Reid Office Supply
Why Buy Local?
Supporting your community equals a lifetime of benefits
Economic Impact
Money spent with Walker County businesses stays in
Walker County
Independent
Office Supply
Dealer
Local
Accountants
Local Service
Providers
Local Banks
For every $100 dollars spent at
a local business, as much
as $68 stays in the local
economy, compared to $43
when the same amount is
spent at a chain store.
Local
Contractors
“Andersonville Study of Retail
Economics”
Local Attorneys
Local Retailers
Local
Advertising
Agencies
Economic Impact
Every dollar spent locally will turnover 5-7 more times in
our economy, based upon the national average
Dollars spent with local businesses (68% on first $100)
$100
$68
$46
$31
$21
$15
$10
$7
$198
Dollars spent with chain stores (43% on first $100)
$100
$43
$29
$20
$14
$9
$6
$4
THE BUCK STAYS HERE
Dollars invested with local independently owned businesses
earn a significantly higher rate of community return +58%
$125
Economic Impact
• Local businesses provide a strong foundation for
the community - taxes, fees, and other assessments
• These fees support public services, education,
parks, and other essential community programs
• Chain stores are often granted tax subsidies and
other preferential treatment that reduce their
contributions to the local community
Job Creation
Buying Local Creates and Sustains Jobs
• Small businesses are the largest employer
nationally and provide the most new jobs to local
residents
• A chain store may create new jobs, but
numerous studies indicate they displace more
than one job for each job created
Freedom of Choice
• Our freedom of choice is greatly diminished
without a vibrant local business community
• Even though a big chain outlet may have a
broad product offering, a number of independent
businesses create greater diversity and options
Social Impact
• Non-profit organizations receive an average
250% greater support from local business
owners than they do from non-locally owned
businesses
• When you shop local, you’re supporting the
businesses that support local churches, schools,
charities, youth groups, sports programs and
more
Community Character
• Supporting local independent businesses
preserves the character and uniqueness of the
community
• It encourages entrepreneurial spirit which
attracts new commerce and creates new jobs
Why Shop Local?
• Local Businesses:
– Keep more money in our community
– Contribute more to the local tax base
– Create more jobs
– Ensure choices and foster competition
– Support local charities and community causes
– Preserve what makes our community special
What We’re Doing
Among others, a portion of our profits are shared with:
• Covenant House for Homeless Youth
• Star of Hope for Houston’s Homeless
• KSBJ 89.3 Radio Ministry
We are members of:
• Huntsville-Walker Co. Chamber of Commerce
• Livingston-Polk Co. Chamber of Commerce
• Preferred Partners
Sources
• Thinking Outside the Box: A Report on Independent
Merchants and the Local Economy, Sept 2009
• Local Works: Examining the Impact of Local Business on
the West Michigan Economy, Sept 2008
• Procurement Matters: The Economic Impact of Local
Suppliers, Nov 2007
• The San Francisco Retail Diversity Study, May 2007
• Job Creation or Destruction? Labor-Market Effects of
Wal-Mart Expansion, University of Missouri, Feb 2005
• The Andersonville Study of Retail Economics, Oct 2004
• The Economic Impact of Locally Owned Businesses vs.
Chains: A Case Study in Midcoast Maine, Sept 2003
Reid Office Supply
Why Buy Local?
Supporting your community equals a lifetime of benefits