Survey of Local Businesses Shows Big ‘Buy Local’ Results

The Portland Buy Local campaign has had a significant positive impact on local shopping habits, according to the results of a new survey of independent businesses.

Nearly three-quarters of the independent business owners who took part in the survey (73 percent) report that their customers made an effort to shop at local, independent stores this past holiday season because of the Buy Local campaign. And over 60 percent of respondents said the campaign had a “positive impact” on their business this holiday season, generating increased sales and greater customer awareness and appreciation of their enterprises.

The survey was conducted by the Portland Independent Business and Community Alliance (PIBCA), the non-profit, volunteer group that organized the Portland Buy Local campaign last summer. Sixty-one of the over 200 businesses taking part in the campaign thus far responded to the online survey PIBCA conducted in mid-January.

Later this month, PIBCA is launching another poster campaign promoting local, independent businesses themed “Be Passionate for Portland: Buy Local.” The group is also developing an online directory of member businesses on its Web site, www.portlandbuylocal.org..