Cities across the country are celebrating Independent Retailer Month this July, also known as IndieRetail Month. Participating in the celebration is an excellent opportunity to grow your business by proudly showing off your local roots. We put together this short guide to help you join in!
What is IndieRetail Month?
In 2003, small business owners began celebrating a holiday: Independent Retailer Week. The idea was to promote local businesses, unite communities and create a shopping extravaganza by recognizing independent retailers and by highlighting the benefits of shopping local.
For example, did you know that each dollar spent at an independent, small business generates up to 15 times as much local revenue as a dollar spent at a huge corporation like Amazon? Or that local spending generates up to four times as many jobs — particularly, local jobs? Buying at local small businesses is the best thing you can do for your city’s economy, and this month, shoppers across the country will be going to independent stores more than ever.
While it started as just a week, the hugely successful holiday has grown, and today, IndieRetail lasts a whole month. In 2021, we’ll be celebrating Independent Retailer Month for all of July, giving you a great opportunity to promote your business as a local staple and connect with your community.
How Can My Business Get Involved?
The start of summer is a perfect excuse to promote your business, and Independent Retailer Month gives you several ways to get involved. Some are easy and simple, while others involve organizing larger events and activities. Either way, we hope you’ll join in the fun!
IndieRetail offers plenty of free materials and logos that you can display in your store or on your website, showing your customers that you’re a local business and encouraging them to shop independent this month. IndieRetail also provides tons of great event and activity ideas like contests, meet-and-greets and promotions to help engage with your community and generate business faster than ever.
On a simpler level, you can also participate in Independent Retailer Month on social media using the hashtag #indieretail. The tag’s feed is a great place to proudly show off your business’ fantastic goods and services alongside countless other passionate business owners, celebrating the joy and beauty of home-grown local craftsmanship and expertise.
