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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHow Independent Stores are Thriving -- Even in the Age of Amazon
http://www.alternet.org/economy/how-independent-stores-are-thriving-even-age-amazonSo we all know that the likes of Wal-Mart, Target, and Amazon are killing Main Street businesses, right? Its certainly partly true. Those retailing behemoths have devastated a lot of communities across the country, and theyre still growing.
But, there are some surprising bright spots on Main Street. I heard about them at the annual Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) conference, where more than 600 high-energy people strategized about the transition to a more localized, Main Street economy. Stacy Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) told me of independent retailers that are thriving.
One surprising comeback, Mitchell says, is independent bookstores. Yes, even in the age of e-books and Amazon, independents are growing: For the last four years, their numbers and total sales have grown, despite the recession. In 2009 there were 1,651 independent bookstores in the United States. Today there are more than 1,900.
Bookstores arent the only retail sector where independents are expanding. Local coffee shops have grown faster than Starbucks. Bakers and specialty food stores are thriving. Independent pharmacies and pet, fabric, and stationery stores are growing too.
madaboutharry
(40,212 posts)The reason that independent stores will thrive is because they are serving a need, the need people have for individuality.
stillwaiting
(3,795 posts)... to get back from under the heavy boot of these multinational, big businesses. They certainly are not "Corporate America" in my opinion (although they would love it if you saw them that way). They clearly don't give a damn about the economic well-being of average Americans. Their only focus is on shareholder returns, and they will continue devastating working and middle classes (shifting them to an ever-growing poverty class) to obtain it.
Wake up fellow Americans (not directed at loyal DU members...)!
99Forever
(14,524 posts)... grocery close to our home, will close at the end of this month, after 85 years in business. They simply can't compete with the big boxes price wise. With money tight like it is, a lot of families are forced to do their food shopping where they can save a buck. Sad, very sad.