Independent Retailers by Bill & Rod's Appliance

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

Livonia Chamber supports renewal of city’s millages

Protecting police and fire staffing and Livonia’s quality of life are among several significant reasons the Livonia Chamber of Commerce endorses renewal of two city millage requests that go to voters this summer.

Livonia residents will be asked to approve 10-year renewals of a 1.7-mill levy for public safety, and a 0.25-mill levy to support the Greenmead Historic Village and Livonia Senior Center. The election for both millage requests will be held August 2.

Both millages were approved for five years by 75 percent of Livonia voters in August 2011.

The Livonia Chamber’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to endorse both millage renewals at its April meeting. Chamber leaders said renewing these millage proposals would not increase current tax rates to home and business owners.

“If these millages are not renewed, the Livonia Police Department would be forced to cut 35-40 positions, and we don’t believe anyone thinks that is a good idea,” said Dan West, president of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. “The millage also enables the city to continue the training and purchase the equipment needed to maintain premier police and fire services in our city.”

The chamber also supports renewing the millage for Greenmead and the senior center, because they are popular programs that support quality of life in Livonia.

“Our board feels city leaders have been good stewards of the city’s budget, while keeping Livonia as the second-lowest tax rate of any city in Wayne County,” West added.

The Livonia Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, non-partisan trade organization that represents 900 businesses and groups. The Livonia Chamber’s 21-member Board of Directors occasionally takes positions on issues that impact the local business community, but the Chamber does not endorse candidates running for office.