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Business Open Sign
Featured Article, ILSR Press Room, Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 6, 2013

Survey Finds Independent Businesses Benefit from “Buy Local First” Campaigns, But Challenges Loom

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/2013-independent-business-survey/

ILSR’s annual survey has found that independent businesses experienced solid revenue growth in 2012, buoyed in part by “buy local first” initiatives. But the survey also documented challenges facing independent businesses, most notably an increase in “showrooming” and competition from online retailers, tax and subsidy policies that favor their big competitors, difficulty obtaining loans, and a customer base still reeling from the recession. Continue reading

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Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 3, 2013

ILSR’s Annual Independent Business Survey

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/surveys/

ILSR’s annual Independent Business Survey gathers data from thousands of locally owned, independent businesses across the country. Continue reading

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Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 17, 2013

Stacy Mitchell on Food Chain Radio

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/stacy-mitchell-food-chain-radio/

On January 12, 2013, ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell was a guest on Michael Olson’s syndicated Food Chain radio show, where they discussed the shocking level of corporate consolidation in the economy and debated whether we can shop our way back to a strong local economy. Continue reading

Map: Sales Tax Fairness By State
Featured Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 10, 2013

Internet Sales Tax Fairness By State

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/internet-sales-tax-fairness-state/

Last update: June 3, 2013 Amazon currently collects sales tax in nine states, which contain more than one-third of the U.S. population. These states are shown in dark blue and dark green. In the dark green states, Amazon has a physical presence, such as a warehouse, and thereby has sufficient “nexus” for the state to… Continue reading

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Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Dec 17, 2012

Whatcha Workin’ On, Stacy Mitchell? Podcast Episode 1

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/whatcha-workin-on-podcast-1/

Our first podcast is with Stacy Mitchell, the heart and soul of our Independent Business and Banking Initiatives. Stacy talked with Lisa about the Initiative and the focus of her current projects. She also offered some strategies for supporting independent business and influencing policy that will strengthen our local economies. The podcast is just over… Continue reading

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Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Dec 14, 2012

Local Revival: Building a Decentralized Economy

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/local-revival-building-decentralized-economy/

Local farms, independent retailers, and community banks are all experiencing newfound public support. While these trends are encouraging, local businesses still account for only a small share of the economy. In this 15-minute talk, given in May 2012, ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell presents a compelling case for moving local enterprises from the economy’s margins to its mainstream. Continue reading

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Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 42 Comments | Updated on Dec 10, 2012

Top 10 Reasons to Support Locally Owned Businesses

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/why-support-locally-owned-businesses/

Here are the ten short-and-sweet reasons why supporting independent businesses is critical to the well-bring of our communities and our economy. Continue reading

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Featured Article, Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 9 Comments | Updated on Dec 1, 2012

Why We Can’t Shop Our Way to a Better Economy: Stacy Mitchell’s TEDx Talk

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/ted/

In this TEDx talk, delivered on October 20, 2012 at TEDxDirigo‘s Villages conference at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine,  conference, ILSR Senior Researcher Stacy Mitchell argues for a new phase in the local economy movement. She notes that there’s been a resurgence of support for small farms, local businesses, and community banks, but argues: “As remarkable… Continue reading

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Featured Article, Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 15 Comments | Updated on Dec 1, 2012

How Walmart is Devouring the Food System (Infographic)

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/infographic-walmart-food/

Walmart now captures $1 of every $4 Americans spend on groceries. It’s on track to claim one-third of food sales within five years. Here’s a look at how Walmart has dramatically altered the food system — triggering massive consolidation, driving down prices to farmers, and leaving more families struggling to afford healthy food. Continue reading

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Resource filed under Banking, Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 2 Comments | Updated on Oct 17, 2012

Small Business Lending: Local Banks vs. Big Banks

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/small-business-lending-charts/

Although they control only 21% of U.S. bank assets, small and mid-sized banks provide 54% of small business loans. Continue reading

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Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 22, 2012

Presentation: What Happens to Local Businesses When Walmart Moves In?

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/what-happens-local-businesses-walmart/

This brief presentation looks at how Walmart could impact local businesses if it’s allowed to expand into urban areas.

Continue reading

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Featured Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 22, 2012

Stacy Mitchell Talks Walmart and the Future of Big-Box Retail on San Francisco’s KALW

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/stacy-mitchell-interview-kalw/

ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell was a guest on Your Call on San Francisco public radio station KALW. She joined host Rose Aguilar and Charles Fishman, author of The Wal-Mart Effect, for an hour-long conversation about how Walmart came to dominate the economy and what local business owners and retail workers are doing to counter its market power. Continue reading

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Featured Article, Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 22 Comments | Updated on Jun 5, 2012

Amazon Infographic: How a Single Company Gained a Stranglehold over Online Shopping and the Future of Retail

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/amazon-infographic/

This infographic tracks how Amazon bullied and swindled its way to becoming one of the most powerful retailers on the planet. On pace to be bigger than Walmart by decade’s end, Amazon already controls more than one-third of online shopping and is growing four times faster than e-commerce overall. Continue reading

Number of Small Firms per 1,000 People, By State
Featured Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 6 Comments | Updated on May 9, 2012

Are Lightly Regulated States Really More Friendly to Small Businesses?

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/lightly-regulated-states-friendly-small-businesses/

A new ranking of states based on “small business friendliness” gives low scores to those with more stringent environmental, labor, health & safety, and other regulations. The trouble with this analysis, however, is that many of the supposedly “unfriendly” states are actually home to much larger numbers of small businesses than the “friendly” states. Continue reading

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Featured Article, ILSR Press Room, Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 9 Comments | Updated on Mar 7, 2012

New Report: Walmart’s Greenwash

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/new-report-walmarts-greenwash/

In this new report, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance documents how Walmart’s heavily promoted sustainability initiatives are falling short. “Walmart’s sustainability campaign has done more to improve the company’s image than to help the environment,” said Stacy Mitchell, the report’s author and a senior researcher at ILSR. Continue reading