"Independents Day" (spelling intentional) has been used a lot to promote the little guy:2001:
Grundig, German manufacturer of world band phones and electronics, launched a year long “Independents Day” campaign promoting locally owned retailers who carried their line. The retailer who sold the most product won a trip to the U.S....on the Fourth of July.
2004:
The Federation of Wholesale Distributors in the U.K. launched its “My Shop is Your Shop” campaign on June 1st, dubbed “Independents’ Day.” Over 5,000 retailers participated with great success.
2006:
Two dozen retailers launched a “buy local” campaign in the Portland, Oregon area...long before most U.S. consumers had even heard the phrase.
2008:
Record labels from around the world kicked off their inaugural “Independents Day,” celebrating the role of indie labels in pop over the past 50 years.
In keeping with the patriotic theme, here’s my little ditty for independent retailers everywhere (to the tune of The Marine Corps Hymn, aka: From the Halls of Montezuma):
From the lanes of small town USA
to the streets of NYC,
there are independents everywhere
and we’re happy so to be.
Our job‘s not the easiest around,
and our work load’s ten times yours.
Still, we’ll stick to what we each do best
just to keep open our doors.
We know customers by their first names
and we know their kids’ names too.
We hear personal things most should not
as we show folks what is new.
As a therapist, we’re free of charge
and we’ll sell the latest wares,
but start buying from those online stores?
Good luck finding one who cares.
Yes, our hours are shorter than the “bigs,”
and we carry fewer lines.
We can’t offer 2/3 off the price
or impress you with big signs.
Still, we’ll give you better quality,
both in goods and service too.
If you need cheap stuff, then go to them;
come to us for what is new.
So to Walmart, KMart, and the rest,
do you think your staff can sell?
Give them Mrs. Johnson’s two hour chat
and they’ll think they’ve gone to hell.
And to online stores like Amazon,
who are open round the clock,
we don’t want to be what you’ve become;
we like profit with our stock.
Need the newest thing or latest buzz?
Get it from your corner store.
We are nimble, quick and sharp as tacks,
and will always provide more.
We will be here when it rains or shines,
and will rise up to each test.
As an Independent Retailer,
we are, simply put: the best.
© Cinda Baxter, Always Upward 2008
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