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Does Shopping and Selling Online Hurt The Local Economy?

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Does Online Shopping and Selling Hurt The Local Economy?

Most of us online are here to make money but what does this do for the local economy? My situation may be different than most because I live in a small community that needs the local businesses to survive. This really concerns me because I love my town and sure don't want to see it become a ghost town. I try to be conscious of what I sell to make sure it isn't something that can be purchased in one of the local shops but that is not always easy to do.

I don't know what the solution could be for this problem but it is a problem and I am very interesting in hearing what you think. Thank you for participating in this TwitterStorm.

Photo: Carol Burdette and Diane Watkins shopping locally at The Mercantile on the square in Pendleton SC.

Shop Local In Pendleton SC

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Our Mayor Spoke Out For Shopping Locally!

Former Mayor Carol Burdette - 2009


As Mayor of Pendleton, I hope especially in this economy, our citizens are thinking of shopping locally. When we buy at chain stores in our community only 6% of our money stays in our community, when we purchase online none of our money stays in our local community, but when we buy local 80% of our money stays in our community. Let's support our friends and neighbors who own restaurants and businesses in our town and local area.

A Few Things To Consider

About shopping locally vs online

Like I said, I don't know what the solution is but I do think that something needs to change. Take the Business License, for example. The doors to our Online Businesses are always open and are available to anyone who has a computer yet we do not have to buy a Business License which is income for the community.

It is so easy to make purchases in the comforts of one's own home dressed in your sweats or pjs. Why would anyone choose to go to the trouble of getting dressed and driving somewhere. It is hard for a business to compete with that. Socialization may become a thing of the past. I sure hope not.

What about the taxes? We don't want or need any further government control and it would have to be international if it was going to apply to everyone doing business online.

So, what is the answer?

Photo: Karen Link and Kim Beck of Pendleton Flower Shop using their talents to make beautiful floral arrangements.
Update: Pendleton Flower Shop closed their business on the square and are surely missed

Think Pendleton!

Buttons and Magnets and more!

Just click product to go to my shop where more products are featured.
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I do post items for sale on my Squidoo lenses

but I am a strong believer in doing business locally

I have two shops on the print on demand companies of Cafe Press and Zazzle where I design products and then post them for sale on my lenses. I also post products from Amazon.

Almost all the monies I make are spent locally or donated to local concerns especially Friends of the Park.

Here is a directory of all my Shopping Lenses and I hope you will check it out. Thank you.
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Let's Hear From You - What do you think about Online Shopping and Selling?

Does it hurt the local economy?

Does Shopping and Selling Online Hurt The Local Economy?

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Yes, we need to spend our money locally

ngio64 says:

Our local communities are losing revenue every time I buy online. I do it anyway, but try to get out and shop small stores when my health allows. Online "malls" of local area stores would be a good way to buy local and still have the convenience of shopping online.

Posted February 02, 2012

paperfacets says:

I make an effort to shop in my town. I think it is important for the town and for the ecology. I also shop online.

Posted January 31, 2012

eqphotog says:

Buying online means less local wealth and no state tax revenue which equals lower property values and higher income, property and excise taxes.

Posted October 13, 2011

YourFirstTime says:

I try to buy locally, but a lot of the items I buy online can't be found locally . . . or at least I've never seen them. Also, it saves me gas an aggravation. I hate malls and it saves time.

Posted July 03, 2011

kimmanleyort says:

This is something that has concerned me too, Nancy, however, the world is changing and we need to change some of the ways we do things. I think that we should support local food, services, crafts, and arts. Many things that are mostly digital, like books, movies, information will be purchased online. Socialization can come in many different ways.

Posted August 18, 2010

OhMe says:

Yes, I think we need to try to buy local whenever we can

Posted August 16, 2010

No, it does not hurt the economy because

phoenix-arizona-friends says:

Any local retailer has the power to also sell online. Consult with a web development firm and you would be surprised how easy it is to take your products to the internet. For service providers, the answer is even stronger, because services are always purchased and rendered at the local level.

Posted June 08, 2011

Joan4 says:

Shopping and selling on line is a fact of the present and the future. Local businesses must learn to use the internet to bring in customers and also join the on line marketplace.
I am not an economist, but I do know that people are shopping on line for convenience. Local businesses in small towns like Pendleton do offer a personal touch that is not found in bigger cities, I think. But an on-line presence is needed for any and all businesses in this day and time.

Posted August 16, 2010

 

Stay Local

This is what New Orleans is doing to promote local shopping

Stay Local!

susquehannasbn Zazzle Has Some Great Looking Shop Local Products

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Shop Locally in Pendleton South Carolina

This is one way that I try to help promote the local businesses.
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The businesses in Pendleton is one of the reasons I love Pendleton

What are my other reasons?

This lens has the links to all my Pendleton related lenses. I hope you will visit each of them
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100% of the Royalties from this page go to FRIENDS OF THE PARK

for the Step Up To The Plate Fundraising Campaign for ball fields and Veterans Memorial

Would you like to help, too?
Donate here online or mail your tax deductible check to:
Friends of the Park
PO Box 408
Pendleton SC 29670

We are a group of concerned citizens interested in making Pendleton SC's Veterans Park the best it can be. We currently have a playground, walking trail, three picnic shelters, a concessions pavilion with restrooms, and three old ballfields.

Thank you for visiting this TwitterStorm

Anyone can leave a comment so please let me know what you think about this debate.

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  • Reply
    phoenix-arizona-friends Jun 8, 2011 @ 10:02 pm | delete
    I know several small businesses in my area that have taken products national and are doing very well right now. They never could have achieved that scale if it weren't for the ability for them to go online so quickly with their products at an affordable price.
  • Reply
    PaulOnBooks Mar 29, 2011 @ 5:00 pm | delete
    Interesting point of view. I suppose the analogy with a smaller country like England is the buying up of rural properties by ricch townies who drive down on Friday afternoon with bulging hampers and spend nothing locally.
  • Reply
    Mac33 Oct 18, 2010 @ 7:33 pm | delete
    It can help and hurt the local economy...depends on how each local business adapts to it. Those that learn to utilize it to expand their market and build their good reputation will likely fare better than businesses that bury their head in the sand.
  • Reply
    kimmanleyort Aug 18, 2010 @ 9:34 am | delete
    I hope more people participate in this debate because it is a good one!
  • Reply
    lakeerieartists Aug 16, 2010 @ 5:56 am | delete
    Came back and blessed this lens. :)
  • Reply
    MiaBellezza Jan 26, 2010 @ 4:49 am | delete
    I only buy online if it something I just can't find in my community. Great debate!
  • Reply
    ChapelHillFiddler Nov 27, 2009 @ 7:22 am | delete
    We've been talking about this issue quite a bit. There are so many things that are not available locally - and there's the hassle of driving around wasting gas traffic jams etc - but then, there are local people and resources we hate to hurt. Sometimes it's a tossup between doing good for your home town and laziness/expense. I'm featuring this in my fan-club thank-you lens. So, thanks!
  • Reply
    dustytoes Oct 18, 2009 @ 7:46 pm | delete
    I love to shop from home, but I also try hard to support local businesses for things I don't buy online. A great lens to make us all think.
  • Reply
    lakeerieartists Aug 6, 2009 @ 1:22 pm | delete
    This is a great discussion. I think it is a trade off in the long run, except that many small to medium sized businesses and community organizations are not yet up to speed when it comes to selling online. We are in a transition period of sorts, with many bumps in the road until it all gets settled out. Great lens. Blessed.
  • Reply
    WhiteOak50 Aug 5, 2009 @ 12:52 pm | delete
    I really like this lens. It is a hard call, because a lot of the times when you cannot find items at local stores, chances are you will always find the items online, plus it is a lot easier to shop online than local stores. But posting your credit card information online is VERY dangerous regardless how secure the sites they are. I have been hit twice-at secure sites. That alone can make someone want to stop shopping online.
  • Reply
    poddys Aug 5, 2009 @ 12:36 pm | delete
    I am sure buying online does hurt local businesses in some ways, but at the same time it does give local entrepreneurs a chance to shine and to sell their wares nationwide. I think overall both the home-worker and small shop-keeper has a chance to bring their business to the attention of the world. Those who don't sell or advertise online will end up losing out unfortunately. 5***** for another great lens.
  • Reply
    Intuitive Aug 5, 2009 @ 10:53 am | delete
    I saw something somewhere where there is an organization in NW Michigan who somehow gives back part of their online profits to local businesses. Wish I could remember what that was now. I thought it was interesting.

    I have been doing most of the promotion of my art online the last 3 years but I know that I need to have a "real life" presence, as well. I have the opportunities and in writing my business plan it comes to me that, like GrowWear says, if I was shopping for art I would love to see it up close then go home and see other pieces online, either via a website or Facebook, etc.. Or on an iPhone. There could be special lines or collections just for the online buyer, and others just for the in person buyer.

    The main thing seems to be building a fan base either way so that you have a group of people who can't get enough of what you provide.
  • Reply
    kab Jan 25, 2010 @ 5:00 pm | delete
    I think you are thinking of Local First (localfirst.com). I support my local one: Capital District Local First (www.capitaldistrictlocalfirst.org). There are many others - everyone should check to see if their area has one - it is a great resource and promoter of local business.
  • Reply
    OhMe Aug 1, 2009 @ 8:09 pm | in reply to Momtothezoo | delete
    Thank YOU for visiting and commenting. I sure appreciate it
  • Reply
    Momtothezoo Aug 1, 2009 @ 7:46 pm | delete
    I think it has greatly affected the stores, especiallly the small businesses, as did the larger companies. Thanks for the lens...gives lots to think about.
  • Reply
    OhMe Jul 15, 2009 @ 8:24 am | in reply to poutine | delete
    Good to hear your opinion and I appreciate your visit and comment. Thank you.
  • Reply
    poutine Jun 29, 2009 @ 2:12 pm | delete
    I think that there is nothing wrong to sell or buy online as
    sometimes, some of the stuff that we want is not
    available locally.

    Also, the money made by selling online can be spent
    on our local stores. So it actually help the businesses
    in our towns.

    Poutine
  • Reply
    JaguarJulie Apr 26, 2009 @ 2:17 pm | delete
    I think sellers need to be online savvy these days to also have an online presence to drive buyers to their stores whether brick and mortar or online -- an online store can complement their brick and mortar! Great debate.
  • Reply
    Margo_Arrowsmith Apr 12, 2009 @ 7:57 am | delete
    Very important thing to think about. I want to always shop locally, especially since I was raise in a local business Arrowsmith Printing link but times are changing and something has to compromise, something needs to happen to make a mix
  • Reply
    OhMe Apr 10, 2009 @ 4:45 am | in reply to amandascloset0 | delete
    Thank you Amanda for your great comment and rating. I hope that most people do like you and put their money into the local economy.
  • Reply
    amandascloset0 Apr 9, 2009 @ 11:29 pm | delete
    Almost all of the items I sell online are purchased locally. Rarely are they sold locally. Then in addition to that the money that I make online is how I purchase groceries, household needs and try to supplement my husbands income to pay our monthly bills. Honostly I feel like my online selling probably helps my local economy. This is a really great lens BTW. I never really thought about this at all until reading this. 5 Stars!! Fav'd!
  • Reply
    OhMe Apr 4, 2009 @ 7:51 am | in reply to bigfriendly15 | delete
    Yep, I agree 100 per cent that the Fair Tax would certainly help the situation. I had to smile when I first saw your name. I had an aunt that worked at a huge mill owned department store in Ware Shoals, SC that was named the Big Friendly.
  • Reply
    bigfriendly15 Apr 3, 2009 @ 9:50 pm | delete
    I like your lens. I think that as long as people can dodge the sales taxes by purchasing online local mom and pops will get hurt. A simple way to solve this is ditch our outdated tax system along with the IRS and adopt the fair tax.
  • Reply
    Tipi Mar 23, 2009 @ 10:43 am | delete
    This is a very good question and a very good point! - Boy, you really have my thinking about local lenses and selling. - Thanks Nancy, I needed this question today to get a flow going again. :) - You are an angel!
  • Reply
    Michey Mar 15, 2009 @ 9:41 pm | delete
    Part III (don't fit in just 2 parts)

    Ex. 2: Consignment selling rebounds on eBay. Sadly there are people who need to raise cash. When this happens a lot of treasures come out of the closet. Don't do consignment for items chipper then $100, and the fee is your choice (usually between 20 - 40 %)

    All the best, we are together on this mess but we will overcame.
    Regards
    Michey
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