The Value of Shopping Locally is Powerful.
Oliver’s Markets has released the results of an updated report exploring the economic value of
shopping locally. Both the latest report and the original 2011 report were conducted by Dr. Robert
Eyler, business consultant and Professor of Economics at Sonoma State University.
The results of Going Local as a Retailer: Oliver’s Market 2016 include the following findings:
- When a consumer buys a locally produced product from Oliver’s, the financial benefit to
Sonoma County is 2 ½ times greater than when purchasing a national brand from a chain
store.
- When a consumer buys a locally produced product from Oliver’s, the local taxes generated by
that sale is almost three times greater than purchasing a national brand from a chain store.
- For every $1 Oliver’s spends on payroll, Oliver’s local focus supports another 81 cents in
payroll spending at the Sonoma County producers supported by the company.
Not only are Sonoma County products generally outstanding in quality, but when we all see the benefit to buying them and supporting them, the importance is hard to ignore. Tom Scott, CEO, Oliver's Markets
“We believe as a locally owned and operated business supporting other local businesses that we
contribute a larger amount of dollars to our community, but having this measurement and assessment
makes the benefits more tangible, both to us and our customers,” said Tom Scott, CEO, Oliver’s
Markets. “Not only are Sonoma County products generally outstanding in quality, but when we all see
the benefit to buying them and supporting them, the importance is hard to ignore. It is also gratifying
to see how the ripple made by these choices has grown in impact since the original study.”
The report concludes:
“Going local makes a powerful, economic difference than buying from non-local firms on Sonoma
County. Oliver’s current operations provide over $184.3 million, $19.3 million in state and local taxes,
and create or sustain over 711.5 jobs for Sonoma County. If a non-local grocer hires and buys locally
in the same capacity, Sonoma County loses over $6.5 million of the broader impacts because the
profits go away from Sonoma County; if the non-local grocer also sources no goods locally, Sonoma
County loses over $57.6 million annually.”
Download the full report here.
About Oliver’s Markets
Established in 1988, Oliver’s Markets is a locally owned and operated grocer serving Sonoma
County, California from three locations in Santa Rosa and Cotati, and a fourth Windsor location
opening in 2016. Oliver’s Markets strive to offer the finest selection of natural, conventional, and
specialty products. This mission begins with a commitment to support the community through
hundreds of local partners including farmers and producers of food, beverage, and wellness products.
Oliver’s carries over 6,000 locally produced products, which account for 26% of sales annually. A
member of the Sonoma County GoLocal Cooperative, Oliver’s received “Green Business
Certification” from the Sonoma County Green Business Program (2011) and a “Best Practice Award”
from the Business Environment Alliance (2007). It was named “Best Grocery Store” by the North Bay
Bohemian (2000-2014) and “Outstanding Retailers of 2013” by the Specialty Food Association. Learn
more at www.oliversmarket.com.