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Featured Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on May 13, 2013

After 20 Years, Congress May Finally Pass Internet Sales Tax. Is it Too Late?

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/20-years-congress-finally-pass-internet-sales-tax-late/

Not having to charge sales tax fueled Amazon’s growth for nearly 20 years. While it’s impossible not to see the company as a horse that’s already out the barn door, there’s still good reason to believe that the Marketplace Fairness Act will slow Amazon’s consolidation of retailing and provide benefit to independent businesses. Continue reading

ILSR Press Room filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Apr 23, 2013

Internet Sales Tax Bill Will Help Independent Businesses and Local Economies

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/internet-sales-tax-bill-independent-businesses-local-economies/

Stacy Mitchell, director of ILSR’s Independent Business Initiative, Discusses the Bill’s Impact Continue reading

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ILSR Press Room filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 14, 2013

ILSR Statement on the Reintroduction of the Marketplace Fairness Act

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

In response to the reintroduction of the Marketplace Fairness Act in the U.S. Senate today, Stacy Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance released the following statement.
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Featured Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 3 Comments | Updated on Jun 20, 2012

Justice Department Abets Amazon’s E-Book Monopoly

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

For years, Amazon has used its size and market power to bully publishers and keep other retailers from competing in the e-book market.  And, for years, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has done nothing to constrain Amazon’s abuses or bring about a more competitive marketplace. So it was quite a shock last month when… 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

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 2 Comments | Updated on Sep 10, 2011

Don’t Subsidize Big Boxes at Local Shops’ Expense

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/dont-subsidize-big-boxes-local-shops-expense/

Handing out multimillion-dollar subsidies to large chains has become commonplace in much of the country. But when governments use public money to woo national chains, economic growth and job creation are negligible, and independent retailers suffer, Stacy Mitchell argues in this commentary for Business Week.

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filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Sep 1, 2011

The Growth of Internet Retailing: Implications and Strategies for the Specialty Toy Industry

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/growth-internet-retailing-implications-strategies-specialty-toy-industry/

This white paper examines the growth of internet retailing, Amazon’s increasing share of this market,  and the rise of free-riding as consumers browse and ask questions in brick-and-mortar stores and then buy online.  The paper presents several recommendations for manufacturers, retailers, and policy-makers. Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2011

California Requires Internet Retailers to Collect Sales Tax

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/california-requires-internet-retailers-collect-sales-tax/

In what may well be the tipping point in a decade-long fight to level the playing field for local brick-and-mortar businesses, California this week enacted a law requiring Amazon and other large online retailers to collect state sales tax.  Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 3 Comments | Updated on Jun 23, 2011

Why Publishers, Not Amazon, Should Set Book Prices

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/why-publishers-not-amazon-should-set-book-prices/

After winning a high-stakes standoff against Amazon last year, publishers are now setting the prices that retailers can charge for their e-books.

At first blush, one might assume that such price-fixing would result in higher prices. But the evidence from more than a dozen European countries, where laws have long prohibited selling both print and electronic books below a set price, clearly shows that publisher-mandated pricing saves consumers money. It also fosters a more lively and competitive book industry, with far more books published and many more independent bookstores open than in countries where big retailers control pricing. Continue reading

Rule filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jun 2, 2011

Fixed Price Book Laws

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/antitrust-policies/2216-2/

Laws in some European countries, most notably Germany, require all bookstores, including online sellers, to sell books at fixed prices. Supporters say outlawing discounts protects independent bookstores and small publishers, which in turn ensures that a broader variety of books are available and that there is less focus on best-sellers. Continue reading