WHERE DID ALL THE SMART SHOPPERS GO
WHERE DID ALL THE SMART SHOPPERS GO
Where did all the smart shoppers go this holiday season? You might be inclined to answer on line to that question, but you would be wrong. Due to unfavorable forecasts for this past holiday season your local retailers were offering deep discounts on in store purchases that may not have been passed on to the on-line consumer, so the smart shoppers were the ones braving the mall and other local retailers and saving money. Since the economic slump in sales is hitting hard on local retailers, the economy will take another hit as some local stores will have to close their doors. The holiday season couldn’t possibly make or break a retailer you say, it certainly can! Many local retailers make up to 67% of their annual sales during the holidays. While the figures are hard to track because of the varying types of retailers, the proof is in the closings at your local malls, boutiques, and specialty shops, many are going out of business.
That means higher unemployment, more downsizing and less revenue circulating in your local economy. That means you might begin to worry about “your job” if you aren’t already. Why are you telling me this now you’re probably wondering, because there are lessons to be learned from this and it’s not too late to save money and save jobs. We need to take action before it’s too late. We’ve got to make sure we’re on the right path, not one that will lead us to an end result where our only option is debt settlement.
I am not telling you don’t shop on-line, there are instances when it is even necessary, but many consumers today shop on- line as a convenience. We should try to spread the money around in these trying times, into your local economy. You may think buying locally won’t keep a local “chain” retailer open if the chain itself is failing, but you would be wrong it actually does. When making corporate decisions on which stores to close the number crunchers are looking at retailers with the lowest sales, making decisions on which stores will be closing based on the numbers. Analysts will tell you there are many factors that make those determinations, but most will admit that gross sales at that particular location is a major deciding factor. In this economy the trickle down effect of sagging retail sales directly effects your pocketbook in many ways. With less money flowing through your local economy bad can go to worse quickly and none of us can afford that. Save money while you save your own local economy!
Keep in mind that every business is like a large oak tree with many roots spread out in your community and we are the roots. Like any tree we have to feed and water it on a regular basis or it will die, our local economy is much the same. We can learn from this past holiday season and apply that knowledge to our everyday shopping habits. Buy what you must on line but, keep feeding the trees in your own back yard by shopping at your local retailer and save our trees.
Tags: best offers, debt settlement, smart shopping