Shop Local

Southern Illinois area Chambers of Commerce work together every year to inspire Southern Illinoisans to do a majority of their shopping in the region, rather than traveling outside of the area or shopping online. The effort, called “Shop Southern Illinois,” features a strong social media presence where residents can learn some of the reasons it is important for Southern Illinois to shop locally and where they may pledge to do most of their own shopping in the region by using the hashtag #IBuySI.

Southern Illinois area Chambers of Commerce work together every year to inspire Southern Illinoisans to do a majority of their shopping in the region, rather than traveling outside of the area or shopping online. The effort, called “Shop Southern Illinois,” features a strong social media presence where residents can learn some of the reasons it is important for Southern Illinois to shop locally and where they may pledge to do most of their own shopping in the region by using the hashtag #IBuySI.

Here’s why it helps: Each dollar you spend at a local, independent business returns 50 times more money to your local economy than shopping at a mega e-retailer.

Amount that stays in your community when you spend $100:

• At a locally-owned business: $68
• At a chain store: $43
• At Amazon: $0

Each dollar you spend at a local, independent business returns 50 times more money to your local economy than shopping at a mega e-retailer. All across our great state small businesses provide our communities with good jobs, quality service, and the character that makes our cities, towns and neighborhoods feel like home

Over 50% of the SOIL region is made up of small and medium sized businesses. Why Buy SI?

Receive the personal touch- Employees are personally invested in the products or services and will go the extra mile for their customers.

Creates more jobs and investment- Since the 1995, 66% of new jobs are generated by small business. For each $1 spent by on advertising any IL business, $9 goes back into the community.

Shorter lines- Shorter lines mean less stress and hassle when it comes to getting what you need!

Reduces environmental impact- Local businesses make more local purchases, so less transportation is required. In turn, you’re contributing less to pollution, traffic congestion, habitat loss and resource depletion.

Non-profits receive more support- Local business owners provide significant support for non-profits. In fact, non-profits receive as much as 350% more money from local shops than non-locally owned businesses.

Puts taxes to good use- Taxes paid by small, local businesses are widely used to support schools, parks, roads, and other local programs! On average, 48% of each purchase at local independent businesses is recirculated locally, compared to less than 14% of purchases at chain stores

Unique & exclusive- Two words…small batch. The production of small-batch products involves the use of techniques, processes, and/or ingredients that might not be seen as “cost-efficient” in mass production.