Editorial

Making an investment in our communities

Posted 12/1/15

Thanksgiving celebrations have come and gone, and the holiday countdown has entered the home stretch.

No sooner had many eaten the last of their turkey and stuffing than did the new rush begin. …

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Editorial

Making an investment in our communities

Posted

Thanksgiving celebrations have come and gone, and the holiday countdown has entered the home stretch.

No sooner had many eaten the last of their turkey and stuffing than did the new rush begin. Omnipresent “Black Friday” shopping specials and familiar Christmas songs quickly dominated the airwaves, serving as a sounding gun of sorts for the start of a weeks-long sprint.

For a huge number of retailers, this time of year carries unparalleled importance. Strong or weak sales can make or break an entire year of business. For consumers, getting the right gifts at the best prices holds obvious appeal.

This confluence of concerns has resulted in the buildup of enormous hype over the years, to the point “Black Friday” has become a sort of national holiday all its own – even, to the chagrin of many, spilling into Thanksgiving. As in-store shopping increasingly loses ground to online sales, “Cyber Monday” has also emerged as a phenomenon. More and more, the marriage of convenience and heavy discounts is drawing Americans’ dollars to the web.

Too often, small businesses lose out amid the frenzy.

We know these places well, particularly in Rhode Island. From pizza shops and bakeries to corner markets and crafters, the value of local entrepreneurs to our economy and quality of life cannot be overstated. They employ our children and neighbors, feed our friends and families, and otherwise enrich the fabric of our communities.

Those who set out on their own seeking business success already face an uphill climb, particularly in a still-sluggish economic climate. Competing with multinational corporations during the holiday shopping season – let alone on days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday – can prove virtually impossible.

For several years now, the “Small Business Saturday” campaign – conceived of, and trademarked by, American Express – has worked to encourage shoppers to spend money at local, brick-and-mortar establishments ahead of the holidays. The effort has gained definite traction, earning the endorsement of prominent elected officials and business agencies nationwide while growing more and more recognizable – and appealing – to many consumers.

The rise of Small Business Saturday has coincided with a growing consciousness among many consumers regarding the benefits of local production and consumption. In Rhode Island, we have seen local brewers and farmers – among others – carve out an increasingly meaningful piece of the economic pie.

Awareness represents a huge component in drawing shoppers to local merchants, but advertising campaigns and support from political leaders will only go so far. Our system is based on competition, and consumers will, on the large scale, go where the best dollar value can be had.

What local businesses can offer is value rooted in experience, quality, accessibility and personal relationships. The benefits aren’t always tangible, but they offer an unmistakable – and irreplaceable – appeal.

As we whittle down our shopping lists in the weeks ahead, let us remember that stopping in a local store – even briefly, even if for a single item – can make a positive difference for an entrepreneur here at home. The more we, collectively, commit to playing a part in the success of small business, the greater the rewards will be, for consumers and businesses alike.

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