Judy Martens, Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce executive director, wants shoppers to stay home and spend their money in Sallisaw, especially as the holidays approach.
In a letter from Martens and Bill Baker, Sallisaw City Manager, the pair thanked the 324 who responded to the survey and noted that the data will be used by the chamber and the city to possibly recruit new retailers to Sallisaw, especially in the areas of high economic leakage, such as dining and entertainment, sporting goods, clothing and furniture.
The letter notes, “We, the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sallisaw, would ask that you, the shopper, be conscious this holiday season and the entire year for that matter, of buying locally everything you possibly can. Many of the services we take for granted, such as quality fire and police protection, well maintained parks and recreation areas, good streets, efficient and plentiful electricity, etc., are all made possible because of the sales tax revenue the city receives based on our retail shopping habits.”
Martens pointed out that shoppers will have an opportunity to support their town at the annual Merchants Open House on Sunday, when about 25 chamber member merchants kick off the Christmas shopping season with special displays and refreshments in the stores from 1 to 5 p.m. In addition many of the merchants will be offering discounts for cash-and-carry buying, and the chamber will be giving away four baskets filled with items donated by the merchants. Each basket is worth over $200 Martens said, and winners do not have to be present to win. The chamber will also be giving away a $20 Chamber Check every hour. Chamber Checks may be used to purchase any item or service from chamber members. The chamber will offer maps marking the participating merchants at the chamber office at 301 E. Cherokee, at the corner of Cherokee and Wheeler.
In another promotion to entice shoppers to make their purchases in Sallisaw, the chamber’s Shop Sallisaw Campaign begins Tuesday. The promotion offers cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $500 and all shoppers need to do is ask for their yellow ticket when making any purchase at participating merchants. The prizes will be given away at noon Dec. 12, on the same day as the Sallisaw Christmas Parade. Winners must be present and have their yellow tickets to be eligible for the cash prizes, which will total over $4,000, Martens said.
The reason for these promotions, Martens said, is the importance of shopping at home.
“I don’t think people are aware of where their sales tax dollars go,” Martens said.
At Monday’s Sallisaw City Commission meeting the city commissioners pointed out that, due to the economic downturn, the city alone has lost about 8 percent of its sales tax revenue, or about $189,000, so far this year, and city officials are having to watch the city’s budget closely to keep from overspending.
Survey Summary
The survey was not conducted using a scientifically-selected sample of respondents. The chamber points out that it still indicates a lot of money is leaving Sallisaw, and city officials note that sales tax revenue is down.
A summary of the recent survey indicates:
•86 percent of those responding are Sallisaw residents.
•Over 61 percent were female shoppers.
•50 percent of the people completing the survey were between 46 and 64 years old, followed by almost 34 percent between the ages of 30 and 45.
•The shopping categories that suffer the most from economic leakage appear to be dining and entertainment, clothing, sporting goods, furniture and large appliances, followed by gifts and home décor.
•The top reason for the leakage appears to be the variety of the items followed by cost and then lack of availability.
•76 percent of those responding were employed in Sequoyah County.
•Almost 40 percent of those responding had two members in their household followed by three and four per household at 21 percent each.
•Of those responding as a business, 56 percent were small businesses with one to five employees followed by six to 20 employees coming in at 25 percent.
•The yearly income level of those responding was an overwhelming 35 percent in the category of $75,000 and over, and the next category was 18 percent in the $61,000 to $75,000 income range.
•Almost 49 percent of the shoppers are somewhat conscious of the impact their sales tax dollars have on the local economy, and those always conscious of the impact was 38 percent.
•About 72 percent of the respondents said they would spend a little more by shopping locally for the sake of convenience and time.
•Over 54 percent said they sometimes investigate the possibility of purchasing at home before looking elsewhere and 40 percent said they always explore that option first.
•Over 76 percent of the respondents were not members of the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce.
Martens said, “We are pleased by this as it shows an interest in the local economy by those other than business leaders.”
The survey also indicates that 62.3 percent of those shopping for vehicles almost always do so locally, and 38.9 percent go elsewhere. Of those 62.3 percent who search for vehicles locally, 23.4 percent sometimes go elsewhere.
In conclusion, Martens and Baker urged shoppers to shop in Sallisaw.
“Please be conscious of the fact that every dollar you spend helps support the vital services offered to the residents of that community,” because, they said, “…the residents of Sallisaw deserve the best quality of life possible.”
