Main Street/Shop Local

11 Jun

IndieBound Takes a Bow at BALLE Conference

IndieBound, the new American Booksellers Association initiative involving booksellers, readers, indie retailers, local business alliances, and others in a community-oriented movement that proclaims the importance and value of independent businesses, was the subject of a presentation at last week's 6th Annual BALLE Conference in Boston.

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11 Jun

Independent Retailing & the Shop Local Movement Under the Spotlight

ABA Board members and local business alliance activists Steve Bercu of BookPeople in Austin, Texas, and Becky Anderson of Anderson's Bookshops in Naperville, Illinois, were the featured speakers at the American Booksellers Association's panel "Independent Retailing in 2008: A Report on the Shop Local Movement," moderated by ABA COO Oren Teicher, at BookExpo America.

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07 May

Independent Coalitions Plan Regional Meetings to Grow Localism Movement

In an effort to further expand the burgeoning localism movement, independent alliances will be gathering at regional meetings in various areas around the country to brainstorm and share ideas. Over the next two months, there will be regional gatherings in New Hampshire, Colorado, Massachusetts, and Michigan.

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23 Apr

First Annual Record Store Day a Hit

On Saturday, April 19, independently owned record stores around the world took part in the first annual Record Store Day, a celebration of the culture of indie record stores and the unique place that they occupy in their local communities and nationally. By all accounts, the day was a huge success.

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09 Apr

Bookseller Founds Alliance to Help Kalamazoo Independents

Like so many towns across the country today, Kalamazoo, Michigan's local economy is hurting. Only recently, the Pfizer drug company pulled up stakes and left; National City Corp. is laying off employees; there's a lack of available jobs; and though there are three colleges in town, the community and its businesses are feeling the pinch of tough times.

But while Kalamazoo's economy may be stagnant, the area's independent retailers are not.

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26 Mar

Bitterroot Coalition Hails Withdrawal of Plans for Wal-Mart Supercenter

After two years of opposition, Wal-Mart has withdrawn plans to open a supercenter in Hamilton, Montana. "They cited economic conditions and a strategic plan into which we no longer fit, but I know that if we hadn't put up strong opposition for two years, they'd be open today," said Russ Lawrence, owner of Hamilton's Chapter One Book Store and ABA president.

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27 Feb

Study Indicates Procurement From Local Supplier Provides Greater Economic Benefit to Community

A recently released Civic Economics study commissioned by Local First Arizona reveals that public procurement from a local supplier generates "dramatically greater local economic activity" than procurement from a chain business. Previous Civic Economics studies examining the economic impact of locally owned independent versus chain stores have found similar results.

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06 Feb

Wi3: Shop Local 'Dream Team' Discusses Localism Movement in America

Beginning with optimism and ending with a standing ovation from the approximately 500 attendees, the Winter Institute keynote discussion on Shop Local and related movements was a fascinating overview about the importance of building alliances among locally owned independent businesses and changing consumers' mindsets regarding the importance of a healthy local economy.

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24 Jan

Survey Finds Support for 'Buy Local' Boosted Holiday Spending at Independent Stores

As major chains report weak holiday sales, a nationwide survey of 1,382 independent retailers, including members of the American Booksellers Association, has found that a desire to support locally owned businesses is emerging as a factor in people's shopping choices.

The survey, which included retailers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., found that, even in a difficult economic climate, many independent retailers are holding their own and even seeing sales gains by emphasizing their local ownership and community roots.

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17 Jan

ABA Updates Independent Business/Shop Local Notable Title List

The American Booksellers Association has updated its list of notable titles about the importance of building and strengthening vibrant local economies. First compiled in September 2006, the new list features 26 titles, 12 accompanied by recommendations from independent booksellers nationwide.

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03 Jan

ABA Asks Members to Participate in Holiday Sales Survey

In an effort to assess how independent businesses fared this holiday season, the American Booksellers Association has teamed up with several other organizations representing independent businesses to conduct an Independent Business Holiday Sales Trends Survey. ABA is asking its bookseller-members to take a few moments now to complete the survey, which features just four simple questions and should take no longer than two minutes to complete.

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06 Dec

Independent Trade Groups Meet in D.C. for Summit

On November 29 and 30, several independent trade organizations, including the American Booksellers Association, met for an "Independent Trades Summit" in Washington, D.C. The gathering provided the associations with an opportunity to discuss common goals and challenges specific to independent retailers and businesses. Industries represented at the summit included bookselling, toys, gifts, bicycles, hardware, pharmacies, and office products.

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29 Nov

Give a Gift to Our Economy: Shop Locally Owned This Holiday Season


Stacy Mitchell

By Stacy Mitchell, Author of Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses

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15 Nov

Great Ideas From the American Independent Business Alliance Leadership Gathering


Betsy Burton

Bookseller, author, and Local First Utah organizer Betsy Burton shares her experiences at the American Independent Business Alliance's (AMIBA) First Annual Leadership Gathering, which was held in Austin, Texas, on November 9 - 11.

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14 Nov

Betsy Burton's 10 Rules to Make Raising Funds for Local First and Independent Business Alliances Easy

Rule 1) Be clear about your vision and your goals as well as your fit within your community before making any organizational decisions: Decide whether you wish to be an alliance with advocacy powers or an educational organization dedicated to getting the Local First message out to the public.

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About ABA

The American Booksellers Association, a national not-for-profit trade organization, works with booksellers and industry partners to ensure the success and profitability of independently owned book retailers, and to assist in expanding the community of the book.

Independent bookstores act as community anchors; they serve a unique role in promoting the open exchange of ideas, enriching the cultural life of communities, and creating economically vibrant neighborhoods.

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