I first stumbled upon the 3/50 project in an unlikely place … facebook, okay I guess it is not that unlikely…everyone and their mom is on facebook. But, being involved with giftware and so many of our customers being exactly like the shops the project is aimed at helping, I immediately took interest.
The basic idea that the 3/50 project has is that shopping locally is the way to go, and with this we will see a rejuvenation in our local economies. The formula works like this and is very easy to follow.
Pick 3 Stores in your local area that you would be sad or disappointed if they went out of business or disappeared. Then at these 3 stores try and spend $50/ month, not necessarily in each store but total. On their website they suggest that if just HALF the employed population spends $50/month at a local store it would generate almost 46 billion in revenue!! (this is based on US Government stats) They also send the message home by explaining that $68 for every $100 spent in local stores comes back into the community, through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. When you spend at a National Chain only $43 comes back and when you buy online nothing.
Many times I have walked through the downtown of the city that I live in (Guelph, On) and I look in the shops and think to myself “I need to shop down here more often” but then it seems that the minute I need to get a gift or clothing I am heading to the mall. Since reading about this program I have become more aware of the impact that supporting our local stores has after all if they all keep disappearing I will soon have no job! This month I have to buy a new dress to wear to a wedding and a new set of sheets. I am committed to buying these items in my downtown shops.
Please take the time and go to the 3/50 Project website. They have many interesting ideas for store owners to promote the program in the towns and cities that you live. They have window clings, canvas bags and even flyers you can hand out to your customers.
http://www.the350project.net/
enjoy!
Sophie
The basic idea that the 3/50 project has is that shopping locally is the way to go, and with this we will see a rejuvenation in our local economies. The formula works like this and is very easy to follow.
Pick 3 Stores in your local area that you would be sad or disappointed if they went out of business or disappeared. Then at these 3 stores try and spend $50/ month, not necessarily in each store but total. On their website they suggest that if just HALF the employed population spends $50/month at a local store it would generate almost 46 billion in revenue!! (this is based on US Government stats) They also send the message home by explaining that $68 for every $100 spent in local stores comes back into the community, through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. When you spend at a National Chain only $43 comes back and when you buy online nothing.
Many times I have walked through the downtown of the city that I live in (Guelph, On) and I look in the shops and think to myself “I need to shop down here more often” but then it seems that the minute I need to get a gift or clothing I am heading to the mall. Since reading about this program I have become more aware of the impact that supporting our local stores has after all if they all keep disappearing I will soon have no job! This month I have to buy a new dress to wear to a wedding and a new set of sheets. I am committed to buying these items in my downtown shops.
Please take the time and go to the 3/50 Project website. They have many interesting ideas for store owners to promote the program in the towns and cities that you live. They have window clings, canvas bags and even flyers you can hand out to your customers.
http://www.the350project.net/
enjoy!
Sophie
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