As an independent retailer I appreciate all the well meaning posts from newspapers, retail consultants, chambers of commerce, and others touting how shopping local keeps money in the community, supports local services, and keeps mom and pops in business, while shopping the big box discounters and shopping on-line just funnels dollars to the Big Bad Corporate Retail.
But really? Is shaming local shoppers the way to encourage them to shop local?
The whole shaming thing has not worked since childhood when my mom forced me to eat my spinach because it was healthy, or the spouse who says “lose weight and exercise because you look like a slob”, or the pastor that says come to church or you will go to hell. Great motivators all.
By the way, I spit up my spinach all over my mom so the shaming backfired on her as well.
Even more appalling of late is the trend for retailers to seek your pity by stating how big retail won’t miss your purchase but for local retailers it keeps a roof over their heads, sends their kids to school, and may even change their life.
DO NOT fall for the guilt trip or join the pity parade. Shopping local provides you with the best personal shopping experience and the greatest lasting value. You should shop local because you get the best shopping experience and you deserve the BEST.
When you shop at a local independent retail store:
- You encounter someone who likely knows, likes, and cares about you. Compared to discount employees who ignore you or some creepy algorithm that says, “Welcome back Steven D. Elliott, here are some things that may interest you.”
- You interact with people who truly want to serve you and help you make the best choice. Compared to discount employees who just point to aisle 16 or skimming hundreds of reviews posted by strangers and then choosing alone.
- You receive support from people dedicated to helping you enjoy your purchase and solving any problems you may encounter. Compared to hanging on a support line for hours, shipping things back for a refund, and being left back at your starting point with nothing to show for your time and frustration.
- You enjoy the appreciation and fellowship of people who value you as part of your community. Compared to being nameless a fly-speck on a revenue report for some vending machine.
Shopping local does benefit your entire community but you should shop local because it is by far the best benefit and value for you and you deserve the BEST.
Shop local this holiday season and all year long; you will be glad you did.