This Small Business Saturday, Shop Parsippany

An open letter to Parsippany from the local Chamber of Commerce:

As you start holiday shopping this Small Business Saturday, please keep these thoughts in mind before you make your purchases.

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 your town create local employment and self-employment. These people in turn spend in the local economy.

• Local independent shops invest more in your 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 your community.
• Local shops sell great products at affordable prices. Some people get out of the habit of shopping locally and are then surprised by the range of products available.
• Shopping locally saves you time and money. You travel less, saving on time and fuel.
• Shopping locally retains your communities. People don’t like losing shops and services in small towns but don’t equate this with how they spend their money.
• Shopping locally retains your 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 their 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. 

In 2010, your Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce launched the Greater Parsippany Rewards program in order to drive positive community and economic growth. We are we happy to report that our program has been a great success in our community. It contributed to helping local community organizations whilesupporting Chamber Workforce Development Programs, and specifically encouraged consumers to “Think Local and Shop the Parsippany Area.”

The Chamber’s GPR program continues to generate revenue for local businesses and to provide discounts for local consumers during these challenging economic times. Through this program, the Chamber was able to support our local community and our local economy. 

Check out these local merchants who support the community and offer great services. Together we can strengthen relationships that improve our quality of life.

So next time you make a purchase: Think, Shop, Buy, Local.

Happy Holidays!

Robert J. Peluso
President, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center
Parsippany Resident & Neighbor