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The Shop Local Movement

downtown illustrationIndependent bookstores are more than just retail outlets – they’re gathering places for book-lovers and neighbors. The ABA and booksellers nationwide are working to raise awareness of the importance of shopping local first so that community-centric businesses will survive and thrive.

Why shop at a locally owned business first? Because far more of the money spent at local businesses is reinvested in your community. This helps other local businesses, which creates greater diversity and helps the community maintain its unique appeal. Shopping local is environmentally friendly, too: it creates less traffic and pollution.
 
Local Initiatives
Learn more about organizations that focus on building stronger communities – and what you can do in your community.
Economic Studies
These studies document the positive economic impact of locally owned businesses, and how they contribute significantly more money to the local economy than do retail chains.
Key Resources
Sources of information and supporting materials for shop local efforts.
Shop Local Notable Title List
A selection of informative titles on the importance of building and strengthening a vibrant local economy. This PDF file can be downloaded and posted in your store: it's a great way to showcase a variety of books that will educate and fascinate customers.
Stay Informed!
Keep abreast of the growing shop local movement with stories from Bookselling This Week.
Spread the Word...
Here are three informational ads that help spread the news about the importance of shopping local first.
And here's a link to 4 bookmarks that promote the importance of locally owned independent businesses that you can share with your customers.
Topics: Advocacy, Local First