Be Inspired: Supporting independent retailers

Why spend at the local store rather than the big-box department store?
> click the pic for main talk, and links below for more (... sorry, no local Ted-heads here, but worthwhile none-the-less)


Jonas Singer (with Cullen Gilchrist), Union Kitchen (DC, USA)

In this 2015 TED Talk, Jonas Singer argues that spending our dollars locally is the way to create more a equitable and healthy distribution of wealth in our communities. But we need to make local scale so it can compete with the massive corporations that control most industries. This is the vision of Union Kitchen, Singer's effort to build a food system that benefits the local community.

website »        Interview »        USA Today »


Why shop local -- what's in it for you? - Beth Carroll (USA)

Beth Carroll, an Instructor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Purdue University, highlights the importance of shopping from small local business owners and explains what's in it for you.

ABC Behind-the-news »        Channel 7 news »


The Powerful Impact of Buying Local - Levi Lawrence (USA)

Levi, in the 2016 TED Talk, shares that not one stroke of a paddle can get us to a destination, however multiple strokes, by multiple people with a shared destination can change the world. Levi is the founder of Real Food Connections. He is a cook at heart, a passionate entrepreneur and a self-professed food geek.

Real Food Connections »        Interview »



Further Resources...


Food People, Lower Prices

Shaun Micallef's MAD AS HELL Spoof commercial. Proud farmer Keith has become just like his dad – a worker ant for the supermarket duopoly. (Apr 8, 2015)

Retail Duopoly interactive map

40 cents in every dollar Australians spend goes to a Woolworths or Wesfarmers retail entity. See the reach of their interests, including liquor, hotels, fuel, hardware. (updated 2014).

 Flavour Crusader

CHOICE Market monopolies in Australia

Is Australian suffering from a market concentration crisis? (Nov 2016)

CHOICE supermarket special

Australia's big two supermarkets put the price squeeze on suppliers and brands. (Sept 2014)