Chamber of Commerce Urges Residents to Shop Locally

The official holiday shopping season is now underway. Before you head off to the malls (or even if you've already started), the wants you to consider spending your Christmas and Hanukah dollars right here in Parsippany.

In a release, offers a list of reasons why supporting local small businesses and shops benefits the entire town.

• If every family in the country spent just $10 a month with a locally owned, independent business instead of a national chain, over $9.3 billion would be directly returned to local economies. That means better schools, better roads, more support for police, fire and rescue departments and stronger local economies.
• Shopping local creates jobs. Shops in our town create local employment and self-employment.  Our residents in turn spend in our local economy.
• Local independent shops invest more in our communities. Local businesses are proportionally more generous in their support of local charities, schools, and community events. So supporting local shops means a financial contribution to our community.
• Local shops sell great products at affordable prices. Some people lose the habit of shopping locally and are enlightened when they learn about the range of products available through local businesses.
• Shopping locally saves you time and money. You travel less, therefore saving more time and fuel.
• Shopping locally retains our community. People do not like losing shops and services, but do not equate this with how they spend their money.
• Shopping locally retains our distinctiveness. Independent shops create distinctive shopping experiences and stock different products. Local businesses respond more quickly to the needs of local customers, stocking products to meet changing population needs.
• Shopping locally saves the environment.  Local shops often stock a high percentage of locally sourced goods that do not require long-distance transportation, helping to reduce our global footprint.
• Local shops are for everyone. Most people can get to local shops easily. This is especially important for the elderly, young people, and others who rely on public transportation.
• Local shops value you more. Evidence from numerous surveys show people receive better customer care and service locally. These businesses survive by their reputation and repeat business, which means you get a higher standard of service.
• Shopping local saves services. Private and public sector services cluster around shops. As shops, disappear so do hairdressers, banks, restaurants and other businesses.

To help stimulate the local economy, Peluso said the Chamber of Commerce started its Greater Parsippany Rewards Program to drive positive economic and community growth.  The effort markets rewards cards for $10 in exchange for a wealth of discounts from participating local businesses. Proceeds from card sales fund the Chamber's community and economic development programs, including the Parsippany Area Visitor Center and the Employment Outreach Program.

"We are happy to report that our program has been a great success in our community," Peluso said. "It contributed to helping local community organizations while supporting Chamber workforce development programs, and specifically encouraged consumers to 'Think Local and Shop the Parsippany Area.'” 

Peluso said the Greater Parsippany Rewards program is still underway, generating revenue for local businesses while providing discounts for local holiday shoppers during tough economic times.