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How might we restore vibrancy in cities and regions facing economic decline? Read the challenge brief

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Mission #4 Collect Insights Find out more...

"Black Friday sucks"

Last week I talked with local business owners in our downtown and unanimously they were not fans of Black Friday.
Black Friday isn't popular with local business owners in my small town. Universally they see it as a bad day where dollars get spent at large chains and few trickle into their cash registers.

One store owner told me: "Black Friday sucks. It's all about shopping at the big box stores. You don't see anyone lining up outside my store or anybody else's (locally-owned store)."

Everyone was in a funk as it's discouraging to hear about the large superstores having a great day while you are having a relatively slow one.

Another store owner complained to me about how they contributed with the rest of the downtown to hold a Christmas Tree Lighting Friday night and that's when everyone came downtown after having spent the day shopping elsewhere. It wasn't a good feeling to contribute to the community and see people spending the dollars elsewhere.

A credit card company (I forget which one) was encouraging people to make Saturday, Buy Local Day this year, with it appeared minimal traction here (I wonder if it had an effect elsewhere?)

Are there other ways we can tweak people's holiday shopping to help it encourage local vibrancy and get them to include local businesses more in their purchasing decisions?
Mission #4 Collect Insights Find out more...

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John Reuter's reply to Lauren P. Adams's comment

John Reuter

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December 05, 2011, 04:30AM
Some buzz on facebook, but it didn't seem to translate into sales, crowds or enthusiasm - but that doesn't mean it couldn't in time, particularly if local merchants put some effort into piggybacking onto the national ad campaign.
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Vincent Cheng

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November 30, 2011, 08:03PM
Thanks John for the build on how local business owners experience Black Friday.

I think the credit card buy local day effort you are referring to is American Express's Small Business Saturday (the day after Black Friday), where various tools are used to help small businesses get sales (including Amex giving customers statement credits back): http://smallbusinesssaturday.com/
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John Reuter's reply to Lauren P. Adams's comment

John Reuter

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November 30, 2011, 11:35PM
That's what I was thinking of. Thanks, Vincent! And thanks for the inspiration that reminded me of these conversations.
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Meena Kadri

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November 30, 2011, 10:33PM
Great provocation, John. Looking forward to what fresh thinking folks might have on this for the upcoming Concepting phase!
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