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This Fourth of July, do your guests a favor and shop locally for all your cookout cuisine.
As a US product evangelist and humanity realist, I would like to get three points across that will hopefully convince you and all fellow Americans that buying US-made goods is the answer to turning our economic boat around. In the end, all the effort it takes on our part is to give two minutes of thought and time to research your local alternatives before clicking the “buy” button. Really, just…read more →
When remodeling your home or even just a room in your home, you’re investing a lot of time and sometimes money. You want someone by your side – someone you can count on, an expert who’s available when you call. When you’re remodeling your home, do you depend on a big box or an independent?
Affiliated Distributors (AD) was founded in 1981 with the mission to help independent construction wholesale distributors compete against national chains. The organization leverages its buying power to negotiate rebates with strong manufacturers. Today, AD operates in seven industries: electrical, industrial, plumbing, HVAC, PVF, drywall and clean energy. The group’s sales volume is more than twenty billion dollars. Jack Templin, is the President of the Industrial Supply Division. The following blog…read more →
In the past, Father’s Day has often lived in the shadows of Mother’s Day, but that trend has been shifting over the past couple of years as Americans are showing Dad how much they really appreciate him. While Mother’s Day is still the second largest holiday for gift-giving, the spending gap between the two holidays is narrowing. According to the National Retail Federation, Father’s Day spending is expected to reach $12.7 billion in 2012 alone.
Talk about the luck o’ the Irish – St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday this year and will likely bring with it a boost in retail sales and celebrations across the country. Although St. Patrick’s Day is the smallest of all the consumer holidays in terms of how much consumers will spend, it’s still of tremendous importance for the industry. For many consumers, St. Patrick’s Day is the official kick-off to Spring – typically a time when many people start stocking up on warm weather apparel, patio and garden merchandise and even home accents, like candles, throw pillows and new bed sets. And with spring-like weather currently blanketing much of the country, consumers are already indicating they are in the mood for a bit o’ fun as well.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and I can’t think of a better time to show our local businesses some love. This V-Day, show that you care not only about your sweetheart but about your community – visit your locally owned jewelers, chocolatiers and florists like Good Old Days Eco-Florist in New Windsor, New York.
Now there’s a Kickstarter for small business. New York City-based Lucky Ant launched Jan. 2, hoping to link small businesses with their neighborhoods (and, of course, make some money in the process).
Great story on ABC News about a builder in Bozeman Montana who built and entire home using nothing but American made products.
April and Al Habit own an old-fashioned business. They sell vintage glassware, handcrafted soaps and baked goods in an old brick building on a bend in the road in Pungo, miles from the trappings of modern retail commerce. The Habits want to expand their Southern Fried Studio & Shop to sell soups and sandwiches, much like former owners did when the store was Brinkley’s Market, a 1960s-era grocer and lunch counter. All they need is $22,000 to buy equipment. Read more…
