Research supporting the growth of independent retailers, specifically in the gift and home industry. Research also found more growth for independent retailers who were located in an area that supported independent business associations (IBAs).

1. Independent Retailers in the USA: Some Positive Indicators! Prepared by: Crystal Vilkaitis SnapRetail Director of Social Media April 28 th , 2011

4. Supporting Research Findings

5. I. There is some evidence that independent gift and home retailers are growing

6. Considerable Wholesale Sales Growth at 2010 and 2011 Dallas Winter Markets Source: Brandwise and The Gift and Home Association

7. And in Atlanta , despite the January 2011 blizzard….

8. Sales Were Slightly Up over 2010 Source: Brandwise and The Gift and Home Association

9. Signs of Change: Almost ¾ of 2009 Pharmacy Openings were Independents! Source: Localism Index , March 2011 Note: Independent Pharmacies Sell Many Gift and Personal Care Items!

10. Mini Facebooks inside of Facebook 78% of consumers shop locally-based home accent stores at least a few times a year; 31% at least once a month Source: Home Accent Today and HGTV Consumer Survey; 3,531 consumers surveyed

11. II. Purchasing from independent retailers boosts local economies!

12. $$ spent w independents goes back into local economy > 2x more than $$ spent at Target! Source: Localism Index , March 2011

13. Multiplier effect: Spending higher % locally puts even more $ back into local economy Source: Yes Magazine

14. The Public Now “Gets” the Benefit of Local Spending! Survey gathered data from 2,768 independent, locally owned businesses during an 8-day period in January.

15. Consumers care about shopping Locally

16. Mini Facebooks inside of Facebook Why Consumers Shop Locally “ Specialists offer more unique items, not just cookie-cutter items you find at chain stores .” – 45-year-old, California “ Specialty stores tend to have more unique pieces that you won’t get at a big-box store and I am contributing to the local small businesses ” – 23-year-old, Georgia “ They sell unique pieces that have character ” – 30-year-old, Ohio “ The products tend to be more unique and not so mass-marketed. Also, store personnel are more knowledgeable ” 39-year-old, North Carolina “ I like to support our local economy and I like being able to speak face-to-face with someone if I’m having a problem ” -59-year-old, Missouri Source: Home Accent Today and HGTV Consumer Survey

17. III. There are an increasing number of organizations focused on promoting “buying local”

18. Almost 7x Increase in Independent Business Alliances and Local First groups in 5 Yrs! Source: Localism Index , March 2011

19. IV. “Buy local” initiatives increase the growth of independent retailers within their community

20. Mini Facebooks inside of Facebook Independent business associations increase Sales!

21. Mini Facebooks inside of Facebook Holiday Sales Higher in Cities with Buy Local Programs!

22. V. The Opportunity is Huge Because almost 50% of independent businesses are retailers

24. VI. SnapRetail is riding the “buy local” wave and needs to align itself as much as possible to this sentiment Share Socially. Buy Locally.

25. SHARE SOCIALLY; BUY LOCALLY !