Article
filed under
Independent Business
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admin
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| Updated on
May 1, 2002
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/cooperative-bolsters-independent-lighting-stores/
To counter competition from big box retailers, independent lighting stores are banding together in a cooperative called Lighting One. The coop enables members to reduce costs through joint purchasing and gain access to services and expertise that otherwise would be unaffordable.
"Lighting One puts us on a level playing field with the big boxes," says Marilyn Shulman, second generation owner of Bayshore Lighting, a 60-year-old lighting store in Long Island, New York.
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Article
filed under
Independent Business
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admin
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| Updated on
May 1, 2002
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/independent-funeral-homes-rebound/
Just a few years ago, industry observers were predicting the demise of independent funeral homes. Four giant companies were buying up thousands of independent mortuaries and rapidly consolidating the industry. By processing bodies at large regional embalming plants, buying in bulk, and sharing employees across multiple homes, the chains were expected to gain a significant financial edge over their independent competitors.
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Article
filed under
Independent Business
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admin
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| Updated on
May 1, 2002
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/local-bookstore-files-antitrust-suit-against-chains/
The now defunct Intimate Bookshop of North Carolina has filed suit against Barnes & Noble and Borders Books alleging that the chains used their market power to pressure publishers for special discounts and terms unavailable to other retailers.
According to documents filed in the case by Intimate’s attorney, Carl Person, the chains received an effective discount of 60 percent off the cover price, compared to only about 40-46 percent given to independent bookstores.
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Article
filed under
Independent Business
| Written by
Stacy Mitchell
|
| Updated on
May 1, 2002
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/vancouver-coalition-fights-walmart/
A coalition of neighborhood, small business, and environmental groups has gathered more than 4,000 petition signatures against a proposed Wal-Mart store in Vancouver, Canada. Continue reading
Rule
filed under
Independent Business, The Public Good
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admin
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| Updated on
Mar 20, 2002
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/tax-base-sharing/
The drive for increased property tax revenue, and in some cases sales tax revenue, can lead local governments to make land use decisions that conflict with other planning and economic development goals. A community might reject much needed affordable housing in favor of expensive homes, for example, or forego office buildings with high-paying jobs in favor of big box retail stores with low-wage jobs, in anticipation of generating more tax revenue with a comparatively smaller burden on public services. Continue reading
Article
filed under
Independent Business
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admin
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| Updated on
Mar 2, 2002
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/bozeman-weighs-economic-impact-review-ordinance/
The Bozeman, Montana city commission is expected to vote later this month on a zoning ordinance that would require proposals for stores larger than 50,000 square feet (less than half the size of a typical Wal-Mart) to undergo an economic impact review before gaining approval.
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Article
filed under
Independent Business
| Written by
Stacy Mitchell
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| Updated on
Mar 2, 2002
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/california-bill-aims-quell-quest-big-retail/
In every region of the country, chain store developers have successfully played neighboring communities against one another to gain approval for their stores and to exact the biggest tax breaks and public subsidies. But nowhere have city officials been as desperate for sales tax revenue—and thus big box stores, shopping malls, and auto dealerships—than in California, where the competition for retail development has been especially costly and destructive.
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Article
filed under
Independent Business
| Written by
Stacy Mitchell
|
| Updated on
Mar 2, 2002
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/new-code-wont-break-british-chains-armlock-farmers/
British farmers and environmentalists are irate over the government’s new regulations governing the way major supermarket chains deal with their suppliers. The binding Code of Practice was issued in November after an extensive study found that the major supermarket chains routinely use their market power to squeeze farmers, undermine competition, and harm the public interest.
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Article
filed under
Independent Business
| Written by
Stacy Mitchell
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| Updated on
Mar 2, 2002
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/canadas-campus-bookstores-fight-chain-takeover/
In January, Canada’s university and college bookstores filed a complaint with federal competition officials over attempts by Indigo, the country’s largest book chain, to assume control of campus bookstores. Continue reading
Article
filed under
Independent Business
| Written by
Stacy Mitchell
|
| Updated on
Mar 2, 2002
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/salt-lake-city-map-highlights-local-businesses/
A new Salt Lake City map offers residents and visitors a colorful and handy reference for finding more than 100 unique, locally owned businesses.
The full color, fold-up map was created by the Salt Lake Vest Pocket Business Coalition, an alliance of 200 independent businesses. One side shows the city’s streets, with illustrations of major landmarks and buildings housing local businesses.
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