Keeping Conroe Strong Starts with Shopping Local

The holiday shopping season is shifting into high gear, and all indications are that consumers are ready to spend on the perfect gifts for their loved ones. One estimate suggests that the average American will spend $736 on holiday gifts this year, up 10% from last year. And while the bulk of that spending is likely to take place at online retailers or national chain stores, there is a growing push to keep spending local. By one estimate, shoppers will spend $109 billion this holiday season, up 44% from last year, and on average, 90% of shoppers say it is important to support small businesses. It is a trend that we at Conroe Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) heartily support. 

Locally-owned businesses play a crucial role in the Texas economy. More than 3 million small businesses operating statewide make up 99.8% of all businesses in the state, and they employ more than 44% of the state’s total workforce. The holiday season can be crucial for these businesses, with sales during this period in some cases making up nearly half of annual revenue. As a result, supporting local businesses this time of year can make a significant impact on their financial health for the rest of the year. 

Local businesses create community

Supporting a small business is about more than helping a local entrepreneur keep their doors open. Shopping local is good for the community as a whole. For one thing, local businesses give their city character in a way that bigger retailers do not. They create experiences that shoppers simply cannot have in other communities. 

Shopping local also keeps money in the community. For example, when you support local businesses, roughly 67% of the money you spend stays in the local economy, compared to just 47% at national chains and nothing when you shop online. Some of that is because local business owners pay residents to work for them, but local business owners also tend to be more involved in their community, with an estimated 90% of small-business owners reporting that they have financially supported local community or civic groups and another 76% saying they volunteer their time in the community. 

Keeping Local Businesses Strong

Conroe is fortunate to have a strong local business community, with family-owned cafes, restaurants, and charming shops lining its quaint downtown streets. CEDC is committed to helping these businesses thrive. 

We support these businesses by providing access to financial and other resources; offering a centralized database of demographic, marketing, and performance information that can help small-business owners get started or grow; and actively reaching out to businesses to ensure they have what they need to succeed. 

The Character of the Community

There is no shortage of options for your holiday shopping dollars. Big-box stores and online outlets may offer prices and selection that are hard for local businesses to match. However, there is unquestionable value in shopping local this season and throughout the year. We hope you’ll join us today, tomorrow, and throughout the year in supporting the hard-working men and women whose contributions do so much to keep our business community and our city healthy. 

If you’d like to know more about how CEDC supports local businesses, contact us today!