When Shopping For Mom, Keep It Local
Mother’s Day is this Sunday and if you haven’t found the perfect gift for your mommy, here are a few things to consider. A recent survey by American Express OPEN found that shoppers plan to spend an average of $88 at independent businesses in celebration of Mother’s Day, bringing the total number of consumers planning to shop or dine local to 59 million. While the holiday is known to be the busiest telephone day of the year, the survey found that some consumers are planning to go the extra mile by sending a card, buying a gift or taking mom out to dinner. Of those planning to celebrate Mother’s Day, 46% plan to shop or dine at a small business, spending an average of 63% of their total budget with independently-owned merchants.
We all know it’s important to pay tribute to local businesses. I don’t know anyone who wants their neighborhood to become victim to big box stores. Small businesses bring rich culture and character to our streets and holidays like Mother’s Day provide us with an opportunity to patron these independent merchants.
According to the Shop Small Monitor survey, consumers shop small because:
- Nearly half (49%) of consumers say they will shop small for the unique selection, another 49% say it’s important to support their communities, 42% say it’s the customer service they receive and 28% say their mom would want them to
Here are a few of my favorite neighborhood spots for gifts:
· Catbird
If you’re still having trouble with ideas or maybe you’re on a budget, buy a card and grab a bouquet of fresh flowers from a local bodega. Moms are typically happy with anything you put a little thought into.
The Shop Small Mother’s Day Monitor surveyed consumers over the age of 18 on their plans for Mother’s Day. This included projected spend, types of gifts and whether or not they plan to shop or dine at a locally owned business.
