Press Release Template for 2013 ILSR Survey
Note: This template is intended to help independent business advocates generate local publicity via the Institute for Local Self Reliance's new 2013 survey. Unaffiliated groups are welcome to use this template, but you'll need to remove the sentence referring to AMIBA affiliation. We ask that you send us your edit so we know our work is useful! If you'd like feedback on a draft, just ask us.
Links should transfer when you cut and paste the text into a document or email. We suggest you note in emails to media that the graph below is attached--otherwise they may miss it (ask if you'd like a print-quality file).
NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February XX, 2013
Nationwide Survey Shows Big Gains for Independent Businesses Served by Groups Like YOURNAME
CONTACT: YOUR SPOKESPERSON, PHONE & EMAIL (adding contacts below is optional)
Stacy Mitchell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, 207-774-6792
Jeff Michen, American Independent Business Alliance, 406-582-1255
The sixth annual post-holiday survey of independent businesses by the Institute for Local Self Reliance yielded powerful evidence that pro-local attitudes are growing and suggests Independent Business Alliances like OURGROUP (LINK) are yielding direct benefits for their members.
- The survey tallied responses
from 2377 businesses, all independent and locally-owned, across all 50 states. About
half were retailers. Among the notable results:
- A larger share (65%) of
respondents reported revenue growth in 2012 compared to the previous two years (61% in 2011, 54% in 2010)
- Sixty-eight percent of respondents thought awareness of the benefits of "going local" had increased in the previous year.
- Independent businesses in
communities with an active "buy independent/buy local" campaign run by grassroots groups like YOURGROUP saw revenues grow 8.6% in 2012, compared to 3.4%
for those in areas without an alliance.
"Independent businesses are making huge strides when it comes to communicating their value and building community support…" said Stacy Mitchell, senior researcher at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
INSERT YOUR SPOKESPERSON'S QUOTE HERE
OURGROUP is a member of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), a national network of more than 85 community alliances supporting local entrepreneurs. "It's great to see data supporting what we hear from local Alliances -- that their work continues to shift local consciousness and is driving more business to local independents," said Jeff Milchen, co-director of AMIBA.
Download the full report (pdf)
Click on images below for larger view
