ILSR’s Annual Independent Business Survey
ILSR’s annual Independent Business Survey gathers data from thousands of locally owned, independent businesses across the country. … Read More
A Tool to Find Banks that Invest in the Local Economy
A new tool called Bank Local, which was developed with input from ILSR and other experts, makes it easier to assess the impact that banks have on their communities.… Read More
Buoyed by Public Support, Independent Businesses Report Strong Sales Growth, National Survey Finds
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
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
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
Indie Revival
Presentation given by Stacy Mitchell at the Alliance of Independent Media Stores conference in Atlanta on September 12, 2013.… Read More
Survey Finds Independent Businesses Benefit from “Buy Local First” Campaigns, But Challenges Loom
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
Stacy Mitchell on Food Chain Radio
On January 12, 2013, ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell was a guest on Michael Olson’s syndicated Food Chain radio show, where they discussed the shocking level of corporate consolidation in the economy and debated whether we can shop our way back to a strong local economy.… Read More
Local Revival: Building a Decentralized Economy
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