Why Should You Shop Small?

Hello everyone! The Hooper Camera team is pleased to announce our participation in Small Business Saturday on November 26th! On this day, American Express customers will receive a $25 statement credit when they spend $25 at an eligible retailer. AmEx teamed up with Facebook to get the word out about this exciting event. For more information, or to take the pledge to Shop Small, please visit facebook.com/shopsmall.

Of course, we'll be running several special promotions on that day. If you'd like to hear about these discounts, please sign up for our preferred customer email list here.

But this post isn't about our products and services; instead of focusing on marketing, we'd like to discuss the reasons why it's important to support brick and mortar businesses, such as ourselves.

Neighborhood stores put your money right back into the community, where it belongs. Statistically speaking, these businesses are more likely to hire local residents than their corporate counterparts. For instance, Hooper Camera & Imaging just hired two young CSUN graduates to work in our photo labs. Both of our new team members live in the San Fernando Valley, so hiring them made a positive impact on the area.

Indeed, independent merchants employ a substantial portion of the U.S. workforce. According the the Bureau of Labor Statistics, small businesses account for over half of private sector jobs. That means at least 50% of your friends and family members obtain income from non-corporate companies.

Mom and pop shops routinely demonstrate an interest in the city's welfare by joining various civic organizations. These connections may foster business to business partnerships or  allocate resources to worthy causes. Hooper Camera gets involved in charitable events through the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce. Members of the Hooper team attended the Metrolink Holiday Toy Express last Friday, which is an annual gathering that benefits children in need.

Beyond these reasons, consumers should patronize small businesses for superior customer service. Large retailers tend to emphasize quantity over quality in many respects. If you're looking for a personalized shopping experience, then avoid the major chains altogether. Neighborhood stores, on the other hand, depend on repeat visits in order to survive. The need for regular clientele creates a consumer-driven mentality. You'll also find that small stores typically value longevity in terms of the sales staff. It's comforting to see the same faces every time you walk in a store, and that's something the big guys can't deliver.

We could go on about this topic forever, but we'd rather get your input instead!  Do you buy locally when you can? Do you notice a difference between the corner store and a national chain? Leave your comments below!