A campaign encouraging Reno citizens to buy local, Reno Loves Local, is releasing a set of zero-cost actions that individuals can take as a means to help support small and local businesses in the community as January 2021 approaches. Seven free methods are being encouraged to keep small businesses top of mind for our community and continue the support during the uncertain economic environment of 2021.
“In our planning, the Reno Loves Local team heard our community’s desire to support local businesses along with how difficult spending beyond necessities would be in the coming year. So we shared a few easy things that don’t require money, and the reaction was inspiring.” said Michael Tragash, community manager for Yelp Reno. “It’s clear our community wants to rise to this occasion and do all we can to help our local businesses thrive. These simple, free things allow everyone to be a part of the solution. If we’re sharing the good word for our businesses, they can focus on rebuilding them to pre-pandemic levels.”
Disposable income is tightening for many and as federal and state budgets announce reductions, many residents will opt to save dollars or pay down debt. The National Retail Federation reports that 65% of consumers who filed expect a return on their 2020 taxes (2020 Tax Return Study, conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics). Consumers who indicated they plan to use the return to put toward savings rose from 41% in 2019 to 50% in 2020, and consumers who indicated they planned to use their returns on paying down debt rose from 32% in 2019 to 34% in 2020.
And even though many businesses have adjusted operations and delivery models (Forbes reports e-commerce has seen 129% year-over-year growth in the United States and Canada in orders as of April 21, 2020), shifting to e-commerce options or curb-side pickup, the number of businesses indicating they can withstand the impact of a shifted pandemic economy are dwindling. Permanent business closures have risen by an estimated 34% since 2019, according to the World Economic Forum, a Geneva-headquartered nonprofit. Yelp data indicates 163,735 businesses across the United States have closed as of August 31, 2020, a 23% increase since mid-July of 2020.
“Reno has a passion for supporting local businesses and citizens are seeking out opportunities to help,” said Tragash. “While we know spending our dollars is most helpful, not everyone is in a position to do so and many are looking for other ways to show their support without spending. In planning we shared these seven easy ways to support local with Yelpers and our social media following and learned many were unaware of the impact their online actions could have on a business. Not everyone realizes leaving a review, liking, commenting, or sharing a business’ post can result in that business being discovered by a friend, who might not know about it, and that friend could very well be in a position to spend. Business owners have echoed the same: telling us that even the smallest, simplest online acts track back to dollars for them. Every little thing helps, and it’s our collective actions as a community that will keep our local businesses top of mind and thriving in the new year.”
The zero-cost activities include:
- Follow local businesses on social media.
- Tell your friends and family about a business that you appreciate.
- Write a review.
- Interact with businesses on social media.
- Use the business’ hashtag, or mention them when sharing about a Reno small business.
- Let a Reno small business know how much you love them by sending them a message.
- Sign up for their email list.
The campaign is still encouraging individuals to take the #RenoLocalPledge, which already incorporates zero-cost actions and is being hosted by local digital promotions company, ShortStack, for free:
- I’ll continue to take my personal safety and the safety of those around me seriously.
- As my budget permits, I’ll visit at least one Reno business each week (restaurants, retailers, service providers, farmers, ranchers and farmer’s markets).
- When I consider buying a gift for someone I care about, I will consider local options first.
- I will use my digital presence (likes, comments, saves, shares, and reviews) to support Reno businesses, artisans and people that enrich my life and community.
- If I see someone in need and I can help them, I will try.
Individuals are encouraged to follow @RenoLovesLocal on Facebook and Instagram as the accounts highlight myriad small businesses in the retail, restaurant and services industries throughout the city.
The Reno Loves Local campaign is a coordinated effort between Bryon Evans Film, Electrikk Digital and The Gattuso Coalition, and collaborating with Yelp Reno. Funding is made possible by the City of Reno via the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. To learn more about the effort, visit its social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.
About Reno Loves Local
Reno Loves Local hopes to incentivize the Reno community to use the power of their dollars and endorsements as a means for saving the robust and diverse small business community that has been growing in Reno, Nevada. In the same way the community strives to be more inclusive for all, Reno Loves Local seeks to lift up small businesses during and after the measures taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. For the most up to date incentives, visit www.facebook.com/renoloveslocal.