The success of local businesses largely depends on your support — regardless of the holiday or special occasion. Independence Bank is proud to promote these organizations across the communities we serve.
“I love shopping local,” said Independence Bank Daviess County President Nick Oller. “There is such a sense of community when you walk into a local business and are greeted by your first name.”
Newly released numbers show the latest spending trends. According to savemycent.com, the holiday shopping season now starts as early as mid-October. This report also indicates that U.S. retail sales totaled $789.4 billion in November and December 2020.
“There are so many ways to shop today,” Oller said. “We all rely on internet shopping in some format, but nothing can beat the benefits of shopping small. Keeping our dollars local and giving back to our community is just another easy way of showing local love.”
Despite seasonal discounts launching earlier each year to entice consumers, statistics show that last-minute holiday shopping is still very common. It is estimated that while 79% of consumers did all their holiday shopping in the two weeks leading up to Christmas last year, more than half of them left it for the very last week.
And for any procrastinators in search of that perfect present, local stores are an excellent place to start.
This is especially true in a year packed with pandemic-related problems. Many businesses continue struggling with staffing and shipping because of supply-chain issues.
“During a season of giving, it is important to remember grace,” Oller said. “I came across a sign that read: ‘We are short-staffed. Be kind to those of us who showed up.’ We should always look for ways to lift one another up.”
Independence Bank recognizes that local businesses drive communities forward, which is why it makes a conscious decision to spread support through its Local Love program. This initiative lasts all year and generally gains momentum throughout the last few calendar months.
“Local businesses need our help now more than ever,” Oller said. “If each of us make an effort to buy from these establishments, we can expand their end-of-year bottom line.”
An annual Independence Bank staple sponsorship remains the upcoming Shop Owensboro event with the Chamber of Commerce.
In late November, the Bank powers this partnership which is designed to elevate the highly known American Express Small Business Saturday. The local attraction centers around the city’s booming small business scene. A similar event is also hosted in the summer.
“When we began this partnership, we had a narrow focus on the holiday season,” Oller said. “However, we quickly realized that shopping small could be expanded to Mother’s and Father’s Day, graduations and more. Shopping small creates an incredible impact.”
New this year, to reinforce the recognition, Independence Bank is also collaborating with Owensboro Times. Throughout four Hometown Holiday Open House features (which will be published daily over the remainder of this week), readers will become more familiar with a variety of local businesses across town. The pieces will be grouped by geographical area including downtown, midtown, east and west which make up Owensboro overall.
“We are one community that supports each other,” Oller said. “When we create unity, the entire county benefits and will prosper. Our customers are our friends, family, teachers, neighbors and nurses who have always supported us. Our commitment to them continues to be honest, sincere, fair and innovative. We will never waiver from that. Our customers will know we are always Here For Good.”
