The Economics of Christmas

The economics of Christmas is significant because Christmas is typically a peak selling season for retailers in many nations around the world. Sales increase dramatically as people purchase gifts, decorations, and supplies to celebrate.  

When a person chooses to shop local, their money has a much stronger impact on their community than it would have if they’d chosen a large retailer. 

Invest in your community and its future.  For every $100 spent in a locally owned business, $73 remains in the local economy and $27 leaves.     For every $100 spent in a big box business $43 remains in the local economy and $57 leaves.

Local character and prosperity — in an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character have an economic advantage.

Community well-being — Local businesses build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers, linking neighbors in a web of economic and social relationships and contributing to local causes.

Local decision-making — Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions.

Keeping dollars in the local economy — Compared to chain stores, locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy, enriching the whole community.

Job and wages — local businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than chains do.

Entrepreneurship — Entrepreneurship fuels America’s economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move from low-wage jobs and into the middle class.

Public benefits and costs — Local stores in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure and make more efficient use of public services relative to big box stores and strip shopping malls.

Produce diversity — A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based, not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

Broadens the tax base — People don’t realize that if you don’t support your local businesses and they go away, who’s going to pick up that tax base?  It’s going to be the homeowners.