SPOKANE, Wash. – Local stores are frontloading holiday deals to beat the big store rush.
Pink Friday – coined recently by women’s boutique stores – aims to beat out Black Friday deals by a week. The idea is to support local shops first.
Businesses with 9 or fewer employees make up 70% of Spokane businesses, according to Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI). The local economic impact of shopping local outpaces the benefit of shopping at chains by about 6 times.
That means that the money you spend there is more likely to be reinvested in your community, according to GSI.
Rebel Hart Co., a women’s boutique on North Monroe Street, is embracing Pink Friday. However, the marketing ploy is not necessarily exclusive to this type of business anymore.
“I mean, we don’t have this massive marketing budget,” Hartin said. “[Holidays are] your best quarter, it’s where you make the most money.”
The store, which transitioned to online sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now focusing on brick-and-mortar sales once again. This is their second location after a previous stint downtown.
Christine Burns, Owner of Posted Consulting, provides marketing support to help local businesses compete.
“They just really adore their craft,” Burns said. “That money is staying in your local economy.”
