Buoyed by Public Support, Independent Businesses Report Strong Sales Growth, National Survey Finds

Date: 11 Feb 2015 | posted in: Press Release, Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Independent businesses saw strong sales growth in 2014 as more consumers embraced the “buy local” movement and ditched big companies in favor of supporting local retailers and small-scale producers, according to a large national survey released today.… Read More

Findings of the 2014 Independent Business Survey

Date: 19 Feb 2014 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

This presentation presents the key findings of the 2014 Independent Business Survey. It includes new data on the impact of “buy local” campaigns; a ranking of the biggest challenges facing small businesses, from online competitors to the difficulty of obtaining financing; and information on the public policy changes that small business owners believe would most help their businesses.… Read More

Independent Business Owners Report Growing Public Support, Call for Policies to Level the Playing Field

Date: 6 Feb 2014 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

A survey of 2,602 independent business owners across the U.S. has found that the Buy Local message is boosting customer traffic and improving the outlook on Main Street. But entrepreneurs also say policymakers need to do more to create a level playing field and ensure that small local businesses have an equal opportunity to compete.… Read More

Local Climate Solutions

Date: 27 Jan 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

What can an individual city or town do to fight climate change? A lot! View these slides from a presentation by ILSR’s Director of Democratic Energy John Farrell to the Northfield Climate Summit on January 18, 2014, to see what one small Minnesota town has done, what other steps it can take as part of the … Read More

Survey Finds Independent Businesses Benefit from “Buy Local First” Campaigns, But Challenges Loom

Date: 6 Feb 2013 | posted in: Press Release, Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

ILSR’s annual survey has found that independent businesses experienced solid revenue growth in 2012, buoyed in part by “buy local first” initiatives. But the survey also documented challenges facing independent businesses, most notably an increase in “showrooming” and competition from online retailers, tax and subsidy policies that favor their big competitors, difficulty obtaining loans, and a customer base still reeling from the recession.… Read More

Local Revival: Building a Decentralized Economy

Date: 14 Dec 2012 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Local farms, independent retailers, and community banks are all experiencing newfound public support. While these trends are encouraging, local businesses still account for only a small share of the economy. In this 15-minute talk, given in May 2012, ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell presents a compelling case for moving local enterprises from the economy’s margins to its mainstream.… Read More

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