Breaking Up With Bezos: How to Shop Local

Breaking Up with Bezos: How to Shop Local and Feel Good About It

Your Local Economy Called—It Wants You Back

We get it—Amazon is convenient. I’m guilty of ordering office supplies for a next day delivery while I’m snuggled up in bed (okay, it was last night!) But convenience comes at a cost, and that cost is the health and vitality of our local economy. And if you’re a values-driven business owner or consumer, now is the time to align your spending with your principles. As large retailers walk back their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion, small businesses remain the real champions of local economies, community engagement, and sustainability. Especially in a place like Northampton, where the rallying cry to support small businesses is like no other.

Why Shopping Local Matters

Shopping local isn’t just about feel-good moments—it has real, measurable benefits for your community and your pocketbook. Here’s a quick breakdown of the research:

More Money Stays Local – Small businesses reinvest in the local economy, while large corporations siphon money elsewhere.
Job Creation – Small businesses are responsible for nearly half of all private-sector employment in the U.S. (Small Business Administration).
Community Investment – Small businesses donate 250% more than big-box stores to local nonprofits and causes.
Lower Carbon Footprint – Local purchases mean less transportation and packaging waste.
Stronger Local Government – Sales tax revenue from small businesses funds schools, infrastructure, and public services, while big-box retailers often receive tax breaks (not mentioning any names/brands here, but trust me—look it up) without reinvesting locally.

Alternatives to Amazon: Ethical & Community-Focused Shopping

If you’re looking for places to shop that align with your values, check out these ethical alternatives:

Feel Good, Shop Local – A local gem founded by Michelle Wirth, a local entrepreneurial phenom, this platform curates local goods and experiences to make it easier to support small businesses. Check it out here. (The whole business started to make anti-Amazon shopping more streamlined and more of the norm.)
The Sphere Northampton’s Local Business Directory – We’ve compiled a constantly updated list of small businesses in our community. Browse and add your business here.
National Ethical Alternatives – If you need to shop online but want to stay aligned with your values, check out these curated lists from Rolling Stone and The Good Trade.

Do Your Own Research

If you want to dig deeper into where your money goes when you shop, try these tools that came to us from one of our local partners at last week’s Coffee and Conversation:

OpenSecrets – This nonprofit tracks money in politics and can show you which corporations donate to which political causes. Explore here.
Goods Unite Us – A political background check for brands, showing where profits from your purchases are funneled. Check it out here.

One Small Change Can Make a Big Difference

We know—it’s hard to overhaul all your shopping habits overnight. Heck—I have the Target app open on most days. But small, incremental changes matter. Maybe you start by switching one product, one retailer, or one purchase at a time. If every consumer makes one small shift, the collective impact will be enormous. Thanks to our Advisory Board member from IvyHill Strategies who mentioned the concept of marginal improvement and marginal change to us. Wow, women are smart! Our network helped us level up our game with this one.

Call to Action: Your Challenge for the Week

This week, challenge yourself to replace one Amazon purchase with a local or ethical alternative. What’s one small change you can make? Let us know in the comments, and let’s build a stronger, more just local economy—together.

Breaking Up With Bezos: How to Shop Local