RI Commerce Launches Shop Local Initiative to Support RI Businesses

RI Commerce Launches Shop Local Initiative to Support RI Businesses

For mega retailers like Walmart, Target, CVS and Amazon, the coronavirus has been the best of times.

Profits, sales and new customer acquisition are all through the roof. 

But for local businesses the coronavirus has been a crushing disease that has been devastating.

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In an effort to spotlight local business owners and promote holiday shopping at Rhode Island-based shops, retailers and restaurants, Rhode Island Commerce is partnering up with www.shoplocalrhodeisland.com and launching a public awareness campaign to urge Rhode Islanders to Shop, Eat and Enjoy Local this holiday season.

The campaign will include in-state digital advertising and public service announcements promoting local shopping that connects shoppers with Rhode Island businesses.

“Our local business community has been asked to make extraordinary sacrifices as we’ve fought to curb the spread of COVID and keep our communities safe,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “I’m asking all Rhode Islanders to recognize these sacrifices by making the active decision to shop local, shop safe, and shop online.”

“In advance of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we’re pleased to be enabling and encouraging Rhode Islanders to find and frequent Ocean State retailers – by offering them more ways to shop locally and digitally. From the onset of the pandemic, Rhode Island’s small business owners have shown remarkable determination, persistence and creativity as they’ve navigated this crisis. Now more than ever, they need our support,” said Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. “This holiday season, as Rhode Islanders think about their shopping options, we hope everyone will consider the convenience and importance of shopping local. Every dollar spent locally will support local businesspeople, local jobs, and local economic strength.”

“We created ShopLocalRhodeIsland.com because we saw our clients struggling and imagined so many other businesses were too,” said Visual Thrive Chief Operating Officer Lori Giuttari - the Cranston company that created the site. “We wanted to create a place for customers to continue to purchase from local businesses and feel safe doing so. The level of support we’ve seen through the site and while creating the video stories of their experiences, has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. I hope every Rhode Islander does their level best to spend their dollars here in RI.”

Local RI businesses can register on the site.