LocalGoodz.com Partners With Independent Business Advocacy Groups To Launch “Shop Indie Local”

Toronto, Ontario – On November 1, the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) will launch its Shop Indie Local holiday campaign, encouraging individuals and businesses to shift more of their holiday shopping, entertaining and dining to locally owned and independent businesses. LocalGoodz.com, along with sixty business alliances and networks in towns and cities throughout North America will kick off this collaborative campaign next week. The campaign continues through December.

Shop Indie Local is a time to celebrate locally owned businesses and shift spending from chain stores and online giants to these businesses. This campaign inspires individuals to take positive action by boosting the ripple effect of economic and community benefits received when they spend dollars at locally owned and independent businesses. Shop Indie Local reminds individuals that the holiday season is full of friendly, community-centered alternatives to the consumer frenzy that descends upon the nation each November.

As part of the Shop Indie Local festivities, LocalGoodz.com will be offering special offers to both vendors and shoppers alike. “The Shop Indie Local holiday campaign is a perfect fit for our Toronto/Ontario focused local shopping marketplace”, said Gil Katz of LocalGoodz.com.

AMIBA invites all independent business alliances, neighborhood associations and local economy-minded business networks to help grow this campaign. Partners bring their own local flair, using Shop Indie Local templates, as well as incorporating events like Plaid Friday and Cider Monday (pro-local antidotes to the chain-centered Black Friday and Cyber Monday) into their efforts. The campaign also encourages people to employ the energy and resources of Small Business Saturday and Giving Tuesday as part of their season-long outreach. A Shop Indie Local partner invitation is available at shopindielocal.org.

The campaign also makes a timely economic case for buying local. Every dollar spent at a local, independent business returns 2-3 times more to be re-spent in the community compared to a dollar spent at a non-local business. With consumers reporting that they will spend an average $1,007 for holiday shopping this year, according to the National Retail Federation, a shift to local purchases represents a significant contribution to local jobs and taxes. Sustained “buy local” campaigns have demonstrated their capacity to shift sizable portions of that spending from chains and remote businesses to local entrepreneurs, according to the Institute for Local Self Reliance. ILSR indexes key local economy studies at ILSR.org.

Derek Peebles, executive director of AMIBA, notes that redirecting spending on gifts, dining, beverages, decorations, party planning and local experiences creates an opportunity to make a real impact on each participating community’s local economy. “Regardless of the size of your holiday budget, each dollar matters when we Shop Indie Local. Your gift today to a family member or friend can build a legacy in your community tomorrow.”

About Shop Indie Local
Shop Indie Local provides a gateway to resources from many community campaigns and includes easy-to-use graphics and activities that allow participating partners to spread the critical message easily where they live. Visit the site for information on the campaign, partnering organizations, special events, and stories from communities. Shop Indie Local is in collaboration with local economy leaders at the American Independent Business Alliance and sixty partners throughout North America: shopindielocal.org.

About LocalGoodz.com
LocalGoodz.com is an online marketplace for locally-made products, starting with the Toronto / Ontario area. Products are either designed, manufactured or uses locally-made raw materials to qualify as vendors and benefit from no monthly fees and a low commission on orders. Now shoppers can easily find Christmas gifts made in the Toronto area. Shop at LocalGoodz.com

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