The Locavore Guide: A Big-box Backlash
To listen to the podcast, click here.
Independent boutiques have always had a place in retail, but “the shop around the corner” can’t always compete against big-box stores or online retailers like Amazon. But there’s a backlash brewing, and guides to helping consumers shop small are increasing.
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In this episode of WWD Voices, Lauren Parker, director of Fairchild Studio, chats with Caroline Weaver, small business expert and founder of The Locavore Guide — a searchable, filterable, online database of 14,000 independent stores in New York City.
Weaver explained that in addition to The Locavore Guide, there’s an overall trend of online directories and content platforms powering the shop local movement. “In the past couple of years, I’ve noticed an increase of online resources that are really well designed,” she said. “They’re not just social media accounts who are sharing little tidbits of information about pretty shops. They’re actual built-out online websites and apps that are educating people about why shopping local is so valuable and so important.”
She also wants to remind people that shopping small shouldn’t be the occasional one-off. “Shopping local isn’t about just doing Small Business Saturday, or buying the occasional gift, or supporting small businesses during the holiday season or when things are dire,” she said, “it’s about shopping at these shops all the time as part of your everyday lifestyle.”
To listen to the podcast, click here.
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