USA Independent Retailers: Positive Indicators 4-28-2011

Independent Retailers in the USA:Some Positive Indicators!

Prepared by: Crystal Vilkaitis

SnapRetail Director of Social MediaApril 28th, 2011

Research Objectives:

• Find evidence of the health of independent retailers

• Determine whether the concept of “Buy Local” is having an impact on the health of independent retailers

Mini Facebooks inside of Facebook

I. There is evidence that independent retailers are growing!

II. Purchasing from independent retailers boosts local economies

III. There are an increasing number of organizations focused on promoting “buying local”

IV. “Buy local” initiatives increase the growth of independent retailers within their community

V. The Opportunity is huge because almost 50% of independent businesses are retailers

VI. SnapRetail is riding the “buy local” wave and needs to align itself as much as possible to this sentiment

Summary: Conclusions

Supporting Research Findings

I. There is some evidence that independent gift and

home retailers are growing

Considerable Wholesale Sales Growth at 2010 and 2011 Dallas Winter Markets

Source: Brandwise and The Gift and Home Association

And in Atlanta , despite the January 2011 blizzard….

Sales Were Slightly Up over 2010

Source: Brandwise and The Gift and Home Association

Signs of Change: Almost ¾ of 2009 Pharmacy Openings were Independents!

Source: Localism Index, March 2011

Note: Independent Pharmacies Sell Many Gift and Personal Care Items!


78% of consumers shop locally-based home accent stores at least a few times a year;

31% at least once a month

Source: Home Accent Today and HGTV Consumer Survey; 3,531 consumers surveyed

II. Purchasing from independent retailers

boosts local economies!

$$ spent w independents goes back into local economy > 2x more than $$ spent at Target!


Multiplier effect: Spending higher % locally puts even more $ back into local economy

Source: Yes Magazine

The Public Now “Gets” the Benefit of Local Spending!

Survey gathered data from 2,768 independent, locally owned businesses during an 8-day period in January.

Consumers care about shopping Locally


Why Consumers Shop Locally“Specialists offer more unique items, not just cookie-cutter items you find at chain stores.” – 45-year-old, California

“Specialty stores tend to have more unique pieces that you won’t get at a big-box store and I am contributing to the local small businesses” – 23-year-old, Georgia

“They sell unique pieces that have character” – 30-year-old, Ohio

“The products tend to be more unique and not so mass-marketed. Also, store personnel are more knowledgeable” 39-year-old, North Carolina

“I like to support our local economy and I like being able to speak face-to-face with someone if I’m having a problem” -59-year-old, Missouri

Source: Home Accent Today and HGTV Consumer Survey

III. There are an increasing number of organizations

focused on promoting “buying local”

Almost 7x Increase in Independent Business Alliances and Local First groups in 5 Yrs!


IV. “Buy local” initiatives increase the growth of independent

retailers within their community


Independent business associations increase Sales!


Holiday Sales Higher in Cities with Buy Local Programs!

V. The Opportunity is Huge Because almost 50% of independent

businesses are retailers


• Surveyed 2,768 independent, locally owned businesses in Jan, 2011

•All 50 states

•Included a range of business types:

Big Opportunity for Snap: Almost 50% of Independent Businesses are Retail!

VI. SnapRetail is riding the “buy local” wave and needs to align itself as much

as possible to this sentiment

Share Socially. Buy Locally.

SHARE SOCIALLY; BUY LOCALLY!

USA Independent Retailers: Positive Indicators 4-28-2011

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Transcript of USA Independent Retailers: Positive Indicators 4-28-2011