Why “Shop Local” Isn’t Just a Holiday Slogan — It’s a Fight for a Level Playing Field
The holidays are here, and while most of us are thinking about gifts and celebrations, Local First is also looking out for local businesses. Because the movement to “shop local” isn’t just about warm fuzzies — it’s about leveling a playing field that’s long been tilted against small businesses.
Take pharmacies, for example. Across Arizona, independent pharmacies are working to maintain fair footing while large corporations use their scale to negotiate supplier pricing that smaller retailers are locked out of. It might not sound like a concern for holiday shoppers, but the same issue is at the heart of every “shop local” appeal: fair competition.
image courtesy of Melrose Community Alliance
Bringing Arizona’s Voice to a National Conversation
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), together with 15 Small Business Rising coalition partners, recently hosted a national virtual briefing titled How Big Retailers Get Illegal Pricing Deals and How to Fight Back. The discussion brought together more than 100 independent businesses and leading fair-competition advocates to spotlight how large corporations use their market power to secure unequal pricing from suppliers — an issue that undermines small retailers nationwide.
Representing Arizona, Local First’s Thomas Barr joined the panel to share real stories from independent Phoenix pharmacies navigating these challenges on the ground.
“When small businesses are forced to buy at higher prices than national chains, communities lose choice, jobs and resilience,” Barr said. “Fair competition keeps Arizona’s economy strong.”
This Holiday Season, Your Dollars Make a Statement
And that’s exactly what your dollars defend every time you shop local. Whether it’s a neighborhood pharmacy, a family-run boutique or a regional Holiday Market, buying local is how we keep Arizona’s economy fair, strong and ours.
So as you make your gift lists this year, remember: your purchases can be more than presents — they can help power a movement.
🎁 Shop Local for the Holidays — follow Local First on Instagram for featured small-business promotions and gift ideas across Arizona.
Learn more about the impact of supporting local