Why Shop at Home?
Some of you have probably noticed the big colorful signs in most of the businesses in Canton, that ask you to Buy Local, Shop Canton First etc… The purpose of these signs is to urge Canton residents to support your local businesses. The reason may seem obvious to some, but I would be willing to wager that most people don’t really understand why it is so important to buy locally. If Canton wants to keep the small town atmosphere we cherish, we need to keep our dollars in town. In addition, if Canton residents believe we need a new pool or senior citizens center, then it is imperative that we shop local and keep the tax dollars in Canton. Shopping local is a 2-way street, the local businesses also need to make a strong effort to attract customers by offering exemplary service at a competitive price, that way residents won’t feel the need to go elsewhere. Below is an article By Jeff Eckhoff, Executive Director, Minnehaha & Lincoln County Economic Development Associations that details some of these reasons to shop local.
What does SHOPPING AT HOME have to do with economic development?
By Jeff Eckhoff, Executive Director, Minnehaha & Lincoln County Economic Development Associations Let’s face it, we live in a society where convenience is a major decision maker. We want things easy and simple. Somehow, we think it’s easier to bring in new businesses to pump up the economy of our community, rather than focusing on a critical component for economic development success—shopping in town. With retailers and their hometown customers working together, shopping at home can be a recipe for success. Each dollar spent in your community is normally re-spent several times before it leaves the community. You buy gas from Pete and he spends your dollars along with his at Bill’s grocery store. Bill buys some shelving at the lumber yard where Janet works as a bookkeeper. Janet spends part of her wages getting her hair cut over at Betty’s Beauty Nook, and so on. Your locally spent dollars go to your neighbors, who then can buy clothes, pick up a pizza or purchase other local services. This economic multiplier is a key factor in every rural community in the United States. The reason so many communities mount “shop at home” campaigns is easy to understand. The super stores are pulling more and more retail shopping dollars out of the smaller communities, threatening the existence of local merchants—and in the process, threatening the quality of life in smaller towns. When dollars are spent outside the community, the internal recycling of money is short-circuited, employment opportunities are reduced and fewer retailers will be around to offer goods and services. The money that could have been cycling through your town, keeping stores open and services available, has gone to support someone else’s economy. Local retailers and community residents should see themselves as a team keeping in-town retail districts strong. Customers must factor in the convenience and extra value of local stores when making buying decisions, understanding that their dollars are a cornerstone of the economic success of their own communities. At the same time, merchants must understand and work to fulfill the needs and desires of the market they serve. When both sides of the equation pull their weight, our communities continue to grow and thrive. |
Canton News 
