What do you know about independent retailers? Did you know
that according to the National Retail Federation that one in five Americans are
employed by independent or privately held retail businesses and account for
nearly 95% of the industry? Most probably do not.
Some of these retailers are being squeezed though by not
being noticed. According to a recent survey of 1000’s of consumers conducted by
AllYourRetail.com, a marketing company, showed that 49.2% were able to identify
an independent furniture dealer. This same survey showed us only 32.7% could
name an independent mattress dealer. Even sadder to me personally as owner of
Bill & Rod’s Appliance Inc., in Livonia, MI, was that a measly 19.5% could
name an independent appliance dealer. We could also look at this another way,
80.5% of consumers cannot name a currently open independent appliance dealer.
The myth of the “Big Box” stores always having the best
prices always is far too wide spread as well. Many independents can not only compete,
but hold their own without breaking a sweat. Bill & Rod’s Appliance Inc.,
for example, is part of national buying group called BrandSource. This allows
us to pool our volume with other independents and give us the same amount
buying power as the chain stores.
Our one mission is to be the absolute best every single
time, and make our customers our family. Without our neighbors coming to work
with us we would be sunk. If you are tired of being a number then come join the
family of an independent retailer.
What do you know about independent retailers?
Joe Legato
Livonia
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