Survey Shows Independent Businesses Boast Strong Holiday Sales

A study from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) found that a sample of independent businesses across America showed higher than average sales growth compared to industry-wide averages over the 2011 holiday season. A report by the institute's Stacy Mitchell indicates that this upward trend might be the results of "growing public interest in supporting locally owned retail stores, banks, restaurants, and other enterprises." The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) was very encouraged to hear the news

One major finding from the survey, over three-quarters of the respondents indicated that "public awareness of the benefits of supporting locally owned businesses had increased in the last year." This statement indicates that "buying local" might be on the minds of more shoppers moving forward.

While the news supports comments our organizations has received from some Andersonville businesses, BALLE and ILSR do take care to note that Buy Local First campaigns are encouraging, but not exactly causal. However, among independent businesses, the institute concluded that survey results found annual revenues up 7.2% in communities with an active "buy local" campaign. This is compared to a 2.6% increase in annual revenues in areas without an initiative.