Tips to Help Independents Shine in July

July marks the 6th annual celebration of Independent Retailer Month. Independent retailers are encouraged to use the free marketing resources, such as posters, logos and postcards, available from the campaign to draw customers into their stores.

Remind consumers of the importance of shopping locally to the economy: a dollar spent at an independent retailer is usually spent 6 to 15 times before it leaves the community; according to Independent Retailer Month. From that $1, indie retailers create $5 to $14 of value within the community; in comparison, for $1 spent at a national chain, 80 percent leaves town immediately. When consumers shop local retailers, it helps keep the community “open for business.”

To increase customer traffic during the month of July, the campaign offers several suggestions like giving customers a $1 coupon for every $10 they spend in your store that is redeemable in August; have staff wear buttons with the message “Proud to be independent;” donate 10 percent of purchases during the month to a local charity; or team up with other local independent retailers to host a shopping crawl with a map and prizes for participants.

While promoting the event on social media, suggested hashtags include #shoplocal and #indieretail, to make it easier for consumers to follow all independent retailer posts and events. Additional ideas and resources can be found at indieretailermonth.com.

The event, created by Tom Shay of Profits Plus and Kerry Bannigan of Nolcha Shows, kicked off in 2011 with a goal to become a global campaign highlighting the important role local merchants play in the community. Independent Retailer Month is celebrated in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.