Sunday, December 6th, 2020

The holiday season is here and this year it is more important than ever to consider where you spend your money as you make purchases for your loved ones.

Numerous factors contribute to holiday shopping this year.  With so many families affected by the coronavirus, unemployment levels still surging, eviction moratoriums expiring, and the end of the federal stimulus package, families are choosing very carefully how much and where to spend their money.

According to a survey of 1,200 U.S. consumers by Deloitte LLP from the beginning of November, consumer feelings of safety in stores is up from 30% in April to 61% in this fall.

According to that same survey, these were the Black Friday statistics:

Many people are understandably choosing to do their shopping from the safety of their home and internet sales are way up. What does that mean for your local vendors whether they are small boutiques or a big box retailer?

According to a New York Times article on November 23, 2020,  “…two Macy’s stores, in Delaware and Colorado, went ‘dark’, meaning employees are primarily using the spaces as fulfillment centers where they process online orders and returns rather than a place for customers to browse and shop.”

If stores like Macy’s have had to pivot from in person shopping to filling online orders, what does that mean for the stores in your community?

It means that this year our small local businesses need our support more than ever.

Some small businesses have been forced to either temporarily, or even permanently, shut their doors due to the pandemic.  Those that are open may have a much smaller volume of customers as compared to pre-pandemic times. The people who work and own the small businesses in our communities are often also our neighbors, friends, and even family – let us help them through this difficult time!

Besides supporting business owners and local jobs in your community, shopping in your local businesses is a way to ensure the continuation of important government services and programs. In 2019, sales tax generated $17 billion in tax revenue for New York State, or 9.7 percent of all government revenue and close to 30 percent for counties, according to New York State Comptroller DiNapoli.

The success of local retail also means commercial property owners are able to pay property tax, another important source of revenue for municipalities. This revenue is necessary in order for local governments to provide essential services and operations – think capital improvements on roads and bridges, or services like police and fire departments.

Nationally local government employs more people than the entire domestic manufacturing sector. Local government spending on contractors also stimulates other sectors like construction and engineering.  The pandemic has seriously affected local businesses and municipal budgets.

Shopping local this holiday season is one way you can do your small part in helping your community.

There is a way to both shop online and support local retail stores in your community.  Some retail stores have set up websites for online ordering that include an inventory of items, prices, and a method to place an order.  Another option is to call the store you wish to support and place an order for pickup over the phone.  Purchasing gift certificates to give to friends and family is another way to support local businesses.

Others have created innovative solutions to the challenge of holiday shopping during the pandemic:

  • Rockland Business Women’s Association has created the Rockland County Online Holiday Shopping Expo through which local retailers are able to sell their wares online. rbwn.org
  • Greene County Economic Development Corporation connects local businesses with consumers through the Buy In Greene Products & Services from over 1,000 Greene County businesses are promoted through a calendar of advertising and social media campaigns followed by thousands of residents, visitors, and prospective customers throughout the Hudson Valley, NY Metro, Long Island and Northern New Jersey regions.   www.buyingreene.com

We encourage each and every one of you to shop local and to remember your neighbors and friends. Let’s keep the Hudson Valley happy and healthy this holiday season!


Written by:

Robin DeGroat
Vice President for Operations & Executive Assistant to the President, Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress

Kate Stryker
Research Planner, Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress