AFI Joins AIBA: Buy Local!

We're proud to have just joined AIBA:  the Austin Independent Business Alliance.​ AIBA's main goals are to educate the public about the cultural and economic benefits of buying locally, to promote AIBA members to the public, and to advocate to government on behalf of our members about issues of concern to local business.

AIBA and Civic Economics published a report in 2002 called "Economic Impact Study:  Local Merchants vs. Chain Retailers" that revealed several important findings:

• Local merchants spend a much larger portion of total revenue on local labor to run the enterprise and sell the merchandise.
• Local merchants keep their modest profits in the local economy. 
• Local merchants provide strong support for local artists and authors, creating further local economic impact. 
• For every $100 in consumer spending at a national chain, the total local economic impact is only $13, whereas the same amount spent with a local merchant yields $45, more than three times the local economic impact. 

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​From the AIBA website:  "In 2002, a group of local business owners met to explore the idea that local was a community value, that independent businesses built this city, reflect our culture and provide the things needed for a fulfilled life. They speculated that local businesses formed the foundation of a healthy local economy and played a major role in the creative and economic vibrancy of our community. They were right."