In an extremely challenging economic climate, independent retailers are outperforming many chains, a national survey has found. Continue reading
Abandoned big-box stores, dead and dying strip malls and empty storefronts are about to join foreclosed houses as one of the defining features of the American landscape in 2009. It will be tempting to blame the weak economy for all of this wreckage. But the recession has merely been the trigger. This avalanche of vacant retail, much like the mortgage crisis, has been a long time in the making. Continue reading
Wal-Mart and Target are currently building "supercenters," which combine their usual array of merchandise with a full supermarket and numerous specialty services from cut flowers to eye glasses. Supercenters typically range from 180,000 to 250,000 square feet, or between 4.1 to 5.7 acres. The parking lots that surround these stores are several times the size of the store itself. Continue reading
Note: In 2008, the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) caused the Government of Western Australia to substantially amend its Buy Local Policy to eliminate the preference for regionally produced goods over U.S. exports. Continue reading
Wyoming provides a 5% preference for local businesses bidding on any public works or public building project and a 5% preference for any machinery, construction materials, food, or other goods produced within the state, provided they are of equal or superior quality to out-of-state goods. Continue reading
West Virginia provides a 2.5% preference to local businesses ("resident vendors"), as well as a 2.5% preference to nonresident vendors that employee at least 100 West Virginia residents and whose workforce is comprised of at least 75% West Virginia residents. Continue reading
New Mexico provides a 5% preference for local businesses ("resident businesses") and local manufacturers ("resident manufacturers"). Continue reading
Alaska provides a 5% preference for local businesses (see "Alaska bidders" below) and a 3-7% preference for products partially or entirely manufactured in the state. Continue reading
Ketchikan provides a 10% preference for local businesses on bids valued at up to $100,000 and a 7% preference on those between $100,000 and $200,000. No preference is awarded on contracts above that amount. Continue reading
Columbus grants a 5% preference to local businesses for the procurement of supplies valued at $20,000 or less, other than construction and professional services, and a 1% preference to local businesses otherwise. Continue reading
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