Calling for a Consumer Revolution

Calling for a Consumer Revolution

According to the U.S. Government Small Business Administration (SBA) small businesses are the lifeblood of the US economy as they generate two thirds of new jobs and drive US innovation and competitiveness. They contribute to 44 percent of the US economy which is down from 48% back in 1998. There are over 31 million small businesses in the US. In 2020 alone 9.4 million of these businesses closed, some temporarily and some permanently due to the pandemic despite taxpayer support in grants and loans. It was expected for many of these small businesses to close down their physical presence due to various local lockdowns and restrictions. However, consumer behavior is also partly to blame for this as we have moved increasingly away to shop elsewhere. We as a nation have increasingly changed our buying behavior over the years by shopping at big box stores and their online equivalent. There is a tremendous hidden cost to this behavior as it drives a lot of small shops out of business. This has also caused a devastating impact to local economies with a lot of vacant real estate and a decline in tax revenues. This in turn has resulted in lower budgets for the local city government.

It is mind boggling that there are a few large companies who are getting into every aspect of retail; essentially selling everything from underwear to pasta to books to electronics also under their own brand while trying to trample even the independent sellers of goods within their marketplace. It is also concerning that the large restaurant chains are driving the independent restaurants out of business. Do we want to become a society where everyone is working for couple of large companies and buying everything from daily essentials to food to luxury items from them? Do we really want to become so homogenous and boring? Also, what happens to the millions of businesses which will eventually shut down? Do we want everyone to be working in a warehouse or a restaurant kitchen for a large company (not that it isn't a decent job) only to be edged out by robots? Isn't that going to be detrimental to our economic future? Meanwhile as the economy is left with fewer large companies, economic theory dictates that prices will eventually rise, and innovation will be stifled.

It is still not too late to save our local economy. It is about time we start patronizing small businesses and learning more about our town. Many people have been doing this for years but for some of us it has not been a priority.

When you have an option, shop with a small business either physically or online when needed. Try to eat at family run restaurants or patronize the local spa for your well-being. Try to develop relationships with your local business or that small online business where there are real people behind the products.

 

 

Typically, the local bakery bread and pastries have less additives. The handcrafted furniture from that small business is more environmentally sustainable and will be longer lasting. The produce at the local market is a lot fresher and tastes better. If there is a jacket or a shoe that needs a repair don't throw it away; have it repaired at the local tailor or the shoe repair shop. This will save the planet.

Spend time sipping that wonderful brew at the local coffee shop. Enjoy simple pleasures of life with that freshly made ice-cream at the local creamery. Browse books at the local bookstore while sipping that freshly brewed tea with baked scones. Get those fresh spices for your cooking from that local spice shop. Your food will taste a whole lot better. Don't forget to get those fresh herbs from the local apothecary for your wellness. Savor that unique cheese from the cheese shop. Get physically fit with a personal trainer at the local gymnasium or take a Yoga class with that certified Yoga instructor for your well-being. And above all, as you shop at these businesses don’t forget to make connections and friends.

By patronizing local businesses, we are propping up the local economy. As the local economy grows our houses become more valuable and our local schools have bigger budgets as a result. We shouldn't be fooled in thinking we alone can’t make a difference. When there are options let us all shop at small businesses. It is better for all of us in the long run. This is not a call for a boycott of larger companies. It is about supporting small businesses that will help grow our local economy. It is about time we all start a revolution together. It has to come from within one baby step at a time. The time is now!