Small Business Saturday points to impact of shopping locally

Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marcus Holland says multiplying the impact of shopping locally could mean more than $ 10 million extra for the local economy.

He notes the average Amazon Prime shopper spends $110 per month and the average Shein (China) shopper spends $100 per month.  Holland says if we could keep $100 per month more per person locally, there would be more than $ 10 million extra in the local economy, including the city of Centralia with a population of 12,000 and a 10-mile radius of over 28,000 people.   Holland says if you can’t find something at a local small business, you can still find it local.

Statistics show for every $1 spent locally, 67 cents stays local.  Local businesses create the majority of economic growth, employing about 77 million Americans and improving communities.  Every $10 million of spending at a local business creates more than 50 jobs, whereas the same spending at Amazon creates approximately 14 jobs.

Meanwhile, a survey by Lending Tree of 2,000 Americans shows 53 percent plan to participate in Small Business Saturday, with the number jumping to 60 percent for Millennials and 58 percent for Gen Zers.

Other findings were:

• 76 percent say they plan to shop at small businesses for holiday gifts this year with 28 percent saying they will purchase 50 percent or more of their holiday presents for small businesses.
• 60 percent of Americans chose small businesses over chain stores or large retailers at least half the time when shopping or ordering food online in the past month.
• 57 percent say they expect to spend more when shopping at small businesses over chain stores.
• When asked what would get them to shop or tine at small businesses more frequently, 50 percent lower prices, 40 percent said closer proximity to home or work, and 36 percent said special promotions.