Every month we look into what events and ideas are being celebrated with a commemorative day, week or month. Normally it’s quite an entertaining list. For example, just in the first few days of July we find ‘International Joke Day’, ‘Battle of Gettysburg’, ‘National Postal Workers Day’, ‘World UFO Day’ and ‘National Bikini Day’. Now that’s Variety!!
While all of those might be worthy of a celebration, this month we have moved forward to a celebration that means a lot to AMS Fulfillment. In July 2021 we find the National Independent Retailers Week commemoration from Sunday, July 18 through Saturday July 24.
AMS Fulfillment, as a vital part of the supply chain, enjoys and highly values our relationships with independent retailers. As a B Corporation we wholeheartedly support local businesses and we encourage others to do so as well, especially knowing the huge challenges that independent retailers have been experiencing since the COVID pandemic began.
From the website of National Independent Retailers we find the following:
“We all know the value of independent retailing. Supporting local businesses means supporting your community, and it’s a proven fact that money spent in locally owned business remains in the local community a lot longer than money spent in the big chain and box stores. If giant retailers like Hallmark Cards can create holidays for people to celebrate, then why can’t independent retailers have their own special day?
“That’s the concept that motivated Tom Shay of independent retailing consultant company Profits Plus to come up with Independent Retailers Week. That’s right, not merely a single day, but an entire week dedicated to supporting local retailers all across the country. Each year, Independent Retailers Week is celebrated during the week containing July 21, the anniversary of Shay’s grandmother’s birthday. This year, that means the week of Sunday, July 18 through Saturday July 24.
“In honor of National Independent Retailers Week, consumers are being asked to support their community establishments and pledge to shop locally for the entire seven days.”
According to the Census Bureau and Small Business Administration, independent retailers employ approximately 51 percent of the U.S. workforce, excluding non-farm workers. In addition, they often supply products and services normally not found in big box stores.
Independent retailers also support their communities by offering flexible employment, both full and part-time. They are the people sponsoring local events, school sports and many other organizations in the community. By shopping at a local independent retailer, you’re also supporting the town in which you live.
