Sweeping America

Posted by JoshAK under Management
From http://www.retailpackaging.com 5425 days ago
Made Hot by: on June 19, 2009 7:48 pm

Consumers are stepping up support for local businesses. Are you missing out on support from your local community?

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Comments

Written by lyceum
5425 days ago

I think it is good if you are doing it for the right reasons, e.g., getting better quality and products at a good value. I am against the protectionism that is sweeping America, saying that you should buy American only because it is made in America. You have to understand the positive things with global trade and a free exchange of goods and services.

Here in Europe you could find a strong support for "local produced" stuff, e.g., the "slow food" movement.

I believe that the local butcher and the gourmet shop could coexist with the big grocery store chains, in a free market place.

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Written by ShawnHessinger
5425 days ago

I think the buy local movement is an interesting phenomenon coming as it does in conjunction or on the heels, depending on your analysis, of the emerging global economy. Both models create obvious benefits including to small business.(The global economy is not just about WalMart, and, in fact, such mega retailers and chains may be a very small part of an emerging new economic structure.) The key for small businesses is to understand that the buy local movement is not a movement back toward tradition but into a new future. Unique products, services and ideas remain critical or small businesses run the risk of simply relying on a few well meaning customers who will soon tire of paying higher prices for the exact same experience available at larger retailers.

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Written by JoshAK
5425 days ago

I think you hit the nail on the head with this:

"Unique products, services and ideas remain critical or small businesses run the risk of simply relying on a few well meaning customers who will soon tire of paying higher prices for the exact same experience available at larger retailers."

This movement is definitely an opportunity for small businesses. However, if they don't use their business model to grow with it they run the risk of becoming like many of the big companies that we see failing now because they relied on goodwill and government intervention rather then building competitive businesses.

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