©2008 bythe American Independent Business Alliance.     If local merchants and businesses cannot survive competitively, our communities will look and feel very differently.  The quality of life, culture and soul of cities becomes threatened with erosion of local retail sectors.	local   merchants   define the   uniqueness of  a community...  create culture,   give it flavor
not all spending is created equally  some spending counts more than others Local stores and retail are important economic engines.  While small in size, they purchase a high percentage of their professional services, routine supplies and labor from within the local market.  Local merchants and venues use local lawyers, accountants, marketing firms, printers, graphic artists and more. According to both The Economic Impact Analysis conducted in 2003 in Austin, Texas and The Andersonville Study of Economic Anlaysis in 2004,  the impact of local merchants is three (3) times greater than other retailers on local economies.  The impact of consumer spending is 300% greater than spending elsewhere.  When these local businesses grow the economic multiplier effect is significantly positive... likewise the drag on local economies is 300% worse when they suffer. Since there are few barriers to entry, many new business start ups are heavily dominated by sales businesses.  It's the easiest place for new business owners to start.  Local retail is also an enterprise that is disproportionately of equal opportunity.  There are more women-owned and minority-owned stores and venues than in most other industrbusinesses.    An unsuccessful local retail environment impacts leadership development of minorities and women and damages entrepreneurial activity.	local   merchants  are integral to  local economies
easy in : easy out - of the market While it might be easy to jump into local retail, the ability to stay in business and thrive is challenging.  Without the benefit of access to significant capital markets, financing options are limited.  Most funding is through friends and family, with some assistance (largely) from credit cards and local community banks.  Other challenges include the lack of talent,  professional resources and management expertise that the owner can afford.... versus the cash flow available and potential return.  Ever increasing competition is mounting and  management challenges have become more sophisticated.  Global purchasing power and supply chains makes success as a local merchant even greater. Finding solutions to support the increasing challenges of the  local retail sector is our focus at Buy it Local.  Our products and services are aimed at making sure the extraordinary positive impact this sector has on the fabric of community life and its economy can continue, despite an ever-changing world.  We are committed  to identifying workable solutions that connect shoppers with merchants.   Buy it Local works to understand the mounting business and management pressures that are faced by local retailers and their markets and works to create scalable business solutions that can make a difference.  Whether its Your-Town-USA or  a village store on the other side of the world, the cultural and economic underpinning of merchants and small businesses is an important stepping stone of every economy.  We cannot imagine a world or a day when town centers would become empty.  We develop Tools to Grow Your Local Economy	local merchants  have limited  resources              Our mission:       to connect shoppers &     economies with local     merchants