Before you read this post, go visit the well-meaning but clueless Buy Local 3/50 site. While this “movement” might be important, I have had a hard time getting behind it. Let me explain why.
The Gift & Home Channel talks about the conundrum How do we GET consumers to shop local? and answers it We need to TEACH them that shopping locally is helpful to the local economy. (
All CAPS above, my addition for emphasis.)
This ignores the basic tenet of WIIFM and is unhelpful at the least and arrogant at the most. What’s in it for me? is the basic need of shoppers that trumps everything else, always, and especially now with money tight.
Consumers, especially NOW when every dollar is [more than ever] carefully Continue Reading »
you’re a consignment, a buy-ouright, or a donations thrift shop, constantly telling folks you’re cheapest…or you are for today at least with a 20% off everything! sale…simply leads to a “I’ll wait until they mark it down” mentality in your clientele. And when that price reduction effectively erodes your entire profit margin (and then some, in many cases), it’s unsustainable.
