L@@K ;) Strategies to keep local shops alive?!
Any Idea's on how they can survive.
You answers would be very helpful ;)
Answers: Supermarkets are poping up all over the place and it makes me wonder if it will lead to the end of smaller, more local shops.
Any Idea's on how they can survive.
You answers would be very helpful ;)
I live in a smaller community in Northern Arizona and we have a threat of Walmart coming in (it's actually not a threat, they have broken ground where they WILL be) Our community had a SHOP LOCAL campaign that gave back to the customers if they shopped locally. In 4 years time we had as grand prizes sponsored by enrolled business and we gave away a ton of stuff - but the grand prizes were 1) A 40" color TV 2) weekend getaway giveaway to destination list of choice 3) A Cruise to the Caribbean 4) a car. These were some of the grand prizes we gave away to participating community members.
It started with getting local businesses on board that wanted to support the shop local campaign. Once we had businesses involved we devised customer "stamp" cards and the businesses were supposed to stamp the cards (the hardest part of our entire program - that minimum wage employees just couldn't be bothered to add something else to their evergrowing list of duties at the checkout counter! - No, I'm not bitter! lol!) Once a card was fully stamped (No $ limit on the purchases to stamp the cards btw. you could spend $20 and get a fully stamped card.) Drop the completed card in the box with their names on the back and a number to call them at. We did several events throughout the campaign and I'll give you a few examples. we have two grocery stores here in our town (2 small connected towns) and one is a Basha's and one is an IGA. Both markets were participants in the shop local program and both agreed to give away 2 shopping sprees (Where customers were drawn to win a free for all shopping spree for 90 seconds in the store and we had it broadcasted live on the radio with the DJ following behind the winners announcing live on the air what they were grabbing (Hams, Turkeys, Tide detergent, dog food, etc - whatever they really wanted to throw in) I own a small dealership and had the Local fire department here, again the radio station doing a live remote and customers flocking around. The fire department came with their ladder truck and dropped $100.00 from the top of the 60 foot ladder truck. It drew quite a crowd and went over well. We rented a C02 gun to shoott T-shirts into the crowd and they loved it. We did several functions like this and drew quite a few crowds. If you want more information feel free to contact me. There was so much more than what I described and I could give you more info later. Good luck!
Local shops have the opportunity to capitalize on an increasing demand for locally produce meats/fruits/veg, the supermarkets dont give a hoot for well produced goods, they just want to clear bottom line produce at bottom line prices.
Buy Local
By Local
or
Bye Local
Big box chain stores thrive in the suburbs and rural areas where land is cheap and people drive and park there. The scale of these stores is enormous, they can afford to hire lots of part-time staff (and not pay them benefits), and because of economies of scale it is hard for locals to compete with the low prices and advertising of these companies.
To keep things local, we should make our cities more walkable (you'll notice the small mom & pop store if you walk by it, but are much less likely to notice small stores when you drive by). Also, we should increase mixed use buildings and mixed zoning (this means allowing small stores like salons, small groceries, etc. in residential areas instead of banishing them all a mile away where you have to drive to them.)
In addition, we should start to prize quality over quantity. We throw out most of the stuff we buy within 6 months. If we spent a little more money for something of quality at a local store as opposed to buying the cheapest thing made in china, the big box stores would lose some of their appeal.
Just some ideas.
Corner shops are a thing of the past. Supermarkets provide everything we need under one roof. Plenty of choice and good prices mean that they will survive and oust the corner shops.
get public support to buy local, (but saying that the big supermarkets are pushing this as they now provide local produce but if you have a look in store ,there is on little on the shelves).
the public will always want the best price for their money they get that at a supermarket try getting a loaf of bread at your local bakery for 35p. it all comes down to supply and demand.at the end of the day it is down to the government to make some changes.
Huummm!!!
We (I) live in a city of less than 3000
We had three grocers;,, Holiday ,,4 corners,, and Walt's
Walt's just closed .. can't afford the rent..I doubt it. no competition..
with the concept of the fair market price fixing..
OUR Holiday market receives it's inventory stock and supplies from major cities 200± miles away..
I am sure (now) that the cash registrars access the inventory database..and they fill their stock from central warehouses..
Price fixing (gouging) is not local,,
the independent can access the same data sources to find the wholesale price and then apply their gouge..
What can we do ??? you mean US consumers... Nothing>>>
you and I have no choice..
Rite-Aid moved into town (city) the stationary store closed and one drug store.
YOU CAN STOP Big bucks from taking over..
This is America and there is NO Gandhi to rally the natural and home-crafts and local farmers ..America could never survive as individualists..
90% can not raise a garden,,, for sure not to keep them alive..
HeII Berkeley wants to reject the Marines..
And the democratic left left is pushing for barrack Hussein for president..and American fools are just accepting it..
What next police..
This doesn't just affect local grocers, it affects all independent retailers. Wal-Mart is killing many small retailers and even impacting some manufacturers. The same thing is seen in the book industry with big box stores an online sellers killing the independent book shop. It's a rampant issue in the US affecting many businesses.
We all need to buy local as often as possible. I do go to the supermarket for my standard groceries (no local markets by me) but I go to a butcher for my meat, a fish monger for my seafood, and a farmer's market anytime I see one. But it's hard to make an active choice away from convenience and cheaper prices.