It has been said that if our $465 billion dollar holiday spending spree was spent on goods made in the USA, it would create 4.6 million jobs or about 1 job per each $100,000 of sales. As of last week (December 2nd, 2011) the number of unemployed Americas (being counted) was 13.3 million or 8.6%. Doing the math, the US Christmas idea would alone bring the unemployment rate down to about 5.6% and add $17.2 billion in income tax revenue to the US treasury at the lowest IRS tax rates. Notwithstanding, it would put dinner on the table all year for a huge number of folks.
I have been out into the stores this year, and of course I read the labels. Yesterday, in fact, I spent $200 at Sears, and every single thing I purchased was made in America. But that is the exception and not the rule, unfortunately. I also spent time in Macy’s, Ann Taylor Loft, Coldwater Creek and many other department and specialty stores (all chains), and never found even so much as a single button made in America. Nothing!
In a previous post I mentioned that after visiting Columbia Sportswear’s flagship store in Portland, Oregon a few weeks back, I found out that their number one request (and a frequent one too) was apparel made in the USA! But nothing in the store was. I called it Columbia’s dirty little secret, but it isn’t theirs alone. This is a common thread with consumers. It is estimated that less than 5% of apparel is still made in the United States.
I continue to say that the retailers who carry and promote products made in the USA not only have a distinct marketing advantage, they will win a high degree of loyalty from their customers. Buying products made in America is almost like finding a prize. I firmly believe that this trend will continue, and just like the “go green” movement, is coming from the grass roots. Washington does not have a clue, or the will to help, so it’s going to be up to us—and that’s the way it should be!
Other resources:
‘Made in America’ Christmas Becomes a Movement
ABC News: The Great Made in America Christmas
Norton’s USA – A Uniquely American General Store
I have opened a small gift shop in my home town. It is very hard to find American made products. I would like to carry only those that are USA made. All suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!
Unfortunately, we can’t say that all of the products we use in our gift baskets are made in America but Nashville Wraps is one of our distributors and we buy local and made in the USA as much as possible. Robby makes some good points and we will continue to look for more local and Made In America products in 2012.
Marie Lisewski
Owner Laurel Mountain Basket Co
I’ll admit we haven’t made our Christmas 100% made in the USA, but our family has made a huge effort in that direction. Our first stop when looking for gifts is always our local hand crafted shops, then Etsy.com, then elsewhere as a last resort. Of course nashville wraps has all our packaging needs covered for both personal and business!!
Anna, owner
Lilia Designs
If 85% of the goods on the shelves at Wal-Mart are imported, it is no startling revelation that most of the people shopping there will come away with their shopping bags stuffed full of imports. Shoppers don’t walk out of Wal-Mart with foreign-made goods because they crave imports. They come away with foreign-made goods because it is what Wal-Mart stocks. I’ve heard plenty of stories about people looking to find the “Made in USA” logo, but I’ve never heard of anyone searching until they find one that says “Made in China”.