Shop Local

"Shop Local, Shop Red" is a dynamic economic development initiative in the Town of Red River, designed to boost the local economy by encouraging residents, business owners, and visitors to support and celebrate the town's unique small businesses. Through a blend of engaging events, social media promotion, and community collaboration, this program aims to foster community spirit and enhance Red River's reputation as a vibrant, locally-driven destination.

Program Objectives:
Boost Local Economy: The primary goal of the "Shop Local, Shop Red" program is to stimulate the local economy of Red River by encouraging residents, business owners, and visitors to support and invest in the town's small businesses. This will help create and sustain jobs, increase tax revenue, and strengthen the economic viability of the community.

Foster Community Engagement: The program aims to foster a sense of community by bringing residents, business owners, and visitors together to celebrate and support local businesses. By doing so, it will strengthen the bonds within the town and create a shared identity around the importance of supporting Red River's unique local businesses.

Enhance Red River's Reputation: "Shop Local, Shop Red" also seeks to enhance Red River's reputation as a destination that values and supports local businesses. A strong local business ecosystem can be a unique selling point for attracting visitors and promoting the town as a vibrant, economically sustainable community.


Target Audience:
The program targets three main audiences:

Local Residents: Encourage residents to prioritize local businesses for their daily needs and build a strong local shopping culture.

Business Owners: Rally local business owners to support each other and work collectively to strengthen the local business community.

Visitors: Educate and inspire visitors to choose local businesses for their purchases during their stay in Red River, boosting tourism's economic impact.

Promotion Channels:
The "Shop Local, Shop Red" program will be promoted through the following channels:

Dedicated Social Media Channel (Facebook): Establish a dedicated "Shop Local, Shop Red" Facebook page to regularly post about local businesses, special events, and promotions. Encourage followers to share their experiences and recommendations.

Visit Red River, NM Social Media Channels: Leverage Visit Red River, NM’s social media presence to promote the program on their social media platforms, reaching a wider audience of potential visitors.

Red River Chamber of Commerce Social Media Channels: Collaborate with the Chamber to promote the program to both businesses and residents.

Local News Sources: Send press releases and story pitches to local news outlets to gain coverage for the program and its events.

Small Advertising Campaigns: Run small-scale online advertising campaigns targeting Red River residents and nearby communities as well as target visitor markets to generate awareness and participation.

Program Events:
Red River Business Bingo (Small Business Saturday and Slow Weekends): Create a "Business Bingo" card featuring participating local businesses. Shoppers can complete the card by making purchases at these businesses, incentivizing them with prizes or discounts. This event will take place on Small Business Saturday and slow weekends throughout the year.

Local Vendor Markets: Organize periodic vendor markets where local businesses and artisans can showcase and sell their products. These markets can coincide with special occasions, seasons, or holidays to attract more visitors.

Seasonal Promotions: Encourage businesses to offer seasonal promotions, discounts, or unique experiences during different times of the year, enticing residents and visitors to explore and support local businesses.

Community Engagement Activities: Host events that bring the community together, such as block parties, live music, or other entertainment to create a festive atmosphere, drawing more people to local businesses.

By implementing the "Shop Local, Shop Red" program with these objectives, target audiences, promotion channels, and a variety of events, the Town of Red River Office of Economic Development & Tourism in partnership with the Red River Chamber of Commerce can help create a thriving and closely connected local business ecosystem that benefits the entire community.

You can:

• Shop Local Businesses Online: many local businesses have online stores in addition to their brick-and-mortar locations. Whenever possible, consider giving them your business. Stores in many locations are now offering delivery in addition to pick-up and some stores have curbside pickup. Keep in mind that when you buy from someone in your community, you're helping support local jobs and keeping people employed.
• Order Takeout or Delivery: your favorite restaurants may offer takeout or delivery. Not only does that keep the business going, it also provides income for delivery drivers.
• Buy Gift Cards: want to inject some cash into a small business right now? Buy a gift card. Even if you are not buying anything else, you can give your local shops or favorite restaurant a vote of confidence by purchasing a gift card to use later.
• Say Thank You: when you do go to the store, be sure to say thanks to the employees who are hard at work. It can be easy to forget that many of them are working overtime to keep their store clean and full of the food and supplies customers need. A simple thank you can go a long way in spreading a little gratitude and goodwill.
  

Do you ever wonder why where you shop matters? When we make a conscious decision to shop in Red River we are saying yes to a strong, vibrant, local economy - which translates into a unique and interesting Town.

Here is what happens when you choose to Shop Red:

• Your Environmental Impact Is Reduced: locally owned businesses make more local purchase requiring less transportation, and set up shop in town or city centers which generally means less sprawl, congestion, habitat loss, and pollution.
• Community Groups Receive More Support: local businesses donate more per sales dollar to local non-profits, events, and teams compared to national chains.
• Investment in the Community Grows: local businesses are owned by your friends and neighbors who live in Red River, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community's future - just like you.
• You Have a Better Selection of Goods: small businesses, that select products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices and price.
• It Keeps Red River Unique: one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinct character of our place - it's what distinguishes Red River from towns with mostly chain stores that looks the same.
• You Get Better Service: local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and who take more time to get to know customers.
• More Local Businesses and Jobs Are Created: small local businesses are the largest employer nationally, and in Red river, provide the most jobs to residents. Let's encourage more start-ups!
• Public Services Are Better: local businesses mean a stronger tax base and better public services like schools, transportation, and emergency response for you and your family.
• You Help Encourage Local Prosperity: entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that promote their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character. This also means a better use of community space.