In some of the first research to examine the effectiveness of buy-local campaigns, surveys in two Philadelphia neighborhoods, conducted at the end of a month-long pilot Buy Local Philly program, found that one in six people were aware of the initiative. Of those, 40 percent said they had been motivated to patronize an independent business as a result.… Read More
In an ironic turn of events, Wal-Mart has called on the British government to intervene in the growing market dominance of rival retailer Tesco. … Read More
Grocery and big-box retailers in New York City will be required to contribute a set minimum to their employees’ health insurance, under an ordinance passed by the City Council on a 46 to 1 vote. … Read More
The nation’s largest seller of everything from groceries to toys wants to go into banking. Wal-Mart has applied to open a bank in Utah. State regulators say it will take about four months for them to review the application. … Read More
The New Economics Foundation’s Alternative Mansion House Speech, given by Stacy Mitchell in May 2005.
Independent remodeling businesses are being increasingly squeezed by Home Depot and Lowe’s. Having captured nearly half of all hardware and building supply sales nationally, the two chains are now expanding aggressively into installation services. … Read More
Global retailing giants — including the British chain Tesco, France’s Carrefour, and Walmart — have also been lobbying for an end to rules that bar foreign direct investment in India’s retail sector.… Read More
Two former television journalists are traveling cross country in search of Independent America and are making a documentary about what they find. … Read More
Communities around the country are celebrating the second annual Independents Week, which draws on the July 4th holiday to remind people of the value of locally owned businesses. … Read More
